Everything in creation
must be true unto itself.

Michelle Obama - USAService.org

A Lovely Message from Michelle Obama


"...On January 19th, Barack and I will join thousands of people all across the country for an extraordinary day of service.I recorded a short video to tell you more about this important effort


....Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are committing to renew America together, one community at a time.


Whatever service activity you organize or take part in -- cleaning up a park, giving blood, volunteering at a homeless shelter, or mentoring an at-risk youth -- you can help start this important journey. But this is about more than just a single day of service, it's the beginning of an ongoing commitment to your community.


Monday, January 19th, is also Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Dr. King taught us to live a life of service, and he led by example. He once said:
"If you want to be important -- wonderful. If you want to be recognized -- wonderful. If you want to be great -- wonderful. But, recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. That's a new definition of greatness."



Barack and I will be volunteering in Washington, D.C., our new home. I hope you'll join us by taking part in this national call to service in your community:
http://www.USAservice.org/calltoservice


It will take ordinary citizens working together with a common purpose to get this country back on track. This national day of service is an important first step in our continuing commitment.


Now is the time to remind all Americans what ordinary people can accomplish when we stand together."


Thank you,


Michelle

"Deadwood South Dakota" ~ sung by MonkeyLess John

A Message from my friend, John, about Hatred and Racism


"My friend Dan has started a tribute week for songs that talk about hatred and racism.

I believe we are all emotionally racist to some extent. If you have ever walked down a street and have felt that you weren't safe when a black person, or a white person, or and Eastern Person or a Red person has walked by, then really , you are prejudging, which I suppose is more what this is.

Where we get past this is to realize that, emotionally that maybe how we feel, but we can choose not to be racist, through our actions towards others, and the respect we can give to each other. Until we are all ready to say " I am sorry about what we have done to you" and really mean it, then this will never, ever end.Look, we are all members of the human race, lets just say that, mean that, and please just live there.

Same for religious differences, do you really think God wants you to hate someone because they don't quite believe the same thing as you??? I can't imagine that would be true." ~ MonkeyLess John

From Conservation International


photo from CI
"When Nature Thrives
Humanity Benefits"