"HUMAN OPTIONS"

In his book "HUMAN OPTIONS", Norman Cousins says "Two hundred years ago, a great nation was founded on the idea that the strength of a country begins with moral concepts, the truth of which is confirmed in the natural response of human beings and in the history of the race. If we want that nation to go on for another two hundred years, we will dispense with the nonsense that moral values are incidental and that the national interest can stand apart from the human interest".

Further he writes "Democracy is the only political philosophy that entitles and enables the individual to say "no" to government--and get away with it. Indeed, the one word most expressive of democracy is "no". Democracy says "no" to the government that would invade the natural rights of the individual or the group. It says "no" to the government that would push people around, even though this may mean that the people push the government around. The American Constitution is more specific concerning what shall not be apart of the structure of government than it is concerning what shall. The words "no" and "not" are conspicuous in every article and section. Nowhere are those two words more evidence than in the "Bill of Rights."

..."One of our difficulties is that people at the top of government spend so much time on strategy that almost no time is spent on history. There are so many movers and shakers that there is hardly any room for thinkers."

Norman Cousins was way ahead of his time. He was a man of many colors. It might not be a bad idea to consider what he has to say in "HUMAN OPTIONS." He is no longer of this realm but his wisdom and thoughtful concern for all of human kind is still with us.

TWO POETS ©

"TWO POETS as explained by Lois Evezich reporter for the Aliso Viejo News, Aliso Viejo, California, "is a unique poetry book about two people in a relationship and how they communicated with each other." The writers, ruie Mullins and Castadarrow Thompkins met when asked to join a Baha'i Choir in Los Angeles. Mullins and Thompkins shared their writing and decided to do a book together but life intervened. Castadarrow went to Africa and I went to China to do some teaching." said Mullins." "I taught English in a small private school. Premier Chou En Lai had as a goal for the Chinese to all be speaking English by the year 2000. We were only allowed to speak English (at the school) so I didn't learn Chinese..."

"While in China, Mullins started putting the work together. Thompkins is the idea guy and she is the one who made it happen." "But it took wings," said Mullins. "It almost put itself together."

"Thompkins is singer, writer and poet presently living in Las Vegas and Mullins recently of Aliso Viejo by way of Canada, is a poet, a jazz and blues singer, an artist in the broad sense of the word. This is the first book to be published by either Mullins or Thompkins. "The book was self-published and they are marketing it by word of mouth...said Evezich."

From "TWO POETS" The Chinese believe that an imaginary red thread connects
those people who are meant to be together and that nothing
can ever break that line...
not time...
nor distance...
nor circumstance...

See excerpts from the book below.

LIFE

So many solutions to my defects
Solutions that are easy to find
Alas I'm too busy with yours
To pay much attention to mine

There is so much
About life we just don't know
Because of that which our society
is afraid to show

So many faults
We desire to expose
Like mannequins in a window
Only our perfection we pose

So afraid of what others will see
So let's keep the finger pointed
At someone else, not at me

So it is with your faults
That I spend most of my time
Yes, I'm too busy with yours
To pay much attention to mine

I point my finger at you
To keep from pointing it at myself
Conveniently ignoring life's laws
By storing them on the back shelf

When I am causing you pain
I tend to forget my own
Not realizing that this reprieve of time
is just a loan

Every now and then
I think how unkind
But I'm too busy with yours
To pay much attention to mine

Somewhere it is said
Even as you have broken the least of
My commandments, you have broken them all
For this we are accused
Whether we are young, old, big or small

So self-righteous
That it is about your faults I whine
Too busy with yours
To pay much attention to mine

But if I could just redirect my gaze
Maybe just maybe, I could help others
By changing my ways

Alas, so many defects
So little time
Too busy with yours
To pay much attention to mine

...C
from "Two Poets" by Castadarrow Thompkins

Sunday

I love to lie in my bed on Sunday
To look out my window
At the peaceful green on the sloping hill
To feel the quiet as it surrounds
The early morning
And every now and then to hear
The cricket call the hummingbird to visit
At my window
Just below the limb of the tree that protects the
Jasmine
Safe in my queen Anne bed
Pillows plumped
Down blanket scrunched around my legs
Safe and secure from the world outside
My coffee cup steams sweet and savory
Among the scent of early morning dew
While music envelops my very soul
and caresses my mind
The sleepy world of my environment
Not yet awake to spoil the pleasure
Of the quiet, sweet morning of Sunday
...r
from "TWO POETS" by ruie Mullins

Living Backstreet

In 1933 my father was an entrepeneur of sorts and in his own way famous for being able to survive the depression by becoming Moon Mullins, Master of Ceremonies, band leader, writer of music and promoter of Marathons/Walkathons throughout the eastern and mid-western states. Just the year before, he married my mother and wrote a beautiful song entitled "Backstreet". There was a movie "Backstreet" about a woman who was the mistress of a wealthy doctor; she bore him a child and he and his society wife adopted the baby. The wife never knowing who was the real father. The mistress gave up the child in order to give it a chance in life and also so that she might remain a part of that life and while in immense sorrow, she remained the doctor's mistress until she died, alone and bereft upon her daughter's 21st birthday. In the song, she cries, "I'll be waiting backstreet for you...."

The song was ultimately recorded by Billie Holiday and has remained a force in my life ever since. Why? Because it speaks of love, a kind of unconditional love, an unrequited love, a love that lasts forever and I am a sucker for that kind of love.

Anyway, that explains the title of this Blog, in case you were wondering.

I am not sure how I will use this opportunity but hopefully it will be used in a good way; promoting kindness, peace and unity.