Happy Thanksgiving to All

Once again, we've arrived at the time of year that we give thanks for the many good things in our lives. Sometimes that can be difficult. But even if it seems as if the entire sky is raining down on you, there are things for which to be thankful.

This summer has been a tough one. My new guitarist has been dealing with some serious health issues. I had a cancer scare of my own. And there are some things in my personal life that could have gone a little better, to say the least. And yet, I'm still thankful.

I'm thankful I found a guitarist and drummer who are both excellent and a lot of fun to work with.

I'm thankful I still have a job.

I'm thankful I don't have cancer.

I'm thankful that I'll be spending the next several months working on a new CD.

I'm thankful that I have a roof over my head.

I'm thankful I have enough to eat.

I'm thankful that I have the opportunity to do the work I love.

I'm thankful my family is healthy.

I'm thankful for the lessons. And for the fact they didn't take even longer to learn!

I'm thankful that anyone reads this blog . . . and that some get something positive from it.

I'm thankful for my friends.

I'm thankful that I have another chance to do better.

So. What's your list? I hope you'll take time between the feast and the football games to sit and consider all the things in your life for which you should be thankful.

My best to all of you.

And Happy Thanksgiving.

A Very Special Benefit

Imagine you are two years old. You've already had several surgeries on your eyes. You've had your muscles cut and resewn. You've had your lenses replaced, only to have the new ones rejected. You've had your pupils sliced open because they wouldn't open on their own. And you still need more. Lots more.

Now, imagine you are Sidney's parents. You've spent everything you had to pay for the surgeries. You've sat up all night (time and time again) comforting your daughter when she doesn't understand why she can't see, or why her face hurts.

I don't have to imagine either scenario. As a child, I had several eye operations in an attempt to correct my double vision. I've lived my entire life dealing with a pair of eyes that just don't work right. And, as a father, I've sat and sweated in the waiting room while my daughter underwent surgeries of her own.

Why am I telling you all of this?

Because this Sunday (Oct 8), my band Deeper Blues will be performing as part of a benefit to help raise funds for Sidney's medical expenses. And I'm asking all of my readers to please send a donation to the fund that has been set up at a local credit union. Here are the details:

Benefit --

Sunday, Oct 8, 1-4PM
At Sarge's Banquet Hall
409 E. Main St.
Danville, IL 61832

Fund --

TeePak Credit Union
1035 E. Main St.
Danville, IL 61832
Make check or money order payable to:
TeePak Credit Union for Sidney Schaumburg Fund

If you can make it to the benefit - GREAT! There will be food, a cake walk, 50-50 raffles, and auction and more. A DJ will play music for the firs ttwo hours, and we'll go on at 3PM.

Even if you can't make it, please send a donation. Every little bit helps, so please send what you can.

Thanks in advance to all who participate. I appreciate your support very much. And I'm sure Sidney's parents do, too.

Torture is Wrong

We've all heard far more than we probably wanted on this subject. But with what's been going on recently, I just had to weigh in.

Torture is wrong.

Period.

There can be no justification, no excuse, no argument, that excuses such barbaric behavior. If it is wrong for others to torture, then it is wrong for us. If it is wrong for others to hold people incommnicado, to punish them without a fair trial, then it is wrong for us.

I am constantly amazed at the rationalizations that supposed people of spirituality offer up to justify torture. Can someone please show me a passage -- any passage in any holy book -- that tells us that debasing a human life is OK.

The Bible tells us to "do unto others as you would have done to you." Well, I don't want to be tortured, and therefore do not want my country to torture in my name.

For those who use the Old Testament to justify their actions -- didn't Jesus bring a new testament? Didn't he teach us to love one another? To dissent peacefully? To work for social justice?

Doesn't count, you say? Gotta live by those old rules? Then why are we so up in arms that certain segments of the Muslim population wish to live by their old rules, their fundamental beliefs? And why aren't you out there stoning WalMart employees for working on the Sabbath?

Torture not only debases the victim, it debases the society that approves it.

I will never condone the torture of another human being. And I will no longer be silent.

Torture is wrong.

Memorial Day

It's been quite a while since I made an entry here, three weeks, to be exact. Within the next few days, I'll post an entry addressing that. However, there's something more important on my mind.

Tomorrow, America remembers those who have died in the various wars she has fought. I ask each of you to take a moment to add your positive thought for those who have taken up the uniform, and laid down their lives in service to their country.

You may not agree with the justifications for one or more of the wars. I know I don't. But that doesn't matter. It's not about supporting war, in general or specific. It's about paying respect to those who were willing to place themselves in harm's way, offering their service - and their lives - to the society of America as a whole.

The first war to directly touch my life was Korea, although only after the truce had been called. My father spent a year there, working as an engineer. To the best of my knowledge, he did not know anyone killed or hurt during or after that conflict.

The same cannot be said for Viet Nam, where he served two tours, one as commander of a helicopter company, the other as the commander of an engineering battalion. I don't believe he lost any of his engineers - at least not to the war itself, although heroin may have taken one or two - but he lost many men during his helicopter tour, and many times many were wounded, and my father deeply mourned every one of them, accepting another weight of guilt for each loss.

My father almost never discussed his time under the gun. I can count the times he talked to me about it on one hand without the thumb. He did talk about non-military activities from those times, but not about the combat. In fact, there are things about my father's life - amazing and truly heroic things - that I learned from his friends and comrades-in-arms, a history that left me dumbfounded. The only time I ever asked him about one of the stories I'd heard, he dismissed with a wave of his hand. "It's not worth discussing," he said gruffly. "I just did what needed to be done."

"But, dad," I replied, "they say you're a hero."

"They say I am. I don't." He say quietly for a moment, but tensely. I could see his eyes first loose focus, as they do when a person drifts into their thoughts, the begin to well with tears. Finally, he continued: "You know who the heroes are? Those boys I had to send home to their mothers in boxes. They're the heroes. Honor them." With that he turned away and said no more. Ever.

Every year at this time, I remember his words. "I just did what needed to be done." I wonder how many of the fallen would say the same thing of their own actions? I think the percentage would surprise many of us. Thousands upon thousands who died in an attempt to save someone else, who placed the value of another's life above their own, and in so doing, acted in the only way their conscience would allow.

"They're the heroes,' he said. "Honor them."

And I do.

I hope you will join me.

I Quit!

I realized today that I have yet to share some exciting news: I quit smoking! Go, me! <laughs>

When I wrote my New Year's resolutions, I didn't include quitting as one of them. I wasn't sure I'd be able to do it. Turns out I could. But it took a serious health scare. So far, it's been 37 days since my last cigarette. I still have cravings, but they're manageable.

If you're in quitting, feel free to check out my web site Diary of a Quitter. There are several essays, including the most recent one, Starting Over, which tells how I came to quit this time around. There's also a diary that I write to daily (and post every few days), tips and tricks to help you quit, articles on smoking, and some diversionary fun.

Religion Lite

There's been something on my mind for the past several days: it seems that most people don't do much more than profess to be of one religion or another. They don't really live their faith; they just claim it - as if merely saying they're makes it so. That's not the way it works.

If you're going to claim to be a person of faith, you have to practice that faith. Day in and day out. Everything you do should be grounded in your faith. You can't simply apply the teachings when it suits you. And you can't ignore the divine until you need it (him/her/whatever). Going to church on Sunday doesn't make you a Christian. Living the teachings to the best of your ability - in each moment of your life - is what's required. God should be a part of your daily life . . . not hidden under glass until you decide you need His help. The teachings should infuse every decision you make, every action you take, every word or deed.

There's certainly more to be said on this subject. I'm still thinking about it, and letting it all gel. Today I'm going to start working on an essay on the subject. Once completed, I'll post it on the main site, and announce it here. Until then, perhaps this entry will spur you to think about it as well.

A "Must See" Movie

I just received wonderful news I've been waiting to hear about a movie I've been hoping and praying would finish production. Peaceful Warrior will debut June 2nd. Based on the biographical novel, Way of the Peaceful Warrior, by Dan Millman, this is a definite "must see". Whether you've read the book or not, this is a movie that will certainly inspire you to live a better life.

I discovered Dan's writings for more than a decade ago. Since then, I've gotten to know him a bit, and have gotten to hear him speak. His encouragement early in my writing career helped give me the courage to continue. And I am honored that my essay, A Gift of Spirit was included in Chicken Soup to Inspire the Body and Soul®, for which Dan was associate editor.

Like all of Dan's books, ...Peaceful Warrior can change your life - and will, if you only let it. If you haven't read it, you may want to wait a bit before buying it (please visit Dan's web site to order), as there will soon be a special edition, a companion to the movie, which will include an author interview: From Page to Screen.

Peaceful Warrior is an independent release, and will first appear on the West Coast. It may take a while for it to come to your town, but I can fairly guarantee it will be worth the wait.

Religion and Politics

Normally, I don't talk about politics much. My reason for this is that I don't feel the two should be mixed. My goal is to offer thoughts that might help others live a more spiritual, more fulfilling life. In order to reach the widest audience possible, I don't limit myself to a specific religion, and I don't bring politics into the discussion.

So why do it now? Because today, I read something I think everyone should carefully consider. The title of the piece is A Time for Heresy, by Bill Moyers. Mr. Moyers is the President of the Schumann Center for Media and Democracy. This article is actually the prepared text of his speech delivered on March 14 on the establishment by the Wake Forest Divinity School, of a scholarship in religious freedom in the name of Judith and Bill Moyers.

In his remarks, Moyers argues that our government is in danger of being taken over by, among other things, religious entities that would like very much to force others to think and act as they do. Personally, I'd much prefer they never got the chance. I strongly support each individual's right to practice the faith that best helps them to lead a good life. And I strongly support the separation of Church and State so that all of us continue to enjoy this right.

Thank you, Mr. Moyers for saying so eloquently that which must be said.

Read Moyers' remarks here.

Spiritual Shopping

Think you're doing all you can for all people?. So why are you wearing that T-shirt made by a child who makes ten cents a day? Why are you using products made by manufacturers that are destroying the enviornment? Why are you drinking coffee that Starbucks® and virutally every other coffee company practically steals from those growing and harvesting it? Do you see what I mean?

Yes, I agree it's very difficult to be completely friendly to the environment, to buy products that are fairly traded, that don't use child labor or a virtual slave work force. Here's how you can change that and do better for your world and those who share it with us: Check out these companies.

Cafe Rebelion
Formerly The Human Bean, Cafe Rebelion buys only "fair trade, all natural, shade grown coffee from two Zapatista coffee co-ops; Mut Vitz (Bird Mountain) and Yachil Xojobal Chulchan (New Light of the Sky)."

Abundant Earth Catalogue
Offers a wide variety of environmentally sensitive products and services for people who want to make a difference in the world.

Celebrating Peace
Numerous products and ideas to help promote peace. Many suitable for children.

FaithWorks Global Gallery
Offeres unique and affordable gifts from around the worl that are fairly traded.

No Sweat Apparel
From their we site: "No Sweat defines the market for goods that support independent trade unions - the only historically proven solution to sweatshops. We market direct to consumers, relying primarily on internet sales for distribution. The savings in advertising offset our higher labor costs, enabling us to provide a competitive product and a living wage. . . Together we can show the garment industry what a real fashion statement looks like."

Equal Exchange
A worker-owned Co-op that only sells Fair Trade merchandise.

Ethical Threads
For UK shoppers that want to dress ethically.

Sweat X
Clothes with a Conscience.

Powell's Books
From their web site: "Powell's Books is committed to the strength of a well-informed community and supports numerous organizations working to ensure the unimpeded sharing of ideas and knowledge. Donating books, time and money, Powell's Books is a leader in the support of public schools and libraries, adult literacy programs, children's reading programs, free speech issues, and civil rights causes."

Union Wear
Ensures a living wage to all.

Union Jean & Apparel
From their web site: "We believe in the USA, the health of our economy, our unions and all of the benefits derived from being and buying American."

If you know of another web site that deserves a place on this list, please feel free to e-mail me. I'd be happy to investigate, and consider adding your nomination.

An Important Weekend

For many, this weekend is among the most important in their religion. Today, Christians celebrate Easter. For Jewish people, it is part of the 8 day celebration, Passover. To any who celebrate either holiday, I offer my best wishes for a peaceful and pleasant day. And a meaningful one.

Servant First - Servant Always

Some time ago, I submitted an essay to the Greenleaf Center for Servant-Leadership for consideration for their upcoming book of essays. In it, I paraphrased Greenleaf's philosophy, paring it down to 4 words: servant first - servant always. I've been thinking about this again lately, and have renewed my commitment to living my life in keeping with this imperative.

What about you? Whom or what do you serve? Do your activities promote a more harmonious world? Or are you too busy making sure you get yours to worry about anyone else? Where on the spectrum between absolute service and complete greed do you pitch your camp?

The closing words of my prayer - "Let me be an instrument of service that I may play my part in the grand design, for that is my greatest desire." - are a reminder that one of our most important jobs while we're here is to serve others. I find that focusing on the phrase servant first - servant always is a great way to keep me pointed in the right direction. I hope it will do the same for you.

A Very Special Benefit

On Sunday, April 2, 2006, there will be a benefit for Chris Hopson at Sully's in Chantilly, VA. If you're in that area, I hope you'll come out and join in.

Chris is the son of the General Manager of the Sunset Grill in Annandale, VA. The Grill, as it is often called, has been home to some of the finest music in the Washington, DC area for many years. This benefit is to help Chris deal with the costs of cancer treatment.

The doors open at noon and there will be music all day long, provided by some of the finest bands the DC area has to offer. Among the acts already committed are Johnny Castle's Thrillbillys and the legendary Nighthawks. There will also be a buffet and BBQ, as well as raffles throughout the day.

Please help us help a good friend in his time of need. For more information, you can check out Johnny's web site. While there, check out the flyer with full information.

Thanks for helping. And create a great day!

A Dear Friend Passes

Today, I received news that I've been dreading for some time. Dawn, a dear friend, has passed after a long battle with cancer. My deepest sympathy goes out to her husband, and to her many friends, who will all miss her dearly.

I first met Dawn in a Usenet group dedicated to quitting smoking. From the very first, I admired her as a person of compassion, with a desire to help others. I can't begin to tell you how many people she helped, but I can tell you she helped me time and time again.

In January, 2004, Dawn found she had contracted cancer. Although scared beyond words, she told the group about it and used it as a learning experience for all of us. Her predicament was a warning to us all about the dangers of smoking. Her grace under pressure was an example of how to handle such an ordeal. (In this, she was much like my father.) I joined numerous other friends in a "healing circle" to support her before and after her operation. We were overjoyed to learn that the operation and subsequent therapy was a success.

Unfortunately, the success was short-lived. The cancer came back and, this time, it won. Another healing circle was formed, and many others worked individually to support her. In the end, however, the best we could do was to send her love and warmth and help her prepare for the crossing we all must make. I will miss Dawn very much. Even though we never met face to face, she was an important person in my life. I will always remember her kindness, her compassion and her sincere desire to help others. I am honored that she called me "friend".

In her honor, here is a poem I wrote years ago for a friend after the loss of her mother. Step softly to the Light, dear Dawn. May it always shine warmly upon you.

The Parting

The wise one said:

My time comes softly to an end
Quiet comes the night
I think I spent my time here well
But it's time to say good-bye

A gift from Spirit you have been
An Angel taking flight
You'll fare, as always, very well
And I bid you fond good-bye

May you stand softly in the Light

And her child answered:

Go softly just around the bend
To meet your spirit guide
I know you spent your time here well
Yes, it's time to say good-bye

My greatest comfort you have been
An Angel by my side
You'll also fare now very well
And I bid you fond good-bye

Now step softly to the Light

©1997 - Lane Baldwin

The Sanctity of Marriage

I normally don't talk about politics. But, today, I did want to touch on the subject as it relates to marriage. I just don't understand why some people are so adamant in their attack on same sex marriages. It is beyond me how two people who love each other declaring that love and making their relationship "official" can be a threat to marriage as an institution.

Isn't divorce a greater threat to marriage? Consider that more than 50% of all marriages today end in divorce. This seems to me to be the real threat to marriage. Why aren't these same people attacking that?

Now, I'm not suggesting that a person stay in an abusive situation. Sometimes, the only way to deal with a deeply troubled relationship is to walk away. What I am suggesting is that people give up too easily in many cases. There are times when I believe that many people invest more effort in their careers than they do in marriage. And, to me, that's just plain wrong.

Yes, marriage can be very difficult. In fact, I believe it to be one of the most challenging things we all face. . . the other being parents. But when things get tough, that tells me that, often, we need to put more effort into the relationship - not abandon it.

Are there issues in your marriage? If so, then it's time to sit down and have a heart-to-heart talk. Not a fight, not a screaming match. A loving talk. Aggression is most often met with aggression or defensiveness. It won't help you solve your problems. It's important to talk openly - and calmly - about the issue as you see it, and how that makes you feel. Be honest, be frank. But come from a place of love. Ask for help solving the problem. And remember, it seldom turns out that a single talk is going to get the job done. Resolving serious issues takes time. Ask your partner for help in creating a workable plan to address things.

Don't expect these talks to be easy, either. Because they're not. They can be extremely difficult and emotionally charged. Don't let that stop you from doing it. A long-term relationship requires effort and deep commitment. Well, didn't you make that commitment when you decided this relationship was something more than a passing phase? Honor yourself by honoring your commitment - and have that talk you so desperately need.

The other thing that can be vitally important is to ask yourself, "what's my part in this? What am I doing to contribute to the problem?" If you aren't willing to look at yourself, you take away the opportunity to be a part of positive change. It isn't easy to engage in this level of self-honesty, but it often is the difference between finding a solution and watching the problem get worse.

My final thought is this: If you can't resolve the issue alone, seek help. Find a good relationship counselor or therapist. There are many avenues you can explore and only you (and your mate) can decide which is best for you. Don't let embarrassment keep you from seeking help. I promise you that you aren't the first couple to need guidance.

If we truly want to honor the sanctity of marriage - and of all long-term relationships - let's start with the greatest threat to them: The willingness to give up too easily.

Create a Great Day!

Back After Long Absence

Sometimes, time really does fly. I apologize for the length of time since my last post. I've just been very busy.

First, I had to prepare for - and attend - the largest trade show in my industry. (My "day job" is with Eden Electronics, which makes the finest bass amplifiers on the planet.) I spent many hours getting everything ready for the show and then spent a week putting in twenty hour days. Obviously, that's a lot of work but it was well worth it and everyone involved decreed the show a huge success.

Second, I became very ill on the day I flew home. Chalk it up to being extremely overworked and the fact that my immune system had been beat to death. I spent the following week recuperating.

Third, I've since been working hard to catch up on everything. Several times I told myself I need to do another entry here, but I just kept running out of time.

I'm happy to say that I am now fairly caught up and am able to allocate time for blog entries. I'll be back in a day or two with a new post. Thanks to those who emailed to check on me.

Create a Great Day!

The Voice Within

We all have questions.

Why are we here?

What's the meaning of it all?

What comes next?

We all seek answers. But, most of the time, we seek outside ourselves. I'd like to suggest another alternative: Seek your answers within.

If you believe as I do, that everything is connected, you already know you can access universal knowledge by seeking within. When we're quiet, calm and attentive, we can hear the voice within us - the voice that can answer our questions about the meaning of existence, about how to live a better life.

When the questions burn in your mind and the answers aren't forthcoming, look within. Find a quiet place, do some deep breathing to calm yourself, perhaps meditate for a short time. Once you've centered yourself, focus on your question. Don't attempt to force an answer; just open yourself to receiving whatever you might hear or feel. Listen with your heart - and your spirit.

Another way to access answers using your inner knowledge is to literally sleep on a problem. When you lie down for the night, bring your question to the front of your mind. Tell yourself that you're going to allow your heart, mind and spirit to work on the problem for you while your asleep. In the beginning, you may not wake up with an answer or solution. But, with practice, you'll find that you often wake with a new perspective.

Obviously, this entry only scratches the surface. There's a lot more to be said (or written). But I hope that by putting this in front of you, I've aroused your curiosity enough that you'll explore this very useful way of answering the questions we all ask.

One last note: On my web site, you'll find a poem on this subejct. Feel free to read So Many Questions.

Now You Can Subscribe

Yesterday, I added subscription buttons to the right sidebar. Now, you can easily add this blog to your Yahoo and Goggle home pages. If you'd like to add it to a different service, click on the orange and white "Newsfeed" logo botton. That will take you to a page that offers several other options.

New Year Off to Good Start

Knock on wood - so far, so good.

Sure, it's only been a few days. But, so far, the resolutions seem to be going well.

Today, a friend asked me if I was doing anything special to help keep my resolutions in mind. Well, not really special. Helpful, perhaps, but not special. Here's a few things I'm doing to help the resolutions stick:

1. I wrote them down. I've got a few notes around the place to help me remember, and I've made some notations in my day planner. Reading them throughout the day helps keep them in my mind.

2. I told others. By writing them here, and telling some close friends, I've put it out to the world. I've noticed that telling others gives a person one more reason to live up to their commitments. It seems it has to do with not wanting to "lose face" in front of friends.

3. To help myself eat healthier, I've gotten rid of a lot of my favorite junk food. It's a lot harder to eat bad stuff if it's not in the house, you know?

4. Instead of trying to change a bad habit (poor eating habits), I'm developing a new, better habit to replace the old behavior. Instead of saying, "I won't drink sodas anymore," I said, "I'm going to drink more water." Instead of "I'm not going to eat free-toes," I said, "I'm going to eat more fruit and veggies for snacks.

As I said, not special, really. But I've found these few things to be of help.

So far.

I'll let you know how it goes...