After Boston

I read this today and want to share it..

By Stephen Jay Gould in the aftermath of 9/11: 

"The patterns of human history mix decency and depravity in equal measure. We often assume, therefore, that such a fine balance of results must emerge from societies made of decent and depraved people in equal numbers. 
But we need to expose and celebrate the fallacy of this conclusion so that, in this moment of crisis, we may reaffirm an essential truth too easily forgotten, and regain some crucial comfort too readily forgone. 
Good and kind people outnumber all others by thousands to one. The tragedy of human history lies in the enormous potential for destruction in rare acts of evil, not in the high frequency of evil people. Complex systems can only be built step by step, whereas destruction requires but an instant. 
Thus, in what I like to call the Great Asymmetry, every spectacular incident of evil will be balanced by 10,000 acts of kindness, too often unnoted and invisible as the 'ordinary' efforts of a vast majority. 
We have a duty, almost a holy responsibility, to record and honor the victorious weight of these innumerable little kindnesses, when an unprecedented act of evil so threatens to distort our perception of ordinary human behavior." 

Horrible Day in Boston

The unthinkable happened today in Boston at the Boston Marathon finish line.  Two explosions at about the 4:09 finishing time.

From The Boston Globe:  Three killed, more than 100 injured in marathon blast 

Prayer from Jacob:

Prayer For The World 

God is with us now.  There is a Divine Plan for the world.

I believe that God is all good and everywhere present.

I believe in the power of God's love here on Earth.

I now begin to see the world 

through the eyes of the Christ Consciousness.

All life is now cradled in God's loving arms.

There is no place on Earth that this Light does not touch.

I now call upon Divine Love to heal our hearts and minds.

This Love is now flowing through every country and nation.

Every man, woman and child is embraced in this perfect love.

There is no poverty, pain, sickness nor lack in God. 

This is an abundant universe and there are more than

enough resources for everyone to have all that they need.

Every person and nation now draws to them all that they need

in order to be happy, healthy, safe and loved.

Under the Divine Plan everyone wins and no one loses.

Greed, addictions, anger, prejudice and sickness

all dissolve in the miracle of Divine Restoration.

The need to be right is released and dissolves.

All of nature is being brought into harmony as

the plants, animals and all living things

are restored to their natural state of being.

The citizens and leaders of every nation are now

being awakened to the truth of our Oneness.

All beings everywhere are being lifted up to their highest and best.

We recognize the sacredness of all life.

We are all healed together.

Here and now I give my life to God that I may be used as

an instrument of healing and change.

I recognize my importance in this plan for salvation of the world.

May I do no harm.  May I help wherever I can.

Let peace begin here with me now.

Thank you, Jacob.

What's Important

I love this, from The StoryPeople...

97-Year-Old Ida Breaks the 100m Record for Women 95 and Older

From OWN, this is so inspiring..  and moving.  What an amazing woman!  Please watch:

Everyone Needs a Pep Talk

Have you seen this?  I love it!

Black Beans and Rice - Yummy!

I posted a while ago about my gluten intolerance here (to recap:  Three to four years ago I began to suspect that I might have a gluten intolerance.  That means my body has adverse reactions to gluten, which is a protein in certain grains (wheat, barley, rye).  My whole life I have eaten bread, pasta, and pretty much anything and everything I ever wanted without any problems.  But now, ingesting just the tiniest bit of gluten sets off a whole host of symptoms, beginning with neurological symptoms of tingling, numbness, heaviness on the left side of my body, severe fatigue and nausea, severe migraine headache, and then gastrointestinal symptoms of bloating and diarrhea.   This goes on for more than a week.  So I have gotten very, very good at keeping gluten out of my diet.  It's been difficult, because it seems to be in EVERYTHING, and cross-contamination is always a possibility. )

If I am out at a restaurant or at someone's house..   I have to be absolutely positive that there is NO gluten involved in any way, shape or form in the food provided, or I don't eat.  The reactions I get are just too severe; it is just not worth it.  My family has learned to accommodate me, which is really great for me!  I want to share my daughter Stephanie's recipe for Black Beans and Rice here--delish!

Stephanie's Black Beans and Rice

2 Tbsp olive oil

1/2 cup onion, finely chopped

1/4 cup green pepper, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 can Goya black beans, undrained

3/4 cup water

1 tsp oregano

1 packet Sazon Goya w/o Annatto

 Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.  Add onion, pepper and garlic; cook until tender, about 8-10 minutes.  Stir in remaining ingredients.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes.  Serve over rice.  Serves 4.

Look What I Found!

I had the MOST BEAUTIFUL, WONDERFUL RUN on the beach this morning!!

I was up early this morning and watched the sunrise..

Had planned to run later in the afternoon, but it was SO PERFECT out--the sun, the temp, low tide was at about 10am, so at 8am the sand was packed perfectly for a run...

So that was it, couldn't not..

Oh, joy!  I LOVE running on the beach!  And look what I found..

Now, this guy is actually quite large, but using my old iPhone camera, you can't really tell.

I turned it over..   and..  the animal was still inside!  He was alive!  I have not seen a live conch on the beach in years and years!  I took a photo...   You can't see him, he pulled himself up into the shell, but he's in there!

Need a Change?

Here in South Florida, a lot of you have you run your goal half or full marathon.  Most of the the rest of the country is in deep winter and won't be starting any real running training for another couple months.   

It might be a good time to work on any muscle imbalances you might have. Get into the gym and do some weight training, maybe work with a trainer, go to spin classes, yoga, maybe do some P90X or Crossfit.

It will help your running to give the speed work a break.  Lower your weekly mileage, and run easy miles.  Enter the races, but just run for fun. 

 Or better yet, volunteer at some of those races.