On Shakespeare's turf, 'darling buds of May' bloom early. An unusually mild winter in Britain is confounding flora and fauna. [Christian Science Monitor | All Stories]
  comment []11:02:35 PM    

Email Fwd

I received this today.  I've never heard or seen it before, though I imagine it is an old one.  It was much more thoughtful than the group forwards that usually do the rounds. 

The Wolves Within

An old Grandfather said to his grandson, who came to him with anger at a friend who had done him an injustice...

Let me tell you a story. I too, at times, have felt great hate for those who have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do. But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy.

It's like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die.

I have struggled with these feelings many times. It is as if there are two wolves inside me; one is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way.

But...the other wolf... ah! The littlest thing will send him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all of the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger, for his anger will change nothing.

Sometimes it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit.

The boy looked intently into his Grandfather's eyes and asked, Which one wins, Grandfather?

The Grandfather smiled and quietly said,

The one I feed.

~ A Native American tale told many times around the Sacred Fire ~

 

  comment []10:50:39 PM    

Martin Luther King Day

 

Love and peace my friends.  Peace and Love.

 

 

Buffalo soldiers- Unsung Heroes

 

The lyrics make sense.

 

Buffalo Soldier- Bob Marley

 

Buffalo Soldier,

Dreadlock Rasta:
There was a Buffalo Soldier in the heart of America,
Stolen from Africa, brought to America,
Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival.

I mean it, when I analyze the stench -
To me it makes a lot of sense:
How the Dreadlock Rasta was the Buffalo Soldier,
And he was taken from Africa, brought to America,
Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival.

Said he was a Buffalo Soldier, Dreadlock Rasta -
Buffalo Soldier in the heart of America.

If you know your history,
Then you would know where you coming from,
Then you wouldn't have to ask me,
Who the 'eck do I think I am.

I'm just a Buffalo Soldier in the heart of America,
Stolen from Africa, brought to America,
Said he was fighting on arrival, fighting for survival;
Said he was a Buffalo Soldier win the war for America.

 

Confrontation album. (1983)

 

 

 

Priests to get employment rights

 

The Church of England has announced plans to give clergy employment rights for the first time.

Among the proposals, priests employed on temporary contracts would have access to tribunal and legal protection from unfair dismissal.  They will also get the right to redundancy payments and holidays.

The union which represents many clergy, Amicus, says they still will not have as many rights as other workers because they have no contracts.  Traditionally clergy have been regarded as office holders rather than employees answerable to God rather than an earthly employer.

Jobs fear

This convention has meant they had no rights to employment tribunals.  Where Anglican clergy once had security of tenure, increasingly their jobs are limited to seven year contracts.

A recent survey found almost one in two members of the clergy thought their job was under threat.  Many told Amicus in December they felt they had been treated unfairly or dishonestly.

Contracts

Under the new recommendations, priests would generally be granted secure jobs until retirement.  As well as access to tribunals they would get the right to annual and parental leave.

But clergy will continue to be office holders so will not have formal contracts of employment.  Chris Ball, of Amicus, said if they claimed a breach of contract had taken place the remedies open to them would therefore be limited.

"As office holders, they will not have contracts of employment. In a breach of contract, clergy will have no remedy other than if their rights are covered under Section 23."

But of the chance to use employment tribunals, he said: "It's really tremendous news. It's a huge change."

(BBC Article)

 

German unveils anti-ageing beer

 

It must be every drinker's dream and it has now become a reality, at least if you believe the manufacturer.

Keep young and beautiful by drinking beer - that is what Bavarian entrepreneur Helmut Fricher is promising.

Anti-ageing beer was presented to the world at a German agricultural fair this week - a drink which the brewer says will bring body and soul into harmony.  But the new wonder drink may fall foul of Germany's oldest valid law, the Beer Purity Regulation.

The anti-ageing beer that Mr Fricher presented to the Green Week trade fair in Berlin is supposed to help strengthen the immune system and make you feel good in a way that other beers just do not.

Additives

It is brewed in the normal way, but then key ingredients are added.  There is spirulina algae, which, as the German version of Men's Health magazine notes, is well known to health fanatics as an extra source of minerals.

Another key element is the protein flavonoid, which is supposed to work against cancer.  But this great hope for health-conscious beer lovers has encountered a legal problem.

The Reinheitsgebot, the world's oldest valid law, dating from 1516, states strictly that beer can contain only four ingredients: hops, barley, yeast and water.  A court hearing in the next few days is likely to order Mr Fricher to rename the product.

 

  comment []10:45:49 PM