the book of d.j. posner featuring Pearl Bailey

It is important to remember that every thought is a prayer, that’s why I try to keep my thoughts positive. Purity in affirmations is significant as you are the writer and producer of your own story. In order to get to your soul’s purpose, you must follow the rules of engagement. I don’t mean that in a military sense, I mean it in an celestial sense. One must listen to the internal callings that lie within us all, and to which are so important to our reaching our goal of a successful life.

Success in life should not be attributed to one’s wealth or status but rather from their inner self. The inner peace found in one’s soul should be the true measurement for success. The path to finding inner peace is not always an easy or rapid one. Even the masters of such have taken years to acquire and ascend through to their path. If you look at the life of Buddha, you would discover that this great man was led through pain and suffering to a life of rebirth and his realization of enlightenment. The title Buddha means ‘the awakened one’.

Every day that I awake, I am seeking more knowledge on the topic of expanding kindness and becoming a greater human. What I have found so far is the path to this is startlingly simple; start by adopting a style where you speak Love-offering kind words and encouragement to friends, acquaintances and strangers is keeping those ‘thoughts or prayers’ we have living inside us in a state of purity. Next, just Smile. A smile costs nothing yet is contagious. You can feed the need in others without having to say a word. And, finally...Anticipate. Others around you are facing some sort of difficulty, be it large or small. By considering the difficulties of others and stepping into that space without being asked is fulfilling this principal.

I love the idea that all of our thoughts are prayers. Offering them up as they come to us is spreading the creed that the masters of faith set forth for us thousands of years ago. Steeping myself in this rich history, I am its devoted student.

“Eat your fruit; Drink your water; Grow; Love yourself; Mind your business; Base all your actions on love; Spend time alone; and Trust your intuition.”

I didn’t write that, but I have come to live by its credo. It is a simple set of thoughts, easy to prescribe to yet long on the worthy part. Each one of these ruminations has lasting value to your spirit and if you can get on board, I guarantee that you will feel it’s very powerful and positive response within your body and soul.

I have long believed that if we nourish ourselves both inside and out, it will lead to a place where we feel the power within us to do more to better the world. I like urging folks to spread joy and kindness around. I know that I have been put here on earth to do that, but I believe that I am able to do so much more when everybody gets in on the act.

Try practicing each thought – reach for an apple when you are stressed and about to find the bottom of that bag of potato chips. Guzzle a refreshing glass of water to purify and flush the toxins of daily living. Don’t just plant the seeds of good intentions – make them grow within you. Leave the urge to gossip alone and instead look within yourself to find something beautiful then give it away. Let all your actions be pure of thought and of good intent. Find the quiet in the day and savor it. And, as my mother always said, “listen to your intuition” for in regarding your sixth sense you just may be receiving messages from angels!

And messages from angels are worth listening to!

Lots’ went on in the world while I wasn’t watching! Indeed, the headlines were grand!

I’ll start off with the Washington Nationals, the Professor’s beloved baseball team. It seems his team ‘Finished Their Fight’ winning Game 7 in a blaze of glory by taking the lead in the seventh inning, then breaking it open in the eighth with another run, and two more runs in the ninth for insurance. Apparently, it was a sight to see and even though it fell off my radar given my inconvenient relocation, I did, however, lend my support to the team. Yes it is true; I found the Hallmark Channel from my hospital TV line up and let it play on through my drug-induced coma! I had to stick to my winning strategy, right?

I was, however, back home in time for the television coverage of the deeply touching Washington Nationals Welcome Home parade. The speeches by team owner, 94-year old Teddy Lerner, the beautiful words of courage spoken by team’s general manager, Mike Rizzo, and the emotional thoughts of team manager, Davey Martinez, who told us about the gumption behind the Nats remarkable season. Davey said, “…there was no back biting, no finger pointing…from day 1 – I believed in the strength and courage of this team, I never quit, and they never quit on me, we stayed positive because we believed.” All season long, Davey and this remarkable team believed it possible that they could bring a championship to their hometown of DC. Davey summed it up when he said, “Often bumpy roads lead to beautiful places.” And he is right, it is a beautiful place to be when you have worked hard, shown relentless resilience and in reaching for the brass ring you snag it! Yes, that is a beautiful place to be!

Another huge attention grabbing headline during my hiatus, my 10-year old granddaughter published her first story! I cannot tell you how proud I am of her stout heart. The maturity it takes to write a story that has a moral and a teaching moment within its pages; the grit it takes to present your work, your story, and then let it go so that it reaches others; these are qualities that you don’t always see in a seasoned writer much less a child of ten years of age. I stand in awe of this incredible little human.

So, congratulations to the Washington Nationals and to my Princess Maddie Bella. Both of your accomplishments were born out of determination and a desire to bring something special to others.

I’m a big fan of this kind of positive true grit!

The Washington Nationals hosted Game 3 of the 2019 World Series at Nationals Park last night. To all in attendance and those who were glued to the screen, the resulting loss was hard to swallow. Among that group of viewers was the Professor sitting perched on his seat edge as the game began with the Houston Astros at bat at the top of the first inning. Me? I was sitting comfy nearby buried in my iPhone blissfully unaware and not watching (gasp!).

The first inning was mostly uneventful with three easy outs coming to the Astros. In the bottom of the first, Nationals leadoff man Trea Turner thought he blasted a home run to left field, but the deep shot was caught at the wall.  A lot of nail biting was going on as the Professor and his cohorts sat transfixed. This drama continued throughout the bottom of the third as the Astros racked up two runs on the scoreboard against a goose egg for the Nationals. With all the fingernail spitting going on in the living room, I thought to myself, ‘time to take some serious action’. I rose from my supine position on the sofa and announced to the gang, “Looks like the Nats need some help. I am going upstairs and turning on the Hallmark Channel.”

Now, this may seem like an odd remedy, but hey ‘any port in a storm’. This methodology has worked beautifully throughout the Nationals season, so why not pull it out as a final card when they are in the race to FINISH THE FIGHT? And the Professor and his friends believe in my magic, too. So upstairs I go and turn on the Hallmark Channel, and let it gracefully fill the room with love and roses. Once settled, I hollered down, “Ok, it’s on, you should begin to see some results now as it is a double magic remedy – the Hallmark Channel is airing Christmas movies!” The Professor’s response was almost immediate as the 4th inning proceeded downstairs, “Its working,” he shouted up, “the Nationals just scored their first run!” Satisfied and happy that my magic method was once again applying itself miraculaously, I settled back and gazed at the characters on the screen. It was when the movie ended at 10 pm that I got in trouble.

The movie characters were all kissing and blissfully singing carols at the end of the movie when I shook from my reverie and decided to switch the channel. A new episode of Blue Blood’s was airing on prime time and I didn’t want to miss it! Changing the channel proved to be a Big Mistake! You see, when you are working with magic you need to stay the course. In my defense, I thought it ok to change the channel intending only to check-in with Commissioner Frank Reagan and then change back. But as I aired the episode, my eyes grew heavy and well, sleep found me. This fateful decision had the most unwelcome result. The Nationals lost to the Astros with a final score of 4 to 1.

There is not much conversation going-on in my household this morning, I can tell you that! One thing is for sure, I won’t make that mistake again! Game 4 airs from Nationals Park at 8 pm tonight. I will be up front and center watching from my perch on the couch, and STREAMING Hallmark from my iPhone!

As my grandma would say, “there is more than one way to skin a cat!”

I read an article on President Jimmy Carter, who at age 95 took a fall and fractured his hip. Reading this account, lead me to delve into some of President Carter’s accomplishments in his long tenure on this earth. I wanted to learn the less publized aspects of the great man, the qualities that summed him up as a human being. What an illuminating exercise, here is what I learned.

Jimmy Carter graduated from the United States Naval Academy and then served this country as a naval officer. After his father’s death, President Carter left the naval corps and returned to his family domicile to run and expand the peanut growing business started by his father. During this period, Jimmy became a voice for the opposition of Georgia’s political climate of racial segregation and the civil rights movement. Why? Because it was the right voice to raise. Through that motivation, he served in the Georgia State Senate and went on to become Governor of the state. These political positions lead to him being elected the 39th President of the United States even though he was a dark horse candidate.

In President Carter’s second day in office, he signed an order which pardoned all Vietnam Draft evaders. Why? Because it was the right thing to do. After spending four years as President, Jimmy Carter established a Center to promote and expand human rights throughout the world. He and his wife, Rosalynn, who remarkably have been married for more than 73 (yes, seventy-three) years have traveled extensively in promoting peace negotiations and efforts for the eradication of disease and under-education in developing nations. Why these crusades? Because the under-privileged that we share the earth with are the right beings to fight for; by giving voice to and dedicating oneself in these worthy pursuits a testament is created for us to see and be encouraged by in the practice of great humanity.

Jimmy Carter, despite his 95 year old age, continues to be active in American and global affairs. He is credited as a key figure in the charity, Habitat for Humanity. Why? Because it is the right thing to give a hand up to those less fortunate. President Carter has penned more than 30 books on topics ranging from political memoirs to poetry. Where he is known in the political arena for being an ‘average’ president, the accolades and evaluations for his post-presidential work are high in recognition and commendation.

To sum it up, I stand in awe of this octogenarian man who seemingly always KNEW the right thing to do. Despite any opposition he met with, he still followed the path for what he believed was right.

As you go along today, try to look at each encounter you come across for the right or wrong within it. Lend your support to the side that shines as ‘right!’ Just that small adjustment will lead us to a greater humanity.