Beginning to BEGIN .... 11 September - Full Message

"The Power to Blog" (to become 'Power of 1 Blog' in 2008) began on 11 Sept 2003 on the second anniversary of 9-11-01, deemed U.S. Patriot's Day. To honor the spirit of empowered living -- and remembering the lives lost - those who gave their lives in the simple daily task of living and creating a collaborative life.

By the act of being a willing and quiet participant in daily life, fully having joined in a peaceful way of life, they were unwittingly chosen to answer a higher calling. You only need to listen to a few life tales of the men and women who perished on 11 September 01 to realize each one of these people were the kind of folks that keep this country ticking, the silent majority... and the most integral part of what makes ours a civilized and cooperatively powerful one. Amoungst those truly 'alive' in their life, we find true heroes all around us. People living life. A powerful life of sweet peace and audibly hushed rituals, and one, that by that measure alone, is truly inspired. Inspired by every faith, every creed, every devotion -- with hope, so many quiet people rise daily, dig deep and keep on keeping on.

And that very day brought attention and a heightened understanding of the sacrifices made by those who carry the safety and sanctity of our society on their shoulders, also.

In my hometown, it followed a period of unrest where those very same people were scrutinized and run through every litmus test that questioned their actions and their willingness to embody a legacy of service that is rooted in my families legacy-that of our police.

By going to work each day as a first responder so many men and women are risking their lives, and the quality of life others take for granted, to preserve that quality for you and I.

Over the last nine years these inexplicably interwoven events altered my own world view to become a more local one, and one that manifests a truer understanding of these values exhibited within my family and those I love and am devoted to. I made a full circle back to my own truth, in other words.

I don't question the validity of these lessons, or even the incredible hardship that befell those I love. I responded with my own abilities to serve them and allowed the bigger issue to shape my actions and efforts to serve my community.

They are big issues, so I also began to see I'd be walking this walk every last step of my life. I have taken some solice and see some purpose in the sacrifices of 2001 by accepting that a life's mission is what roars beneath the surface for each one of those quiet people of which I note. It's made my soul infinitely alive and my approach lovingly demure. It's pushed me to begin 'being' who I truly am.

It was then, in 2008 with a poignant tone, that I advised my daily entries to the blog would become weekly(ish); as I personally began a new chapter of honoring a marriage of the mission into a holistic life as a woman. Since and still I grasp (with human faults abound) to do all that a woman must to enact love and giving in her own home and in the loves and lives she was created to soothe. And that has been the single most powerful decision of my life. One I know will see me into eternity and brings me the peace that surpasses ALL human understanding.

IT IS SO: The Power of 1 Blog has survived the cycle of life and love all along!!!

So then: I will offer you this prayer; FOR ONLY love to guide you. AND also then a reminder to visit our archives -- with many quotes to illuminate your power and an ever-present opportunity to rally to your own eternal calling. Technology used to serve more basic values has been the most empowering development in my lifetime!

"Still Waters Run Deep." Quiet people make the most resounding impact. Humble people rock the core of the universe with a steady rumble. Be still-find a still place and there you will find a well of inspiration within ... and know the voice that speaks through you as your God.

"Be still and know that I am."-Psalm 46:5

~Blessings, ~L.L.C.

The Sacred Prayer that brings me such comfort...

A few years ago I was lead to purchase prayer candles understanding that in every faith the light is meant to illuminate the love and keep it alive. Here is the prayer that is on the Sacred Heart candle I love the most.

Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Oh, Sacred Heart of Jesus; filled with infinite love,
Broken by my ingratitude, pierced by my sins and yet,
Loving me still, relying on thy promise of
infinite charity when you said,
“Come to me, all you that labor and are
burdened and I will refresh you…”
I come to thee and in the lowliness of my heart
earnestly beg thee to grant me your loving help
with… (Partition) ~ Amen

Be powerful in your partition...

Miracles in the Making

For nearly thirteen years the story of St. Anthony of Padua has been near and dear to me: He is the true miracle worker. Here is an amazing prayer to this blessed saint; St. Anthony's Prayer for Help of the Holy Spirit

'O God, send forth your Holy Spirit upon me; guide all my thoughts and actions so that my whole life will be pleasing to You; be with me in times of trial; stay close to me when I am weak in body and soul; give me the strength, courage and grace to do your Holy will in all things; never let me be separated from You in thought, word, or deed.' Amen

The youngest women ever! ....

Speech: … by: Governor Sarah Palin of the great state of Alaska.
Accepting the nomination for the presumptive vice presidential Republican candidacy
of the United States, 2008. Dayton, OH. 29 August, 2008

PALIN: Thank you so much.

And I thank you, Senator McCain and Mrs. McCain, for the confidence that you have placed in me. Senator, I am honored to be chosen as your running mate.

I will be honored to serve next to the next president of the United States.

I know that when Senator McCain gave me this opportunity, he had a short list of highly qualified men and women. And to have made that list at all, it was a privilege. And to have been chosen brings a great challenge.

I know that it will demand the best that I have to give, and I promise nothing less.

First — first, there are a few people whom I would like you to meet. I want to start with my husband, Todd Palin.

And Todd and I are actually celebrating our 20th anniversary today. And I promised him…

I had promised Todd a little surprise for the anniversary present, and hopefully he knows that I did deliver.

And then we have as — after my husband, who is a lifelong commercial fisherman, lifetime Alaskan. He’s a production operator.

Todd is a production operator in the oil fields up on Alaska’s North Slope. And he’s a proud member of the United Steelworkers union. And he’s a world-champion snow machine racer.

Todd and I met way back in high school. And I can tell you that he is still the man that I admire most in this world.

Along the way, Todd and I have shared many blessings. And four out of five of them are here with us today.

Our oldest son, Track, though, he’ll be following the presidential campaign from afar. On September 11th of last year, our son enlisted in the United States Army.

Track now serves in an infantry brigade. And on September 11th, Track will deploy to Iraq in the service of his country. And Todd and I are so proud of him and of all the fine men and women serving this country (inaudible)

AUDIENCE: USA! USA! USA!

PALIN: Next to Todd is our daughter, Bristol, another daughter, Willow, our youngest daughter, Piper, and over in their arms is our son, Trig, a beautiful baby boy. He was born just in April.

PALIN: His name is Trig Paxson Van Palin.

Some of life’s greatest opportunities come unexpectedly. And this is certainly the case today.

I never really set out to be involved in public affairs, much less to run for this office. My mom and dad both worked at the local elementary school. And my husband and I, we both grew up working with our hands. I was just your average hockey mom in Alaska, raising…

We’re busy raising our kids. I was serving as the team mom and coaching some basketball on the side. I got involved in the PTA and then was elected to the city council, and then elected mayor of my hometown, where my agenda was to stop wasteful spending, and cut property taxes, and put the people first.

I was then appointed ethics commissioner and chairman of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. And when I found corruption there, I fought it hard, and I held the offenders to account.

Along with fellow reformers in the great state of Alaska, as governor, I’ve stood up to the old politics as usual, to the special interests, to the lobbyists, the big oil companies, and the good-old- boy network.

When oil and gas prices went up so dramatically and the state revenues followed with that increase, I sent a large share of that revenue directly back to the people of Alaska. And we are now — we’re now embarking on a $40 billion natural gas pipeline to help lead America to energy independence.

I signed major ethics reform. And I appointed both Democrats and independents to serve in my administration. And I championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress. In fact, I told Congress — I told Congress, “Thanks, but no thanks,” on that bridge to nowhere.

If our state wanted a bridge, I said we’d build it ourselves. Well, it’s always, though, safer in politics to avoid risk, to just kind of go along with the status quo. But I didn’t get into government to do the safe and easy things. A ship in harbor is safe, but that’s not why the ship is built.

Politics isn’t just a game of competing interests and clashing parties. The people of America expect us to seek public office and to serve for the right reasons.

PALIN: And the right reason is to challenge the status quo and to serve the common good.

Now, no one expects us to agree on everything, whether in Juneau or in Washington. But we are expected to govern with integrity, and goodwill, and clear convictions, and a servant’s heart.

Now, no leader in America has shown these qualities so clearly or present so clear a threat to business as usual in Washington as Senator John S. McCain.

PALIN: This — this is a moment when principles and political independence matter a lot more than just the party line. And this is a man who has always been there to serve his country, not just his party.

And this is a moment that requires resolve and toughness, and strength of heart in the American president. And my running mate is a man who has shown those qualities in the darkest of places, and in the service of his country.

A colleague once said about Senator McCain, “That man did things for this country that few people could go through. Never forget that.” And that speaker was former Senator John Glenn of Ohio.

And John Glenn knows something about heroism. And I’m going to make sure nobody does forget that in this campaign. There is only one candidate who has truly fought for America, and that man is John McCain.

PALIN: This is a moment — this is a moment when great causes can be won and great threats overcome, depending on the judgment of our next president.

In a dangerous world, it is John McCain who will lead America’s friends and allies in preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

It was John McCain who cautioned long ago about the harm that Russian aggression could do to Georgia and to other small democratic neighbors and to the world oil markets.

It was Senator McCain who refused to hedge his support for our troops in Iraq, regardless of the political costs.

And you know what? As the mother of one of those troops, and as the commander of Alaska’s National Guard, that’s the kind of man I want as our commander in chief.

AUDIENCE: USA! USA! USA!

PALIN: Profiles in courage: They can be hard to come by these days. You know, so often we just find them in books. But next week when we nominate John McCain for president, we’re putting one on the ballot.

PALIN: To serve as vice president beside such a man would be the privilege of a lifetime. And it’s fitting that this trust has been given to me 88 years almost to the day after the women of America first gained the right to vote.

I think — I think as well today of two other women who came before me in national elections.

I can’t begin this great effort without honoring the achievements of Geraldine Ferraro in 1984…

… and of course Senator Hillary Clinton, who showed such determination and grace in her presidential campaign.

It was rightly noted in Denver this week that Hillary left 18 million cracks in the highest, hardest glass ceiling in America…

… but it turns out the women of America aren’t finished yet and we can shatter that glass ceiling once and for all.

So for my part, the mission is clear: The next 67 days I’m going to take our campaign to every part of our country and our message of reform to every voter of every background in every political party, or no party at all.

PALIN: If you want change in Washington, if you hope for a better America, then we’re asking for your vote on the 4th of November.

My fellow Americans, come join our cause.

Join our cause and help our country to elect a great man the next president of the United States.

And I thank you, and I — God bless you, I say, and God bless America. Thank you.

[end transcript of Sarah Palin’s speech]

THE LOVE IS ALL AROUND YOU AND WITHIN

This has been one of my favorite essays. I found it in my teens.
It is simple and true! Wisdom and time brings acceptance of the holiness of love that begins within.
LOOK NOW:
It is ALL AROUND YOU!

THE NEED FOR ACCEPTANCE

Sometimes I dull the voice that speaks through me by my doubt and my ineptitude.
Sometimes the song that wishes to be free is locked in pain by my discordant mood.
Sometimes the beauty that surrounds me waits in vain for my belated recognition.
And sometimes when awareness hestitates, truth mocks the petty ends of my ambition.
Sometimes I allow complexity to rob me of the simple songs of nature; and yet I may hold heaven next to me if I proclaim my right as heaven's creature.
God's kingdom is eternal and divine.
If I accept it he will make it mine.

~John D. Engle, Jr.