View allAll Photos Tagged selfless
Nikon F80, 50mm f1.8D, Kodak TMax 100, Exposure X7
The Battle of Britain Memorial, Capel-Le-Ferne, Kent, England
The National Memorial to the Few
Dedicated to the heroic and selfless deeds of the men who won the Battle of Britain, 10 July to 31 October, 1940.
"If no one else has made the attempt to tell you yet, let me tell you...You are a wonderful person. You have great talents inside you and you can achieve your dreams. Go ahead and live happily and spread selfless love everywhere you go."
~WL
Love is not about the beauty of the person, the positives that you gain from it, a person's beauty may fade but love stays beautiful forever. Its an inspiration to be selfless with a motive to be kind, trustworthy, think about things which are more important to your loved one.
The act of giving you, making you smile gives me more satisfaction than my own benefits. Loving you is not what i want to do rather its my need for me to be more human everyday as being with you makes me better. Time spent with you is devine moreover its my way of living, All I can say is thankyou for making me feel the way I do, I am blessed to be with you.
got that feeling, like something is changing, and it's something big.
this is most likely the first photo in a series of images I will create for a gallery. therefore I probably won't post any more from this series on here, just this one.
and I just have to say that I have been using my friend Olivia for a few images, and will undoubtedly use her further, and she is so good at posing because she is selfless and uncomplaining. I had her basically belly flop into the water for this shot, over and over and over again, and she didn't complain once even though her side was bright red and she was shaking from the cold.
Toronto stands together with the rest of Canada during this unprecedented health crisis. We salute all of the front line workers that are selflessly working to take care of their fellow Canadians
I saved you all some delicious, left over shortbread cookies from Valentine's Day! Come & get 'em =))
I wanted to create a series a raw images that would showcase the work of my BFF LouLou Teichmann. She selflessly took much time and love to transform my bare sim into a winter wonderland. Unfortuantely, I don't think I could ever take enough shots to show all the ornate detail in every area my home. I figured I will would take a small set of pics each day, just to cover my favorites spots. Thank you, LouLou!!! I love you <3
This is exactly how I want to remember the Twin Towers, not the horror of deliberate Islamic terrorism and destruction on September 11, 2001.
Today is the 20th anniversary of that day. Please say a prayer for those who perished by smoke inhalation, burned alive or jumped as a desperate way of escape. (and all this for just showing up at work that day). Also remember the first responders who selflessly dug into the incredibly dangerous toxic "pile" when looking for survivors, which there were none of.
" Choosing who you want to be with is like selecting a car you can rely on. Both take you on a journey of a lifetime with a sense of security and confidence.
Just like a sleek sports car, a select man needs to be finely tuned with top-notch performance, a powerful engine, reliability, lightning-fast response, and uncompromising safety. Smooth and effortless, always ready to conquer the road ahead! "
Forever & Always
Saphira 💞 Hansen
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🎧 AVENTADOR 🎵
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEvBbNe3rqU
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Poem: Reaching New Heights Together 💞
High Performance Love, a bond so strong,
Together they reach new heights, all along,
No frames or limits can hold them back,
Their love propels them on a limitless track.
With every step they take, their love grows,
As they conquer new heights and overcome lows,
A love so powerful, it knows no bounds,
Their hearts intertwined, their love resounds.
Through his selfless love, she found a way,
To rule her life with grace each day,
And all around her fell into place,
As she basked in the warmth of his embrace.
He held her feelings and freedom too,
With tenderness that was pure and true,
Ensuring that all she loved was safe,
With every move reflecting his love's deep grace.
No need to worry or to fuss,
For he took care of everything that was,
Ensuring that her happiness was found,
And with his love, her heart was bound.
Through his actions, she knew his heart,
And in his embrace, she found her art,
For he was the one who made her feel,
That in his love, all her dreams were real.
With his love, her spirit succeeded,
Confidently ruling, with ease indeed,
His support and care, all she needed,
With his love, her heart was heeded.
Through his selfless love, she learned to soar,
And all around her was love galore,
With every breath, she felt his care,
And knew that love like his was rare.
Polished love, so rare and bright,
Dreamy feelings, oh what a sight,
Thanks to him, she feels complete,
A love so sweet, it can't be beat.
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As we approach Remembrance Sunday. Centrepiece of the Battle of Britain Memorial, dedicated to the heroic and selfless deeds who fought the Battle of Britain, 10th July to 31st October 1940.
If you chase anything in life chase the things that get you excited about living. Chase the things that give you hope, happiness and a glimpse of a better life. Chase the things that make you want to be a better person. Chase the things that inspire you to think, create and live joyfully. Chase the things that reinforce in your soul that you can make a difference. Chase the things that make you want to transform your heart from selfish to selfless. When you chase that kind of storm you are chasing rainbows.
It's always better to build someone up and forgive them, accepting that things didn't turn out as you once envisioned
So you regretfully part ways, and instead of choosing to destroy them. It's always better to forgive than to destroy.. It's always better to be kind than to hurt people. Even when you have the means to destroy. It's just not worth it. Life is too short I am far too busy enjoying the storm, and chasing the rainbows.
Since I've been doing photography, I've realized how many of life's moments we just fritter away and let slip through our fingers. There are memories we wish we could remember better, having them enblazened on our minds like the burn of a red-hot, branding iron, but which we lost the clarity of through the blur of time.
This day in 2008 was a stolen moment. It was a few weeks before Christmas, and I'd gone to see my former boss at the fabric store where I used to work before being layed off. There was a Christmas Parade, so I couldn't get through, and so I stopped along the river at one of the local parks to take some photos and kill time. Instead, I think I made it live.
During this time, my mother was dying. I was home almost 24/7 with her, and that one month was one of the only times in the last six years where I wasn't doing much photography. I didn't have time, and didn't have energy. Mom demanded most of my reserves, as she was a C.O.P.D. patient, and would go into respiratory failure. Only a few days after this photo was taken, she fell for her first and only time. I was getting very little sleep, and was afraid to leave her for very long, but she was doing better that day, and I needed to take a few moments for myself, which I felt incredibly guilty about.
The day seemed oddly blank. There was little color in it, and though there were countless seagulls and water birds, the reminder of impending death was there, as well. There was a bird with a gangrenous foot that I knew would die soon, and of course, my thoughts drifted back to my own life, and my mother, wondering if her oxygen was turned up enough, or if she was managing getting around the house without me there. It seemed that attempting to grab a few, precious moments for myself was not going as planned I don't remember much about the day except the few moments I spent looking out over the hazy, colorless river.
On Christmas Day, my mom passed away. sometimes I think if I'd known I would've lost her so soon, I wouldn't have left her side for a minute. Then again, it was the fact that I retained the memory of who I was that helped me get past the grief ahead, and the few quiet moments I had to spend with God that helped give me the strength that I lacked to go on. I learned through that time that you can give and give until you're spent, but if there's nothing left of you, there's nothing left to help anyone else with, either. Jesus said to love your neighbor as yourself. He didn't say MORE than yourself. It's not wrong to care about yourself. It's only wrong when you AWAYS place yourself before others. Some of us, like my mother, always put themselves in the Giver role, reducing their own self worth until they literally despise themselves. The unfortunate side effect of this is that they don't view others as better, or more deserving of the sacrifices they make for them, but rather, underneath it all, resent other people. It's a passive/agressive thing, I guess. I watched my mother do that for years, always sacrificing and helping, but letting herself go and suffering. She was bitter and unhappy. She felt guilty if she took care of herself. We're taught to be selfless, but on the other hand, we're people, each worthy of respect and dignity. Bottom line: you have to take care of, and care FOR yourself, or you're no good to anyone, including yourself, and including God!
So, this respite was a meager attempt at being healthy, and it's funny to me how it stands out in my mind now. You can't escape your troubles, but you can diminish them a little, it seems. It's a melancholy memory.
I posted this photo before, but this is a new edit. I'm taking advantage of Picnik's textures while I still can. This shot has three layers of texture on it. One wouldn't give me the effect I wanted. I hope it's not coming out too dark. The computer I'm working on today has a very bright screen, so let me know if it is, and I'll fix it!
“Try to forget what objects you have before you - a tree, a house, a field, or whatever. Merely think, 'Here is a little square of blue, here an oblong of pink, here a streak of yellow,' and paint it just as it looks to you, the exact color and shape, until it gives you your own impression of the scene before you.”
- Claude Monet
Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?v=yINSui9nTKU
ECHOES IN RAIN - ENYA
A gift from a friend … the flowers, that is, and not the unexpected hitchhiker, but what a precious gift he is!! Just as well I love spiders!
; 0))) After taking his photo, I carefully captured him in my home-made spider catcher and set him down gently outdoors in my jungle where I hope he will be very happy.
Today marks the one year anniversary of Ciprian's passing. I have written so many poems over the years inspired by him. Here are three that I wrote recently. If any of you were fortunate to know him you will know that he was synonymous with yellow, the colour of sunshine, hope and happiness and more … Of course, I mourn the loss of him, but I also celebrate his life and the beautiful legacy he left behind.
CIPRIAN 1
A year ago you left the fields of yellow for pastures new
the footprints where you walked are still so vivid
with the glorious blazing trail you left behind
the imprint that you left upon the hearts of those who loved you
will never fade nor will the memories
like flourishing seeds you planted firmly in our minds
the golden daffodils once more in abundance in my gardens
adorn the lush green lawns like lemon jewels
the bitter-sweet arrays
survived the storms; the floods and some
the wooden bench that was blown over
not once, but twice, and now they stand erect once more
and shine like sunrays
time flies by on wing's of butterflies and angels
I look for signs to lift my spirits and bring me joy
you sent to me the biggest Hunter Spider
to appear on yellow a message that will buoy
you were a kind soul, so gentle and softly spoken
a true poet whose words could reach the weariest of souls
you never told anyone how they should think or feel
you allowed their stories to simply and carefully unfold
you showed true love with selfless acts of kindness
though you were fading and wracked with so much pain
you spared us the suffering of knowing
a gentleman as gentle as the softly falling rain
I thought I could not stay here long without you
but seems this place is still a home for me
where I can visit and read your words of inspiration
your pictures so artistic; such visual poetry.
To a great friend, poet and the epitome of kindness.
One year on, still miss you but I know you are everywhere
In the rain, in the yellow <3
To Infinity and beyond … simply é ...
CIPRIAN 2
It is difficult to comprehend
a whole year slipped by
a year of not hearing your sweet words
and I am a year older but for you
time stood still
and you will be forever the age
when I last heard from you
a year without your inspiration
so much has happened
your story did not just end you know …
you are still in my thoughts
you are still in fields of yellow
and daffodils that raised their sleepy heads
the storms have blown in one after the other
they are still tormenting my gardens
last night a tree was bowed down to the earth
picked clean of berries by the birds
especially the noisy greedy magpies
they have set up home nearby
they visit my gardens daily with their raucous cries
the tree may not recover
it is bent like an ancient being
pressed down with it's burden
I could tie it back with strong rope and goodwill
but it will never be the same
it is forever altered by the storms
they take their toll
they feast on carrion and leave behind mass devastation
vegetation under water
the swans and duck and other water fowl
love to swim and dive for fish
in these fresh water fields made by the torrential rain
and through it all I think of you and one day hope
to see your smiling face again.
CIPRIAN 3
How are you today I asked the daffodils
I am sorry you were plucked from the earth
I will keep you steeped in water
and when you wither and fade
I will return you to whence you came
you were a gift from a well-intentioned friend
she meant well and thought you would cheer me up
I love your unopened buds and your bright trumpet crowns
sunshine in a vase on my bathroom windowsill
I fetched my camera to take a picture of you
I did not at first see the creature with his hirsuit legs of eight
sheltering from the storms outside
he must have entered via the plughole in the bath tub
the childhood rhyme plays on within my head
“eensy weensy spider … “ you know how it goes
except the spider that captured my imagination
was one of momentous proportions
a hunter from the great outside I call fondly my jungle gardens
where all manner of creatures scurry roundabout
seeking shelter from the heavy rains and strong winds
twice I rescued your naturalised cousins from the lawn
first from Storm Ciara and then from Storm Dennis
the old wooden bench that adorns the patio
twice it fell and crushed your cousins
beneath it's wooden back
heavy as it was miraculous that they still breathed
they were fallen just as they had done in previous years
during heaving snowfall laying roundabout like fallen soldiers
but just as soon I saw their recovery like a miracle
and today they were standing up once more like sentinels
bravely they weathered the storms and won the battle
not a scratch on them unlike me
as I battle the scars I have sustained in recent weeks
they give me hope and so do you my indoor daffodils
shining like yellow trumpets bright
as the sun that will one day come
when Spring is so near I breathe a sigh of sweet relief
today the blossom on the distant trees catches my eyes
it is like a cloud fell from the heavens to adorn the trees
and in the farther distance behind the big house
where the white butterflies reside behind tall panes of glass
the dark grey paints the sky and we prepare
to batten down the hatches once more
the roof tiles have been re-affixed bar one
the tallest part of the old Dutch roof is hard to reach
it needs two ladders and at least two strong and able men
one to hold the other steady lest he fall
maybe one fine and sunny day
when the skies are clear and bright
that single tile that fell and smashed to smithereens
will be replaced; small miracle that the fallen daffodils
were not cut to ribbons by the sharp edges of those crocks
and blessed were we not to be
passing by at that solemn moment
lest we be cut as well …
Wordsworth wrote about you; he understood
how wonderful you are
and how you brought about this change in me as well
my friend was right; you do cheer me up
and yet there is a poignancy
for I would rather see a flower in a field
than cut down in it's prime to fill a jar upon a mantel or a sill
yet still it has always been the way of man
to imprison the beauty of the world for their own purpose
I am the guardian of the earth and know that freedom
is more than just a word; it is a gift
and every living thing; a daffodil; a human
has the right to breathe fresh air and not be interfered with.
- AP - Copyright © remains with and is the intellectual property of the author
Copyright © protected image please do not reproduce without permission
Of course, many of you will know exactly what "Amache" refers to. It is one of the sites of an atrocity committed by our government upon its own citizens. It's in Southeastern Colorado, just outside the tiny town of Granada--a concentration camp where Americans of Japanese descent were imprisoned for most of WWII. Why? A mixture of stupidity, racism and unreasoning fear. The Japanese attacked us at Pearl Harbor, therefore, no one of Japanese heritage could be trusted . . . not even Americans. And so they usurped their houses and everything they owned, save what they could carry, herded them onto trains (far too resonant of the Jewish experience in Europe ) and imprisoned them for years. One might think that this would have militant-ized at least a few, but there is not a single record of a Japanese American committing an act of sabotage or other treasonous activity during the entire course of the war. Almost 2,000 died of disease in the drafty, uninsulated, slapdash barracks they were housed in. These were unrelentingly grim surroundings--especially early in this process, with few amenities and, much worse, the knowledge that your new world was surrounded by high fences and barbed wire and overseen by guard towers with machine guns at the ready. For those who may try to excuse this abominable behavior by noting that these camps weren't as bad as those in Germany--nothing like stating an obvious, but irrelevant fact. How can the German's behavior excuse ours? It cannot.
It's an unhappy truth that the fantasy of the United States coming to the rescue of the world in WWII, saving it from despotism in a selfless, noble, utterly virtuous effort is not and never has been totally true. There is much that our country can be proud of during that time, but there is also a great deal about which we should feel great shame. Too many are content to ignore, paper-over, or deny the evils committed by our government and armed forces between 1941 and 1946, but to pretend they didn't happen is to ensure they will happen again. I for one do not wish to see us repeat these mistakes.
There is very little left to show that there ever was a concentration camp at this location--a few concrete slabs and foundations, some twisted metal--with only a few signs to indicate what once had gone on here. In this photo, you can see a bit of one of those foundations, with an appropriately gnarly tree in the foreground. I just happened to stumble on the place as I drove semi-aimlessly through a portion of Colorado I'd never been to before--on my eventual way to Rocky Mountain National Park. When I saw the sign for "Amache," it rang a bell, but it took me a bit to recall its significance. I believe the only time I had heard of this specific place was when I visited the memorial in DC to all those who suffered through the ordeal. "Amache" was one of the sites it listed. Later, I would more purposefully seek out "Manzanar" in Western California, where much more of the camp has been preserved. The next time I visit Arkansas, I plan on visiting the sites there, "Jerome" and "Rohwer."
YIKES! Me Englishe has done got badd. Twice n the preceeding paragraf--in the sam sentense--I wrote "their" insted of "there" (know correctted). TWICE! My dain bramage seams two bee geting more worser--soon, no doubt, too became most worsest!
(Cut to Ronan's office. Mateo and Sienna are on their feet now, agitated.)
Mateo: You eat our lives?
Sienna: Like we're some kind of TV dinners?
Caly: The razers do. Skimmers only graze. We take very little from each person we touch, and that is restored quickly, as long as a fatal amount isn't taken.
Sienna: Wait, is that why I felt so weak?
Mateo: That's why Lucas was so out of it?
Caly: Yes. They fed to weaken you so that you wouldn't fight. That gave them extra strength, or I could have killed them all.
Ronan: (admiringly) Mother!
Sienna: If feeding on us makes you super strong, why didn't you feed on us during the fight?
Ronan: She wouldn't do such a thing. She's a tenet!
Mateo: A tent? Is that code for something?
Ronan: (sighs) A tenet. One of our kind who's pledged their life to hunting razers and protecting humans.
Sienna: Like a Knight Templar?
Ronan: Some of them were, yes. The truly selfless ones.
Sienna: (appraising Caly) You're short, for a hero.
Mateo: What I need to know is, how do we kill them?
Caly: They can die by normal, human means, but it's too dangerous for you.
Mateo: Lucas is our friend, not yours.
Ronan: Mean, girl.
Caly: (interrupts) This is my task. They could kill either of you with a mere touch.
Sienna: We have to do something! Lucas could already be -- (doesn't finish)
Caly: I don't think they took him just to kill him. Not immediately, anyway.
Ronan: (to Caly) Not as reassuring as you meant it to sound.
Caly: I only meant that it didn't seem like they wanted the two of you for themselves. (to Sienna) Or they could have drained you almost instantly.
Sienna: Is that what they meant by "revered one?" (sees Caly exchange a glance with Ronan) What does it mean? Is it a cult?
Caly: It's the leader of the razers.
Ronan: The organized ones, anyway.
Mateo: Why don't we call the cops?
Sienna: Good idea. Who wants to report the alien invasion?
Caly: Occupation. (gets a look from Sienna and Mateo) I just meant -- for accuracy. (looks at Ronan) If they were on a hunting expedition for their leader, they would be going someplace lavish, and local. Is there anyplace like that. nearby?
Ronan: There are a lot of sniffies in the general area, but for sheer volume of pomp and bluster, my money is on Golden Lake Country Club.
Sienna: You mean, Orange Lake Suck Up Club. (gets a high five from Mateo)
Caly: (titles her head) Oranges?
Ronan: I'll explain later. I can get you in, but not dressed like that.
(Caly looks at her clothes)
Mateo: And me.
Sienna: And me.
Caly: No. I understand he's your friend, but skin contact with them can be deadly to you.
Ronan: And I might be able to get Rogue One inside, but not a gaggle of groupies
Mateo: Then we'll just go on our own. (Sienna nods)
Caly: (sighs) There is another way you can help, without getting close to them. You could watch the grounds for me. Report any unusual personnel movement once we're inside.
Sienna: How would that help?
Caly: If we're spotted as infiltrators, they'll summon security. I'll need to know so that we can escape before we're surrounded or outnumbered.
Ronan: I'll have to get you something suitable to wear. (to Caly)
Caly: I'll pick up some equipment and meet all of you back here in thirty minutes.
(to be continued)
Thank you to the cast
Sienna: Bailey
Caly: TB
Ronan: Seth
Mateo: B
I just wanted to wish all mothers out there a Happy Mothers Day, especially my mother! There is no love as selfless as a mother's love. None of us would be where we are without your altruism. Thank you for being one of a kind and always caring for us!
“He taught me to appreciate the simple things—a walk in the woods, a fresh snowfall, a nap in a shaft of winter sunlight. ... he taught me about optimism in the face of adversity. Mostly, he taught me about friendship and selflessness…” John Grogan
To Toki, who taught me all of these things. I'll love you forever.
The nice thing about his dog collar and style today or lack thereof is that I wore it on a plane and no one questioned it. Or the funky bandage on my head. I didn't carry the tennis ball.
Thanks for looking and for your comments. I'm truly grateful.
Character Creation
The Shade (Richard Swift) is a comic book character developed in the 1940s for National Comics, first appearing in the pages of Flash Comics in a story titled "The Man Who Commanded the Night", scripted by Gardner Fox and illustrated by Hal Sharp.
Debuting as a villain, the Shade was best known for fighting against two generations of superheroes, most notably the Golden Age and Silver Age versions of the Flash.
He eventually became a mentor for Jack Knight, the son of the Golden Age Starman, Ted Knight, a hero the Shade had also fought.
Though portrayed in Silver Age comics as a thief with a cane that could manipulate shadows, the character was reinvented in 1994 as a morally ambiguous Victorian-era immortal who gained the ability to manipulate shadows and immortality from an unexplained mystical event.
In 2009, the Shade was ranked as IGN's 89th-greatest villain of all time.
The Shade appeared as a major character from the season 1 finale onwards in Stargirl, played by Jonathan Cake
Publication history
The Shade first appeared in Flash Comics #33 (September 1942), and was created by Gardner Fox and Harold Sharp.
Shade received a solo series in late 2011, written by Robinson and drawn by Cully Hamner, Darwyn Cooke, Javier Pulido, and others. It deals with Shade and his descendants, flashing back to various points in his life as he travels the globe trying to find who is behind a plot to kill him.
Fictional Character History
Origin
Born and raised in London, England in the early 1800s, Richard Swift was a wealthy importer. In the course of his business he came into contact with Simon Culp, who hired Swift to import a lion for him. The pair became friends while awaiting the arrival of the lion. It was soon revealed that Culp was merely using Swift in an effort to enact an arcane ritual; he captured Swift and attempted to use him as a sacrifice to the goddess Scathach. However, for reasons unknown, Swift was gifted with the powers that Culp had intended only for himself. The resultant mystical occurrence resulted in the deaths of over a hundred people. Bereft of all memories of who he had been, Swift departed his old life and was reborn as the Shade. Immediately after the events that gave him his powers, the disoriented Shade was taken in by Piers Ludlow, who attempted to take advantage of Shade's state by framing him for murder. Shade lashed out instinctively with his powers, making an enemy of the Ludlow family when he killed almost the entire family. Following this he embarked on a career of questionable legality, exploring the world and occasionally taking work as an assassin.
Golden Age
In his original Golden Age appearances, the Shade was portrayed as a villainous character. Primarily a thief, he utilized a cane that allowed him to manipulate shadows. He retained this characterization throughout the Golden, Silver and Bronze Ages.
Modern Age
Following the Crisis on Infinite Earths, Shade remained a villain for a few more years. Following Zero Hour his character was significantly rewritten. He was re-imagined as an immortal of Victorian extraction, and given a more morally ambiguous, anti-heroic bent. Much of his previous villainy was retconned as the influence of Culp. This version of the character no longer needed the magical cane to manipulate shadows, this trait became inherent.
Rebirth
Following the universal reboot, the powers of the Darklands, previously only semi-sentient, became fully sentient and autonomous. Shade himself became significantly less competent.
Flash of Two Worlds
Working with the Fiddler and the Thinker, Shade takes part in shifting Keystone City out of phase, trapping the inhabitants and causing the rest of the world to forget the city ever existed. They use this power to loot the city with impunity. They are confronted by both Jay Garrick and Barry Allen, and the heroes eventually defeat the Shade and his companions.
Starman
Shade first comes into contact with Starman when he abducts the hero's father, Ted Knight, at the behest of Mist. He soon turns against Mist and sides with Starman, later forming close ties with the O'Dare family, particularly Matt O'Dare. During their association Shade frequently engages in heroic behaviour to assist Jack and Matt. At one point he agrees to selflessly sell his soul to save those trapped in a cursed poster. Around this time he makes an enemy of Neron by refusing to accept the demon's deal to increase his own power. During the events of the Godwave his powers are completely unaffected by the event that depowered most powered individuals. Slowly but surely Culp is able to take control of Shade's body, culminating in an attempt to destroy Opal City, carried out with the sole intention of destroying the city that Shade loves. Joining Culp's efforts are Neron, one of the last remaining Ludlows, and Mist's daughter. Shade is able to expel Culp, but in so doing loses his powers. Despite this, he is able to use a shadow demon to engage in a battle of wills with Culp, which he ultimately wins. Stripping Culp of his powers and adding them to his own, Shade is victorious.
Infinite Crisis
Still in Opal City and acting as the city's heroic, if cynical, protector, Shade spends the Crisis defending the city and its inhabitants.
Cry For Justice
Shade tells Jay Garrick of Prometheus' plan to distract the heroes from his master plan, and travels with the hero to the Watchtower. There, they encounter Prometheus, who is attempting to flee the ship. As he is not a hero, Prometheus has no file on how to defeat Shade, and is confounded by how to deal with him. Donna Troy takes the opportunity to attack Prometheus and beats him nearly to death. Shade prevents her from killing the villain. He later aids Green Arrow in travelling to Prometheus' lair, where Green Arrow kills the villain.
Blackest Night
Now in a relationship with Hope O'Dare, Shade is attacked by Black Lantern David Knight. Due to his immortality, Shade is not killed when Knight rips his heart from his chest, and is able to resist the Black Lantern ring that attempts to attach itself to him. He traps Knight in the Darklands when Knight threatens to kill Jack and O'Dare. Using his own heart he traps Knight and banishes him permanently. He is found soon afterwards by Barry Allen and Hal Jordan, who ask for transportation to the Ghost Zone. He agrees to help, and they locate the rotting body of Prometheus in the Ghost Zone.
Brightest Day
Shade is sought by Jay Garrick, Doctor Mid-Nite, Sebastian Faust, and Wildcat, all of whom seek his assistance in locating Obsidian. He is found in his home in a comatose state, apparently placed there by the Starheart-possessed Obsidian, who wanted to stop Shade from revealing "secrets". Soon afterwards Shade is captured by Eclipso, who brainwashes him. At the behest of Saint Walker he is sought and rescued by Starman and Atom, who manage to free him of the brainwashing. He turns on his erstwhile captor, helping the heroes defeat Eclipso.
The Shade
Attacked at his home in Opal City, Shade sets off on a world-spanning quest to discover the origin of the assassination attempt. At the same time he explores his past, and encounters numerous figures that have been important in his long life, as well as exploring the extent of his own powers. It eventually becomes clear that the assassination was ordered by a member of his own family, Dudley, Lord Caldecott, acting in concert with an ancient cult. The cult accidentally unleashes ancient godlike beings on London, whom Shade is able to defeat by trapping them in a pocket dimension and transporting them back to their home dimension.
The Speed of Darkness
As Shade grows increasingly worried that he will return to his life of crime and jeopardize his relationship with Hope, his shadow powers take it upon themselves to begin committing crimes on his behalf. When this is discovered by Hope, who believes that Shade has relapsed, the shadows kidnap and brainwash her, and entrap Shade in the Darklands. He is able to push some shadow into Central City, where it attracts the attention of Kid Flash and the Flash, who come to his aid. They help him rescue Hope and regain control of the Darklands.
Powers and Abilities
Shade is the strongest known channeller of the shadow powers of the Darklands, a dimension of sentient darkness that he can channel to a variety of effects. He can also use this dimension to teleport himself and others, with no known limits to the distance he can travel; it can also be used to travel through time. He is functionally immortal and practically indestructible. He is intelligent and resourceful.
Abilities
Immortality
Darkness Manipulation
Time Manipulation
Teleportation
⚡ Happy 🎯 Heroclix 💫 Friday! 👽
_____________________________
A year of the shows and performers of the Bijou Planks Theater.
Secret Identity: Richard Swift
Publisher: DC
First appearance: Flash Comics #33 (September 1942)
Created by: Gardner Fox (Writer)
Harold Wilson Sharp (Artist)
First appearance cover:
This museum has impressed me profoundly. Indira Gandhi was a daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru, the founding father of modern India, and has reached fame as a long-term prime minister who steadfastly defended her country's sovereignty and unity. What has impressed me so much was that she could easily amass great wealth and live in luxury like the absolute majority of politicians do; instead, she lived very humbly and it was very apparent that her sincere motivation in life was to selflessly serve her country and people. So few politicians share Indira Gandhi's ethics!
Этот музей поразил меня до глубины души. Индира Ганди была дочерью Джавахарлала Неру, основателя современного индийского государства, и добилась собственной славы как многолетний премьер-министр; Индира Ганди последовательно боролась за суверенитет и единство Индии. Что меня потрясло это то что на этой позиции она могла стать невероятно богатой и жить в роскоши как делает абсолютное большинство политиков, но она прожила подчёркнуто скромно и было очевидно что искренней мотивацией её жизни было самоотверженное служение своему народу и своей стране. Так мало политиков в вопросах этики похожи на Индиру Ганди!
ABOUT- "Toksik Jello"- The Story of Beanz is a concept short tale, which tells the story about a boy navigating socially between a wasteland of fragmentations and warring personalities.
The Story is about hypothetical choices...the "what if?".
A stroll along a path of freedom to make ones own mind on "who and what", is genuine and selfless!
Sometimes the choices we make are for the good. Sometimes it's for the bad.
Sometimes we have to dig through a field of Turnips to find a gemstone...Explore the "communites"/Islands, via boat provided
A break from all those landscapes you have been seeing lately.
Was mobbed by a huge bunch of kids in Kanchipuram. I promised (uhh .. selflessly :P) to shoot each one of them separately.
But that little brat in the background would pop in every time I tried to shoot someone ... here he is charging into frame again :))
Designation: DSC-24L
Class: Deep Space Cargo Ship
Weight: a lot
Length: 2,400 ft
Height: 1,600 ft
Capacity: 780 intermodal containers (840 on short-range re-outfits)
Manufacturer: Titan Origins, Inc.
Launched: March 2179
Number Manufactured: 1600
The DSC-24L is a heavyweight, long-range, deep-space cargo freighter. It is designed to house both crew and cargo in comfortable spaces for journeys of up to 36 months. The name "Camel" is a casual moniker, so dubbed for its ability to go incredible distances without refueling and resupplying, thanks to the massive hull and even bigger fuel tanks. Cargo is stored in the bow, just below the pilot deck. The ring is Titan Origins' claim to fame: the company finally solved the years-long problem of atmospheric re-entry for deep-space freighters by building the ships around a huge stabilizing ring. This breakthrough helped drop re-entry burnups by 41% from 2179 to 2184. In an unheard-of but widely praised move, Titan Origins did not patent their design; instead, they shared it with competitors and the wider market. Thanks to the selflessness of Titan Origins, experts estimate about 170,000 crewmembers are saved from death by atmospheric re-entry burnup.
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Brought this little fella to BrickUniverse Jax this past month and had blast. Hoping to bring it to BrickFanExpo in Jax later this year, though I will have to put it back together because it did not survive the trip back home. Aesthetics over strength has always been a weakness of mine, and it really shows in big projects.
This is biggest Lego project I've ever done solo. It's 110 studs long without the antenna. I initially started it in August 2024 with the hopes to have it done by the end of SHIPtember. LMAO. Hope y'all enjoy, and thanks for reading this far!
-Josiah
Nikon F80, 50mm f1.8D, Kodak TMax 100, Exposure X7
The Battle of Britain Memorial, Capel-Le-Ferne, Kent, England
The National Memorial to the Few
Dedicated to the heroic and selfless deeds of the men who won the Battle of Britain, 10 July to 31 October, 1940.
(As if 052309 this image has been view 760 times and has been added to Mrbill's Geriatric Ward to determine if any of the members can figure out why this particular image has been viewed that many times.)
... IN SEARCH OF A HERO. The cloudiness of my memory amazes me. I remebered our first World War II hero, Colin Kelly. To my credit, when I typed in his name to Yahoo search, I did spell it correctly. I remembered that Colin Kelly had dived his PBY seaplane into a Japanese submarine. I was 14 years old at the time and not a daily reader of the news. This from Wikipedia:
Colin Purdie Kelly, Jr. (July 11, 1915 – December 10, 1941). Born in Madison, Florida, he was a World War II B-17 Flying Fortress pilot who flew bombing runs against the Japanese navy in the first days after the Pearl Harbor attack. He is remembered as a war hero for sacrificing his own life to save his crew when his plane became the first American B-17 to be shot down in combat. Colin Kelly has been called the first American hero of the Second World War.
On December 10, 1941, Kelly's plane lifted off from Clark Field in the Philippines. During its bombing run, Kelly's bomber hit the Japanese cruiser Ashigara. On its return flight the bomber came under attack by Zeros, one of which was piloted by famed Japanese flying ace Saburo Sakai. Kelly stayed at the controls of the badly damaged aircraft so that the surviving crew members could bail out. Just after the last crew member escaped the plane exploded. Early reports misidentified the Ashigara as the battleship Haruna, and also mistakenly reported that he had crashed his plane into the smokestack of the Haruna, becoming the first Suicide pilot of the war.
For his extraordinary heroism and selfless bravery, Kelly was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
Aviation artist Robert Taylor has painted a painting entitled The Legend of Colin Kelly. (My illustration is a corruption of that painting.)
In World War II the United States liberty ship SS Colin P. Kelly, Jr. was named in his honor.
I also remember during those first months of World War II, the city of Corpus Christi renamed 13th Street, Brownlee Blvd. in honor of the first or near first Corpus Christi service man to die in battle. I was a member of Boy Scout Troop2, sponsored by the First Presbyterian Church of Corpus Christi, Texas. Since Brownlee had been a member of that troop, we were present at the dedication service, led by the mayor, just outside Menger Elementary School on Brownlee Blvd. Now I'll have to see if I can find Brownlee's first name on the internet and check to see if my Email buddy, James Ross Underwood, who was also in Troop 2 remembers that short ceremony.
Los escurridizos TECOs de Medway se me escapan una y otro vez. No se trata de que a la locomotora con la librea FUTURO aún no la haya ni olido, ojalá fuera ese mi problema!!!. Para encontrar en mi archivo una foto de uno de estos trenes tengo que recurrir a esta imagen que conseguí hace casi dos años, en una jornada en la que tuve la feliz idea de perseguir al tren hasta Subijana para fotografiarlo por segunda vez. Aquel día acababa de llegar a casa tras trabajar en el turno de noche y salté de la cama cuando me avisaron de la circulación de este tren. La verdad es que con el paso del tiempo valoro más el esfuerzo que hice aquel día porque de lo contrario este sería un tren inédito para este abnegado fotógrafo, que recuerda aquel día con una sonrisa cada vez que contempla el efusivo saludo que le dedicó el maquinista.
The elusive Medway container trains escape me time and again. It's not that I haven't even smelt the locomotive in the FUTURO livery yet, I wish that were my problem!!!. To find a photo of one of these trains in my archives I have to resort to this image that I got almost two years ago, on a day when I had the happy idea of following the train to Subijana to photograph it for the second time. That day I had just arrived home after working the night shift and jumped out of bed when I was told that this train was running. The truth is that every day that passes I appreciate more the effort I made that day because otherwise this would be an impossible train for this selfless photographer, who remembers that day with a smile every time he sees the effusive greeting that the driver gave him.
There are some that live
then there are some that live, nothing at all
they feel so little
and sense nothing
give so little, and take it all
they crush the selfless
in their selfish surge of dissonance
striking a fake chord in every way
what can their nothingness be called?
forgive me please, for this creed
as I'm yet hurting from such an act
quelling and dispelling
all I'd hitherto held so true
till today,
the sun showed the way
in the death of what we had previously seen
a million capabilities of life may extend
a hand, or two...
of nature's friendship, born so true...
by anglia24
19h35: 04/08/2007
© 2007anglia24
Personality: Selfless, Captivating, Extraordinary, Forgiving, Gracious, Sympathetic, Emotional, Timid, Agonizing and Lost.
Likes: Animals, stars, light, crystals and Bea(mnf woosoo).
Dislikes: Fire, Dark magic, hurting other creatures, being alone and darkness.
Background: Phoenix exits beyond the veil..
In parallel world to ours in which only otherworldly, unearthly creatures exist. They are called spirits or shadows but they aren't connected to humans at all...
Phoenix was made by a very powerful witch.
She was a victim, an experiment and a mistake.
A human child forced to merge with an animal spirit should never exist, even by magic.
This act of magic was forbidden and dangerous, her maker almost died so she decided to burn her creation.
Phoenix perished but she was reborn from her ashes.
She tries everyday to find her path and survive in this alien world.
She doesn't want revenge, she is only sad because she was rejected by her maker...
- have seen this postcard was a 1908 postmark...features a cheerful greeting from Santa Claus, accompanied by a charming collection of toys. The number "1166" at the bottom right might be a series number related to their collections.
This is a vintage Christmas postcard featuring Father Christmas. The card depicts Father Christmas in traditional red robes, carrying a horse-on-wheels and other toys in his side pocket. The text at the bottom simply reads "A MERRY CHRISTMAS."
Theme: The card depicts an old-world Father Christmas figure in a long red robe and hat adorned with holly. He carries a toy horse on wheels and has dolls tucked into his pocket, illustrating the traditional benevolent gift-bringer role.
"Old World Father Christmas" refers to the diverse traditional European depictions of the gift-giver that existed before the standardized, jolly, portly American Santa Claus popularized by Coca-Cola advertising in the 1930s. The image in the postcard above is a good example of this older style. Key characteristics of Old World Santa imagery include: Varied Appearance: Unlike the single modern image, Old World Santas varied widely in appearance depending on the region and period. They were depicted as everything from a "tall gaunt man" to an "elflike figure" or a pious, strict figure. Diverse Attire: Robes and clothing colors were not always the now-standard red fur-trimmed suit. They might wear bishop's robes (reflecting the original St. Nicholas), fur-lined robes in green, blue, or brown, and different hats, often a tall mitre or hooded hat instead of a soft cap. The Santa in the image above is wearing a hooded red robe, not a full suit. Accessories: They were often depicted with a walking stick or staff, and sometimes a simple rope or cord belt instead of a modern leather belt. Origin in St. Nicholas: These figures are generally based on the historical Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century Greek bishop known for his generosity and gift-giving to the poor, who is the original inspiration for the legend. Focus on Tradition: The term is now used commercially to describe decorations and art that evoke this vintage, Victorian or European style, emphasizing historical or regional traditions and a sense of nostalgia.
Wearing holly in his cap or as a crown was a very common element of traditional "Old World" Father Christmas depictions, especially in England.
Here is more detail on the tradition: Pagan Origins: The tradition has roots in pre-Christian Celtic and Roman winter solstice festivals, where people (including priests and chieftains) wore holly wreaths or crowns to symbolize eternal life, ward off evil spirits, and celebrate the return of spring. The "Holly King" in Celtic legend, a precursor to Santa, was depicted wearing a crown of holly.
Traditional English Father Christmas: In medieval and early modern England, Father Christmas embodied the spirit of midwinter merriment and nature. He was frequently illustrated with a green hooded cloak and a wreath or sprigs of holly, ivy, or mistletoe on his head, linking him to the evergreen nature of the season.
Christian Symbolism: As Christianity merged with older traditions, the holly's sharp leaves came to symbolize Christ's crown of thorns, and the red berries his blood, making it a prominent religious symbol.
Transition to Modern Santa: Even as the American-influenced Santa Claus image grew in popularity during the Victorian era and early 20th century, many depictions of Father Christmas still included holly, though the full crown became less common and was often replaced with a simple sprig or hood, as seen in your postcard. This incorporation of holly made it a classic visual identifier for the traditional European gift-giver and festive figure.
Symbolism of the Toy Horse - Childhood Joy and Play: The primary symbolism is that of childhood innocence, happiness, and the simple pleasure of receiving a gift at Christmas. The toy horse was a classic children's item across centuries.
Aspiration and Imagination: Horses have long been symbols of strength, freedom, nobility, and adventure. For a child, a toy horse was a means to engage in imaginative play, allowing them to envision themselves on journeys, emulating adults, and exploring their own bravery.
Family Status and Affluence: During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a well-crafted wooden rocking horse or pull-toy, often with detailed carvings, real horsehair tails, and leather saddles, was considered a luxury item. Its presence in the image suggests a family of means that valued traditional, quality toys, reflecting the family's prosperity and good taste.
The Act of Giving: In the context of Santa Claus holding it, the toy horse represents Santa as the benevolent gift-giver, carrying the dreams and material wishes of children, and ensuring that children have the opportunity for play and recreation.
In essence, the toy horse in this vintage image is more than just a toy; it is a powerful nostalgic symbol of an idealized childhood and the enduring values of hope and connection during the holiday season.
Symbolism Explained:
Sack of Toys: The sack (or basket) is a universal symbol of the gift-giver's generosity. In older, European traditions (such as those involving figures like Krampus or Belsnickel), the sack sometimes served a dual purpose: carrying toys for good children, but also threatening to carry off or punish the naughty ones, embodying a "carrot-and-stick" approach to child discipline.
Doll: Dolls were a very popular and desirable Christmas gift for girls in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, designed to teach them about motherhood and domesticity, reflecting the societal values of the time. Its presence signifies a gift for a good girl and highlights the innocence of childhood.
Horn (Trumpet): The toy horn, or trumpet, was another common and simple toy that was popular with children of that era. It represents simple joy, play, and often announced the arrival of Santa or the general festivity of the season.
Thick Rope Belt (Cincture): The rope belt, often called a cincture, has significant religious symbolism, linking the secular Santa figure back to his origins as the historical Saint Nicholas. It is directly inspired by the simple rope belts worn by Catholic religious orders, particularly the Franciscans. This choice of simple attire over a fine leather belt was a symbol of the vow of poverty and humility taken by these holy figures, a clear example of their precepts. It grounds the magical figure in a tradition of pious giving and selflessness. These elements work together to paint a picture of a traditional, humble, and generous figure rooted deeply in both Christian and folk traditions, before the modern standardized image took hold.
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Postcard publisher: The postcard publisher in 1908 was primarily known as Robbins Brothers (or Robbins Bros. or The Robbins Bros. Co.), based in Boston, Massachusetts. Some sources also mention the name as H.I. Robbins or M.I. Robbins, suggesting a potential individual name behind the business or different branches/divisions.
Key details about the publisher: Location: Boston, Massachusetts. Active Period: The company was active during the "Divided Back" era of postcards (c. 1907–1915), with many postcards postmarked or published around 1907-1908.
Printing Location: Many of their postcards, particularly the view cards, were "Printed in Germany," which was common for high-quality lithograph postcards of that time.
Products: They published a wide variety of postcards, including:
US State & Town views.
Holiday greetings (e.g., Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter).
Embossed and gilt postcards.
Artistic and romantic themed cards.
Notable Works: They are known for their "Quality Line" postcards and published numerous view cards of towns, cities, and specific landmarks, such as railroad depots and local streets. Many of their postcards were manufactured in Germany, a common practice at the time for high-quality printing.
We have been asked to light a candle and observe a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the Bondi Shooting, Sydney Australia, a week ago today.
It was an action that shocked our nation but also brings home that hate has no boundaries.
Thanks go to all the people who helped out selflessly during great danger and mayhem. Including the emergency services personnel.
My condolences to all who lost a loved one to the violence.
Plus deep condolences to all those in the wider community who have lost relatives in the senseless wars overseas.
Let the light overcome the darkness.
dont you love the natural guileless glee of children playing outside in the summer - the frantic frenetic scrambling, the manic screeching of joy, the complete unification of mind and body into a spastic mote of happy.
this young chappy jumped down the same 2 foot embankment of sand at the beach for an hour straight. each time, throwing his hands in the air and screaming joyfully like he had personally discovered sugar.
at what age, what moment do we lose that selfless abandon?
kar saevaa bhaj har har guramath ||
Do seva - selfless service; follow the Guru's Teachings, and vibrate the Lord's Name, Har, Har.
This auntie did so much seva during Smagam. She always had a smile on her face. Just looking at her smile made me smile =)
The 2022 Relay Season has once again come and gone in a flash. Four years ago, I started One More Light with like $37 raised total. Who knew four years later One More Light would raise a team record of over $8,700+ USD double what we did in '21. I certainly didn't and never would have without the help of so many. First and foremost I have to name Gem Sunkiller. You to this day continue to inspire me and warm my heart. Which leads me to Jenny Anatine. I like think Gem gave me my RFL birth and Jenny raised me. NOTHING I have done or will do would be possible without you two and I hope you never forget that. Trager and MamaP, I am often beyond words when it comes to you both. I hope "Thank You" will suffice. Abi, my co-captain and most often the true leader of our team. Your hands are on everything we do and I am not sure where OML would be to this day without your inspiration. Sabrina, you are one of a kind and like too many others, walked the walk and push us year in and out. In the last two years we have been ever so lucky to add so many selfless FRIENDS to our team. Too many to list before people stop reading this but you all know who you are. I will mention our Moira who not only supports us with her amazing graphic arts but also other teams as well.
SO many sponsors I want name. Chels at Steelhead, you never tell me no, not once and go above and beyond. DRD, you all are amazing and it's not just our team either but all of Relay. Latte and Radio at Junk Food, you know how Abi and I feel about you both and your amazing creations and all you do for Relay. Ally with Something New, Violet and Via Boutique, Lianne and Angel over at PosEd, Britt at Muniick, my dear friend Denise with Maoli...you do not know the word no, only what else can I do. I know I am forgetting a bunch and I am sorry for not mentioning each by name.
Our supporters, I cant nor will I ever to be able to mention you all. $8,700+ USD doesn't happen by accident. Kat, Tay, HG, Dizzy, Calli, Soda, Mari & Finn, our whole Hedonist fam. just everyone who not only donated but attended our events. I am sorry I am omitting a lot of you but know in this minute I am thinking of you.
I feel like a red light is flashing like at the Oscars and will do the crazy repetitive summary. My teammates, you all rock and I truly, with all of my heart thank you for your time and effort. Camping for the Cure, RFL leads and captains, Nani at Ohana, thank you for pushing all of us to do better and with grace. Sponsors, we would be nothing without you and I mean that. Donors and supporters, these are difficult times we live in and yet we show up this year and DOUBLE our fundraising. We celebrate you as much as anyone.
You all do this without knowing a name or face it benefits, thats not easy but know it's happening every minute of every day. With continued efforts, I hope one day I will have no need to make posts like this.
Ok, I see a guy on the side of the stage with a hook...thank you all and closing ceremonies are tomorrow at 10am. As always, hugs and high 5's all around! 2022 One More Light, Relay For Life Season......OUT! <3
I am so proud of Topher for being such a humanitarian. It never even occurred to him to not want to go into that disgusting house, to hold stinky puppies, to be as calming and kind to a large dog who doesn't know him. (And Topher's taken his fair share of dog accidents; bites, scratches, being knocked down, them playing too rough, etc.) He just swooped in and rescued!
Later, when R and i were too exhausted to sit outside in the yard with the dogs, Topher got a flashlight and book and volunteered to stay with them. He made a bed with a sheet and him and Cinnamon curled up for a good read while baby puppies slept. When our neighbor finally came home to take the dogs to a rescue, Topher lovingly and selflessly went with, not getting home until well past midnight.
What a great person!!
PS - he did take a 4 hour nap that afternoon, so i knew he'd be okay staying up that late :)
Almost Summer, Thunderheads at Sunset, Rocky Mountain Front Range, Colorado
On “HOPE” - (July 8, 2018)
Thai Wild Boar Soccer Team and Heroic Rescuers:
“Dr. Jerome Groopman, Harvard Medical School professor, has carefully investigated the science of hope. He found that your brain pumps chemicals responsible for the hopeful sensation, which in turn block out pain and accelerate healing. Belief and expectation—the one-two punches of hope—release neurochemicals called endorphins and enkephalins that mimic the effects of morphine.
As a result [Dr. Groopman states], ‘Hope helps us overcome hurdles that we otherwise could not scale, and it moves us forward to a place where healing can occur.’ ‘. . . hope doesn’t directly lead to recovery, . . but it contributes to survival. . . .’ ‘Hope, I have come to believe, is as vital to our lives as the very oxygen that we breathe.’”
- The Survivors Club: The Secrets and Science that Could Save Your Life by Ben Sherwood, p. 318 (Trade edition 2010)
Fervent and hopeful prayers for survival of the 12-year-old Thai boys (Wild Boars soccer team), their coach, and all experts with "heroic selflessness and survival in their DNA" involved in the rescue efforts.
Holy Relic from the Bones (Ex Ossibus) of Blessed Mary Magdalene Martinengo, Italian Capuchin Poor Clare Nun, Virgin, Mystic and Visionary.
Feast day: July 27
Margaret Martinengo was born into a noble family at Brescia in northern Italy on 5 October 1687. At five months she lost her mother, and her childhood showed a considerable precocity of religious devotion, self inflicted mortifications and spirituality, or psychological disturbances. Her determination "to imitate everything in the lives of the saints", though heroic, could hardly be called a wise program at any age.
When she was eighteen, she joined the Capuchinesses of Santa Maria della Neve in her native town. She was professed in 1706 and her responsibilities varied between Novice Mistress, which she held three times, and portress. In 1732 and again in 1736 she was superior of the convent, and was admirable in all these offices.
As a daughter of St. Clare, Sister Mary Magdalene soon distinguished herself by her modesty, patience and cheerful obedience. The hours prescribed for prayer and meditation, as well as the visits to our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, were the most delightful hours of her day. Her humility and selfless love of God were adorned with the Divine recognition of unusual mystical experiences and the gift of miracles.
Sister Mary Magdalene had a particular devotion to Jesus Crucified, especially her sufferings from the crown of thorns. Her sympathy for her suffering Saviour was so deep that she was often found kneeling like one devoid of life. After her death a fillet of sharp points was found bound about her brow.
The fame of her sanctity caused many lay persons to appeal to her for consolation and advice. On such occasions she manifested the special gifts God had given her to encourage disheartened souls, to reconcile such as whereat variance with each other, and to bring sinners back to the path of duty. Very often she was able to read the thoughts of others and foretold future events.
Exhausted by labour and austerity more than age she died on July 27th, 1737 in the fiftieth year of her life. Pope Leo XIII Beatified her on 3 June 1900. The feast of Blessed Mary Magdalene is observed by Franciscans on July 27th.
PRAYER
O God, who hast given us in the virgin Mary Magdalene an example of innocence and mortification, grant that we may renounce all worldly desires and come to Thee by the way of truth and justice. Through Christ our Lord. Amen
"have I told you about the tension of opposites?", he says.
the tension of opposites?
"life is a series of pulls back and forth. you want to do one thing, but you are bound to do something else. something hurts you, yet you know it shouldn't. you take certain things for granted, even when you know you should never take anything for granted.
a tension of opposites, like a pull on a rubber band. and most of us live somewhere in the middle."
sounds like a wrestling match, i say.
"a wrestling match." he laughs. "yes, you could describe life that way."
so, which side wins, i ask?
"which side wins?"
he smiles at me, the crinkled eyes, the crooked teeth.
"love wins. love always wins."
~ from tuesdays with morrie, mitch albom
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPoSOjTxqW0
It's Christmastime
There's no need to be afraid
At Christmastime, we let in light and we banish shade
And in our world of plenty we can spread a smile of joy
Throw your arms around the world at Christmastime
But say a prayer
Pray for the other ones
At Christmastime it's hard, but when you're having fun
There's a world outside your window
And it's a world of dread and fear
Where the only water flowing is the bitter sting of tears
And the Christmas bells that ring there are the clanging
chimes of doom
Well tonight thank God it's them instead of you
And there won't be snow in Africa this Christmastime
The greatest gift they'll get this year is life
(Oooh) Where nothing ever grows
No rain nor rivers flow
Do they know it's Christmastime at all?
(Here's to you) raise a glass for everyone
spare a thought for the yuletide and the deprived if the tables were turned would you servive?
(Here's to them) underneath that burning sun
there's no need to feel pain just selfless give a little help to the helpless
Do they know it's Christmastime at all?
Feed the world
Feed the world
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmastime again
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmastime again
Today thousands were celebrating from coast to coast, all the courageous veterans at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, Canada.
[hubbies theme]
Quote borrowed from John Grogan's beautiful book, "Marley and Me." If your family has a dog and you haven't seen the movie yet, SEE IT. I read the book first, but the movie was excellent too. Not just for it's portrayal of what a dog gives to a family, but for it's wonderfully realistic depiction of a marriage, a family and what it's like to raise children with your soul mate. I cry every time I see it, more than once, and I'm no movie cry-er.
[see tags, flickr friends admins, for the why]
lately, i have been thinking about life. my life. others lives. what i want to do with my future. i have visions in my head - how i want to live and i just wonder if i can ever make it happen.
i am thankful for everything i have. my family. the love. the loss. with the loss of one person or thing - i feel i have gained something i could have never had without it. my friends. wealth. health.
i want to do photography - obviously. but maybe something more like photo journalism. i want a job that will allow me to travel and see the world. sometimes i feel so stuck though. like i don't have the means to go to college again. i can't get approved for students loans & no money to pay for it myself.
i want to marry someone with a big heart. someone who wants to travel with me and see the world and learn. i want to have kids and teach them to be selfless and do good in this crazy world. i want my husband and i to join the peace corp and do something to help others - more good than we could probably imagine that we are doing. i want my kids to see other countries - rich & poor. i want them to learn languages. i want them to be exposed to cultures. i want to share these experiences with someone, not alone.
i am so scared i will always be alone. i am scared i won't find that guy to love me and share these things with me. i feel like i've found him but he is miles away and i am too scared to leave this stupid town alone. maybe he isn't as special as i think and i don't know him really well but my heart is telling me something is there. how am i supposed to ignore that?
We are very much like these puppets, our strings are in the
hands of Almighty...
As i look at puppets i see how happily they surrender to
the wish of their master..and play their role on the stage &
yet come out happily !!
Yet they leave smile on everyones face....:)
Question to ourselves here ... are we ready to surrender our
lives to our master..the Almighty ?? and believe everything to
be His wish and come out with smile on our faces..of
contentment..feeling of Divine selfless love and care be it
in rewarding or testing times...???
Love makes it possible to answer all bitter questions and
logic plays of our mind. We become like puppets, change
our habits and moods for person whom we love deeply.
So as a gradual shift before loving Almighty, are we even
committed to love? It is love only which makes one reach God.
True Love is best bliss and then bliss of surrendership is
enhanced..as one leaves total control to Him. Can we control
deep sleep, dreams? Then why not leave control on one who
sees our best?
Loving God...is like loving Air..we know air's impotance yet cannot
feel love for air. To love someone we need that someone in person
live in front of us, and not just abstract concepts. Flower leaves its
fragrance so does God in Human form does it. Have we
smelled it ever???
If yes, then one will love God immediately and His wish will
be our wish as its love now which matters.
My selfless love is Prasangam with living heart:
www.flickr.com/photos/eyes_manish/215818072/
True love matters....nothing else matters.
Does anything in our life exceed than true love?? If yes
then we (the puppets of time) are also puppets of our
own mind!!!! Think carefully:)
So...Get Beyond Time and Mind; Feel Divinity..seek Divinity.
PS: See the tags too:)
Craft Project: Make a finger puppet and reflect.
Taken at the Preliminary Fantasy Fest Parade. Masks among my 'native' ancestors people are a powerful tool for evoking aspects of ourselfs in order to heal or empower. This mask in particular caught my eye as being a very healing one. Very different and its owner if anything selfless as he wore it.
This particular photo is dedicated to a flickr comrade by the name of Matty!
As he embarks on a new path may you have one mask that heals you whole.
We are formed and molded by our thoughts. Those whose minds are shaped by selfless thoughts give joy when they speak or act. Joy follows them like a shadow that never leaves them.
Buddha
I hope it’s noticeable in my work that, on the whole, I tend to avoid human made objects where ever possible. Lighthouses, however, are my single exception. I struggle to think of a better manifestation of the good in people: they are the concrete embodiment of selflessness, of camaraderie, of solidarity. It’s because of this that, to my mind, they taken on a personality of their own. They remain no matter the weather, doing all possible to warn and potentially save the lives of others.
I’ve seen this place in the best of conditions as well as the worst, but the light here, to my eye at least, somehow hinted at the dangers of the sea and how lighthouses nevertheless stand in the face of it.
Would you please be so kind as to CLICK HERE NOW PEOPLE DAMNIT. My eternal thanks for your kind and selfless gesture.