Friday, January 21, 2011

Ask Not


ALOHA,
             Welcome to Hawaii


click on  the clouds for potential revelation!

"I believe that there is a subtle magnetism
 in Nature,
 which, if we unconsciously yield to it,
 will direct us aright."

Henry David Thoreau




Aloha on da beach (see it?)



"Forget not
 that the earth delights to feel your bare feet
 and the winds long to play with your hair."

Kahlil Gibran











"That's what (the film) Rocky is all about:
 pride, reputation,
 and not being another bum in the neighborhood."


Sylvester Stallone 


<<+>>

Has it really been 50 years?

Yes it has,

as of yesterday in fact.


In that time
the world has changed
from:

 "Ask not what your country
can do for you - but what you
can do for your country."

To

"Greed is good."




What happened?



Here is a picture of a far off time.


Some called it Camelot.


To many of us
it was
and remains
a magical 
time:






"The world is very different now.
 For man holds in his mortal hands
 the power to abolish all forms of human poverty
 and all forms of human life. . .

Let the word go forth from this time and place,
 to friend and foe alike,
 that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans --


that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty.
This much we pledge -- and more.

So let us begin anew -- remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate.
Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.


 I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation.



The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it. And the glow from that fire can truly light the world.


And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.


My fellow citizens of the world, ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do
 for the freedom of man."


excerpts from

John F. Kennedy's
Inaugural Address

 20 January 1961

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How does that make you feel today?

     Please join us in "comments."  cloudia






With a good conscience our only sure reward,

 with history the final judge of our deeds,
 let us go forth to lead the land we love,
 asking His blessing and His help,
 but knowing that here on earth
 God's work must truly be our own.



Must truly be our own
You & Me.





34 comments:

Teresa said...

Great post, Cloudia. It is good to be reminded that we can transcend greed.

Commander Zaius said...

In that time
the world has changed
from:

"Ask not what your country
can do for you - but what you
can do for your country."

To

"Greed is good."


I figure, or at least foolishly believe, things will change once many old and unnamed farts pass on. I'm just 46 but the younger generations seem far more tolerant and liberal and as they take over the country will move back to the right path.

Akelamalu said...

I love the "Aloha on da beach (see it?)" pic!

Daliana Pacuraru said...

I can say about our old continent the same!
Thank you for this post and for your wonderful words!
I wish you a great weekend!

Barbara Martin said...

Apt words, Cloudia. God does work in mysterious ways but I'm certain He will become more prevalent in peoples' lives in the future enlightening our paths.

Rosaria Williams said...

Fifty years? How times have changed, and not for the better. We need this message more than at any other times.

who said...

I see it, but I'm afraid to answer that phoen because I am ascarid it will nix me :)

Aloha aholA


8waves8

HI !

Marguerite said...

Gorgeous pics and great quotes! Especially the last one! I think that the younger generation holds the key to change, too. Happy weekend!

Monkey Man said...

How we have changed in 50 years. Loved my little Hawaiian vacation.

Anonymous said...

You gave time a new meaning. Please have a good weekend. It was today in 1830 that Greece was accepted as an independent country. Guess that there are changes still coming; demanding at least a handful of J.F.K's.

Cloudia said...

Appreciate your stopping by!

黄清华 Wong Ching Wah said...

I am 48, things seems to be changing at a faster paste as I grow older... Keeping up with it seems to be very tired for all of us... Yet if we don't we are left behind. I cherish the past, embrace the present and trying to keep up what's changing for better or worst...
A nice post from you,
Wong

Cloudia said...

感谢您访问的今天,你的朋友

SandyCarlson said...

Thanks for this gorgeous post. President Kennedy has inspired me again thanks to you.

SandyCarlson said...

Thanks for this gorgeous post. President Kennedy has inspired me again thanks to you.

foongpc said...

Thanks for all the nice quotes and beautiful pictures! Have a good day! : )

Windsmoke. said...

I agree with John F. Kennedy's inaugural address but when greed comes into it, it means nothing at all to greedy people :-).

Nancy said...

I have to believe we will go back some day. Or maybe we will have a new way of viewing the world - equality for all in everything.

Kavita said...

Gee, Cloudia.. I really love the quotes you post...most inspiring!!!

commoncents said...

I LOVE YOUR BLOG! I miss that place... vacationed there 4 times!

Steve
Common Cents
http://www.commoncts.blogspot.com

Joanna Jenkins said...

Beautiful post, Cloudia. Thank you.

When I heard it was 50 years I was kinds stunned-- It doesn't seem that long ago.

I think it's one of the single best speeches ever. It moves me each time I hear it and I think it will continue to move people for generations to come.

Happy weekend, jj

Dinesh chandra said...

Good post.

regrads

dinesh chandra

Freda said...

50 years ago we were all full of hope, whilst at the same time being frightened of the nuclear threat. But we did have a sense of pulling together rather than looking out for self only. Times are hard for young people now, and with the economic situation here in the UK it is going to get harder. That's why a daily trip to your island is so special. Thanks for making me think and smile.

BALLET NEWS said...

another exceptional post Cloudia !

Anonymous said...

It's time for everyone to join together - not just people in the same country, but people working together around the globe!

KrippledWarrior said...

I have very mixed emotions about the Kennedy Presidency. He got us involved in Vietnam. Took us to the brink of World War 3. Abandoned Expatriates on the shores invading Cuba, during the Bay Of Pigs incident. And introduced adultery into the Whitehouse lexicon. If that was Camelot, what good came from it?

Full-On-Forward said...

I feel energized and proud to be an American. Great Inspirational post!!

Loved the Angel in the Clouds--and we love our "JUNE" Angel..who has an awesome Heart!

You inspire us all C !!!!

Aloha from the East Coast!

John

Full-On-Forward said...

Hey--Cloudia--is that the Lizard right before the BIRD got it? on the previous post?/

My comment disappeared there- but it was one of your best to date!!! Along with this one!!

John

SandyCarlson said...

Rereading this today, I feel sad and humbled and hopeful that the vision of our country so elegantly expressed all those years ago continues to be so elegantly expressed now. We have been blessed with some wonderful Commanders in Chief. They do so much to keep that light lit. May we carry the light forward.

Kay said...

Those are all beautiful words that I wish we would not keep forgetting.

Friko said...

When I visit my favourite blogs I am always uplifted, hopeful that things will change; I see the good intentions and peaceful atmosphere generated here.

And then I look away, out into the world, to what happens in real life, what TV and the newspapers tell me, and . . . . . . . . .

Anonymous said...

Greetings, Happy Sunday! Blessings…

Friendship Awards, Enjoy!
Thanks for the support, You Rock!
xxx

Cloudia said...

Thanks for bringing you heart here to share!

Junosmom said...

50 years. I was but a newborn.