Warmth In the Winter
Welcome to “Warmth in the Winter”, a blog, created by Michael and Aimy Shaluly,devoted to highlighting the positive aspects of the extraordinary and perplexing life that we all share. The root of our work is based upon a simple premise: We are responsible for shaping our lives, and we can actively make the choice to focus our thoughts, words, and actions upon the abundant, constructive, and beautiful qualities of our world, and by doing so, we instinctively make our world a better place.
Our Small Request
We hope you can join us often as we explore the positive elements of creation of which we are all a part. We will do our best to keep you abreast of positive developments in the world. We ask only a small favor: We wish to keep religion and politics out of our work, for they so often lead to misunderstanding. With this, we wish you the brightest day, and we look forward to exploring the wonderment of life with you. For more about this blog, see our side menu.
Friday, March 19, 2010
The Right Thing
We propose that humankind is part of all of nature, not separate from it. Our natural tendencies exist as a necessary part of creation just as all other things have their place in nature. Thus, when we follow our natural tendencies, it is no more evil or bad than any other natural occurrence. However, we also have free will, and we know we have free will. Thus, our very nature demands that we examine our actions, and by so doing, most of us want to improve ourselves and improve the world around us. It is for this reason that we know when we are engaging in harmful actions to ourselves, to our surroundings, or to our planet, and perhaps this is why we beat ourselves up for past transgressions.
We can take heart, however, that since we are a part of creation, our actions are a step towards the progress of all things. Our efforts to improve are also part of this progression, and as we follow our inner urge to assist our environment, we are participating in a great Cosmic movement of constant change and evolution. Thus, when we ask “Why are we here?”, perhaps it may be better to simply understand that we ARE here as an integral, conscious, participant in the universe. What a wonderful and awe-inspiring privilege we have! Perhaps we should strive to see this big picture, enjoy our time here on Earth together, and do our best make it enjoyable to all things within our conscious world.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Nuts, Bolts, and Thingamajigs
Enter John Ratzenberger. Best known for playing the character Cliff Clavin on the TV show “Cheers”, John is a founder of an organization called Nuts, Bolts, and Thingamjigs. http://nutsandboltsfoundation.org. This is an organization devoted to developing the spirit of manufacturing and tinkering, especially in our youth. His organization sponsors many programs for students and people of all ages to advance our ability to make things. You can find many useful aids on his site, and you may find that it is something that you can support to give our future manufacturing a boost.
While it is true that, in the past, many corporations, manufacturers and otherwise, had a less than stellar record on ethics and environmental activities, it is also true that American manufacturers have worked for years to clean up their act, literally and figuratively. Most of these firms understand and embrace the responsibilities they have towards a better world. They strive to use green technologies or are at the forefront of making these technologies; they provide good benefits and exciting careers to workers; and they strive to be a good partner within their respective communities. Further, few American manufacturers will embark upon a new project in this day and age without thinking of the consequences of that project to the community and to the environment. There is a wonderful shift taking place, with even quality control systems such as ISO:9000 now incorporating social responsibilities as part of a companies quality and continuous improvement certifications.
Our manufacturing firm is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, and we have committed to visiting and working with schools and students in our area to educate our youth on the benefits manufacturing holds for them. No matter how much we automate or what new “systems” or machinery we put in place, the foundation of any company will always be the people that compose it. Nothing gets started without ideas (people), and nothing gets accomplished without action (people again!). So, thank you to the John Ratzenbergers and to all those who have worked so hard to bring manufacturing to a higher level. In the long run, it will be of great benefit to humanity.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Exploration of Our (Inner) Universe
We truly live in a marvelous time. We can only imagine what Galileo Galilei, Leonardo da Vinci, Nicolaus Copernicus, and other great scientists of the past would think of these photos, and what they would think of our current ability to perform such feats. Seeing these heavenly bodies up close reminds all of us that we are part of an absolutely wondrous, living universe, just as it is a part of us.
Those few individuals who have been fortunate enough to venture into space all relate an experience of seeing our planet as part of a larger reality, and from the vantage point of space, it is hard to fathom how we can get ourselves into the petty differences that divide us. We are amazing creatures that have a need to explore, and with our every discovery, there is awakened another desire to learn evermore. As we learn about our universe, we inevitably learn about ourselves, not only our physical make-up and surroundings, but also about our conscious growth. This fact is explored in depth with research done at the Institute of Noetic Sciences, co-founded by former Apollo astronaut, Edgar Mitchell. It was on his flight back to Earth aboard Apollo 14 that Mitchell had a profound experience that he describes thus: “The presence of divinity became almost palpable, and I knew that life in the universe was not just an accident based on random processes ... The knowledge came to me directly." As human beings, perhaps we have come to realize that our inner nature is also worthy of exploration, and indeed, it is the essence of our exploration.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Links We Like
http://www.richel.org/node/23
In our efforts to clean up our world, scientists have found a new nuclear fuel that may help clean up our past nuclear use. Take a look:
http://news.discovery.com/tech/nuclear-fuel-thorium-green.html
The world is in good (green) hands. Go here for a look at the Greener Gadgets conference in New York City . Progress in green technologies will multiply as it becomes more available and profitable, good news for anything existing on our planet!
http://www.greenergadgets.com/
We can always use a little inspiration. Our current favorite quotes site is http://www.famousquotesandauthors.com/. Check it out, find a quote, get inspired, and spread the light!
Life Expectancy
http://mylifecheck.heart.org/
Abolishing Poor Nutrition
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704254604574614052425441542.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_smallbusiness
Monday, February 8, 2010
The Right Thing
I Picked Up a Paper Wrapper
I picked up a paper wrapper
That blew in front of me.
I might have left it to blow here and there,
But I wanted to do the right thing.
I stopped to help an elder
To cross a busy street
I was going the opposite way,
But I wanted to do the right thing.
I kept on working steady
When the doors were almost closed
The company was going nowhere,
But I wanted to do the right thing.
I slowed for someone in traffic
And let them go ahead,
It slowed a bit my passage,
But I wanted to do the right thing.
I refrained from speaking ill
Of someone who did me harm
The opportunity was there,
But I wanted to do the right thing.
When I am alone and no one is watching
With the chance to take and run,
I do my best to give and hold
Because I want to do the right thing.
For at the end of my day I realize
From the days looking back at me
I needn’t have picked up the paper,
If someone else had done the right thing.