Blue Danube

Johann Strauss II
October 25, 1825 – June 3, 1899



The Blue Danube is the common English title of An der schönen blauen Donau op. 314 (On the Beautiful Blue Danube), a waltz by Johann Strauss II, composed in 1867. Originally performed 9 February 1867 at a concert of the Wiener Männergesangsverein (Vienna Men's Choral Association), it has been one of the most consistently popular pieces of music in the classical repertoire. Its initial performance was only a mild success, however, and Strauss is reputed to have said "The devil take the waltz, my only regret is for the coda -- I wish that had been a success!"

Being Around Greatness

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great!" -Mark Twain

Immerse your life with negative people and that is where you will stay. Surround yourself with great people and your life will be drawn to greatness. Two fairly easy statements to understand and adopt.

I try to do this as much as I can, get near to great people and learn from them. One of my recent ventures is with Twitter. A social networking site that is full of one-line comments, musings along with the inevitable people wanting to sell or promote something. What I like about it is getting to read the general and everyday musing of successful people.

What is neat about it is that I can respond to them. Not sure at this point if they actually see my replies. It could be that they are simply waiting to make sure that I'm not a stalker (To follow or observe (a person) persistently, especially out of obsession or derangement). And I can assure you that I am not.

The intent is to draw close to these successful people, learn from them and hopefully provide them with some inspiration in life as well. some of these people may cross into your life while other times you need to step out boldly and introduce yourself. From there it is like any friendship in how it develops. Some do and some don't, but once you do, there is so much you can learn from others.

Great people want to see other people become great. Get near these people, learn from them and then give back to others what you have been given.
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Mayan 2012

"Many believe when the Mayan Calendar ends in December 21, 2012, the world as we know it will end with it."

Okay, so is the world going to end in 2012 as predicted in the Mayan calendar? I have my doubts about it and I don't feel it necessary to dissuade others from believing in it. There are belief systems all around the world that I don't necessarily agree with. This is one of them and it reminds me of the concerns of life as we know it ending in the year 2000.

The world didn't end then and I personally doubt that it will end in 2012. There will be those that take advantage of the 'impending doom' and develop plans to earn money from it. There will be plenty of people that feel I am taking this too lightly. My preparation will be for the possible ramifications that unwarranted hysteria could cause.

But what if I'm wrong they will say? If I'm wrong it won't make any difference from all that is supposed to happen. You can scare or amuse yourself at 2012 Doomsday Predictions. But if it does come to pass, it is out of our control anyway. There is nothing you could do to prepare for it. So the focus of all your energy on worrying will do you no good.

Take that focus and turn it towards doing something good in your life today. Focus on what you can do to better your life and the lives of those around you. To stop and worry now, when the 'doom and gloom' fails to happen, you will be left in the same place you are now.

In other words, keep moving forward in a positive light. Go forward, be prepared for changes in life but keep moving. The year 2012 will come and go; will you?
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The Rain Will End

"And it's rainin' all over the world; It's raining all over the world" -Electric Light Orchestra

It can certainly feel that way when things are going tough for you. I remember the feeling when going through a divorce several years ago. That sense of nothing left came on a day that my neighbors dog died while I was taking care of it. In the midst of a painful divorce, I was still helping others and now their dog dies.

It was actually a rainy day and you couldn't have convinced me that the sun was shining anywhere on earth. It was raining when I found the dog, it was raining when I buried the dog and it was raining as I sat on my back deck pondering what I had left in life.

As I sat there slowly letting the rain engulf me in absolute sorrow, the darkness of it all was quickly overcoming me. I would like to say it was then that the rain stopped and the sun shone down upon me. A sign of sorts but not exactly. What happened is that a small light began to open inside of me. There was something telling me that the rain would end and the sun would again spread its warmth around me.

At that moment, with the wet rain still beating down upon me, I decided that I was no longer going to be the victim of my circumstance. I was going to pick myself up and move on with life. Most certainly it took work on my part, but the greatness one achieves doesn't come without effort.

Just understand in your own life that the 'rain' is temporary and the sun will shine once again. Allow yourself to be whole once again and move towards a greater day.
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