Elder power: Doing it the TR way

TR in 1883   (Public Domain)

“Rough and ready” Teddy Roosevelt had a number of memorable quotes.  Among the most popular is this:   Speak softly and carry a big stick.

Heroine Fusako Petrus did just that.  The 86-year-old resident of North Highlands, California went walking routinely around the high school track.  When neighbors cautioned her regarding safety, she would reply:  I’ve got a friend who goes with me.  And I've got a stick. 

While they were recently out walking together, Petrus’ 61-year-old friend was sexually assaulted.  Petrus could have easily escaped unharmed, but chose to instead use that stick.  The attacker then turned on Petrus, giving her friend an opportunity to run for help.

But it was too late for Petrus.  She died after being brutally kicked in the head.  A neighbor memorialized her with these words:  She’d help anybody.

Resources

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/friends-hail-woman-86-killed-trying-to-stop-attack-as-hero/ar-BBAupZY?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=BHEA000

Copyright April 30, 2017 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved

Twelve angry men? Yoga might help

(Fair Use)

Imagine this:  Things are getting a bit tense within the courtroom.  The judge suddenly “strips off the robe” and declares:  It’s yoga time!

This scenario is not all that far-fetched if you’re from Jacksonville, Florida.  Duval County’s Judge Eleni Derke leads a yoga class once a month at high noon on the courthouse front lawn.

But why wait that long?  During “lengthy trials,” Derke has also “been known to urge jurors to stretch and take a few deep breaths…”

Derke herself has had to take more than a few deep breaths. Born and raised in Cyprus, she suddenly became a refugee when Turkey invaded her native land.  Nevertheless, she managed to not only study anthropology and archaeology, but also to graduate from Stetson Law School with honors.

Resources

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=1070

https://www.yahoo.com/news/namaste-florida-judge-teaches-yoga-courthouse-lawn-120108973.html

Copyright April 29, 2017 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved

The other 'Ten Commandments'

Rajneesh   (Fair Use)

Shree Rajneesh, also known as “Osho,” made quite a few headlines in his day.  Rajneesh is once again in the news because his celebrity disciple, Bollywood’s Vinod Khanna, recently died.

Although Rajneesh was not big on spiritual laws, he playfully came up with what has been called his “Ten Commandments.”  Wikipedia lists them all: 

1.  Never obey anyone's command unless it is coming from within you also.   2.  There is no God other than life itself.   3.  Truth is within you, do not search for it elsewhere.   4.  Love is prayer.        5.  To become a nothingness is the door to truth. Nothingness itself is the means, the goal and attainment.   6.  Life is now and here.   7.  Live wakefully.   8.   Do not swim - float.  9.  Die each        moment so that you can be new each moment.   10.  Do not search. That which is, is. Stop and see.                                                                                               

For those who like to cherry-pick their commandments, bear in mind that Rajneesh especially recommended numbers 3, 7, 9 and 10.                                                                            

Resources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajneesh