Category: human rights

6 Oct 2026 Small Price To Pay?!!

by saymber, posted in history, human rights, In the News, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Politics and Government, Veteran Affairs

I came across this video tonight and it really resonated with me – so much so I felt to share it with you here. I usually try to avoid politics because it’s divisive but I can’t just overlook this:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18hbneC5V2/?mibextid=wwXIfr –

Kalen Allen

I almost didn’t make this video because I’m tired. I think a lot of us are. Tired of being shocked, tired of arguing, tired of every new headline somehow becoming another reason to hate each other.

But hearing the President of the United States talk about Los Angeles and San Diego that way really bothered me. Not as a Democrat or a Republican, but as an American and as a person.

I don’t think we should ever become so loyal to a politician that we lose our ability to say, “That was wrong.” No elected official should be above our questions, our criticism or our accountability. They represent us. We do not belong to them.

So this isn’t me telling you how to vote in November. It’s me asking you to please vote, to think for yourself, and to remember the humanity of the people on the other side of your politics.

No American life is a small price to pay.

Spin of the World Prayer Wheel;

Never do to others
what you would not like
them to do to you.

confucius

4 Oct 2026 A Manna Mindset

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Food, human rights, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion

Hello to you. Today was good. I was happy to see Pastor Jason up and well after his accident and of course seeing and hugging my friends Jera, Cheryl, Mark, Barbara and Jeannie. I was blessed by interacting with Cheryl’s little sweety girl Eleyana (spelling). She has the most beautiful curly blonde hair!

Toby had a lot of food for us to process. For example “kids become what they see not what we say.” I highly recommend your watching this link:

https://youtu.be/rBbglxV9jKI?is=AAQBv1Aa1hY1dqCQ – A Manna Mindset – Toby Slough

Glad to see Pastor Jason is ok!

After church I decided to buy breakfast at the Sunrise and put off grocery shopping til tomorrow after our ladies gathering. I had a half pumpkin spice waffle – so good! Tasted just like pumpkin pie. I so dread grocery shopping!

Spin of the World Prayer Wheel:

Dear Jesus, help us to spread your fragrance everywhere we go.
Flood our souls with your spirit and life.
Penetrate and possess our whole being so utterly,
that our lives may only be a radiance of yours.
Shine through us, and be so in us,
that every person we should come in contact with
may feel your presence in our soul.
Let them look up and see no longer us, but only Jesus.
Stay with us, and then we shall begin to shine as you shine;
so to shine as to be a light to others;
the light, Jesus, will be all from you.
None of it will be ours.
It will be you shining on others through us.
Let us thus praise you in the way you love best,
by shining on those around us.
Let us preach you without preaching:
not by words, but by our example,
by the catching force,
the sympathetic influence of what we do,
the evident fullness of the love our hearts bear for you.
Amen.

adapted – favorite prayer of mother teresa

11 Sept 2026 Armor of God and 25 Years

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, history, Home, human rights, In the News, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Politics and Government, Spirituality and Religion, Television

Hello to you, Today has been good. I went with my Aunt to the Sisters of Grace gathering in Nampa. There was a good turnout and lots of delicious food. I helped with a skit my Aunt put together called Fashion of a Lifetime- putting on the full armor of God – from Ephesians 6:11-18 :

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

I was the helmet of salvation in the skit. My Aunt gave me a gray felt hat to put on. There were no pictures taken but that’s ok. We all were in the moment which is rare these days.

Today is a good day to remember this passage with the 25th anniversary of 9/11. It’s one of the darkest days of world history. I will never forget it! I was sleeping after a 12 hour shift and was called by my coworkers and I went and turned on the tv and couldn’t believe what I was seeing! It just didn’t seem real!

Something happened that day – we were all united in a way that only such horror can do. We were all Americans and grieved together. We are living in a time of such division in this country. It’s like we have forgotten – we need to remember we are one.

What is a powerful quote for 9/11?

AI Overview

Powerful 9/11 Quotes For Remembering September 11, 2001 ...

One of the most powerful and enduring quotes for 9/11 is inscribed on the wall of the National September 11 Memorial Museum: “No day shall erase you from the memory of time.” 

This line comes from Book IX of the epic Latin poem The Aeneid by the ancient Roman poet Virgil. At the 9/11 Museum, the letters were forged by artist Tom Joyce using pieces of steel recovered from the World Trade Center site. It honors the lives lost and promises eternal remembrance.

 

3 Sept 2026 Different

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, history, human rights, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Music, Spirituality and Religion

What’s something you do completely differently from how you were raised?

Hello to you. I hope this finds you well. So much bad news in the headlines right now, I don’t think we were designed to process so much “news” all in one sitting everyday.

In answer today’s prompt I would say the thing I do different from how I was raised is how I practice my faith – religion. As a child I was raised Roman Catholic. In addition to Mass were the Sacraments like Confession- there were rules. As an adult I fell away from Catholicism because the church wouldn’t honor my first marriage. I went for a bit when I was with my second husband but we stopped going because going to Mass was like going to a funeral. We were surrounded by people who didn’t seem to want to be there. Then I was a Pagan for most of my second marriage which was like 12 years.

In my current life I go to church on Sundays in an high school auditorium versus a brick and mortar church like I used to. My current church, Grace Bible Church Middleton, has given me a church family that I know and love. People know me by name. Each Sunday there are warm hellos and hugs! I feel like I belong to this church. I was even baptized last September which was a big step for me in my walk with Jesus.

Spin of the World Prayer Wheel;

The angels dance in your wake
The sun rises for your glory
Stars illume in your light
Magnificent and eternal
My Lord Jesus
My timeless love

justina m. pernetter

https://youtu.be/zSif77IVQdY?is=TvVuxgFvt1vQL-_z – Alison Kraus – Down to the River to Pray

9August 2026 I Am The Good Shepherd

by saymber, posted in history, human rights, Leading Life by Example, Spirituality and Religion

Hello to you. Today began with church. We were in John 10:10-16:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2010%3A10-16&version=NIV

https://youtu.be/qw7xhchfoe4?is=U_iLflvDM6ClyM_U – I Am The Good Shepherd – Brad Bowden

It’s about the love of the shepherd not the worthiness of the sheep. This funny video was shared that illustrates very well what being a good shepherd must be like:

https://youtube.com/shorts/Cu5qyPamutc?is=SUDx7mzl-103Y2ga – The sheep is all of us

After church I went and breakfast at the Sunrise Cafe. Got my Emma fix. She is so kind and always remembers my order!

Spin of the World Prayer Wheel:

Well, I don’t know what will happen now.
We’ve got some difficult days ahead.
But it doesn’t matter with me now.
Because I’ve been to the mountaintop.
And I don’t mind.
Like anybody, I would like to live a long life.
Longevity has its place.
But I’m not concerned about that now.
I just want to do God’s will.
And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain.
And I’ve looked over.
And I’ve seen the promised land.
I may not get there with you.
But I want you to know tonight, that we,
as a people will get to the promised land.
And I’m happy, tonight.
I’m not worried about anything.
I’m not fearing any man.
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord

i’ve been to the mountaintop – martin luther king jr. – 1968

13 July 2026 Learner

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, history, human rights, In the News, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs

Are you a lifelong learner?

Hello to you. There has been difficult news today. Another person was shot and killed by ICE agents in Biddeford Maine:

https://apnews.com/article/ice-shooting-maine-immigration-dhs-f26f8c2256aa6f0748582ea4adbb515c

I feel so bad for his little girl who is only 3 years old! Her dad was shot right in front of her. When is enough enough?!! My prayers go out to her and her mother.

Changing gears…..

Todays prompt is so true of me. All my life so far I’ve been in school – life school. I have experienced both the good and bad lessons life has to teach. I believe we don’t go through things for no reason – especially difficult things. When we approach difficult things as learning opportunities we grow as people. We become the sort of person that can then turn around and use what we’ve learned to help other people facing similar challenges. When we face difficulties we can choose to shut down and become bitter or we can bloom where we are planted.

Turning to God during trials makes the load lighter. There has been so many times when I turned my trials over to God that doors previously closed flew open! The way was made smoother than it would be on my own. These past couple of years I have really been using the power of prayer to help me and others get through difficult times.

Spin of the Prayer Wheel today:

God, help me to be 
a pure vehicle for your love,
and light, 
and wisdom.

steven sadleir

6 July 2026 Chaos

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, human rights, Leading Life by Example, Music, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs

Is a little chaos actually good for us?

Hello to you. I hope this finds you well and if not, you are in my prayers!

Today’s prompt is thought provoking. When I think of chaos I think of things being completely out of control. Not a good thing. Things can be a bit shook up and we can learn and grow from the resulting outcome but not because of complete chaos. That’s just my opinion.

Here is the internets answer to my question if chaos is a good thing:

Chaos isn’t inherently good or bad; it is a vital catalyst. While unchecked chaos is destructive, controlled or balanced chaos—often called “self-organized criticality” in science—is highly beneficial. It drives creativity, evolution, and personal growth by breaking us out of stagnant patterns and forcing necessary adaptations:

Biology and Science: In living systems, like the human brain, seemingly chaotic electrical patterns indicate health, whereas over-organization can signal disease. Chaos theory also shows that hidden patterns and self-organization exist within random events. [1, 2]

Life and Personal Growth: Embracing uncertainty allows you to break free from old mindsets, sparking profound personal transformation. You can learn to manage the unexpected using practical problem-solving mapping. [1, 2, 3]

Systems and Organizations: While pure anarchy leads to collapse, a complete lack of chaos leads to oppressive rigidity. Balancing the two generates novelty, prevents stagnation, and fosters new solutions.

Prayer from the prayer wheel today:

May those without voice be heard.
May those without food be fed.
May those who are harmed be healed.
May the earth’s health be restored.
May all have peace, equality, inclusion for all.

mi’kmaq – alycia longriver davis

A band I recently found – takes me back to the 80’s:

https://youtu.be/JNiXMcloNn4?is=KiSJeFv6ALS8aC31 – Nightcrawl – Lost Highway

4 July 2026 Reason to Celebrate (250 years)

by saymber, posted in Animal Rights, animals, Art and Poetry, Bipolar life, Food, history, Home, human rights, In the News, Leading Life by Example, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs

Hello there! How are you? If you’re American you are probably having a cookout and preparing for fireworks tonight. I hope if you are reading from America and you have pets that you secure them. I know a lot of people have to give their pets tranquilizers to get through this night. Thankfully my Link doesn’t get worked up like most dogs. So many people like fireworks! They are pretty to watch but aren’t very eco friendly!

There has been quite a hoopla over today marking 250 years – we made it this far and I have hope for the future despite everything going on right now. Freedom isn’t free! It’s good to see so many people loving our country.

I had a wonderful meal and visit with my Aunt, Uncle, cousin and his wife and two of my Aunts Granddaughters Richelle and Tatum, Tatum’s husband Kyle and baby Liam. We had hamburgers, hotdogs, potato salad, corn on the cob, fruit, watermelon and ice cream and brownies for dessert. Liam was definitely the star of the show. Once he got acclimated to everybody, he had a great time. Great Grandma my Aunt gave him some metal measuring cups he loved clanging together. We all know what he’s getting for Christmas! My Uncle, Great Grandpa said he’s going to get Liam a drum set! lol! 😂 We made a special memory today! So special!

My sweet Auntie and I – Grandma Becker would be so proud! She loved celebrating the 4th in her backyard in Ft. Collins CO
My beautiful Grandma Becker (I couldn’t flip picture!)

If God could talk
it wouldn’t be in English
or Latin or Arabic
It wouldn’t be in Yiddish
or Spanglish or pidgin

If God could talk
the words would crack like thunder
pour down like a torrent of jewels
flooding our basements with shining ideas,
sparkling conclusions.

If God could talk
a thought would be a redwood
a word an ocean
a sentence a century.

If God could talk
I would not have to
for all the words today requires
would flow in on the morning breeze
and find their way to the morning news.

If God could talk
God’s word would be carried
on the wings of eagles
the ankles of gnats
in the pouches of kangaroos
and the paws of polar bears.

It would spread through the sound
of honey bees and hyenas
be translated into a rainbow
by blue herons and cardinals,
blackbirds and yellowjackets
pink flamingos and gray whales,
purple martins and chameleons.

It would cause rivers to flow,
tides to rise, moons to wax,
suns to set, sparrows to fly,
planets to revolve,
universes to expand
if God could talk.

if god could talk – jan phillips

2 July 2026 Young Washington

by saymber, posted in history, human rights, Movies, Politics and Government, Veteran Affairs

Hello to you. I’m home from going to see the movie Young Washington with my Aunt and Uncle. We got sticker shock that the movie tickets were less than the soda and popcorn! The movie was an Angel Studios production that consisted mostly of battle scenes and George being a sort of superhero. There was clapping in the audience at the end. My Aunt and Uncle are patriotic and this film had that appeal to them. I couldn’t get over how much William looked like a young Stuart Townsend and how much taller he was compared to other people in the film. The way they portrayed George was like he was super human to have survived so many battles.

William Franklyn-Miller was the very handsome George – he was so tall! There were other recognizable actors like Ben Kingsley, Kelsey Grammer and Mary Louise-Parker.

https://youtu.be/-s8mqW03geo?is=IOBaNb9wfUb-FStK – Official Trailer for Young Washington

The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

blessing – bible – numbers 6:24-26

25 May 2025 Remembering

by saymber, posted in drawing, history, Home, human rights, In the News, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Veteran Affairs

Hello to you. I hope this finds you well from where you are visiting me here. Today is Memorial Day here in the US and my deceased birth mom’s 84 birthday.

Drawing I did of my mom Jeannie many years ago

My thoughts and prayers go out to all the family and friends of those who have fought and died for their country. In addition to that my thoughts turn to those who have fought and lost the battle with mental illness. My mom Jeannie, at the age of 26 is such a person. I was afraid for much of my early life that I wasn’t going to live past 26 – end up just like my mom. I am now 58 – well beyond my fears!

One of the most special memories I have of celebrating Memorial Day is with my exes family going to Arlington National Cemetery. My exes dad and his family played taps at exactly 3 pm at different corners of the cemetery:

https://youtu.be/nhxxOvdM1SE?si=yj7rOt0BimzB6M98 – Taps – We share a Memorial Day tribute, courtesy of the U.S. Air Force Band. It features a bugler from The Ceremonial Brass performing Taps at Culpeper National Cemetery in Virginia

Taps for Veterans Every Memorial Day at 3:00 PM local time, Americans from coast to coast pause to honor those who gave their lives in service to our country.

I nearly lost it seeing so many graves. There were several new graves. The ages of those fallen were my age and younger. Gone too soon!