Random Thoughts: On Life, Service & Hope......

  

It has been quite a weekend as I logged almost 600 Miles in supporting my Son's new job serving as a member of the Staff at Lost Valley--A Scout Camp of the Orange County Council of the Boy Scouts of America.    I reflected upon this earlier while curating some weekend Social Grid updates for the Daily Outsider and gearing up for the new week: 

Back in Laguna Niguel today as i reflect upon quite a weekend before running off earlier I dropped off my son for his job serving on staff at Lost Valley scout camp I commend all the selfless leaders who give of themselves to leave a legacy of purpose that will live on. As i saw all the selfless souls who were on the fish for life cruise for special needs families-it was a sight to see as the special needs kids were given their commemorative medals . #This I created w @momentoapp captured some sense of a w end to be reminded of how thankful I am as I hope this small token in support of @donateaphoto will help a child get to camp Onward to the new wk w all the possibilities it entails-wishing all the best of weeks

A post shared by Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) on Jun 25, 2017 at 2:30pm PDT

Whether it was being at the Fish For Life Cruise yesterday or being at Lost Valley, it gave me a moment of pause to really reflect upon my own blessings.     The challenges many of us have pale in comparison to the challenges of those on the Fish For Life Cruise.     

On the cruise, I was assigned as a Team Leader to support two Special Needs Families.   I did not dwell upon the exact nature of the challenges each child had--all I tried to do was to encourage them while frankly overwhelmed by it all--whether it was the Mother who had to struggle to cover the cost of the special milk for her child or the Father who was trying to rebuild his life and connect back with his Son.    As I awarded the Fish For commemorative medal to my team, the scenes were just unforgettable.    I was also so impressed to have met the 22 year old Founder of Just For Me Foundation who realized a need to be a bridge for Special Needs Children and has done something about it.   This is as I also met a co founder of the GrandMothers Autistic Network that strives to help Autistic Children.      

As I drove back from Lost Valley this morning, I could not help but be in awe at the true selfless souls that have left such a legacy there.      Whether it is Dr. Arnold Beckman or all who have helped build out the cabins where the staff lives or all the volunteers who serve there, it is just a site to see.  It will test anyone's driving skills--but well worth the try!!

This is a week also that June is winding down--and July 4 celebrations are before us.    My hometown of Laguna Niguel is no exception as the annual Run in the Park is on tab along with the beautiful fireworks.  But there is also a very important event on tab--the unveiling of the Freedom Sculpture at a free ceremony on July 4 in Los Angeles.  As noted on the website, "...The Freedom Sculpture, will be a “Statue of Liberty” for the West Coast -- A crowd-supported public monument that will be gifted to stand in the heart of Los Angeles.  It is inspired by the humanitarian ideals of freedom, respect for cultural diversity and inclusiveness that originated with Cyrus the Great of Persia 2,500 years ago and which have been enshrined in the U.S. Constitution for all by the Founding Fathers. The Freedom Sculpture will be officially unveiled in a citywide celebration on July 4th, 2017. It will stand from that day on as a reminder of the universally shared values that truly make America great....".   I had the pleasure to make a very token contribution to it.   Unfortunately, I cannot go--but I do look forward to seeing it real soon after it is officially unveiled.    Over 1 Million People have contributed almost 2.3 Million Dollars to help make this a reality!!!    

As I gear up for this final week of June in support of the work of the Daily Outsider and other projects, it is witness to such that makes me ever so hopeful.

Onward to the final week of June as I wish all a fabulous week and a great 4th!!!

Random Thoughts (Mid-Week Edition): On The Will To Do & the Soul to Dare.....

 

With all that has been going on this week (and it is only Wednesday), I decided to be just a bit more upbeat than usual.    I will admit some of the reporting I have seen on budget cuts, on healthcare and on what has been going on in the Middle East has been extremely worrisome--especially as I saw on Facebook some Kuwaiti and Bahrani MP's saying that Iran's Khuzestan Province must be declared a "occupied province"--I could not help but laugh.   This is especially as I see the daily updates from the Electronic Intifada on the horrific state of Palestinians.   

I could not help but ask how Jordan's King Abudullah, Abdul Fatah Al Sisi, King Salman, The Emirati Amirs and The King of Bahrain have the nerve to sleep at night while Palestinians have no water, little food and no electricity.  I have decided not to include the Yemeni President (who is under Saudi Protection) or Syria (that has ceased to function as a State).    Oman, at least, is the sensible one--along with Qatar who continues to be bullied by Saudi Arabia that now has a new Crown Prince, King Salman's Son (the genius behind the Yemen War).    The Saudi Royal Staff will be working "overtime" as they have to take down portraits and put up new one's!!!!

Although there was hope for us to be able to think through Q3 at the Daily Outsider is paramount, the continued challenges around the World is critical as the team continues to live up to its' mission to help change the conversation--and embrace the will to dare!!!   I had the pleasure to again support this with two new write-ups appearing over the next day or so along with the curations on Twitter.    It has frankly been overwhelming--but There is nothing but a Hindi Musical Clip that could brighten anyone's day.     I reminded all (and most of all myself when I wrote about being hopeful even when faced with profound challenges with a reminder from Plato that even the Gods love jokes): 

Random Thoughts: On #FathersDay 2017, @POTUS & Other Thoughts....

Fathers' Day has officially arrived in the United States and once again Google has gone out to celebrate it in style as President Trump continued onward with the tradition with his annual Fathers' Day Proclamation.   

As it is Fathers' Day,  I could not be more proud as I saw off my son to his first job.  He will be serving as an member of the Staff at Lost Valley teaching classes at Eagle University.   As the old saying goes, If we as parents make sure our children grow up to be better than us, then we have done our job.    That's probably the best Father's Day Gift one could ever hope for.   I also paid an early Father's Day Visit to my own Father as well to wish him Fathers' Day before getting back to work and picked up this on China Daily which was a fun read on Twitter:

On this #FathersDay plz enjoy 😊 Like father, like 👶 -#HappyFathersDay https://t.co/5VmTpxddT0 @中国日报 pic.twitter.com/brLpAjFElF

— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) June 18, 2017

It was also a day of Service as I was witness to the kids of Aliso Niguel Miracle 4 Kids fundraising for their Club and the Aliso Niguel Second Harvest Food Bank Club doing their quarterly Mobile Food Pantry at Zion Lutheran Church in Anaheim.   I had the pleasure to be witness to it all : 

Some 8,000 pounds of food were distributed within an hour to 113 Families.  It was such a privilege to be witness to the outpouring of Community Spirit in action.    Some 315,000 people are food insecure in Orange County--one of the wealthiest counties in the United States if not the Nation.   I have the privilege to be able to serve as the Scouting For Food Co-Chair for 2017 which I hope will at least make somewhat of a difference.  I just finished off an outreach to the Leaders on this:

Greetings and Happy Summer,

On behalf of myself and John Caruth, I wanted to briefly touch base and share some brief thoughts...but first and foremost, Hope all have been dealing with the heatwave that I gather will continue for a while yet--my eyes popped out when I saw it was 95 Degrees today!!

Let me first begin by expressing my profound appreciation To Greg Taylor for spearheading our District "down payment" for Scouting For Food as I gather (last data I saw was about 160 cans) as I am grateful to Leslie for facilitating the pick up as we gear up for this season of service for the less fortunate amongst us.    I also had the pleasure to join at the Mobile Food Pantry Distribution at Zion Lutheran Church in Anaheim that was sponsored by the Aliso Niguel High School Second Harvest Food Bank Club that saw some 8000 lbs of Food distributed to 113 families which was gone within an hour.   It underscores that our noble and just cause is ever so critical today.    I hope that the the Second Harvest Food Bank Club is able to help spreahead a drive.

I wish you all a fab Summer as I hope all continue to start thinking about this here as we all hit the ground running starting in August so that we can help hopefully exceed the 2016 numbers in support of Second Harvest Food Bank.     Please reach out to either myself or John Caruth with any questions or concerns.

On a personal note, Happy fathers' Day to all..as I hope all enjoy this!!!   ..looking forward to seeing all in August.....in the meantime, "See you all on the web".....

It was also quite a week around our World.   Although enough is noted with the on-going curation of The Daily Outsider, I could not help but reflect upon the tragedy in London.   It was quite a week as it underscored how the politics of austerity seems to have potentially run its' course in the UK.  IT was also a week that saw Queen Elizabeth show how she kept her "ear to the ground" as she went to see the victims along with her Grand Son, Prince William.    How the British Prime Minister was  attacked as savagely as she was  was quite a scene to be witness to.   It is also quite remarkable how Saudi Arabia is playing the bully trying to bring down Qatar--I wrote on Twitter about my hope that Qatar won't succumb to the blackmail by Saudi Arabia and its' satellite states: Bahrain, Egypt and Yemen and a few others.  

Meanwhile, back here in the US, I was blown away at the devastation in Kansas which may well be a blueprint what is at hand Nationally here in the United States--as the blueprint of what has been thought up at the Heritage Foundation is being implemented.     This was also quite a weekend as I caught All the President's Men, Revisited, which was produced by Robert Redford about Richard Nixon and the vast criminal enterprise he ran inside the White house and the team @ The Daily Outsider featured it as a "View of the Week"--a very powerful 1 hour.    This is also as Showtime (Part of Viacom & CBS) is featuring the Putin Interviews done by Oliver Stone featuring Vladimir Putin as Putin is clearly aware and has a keen understanding of the internal dynamics of the United States today.   This is as President Trump continues to reverse the Obama Legacy with reversals on Cuba, Iran, the Environment, etc. etc.   

Remaining Hopeful as I look forward to the new week with all its' possibilities!!! 

Random Thoughts: On #MoreInCommon & Other Thoughts....

As I write this, I am finishing off helping with some late curation for the Daily Outsider as  the planning for the 3rd Quarter is also continuing.   It has been quite a week in our World especially as we have been witness to a horrific shooting incident in Virginia that left Congressman Scalise of Louisiana and having been witness to a very scary 24 hours in London with a true "Towering Inferno".  I have just been blown away by how the Community of London had come together.  There was so much sent that the charities had to send donations away!!   I am watching live feed of Sky News as commentators are reviewing horrifying accounts of the fire and how the Children were crying out loud.   There was a story of one witness having talked about being witness to 25 people dying.     It is an absolute tragedy.

I was also quite proud of what was done for the properties as the decision that was made to honor the memory of Jo Cox.   She was a member of the House of Commons and was an ardent supporter of the UK remaining in the European Union who was brutally murdered one year ago  by a terrorist who has been sent away for the rest of his life.     The Great Get-Together has been established by the Jo Cox Foundation to remember her as I finish off with this: 

I

:

What unites us is more powerful than what divides us #moreincommon pic.twitter.com/mkI4oMuLzI

— Great Get Together (@great_together) June 13, 2017

Random Thoughts: On this Very Trying Day.......

Horrified was the only word I could muster as I saw the reports of Congressman Scalise being shot along with others while working away at the Daily Outsider today.     Despite my profound disagreements with the Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, his speech today was to paraphrase the CNN's Chris Cizilla, spot-on that he noted how the Democratic Colleagues gathered up in prayer:

It is a pleasure to share the words of Speaker Ryan on this day to remember : 

My colleagues: There are strong emotions throughout this House today. We are all horrified by this dreadful attack on our friends and colleagues, and those who serve and protect this Capitol. We are all praying for those who were attacked and their families:

-Steve Scalise

-Zachary Barth

-Matt Mika

-Special Agent David Bailey

-Special Agent Crystal Griner

"We are all giving our thoughts to those currently being treated for their injuries AT THIS MOMENT. And we are united. We are united in our shock and anguish. An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.

"I know we want to give our thanks to the first responders and the Alexandria Police Department, who were on the scene in minutes. And I know this House wants to state unequivocally that we are, as ever, awed by the tremendous bravery of the Capitol Police.

"I spoke with Special Agent Bailey and Special Agent Griner this morning...I expressed our profound gratitude to them. It is clear to me, based on eyewitness accounts, that without these heroes, Agents Bailey and Griner, many lives would have been lost.

"I know we all want to learn as much as we can about what happened. We just received a briefing from the Sergeant at Arms. I have complete confidence in the investigation that is being conducted by the Capitol Police working with local law enforcement. I know we want to extend our gratitude for the outpouring of support we have received from throughout the Capitol and from throughout the country.

"Now, knowing Steve Scalise as we all do, he is likely really frustrated that he will not be able to play in the baseball game. I also know that Steve wants all of us to commend the bravery of those who came to the aid of the wounded. In the coming days, we will hear their stories, and we will have the chance to hold up their heroism.

"My colleagues, there are many memories from this day we will want to forget, and many images we will not want to see again. But there is one image in particular that this House should keep. And that is a photo I saw of our Democratic colleagues gathered in prayer this morning after hearing the news.

"You know, every day, we come here to test and challenge each other. We feel so deeply about the things we fight for and believe in. At times, our emotions can get the best of us. We are all imperfect. But we do not shed our humanity when we enter this chamber.

"For all the noise and fury, we are a family. These were our brothers and sisters in the line of fire. These were our brothers and sisters who ran into danger and saved countless lives.

"So before this House returns to its business, I want us to slow down and reflect, to think about how we are being tested right now. Because we are. I ask each of you to join me in resolving to come together...to lift each other up...and to show the country—show the world—that we are one House. The people's House—united in our humanity.

"It is that humanity which will win the day. It always will."

Random Thoughts: On Our Future & Staying Ever So Hopeful.....

It has been an interesting week already and Monday is not even over yet as I work away. It was great to have been witness to another fabulous Young Man attain the rank of Eagle Scout over the weekend--joined by some of closest friends who are all either Eagle Scouts or Eagle Scout aspirants.    It is witness to the future makes me ever so hopeful--and all the selfless souls who make such achievements possible.   

As I was out and about today, There has been quite a bit going on as well politically as well.   I only hope that reason and sanity prevails where there is war or political difficulty--as it has been in the case of Qatar being bullied by Saudi Arabia, the UAE with US Support  and the Gaza strip:

Gaza Children Studying in the Dark (Courtesy: Electronic Intifida) 

The team @Daily Outsider did release a notation though for the week as the strategic review is on-going (and as updates will be forthcoming over Twitter as well) as the 3rd Quarter is before us.   

I was blown away by the art of the possible as I was witness to a gentleman in a wheel chair yesterday rushed to his van, opened up the back of his specially-designed van and drove away.    This reminded me that anything is possible--no matter what the challenges and circumstances are.  This is as I I took comfort in these thoughts I picked up courtesy of @Jonathan Lockwood Huie and his team that I found to be some real cool advise for all to embrace--including myself:  

Take time to laugh.

It is the music of the soul.

Take time to think.

It is the source of power.

Take time to play.

It is the source of perpetual youth.

Take time to read.

It is the fountain of wisdom.

Take time to pray.

It is the greatest power on Earth.

Take time to love and be loved.

It is a God-given privilege.

Take time to be friendly.

It is the road to happiness.

Take time to give.

It is too short a day to be selfish.

Take time to work.

It is the price of success.

- Anonymous

Onward to the new week with all its' possibilities!!

Random Thoughts: On Motivation, #IranAttacks & Other Thoughts.....

It has been quite a week!!  I have been working to finish off some "Special Projects" including contributions to the Student Support Community on Facebook as I reflected upon Success--here is a sampling of it I released while working away: 


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Earlier this week, while at the Walden Virtual Campus, the Faculty Moderator for the International Club I contribute to shared the following interesting questions which I shared my thoughts on which has underscored what I have done with my writings here:  

• . If your life was a movie, what would be the title?  "A Life of Purpose" 
• . What does success mean to you?  "making a difference for my community..."
• . If you could ask for one wish, what would it be?  "having the courage to forgive myself for past mistakes.." 
• . What do you owe yourself?  "....making sure I never forget to smile no matter what the challenges are--as many of you know...It has been quite challenging..and I want to again express my appreciation to all..." 
• . When you think of “home” what do you think of?  "....just a place to reflect  & refresh..." 

This week also was a very horrific week in Iran as Daesh attacked Tehran.    The World reacted with horror--although the United States condemended it, President Trump's statement basically laid the blame on the victims.     Whatever one thinks of the Islamic Republic, there were innocent Iranians that died--this was in sharp contrast to Iran's reaction in the aftermath of the 9/11 attack which was shared on Facebook by one of the leading Iranian-Americans in the World: 

Iran honored the victims of the terrorist attack with a State Funeral.   One of the vicitims was a Unviersity instructor who was visiting Parliament to advocate for the homeless.   

What is critical to note is how critical the state of affairs are in the Country-- problematic as epitomized by this produced by the Farsi Service of the Voice of America as Millions of Iranians have lost their money in a major Ponzi Scheme with clear understanding from the Government  (The broadcast is in Farsi). 

It was also a week that saw some great news as Astronaut Candidate Jasmin Moghbeli: Jasmin Moghbeli has been selected by NASA to join the 2017 Astronaut Candidate Class.   18,000 apply--few are chosen!!!

I wanted to finish off my "walkabout" with some final "foods 4 thought" that I had featured as I was on the 'Social Grid" and also featured it in contribution to the Student Support Community on Facebook--and noting this wish courtesy of @Values.Com:

As I end these thoughts before being "dark" here until after June 30, I note this powerful reminder I had the privilege to note on my Facebook Profile as I remember all the fallen in Iran and all victims of terrorism Worldwide as I note that "We Shall overcome'!!!

Random Thoughts w/ a Brief Update re: #IranAttacks & The Upcoming #ComenyTestimony...

Last night as I was working away, I finished off some "Random Thought" while on Medium as I was thinking about a very challenging 24 hours.   But, today is a different day as I helped curate selections from #OneLoveManchester for the Network and was able to "snag two of them" for my own "selection" as I dedicate this also not to the Manchester Victims, but also to the London Victims, the victims in Afghanistan  (and the last report I saw was that 150 Afghans had died in the horrific attack in Central Kabul) , in Syria, Iraq (as the war in Mosul rages on and on) and Yemen who continue to suffer on an hourly basis--we must do better as I also picked up one more from one of my favorite groups, Cold Play.

I add my voice to say thank you to Arianna Grande for showing leadership as she did to remind all that there are indeed better days ahead and one must never ever look at anger.  To paraphrase Mehdi Hassan of Al Jazeera noted on a Tweet (That Donald Trump Jr did not take kindly too) , we will not allow the lowlifes to win because we will not be terrorized by any terrorist: 



(Update:  I just picked up this image from insde Iran's Parliament as those inside Parliament were to be "Shelter in Place .    The Economist noted it so in its' usual Mater-of-Faact way:   No one has been spared:  



...and then there is the Comey Testimony--and if the written testimony is any indication, it is bound to be an explosive day....

Random Thoughts: Simple Reflections......

It has been quite a week to have been witness to graduations and graduation parties.   It was also quite a month as I joined an Eagle Candidate supporting his Eagle Project at the City of Missoin Viejo Last Month.     The City was good enough to share some thoughts on their website that is available by clicking here.   It was great to see the City Manager and Mayor join this quest.   

It has also been quite a week as the United States has withdrawn from the Paris Climtae Accord.    The team at the Daily Outsider has been quite busy working away, tweeting, and assesing it all.    One of the Governors at the forefront to forestall this is Jerry Brown (aka the Notorious JB--the nickname courtesy of my friend Scott Lay of the Nooner).    One particular thought resonated with me from one of the Elders which I picked up on my personal Twitter Feed:




As I listened to the EPA Adminstrator speak last week, I could not help but wonder what Planet he was living on as he continued to tout "Clean Coal" among other things.     As President Macron noted, there is no "Planet B" and the need to make our Planet Great Again is paramount.      

It will be quite a busy week as I look forward to my own column later on this week on "If I was President" to think about what I would have liked the President to have done in the aftermath of the London Attacks as he went after Sadiq Khan and as our team will e working on a Notation later on in the week as UK Elections loom, French Elections (which is happening as I have been writing this) and the latest diplomatic browhaha in the Middle East between Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt and Bahrain.    I was shocked as I saw that Food trucks were blocked from crossing into Qatar from Saudi Arabia--and as our Visions Team will be reflecting upon Apple This week!!

It is bound to be an interesting week no doubt as I picked up this wish for all courtesy of the team at Values.COM which may appear in one of the properties (I don't think I could hide it even if I want it to): 

Onward to a very busy week!!!

Random Thoughts: As June Begins.....

June has begun.    It has been quite a month with elections in Iran and France and the on-going drama in Washington.     For me, the last day of the month was when I saw the flow of distressing news on Paris and as to whether The United States will withdraw that our team released a Notation on it.    Based on the last reporting I saw, President Trump is due to announce it later on today.  But the issues in the aftermath of the Trip was of concern as underscored in this tweet I picked up and released during the week--as China and Europe will be moving on:  

If guys like @RichardHaass @JoeMSNBC @vali_nasr r worried about @realDonaldTrump what about @ordinaryfaces : https://t.co/S9q5bCqSc1

— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) May 30, 2017

As I look forward to be supportive of the projects for the Daily Outsider as we gear up for the new month, I picked up these thoughts courtesy of @Jonathan Huie and Values.Com that I underscores a sense of hope and optimism: 

The eyes of the cheerful and of the melancholy man
are fixed upon the same creation;
but very different are the aspects which it bears to them.
- Albert Pike

If you change the way you look at things,
the things you look at change.
- Wayne Dyer

A cloudy day is no match for a sunny disposition.
- William Arthur Ward 

.One of the projects I look forward to working on in support of The Daily Outsider is Mary Meeker's reporting and analysis of internet trends which obviously our team has a vested interest in....

1. Recode‏Verified account @Recode  3h3 hours ago
   

   Here are all the slides and analysis for Mary Meeker’s 2017 internet trends report: https://www.recode.net/2017/5/31/15693686/mary-meeker-kleiner-perkins-kpcb-slides-internet-trends-code-2017?utm_campaign=recode.social&utm_medium=social&utm_content=recode&utm_source=twitter … #codecon
2. 
   

It will also be a day of celebration throughout South Orange County as the Capistrano Unified School high schools (Aliso Niguel , Capistrano Valley, San Juan Hills & esoro) Class of 2017 will be graduating.  II will spend my evening supporting Grad Night at Aliso Niguel 

Onward to June!!!!