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OLD QUOTES RELIVED - BETTER THE SECOND TIME ENJOY

“Nature never did betray the heart that loved her.”  William Wordsworth

 

“In the darkness of the cave freely entered a light always shines – the light that only silence can bring.”  “Pizzaonian spelunker

 

“Quoting the quotable is notable if the quotable quotes are really quotable.” The spelunker

 

“It just maybe that for some their true vocation is to change vocations often.” from Thomas Merton

 

“The person I will miss most when I die is me.”  Pizzaonian spelunker

 

 

“The question: How do you pursue your moral imperative with relentlessness and still seem reasonable to those around you?  A question that only a reasonable or deluded person would ask.”     Brother Giovanni 

 

“To fully embrace life you must embrace the fact that joy and sadness coexist in the same place at the same time.” Pizzaonian spelunker

 

“Nature has given to humans one tongue, but two ears, that we may hear from others twice as much as we speak.” Epictetus

 

“In the darkest moment of despair when you reach for the ember that was the fire within you - only then will you know what you truly believe.” Sister Veronica, Supreme Pizzaonian

 

“There is no cure for birth and death, save to enjoy the interval.”  George Santayana

 

“The value of a sentiment is the amount of sacrifice you are prepared to make for it.”  John Galsworthy

 

“The only way to complete your life is not only to hear the inner voice but heed it.” Pizzaonian spelunker

 

“Everyday, for a few minutes, you should put yourself in the position of your enemy and develop a defense for it.”  Pizzaonian spelunker

 

“To be objective you must deny the sum total of your experience, something which few are capable of doing.” Pizzaonian spelunker

Today Pizzaonia celebrates 100 years of freedom from government and most bureaucracy

 Today Pizzaonia celebrates 100 years of freedom from government and most bureaucracy. It was on this day in 1910 PC (Pizzaonian Calendar) Pizzaonians dissolved all functioning governing bodies, effectively ending their control over the lives of Pizzaonians.

The Parliament, Office of the President and Prime Minister still exist, but only as figureheads with no official function other than to occasionally advise the people. Since no one heeds the advice, advice is seldom given.

It is a tradition to continue to hold elections every four years, and Pizzaonians enter into the spirit of democracy even though they know it is meaningless. Unlike many so-called democracies, Pizzaonia has a voter turnout of more than 98 per cent every election. It seems when elections are just fun, most people look forward to participating.

 The dissolution of all official government did not come about through revolution, but was a natural evolution evolving from the wise decisions of Pizzaonian elders 160 years ago.

Their decisions were simple and profound.  The elders made the minimum age for election to parliament 74 years.  To be elected President or Prime Minister, the minimum age was set at 84.  The all volunteer armed forces were dissolved and a military draft was put into effect.  The minimum age for conscription into military service was set at 82.

And then, the final decision made by the elders was a stroke of pure genius.  They decided to create a national symbol to represent Pizzaonia that no macho power would possibly want to emulate or conquer.  And that is how Pizza became the national symbol and power base for Pizzaonian nationalism 

 Today Pizzaonia is the Mozzarella Pizza capital of all worlds and through its practice of discreet pizza imperialism, Pizzaonian influence is now part of all worlds everywhere.  (Have you checked your pizza lately?)

In one respect, Pizzaonia is not unlike most countries.  They have a government that does nothing; only in Pizzaonia they do no damage.  Even more important the government cost nothing since all participants are collecting their pensions and except no other pay.

As for our military services, given that no member is under the age of 82, they seldom meet and do little damage.  And since no other country is interested in conquering a place whose national identity and power revolves around pizza, no one in Pizzaonia particularly cares.

 So Pizzaonians live in a blissful state. Sure, we still have arguments among ourselves, and eventually most conflicts are resolved. But we all know they are meaningless and essentially entertainment. 

On second thought, in many ways maybe we are not unlike a lot of other countries after all.  But in Pizzaonia it costs a lot less.

Brother Giovanni, Pizzaonian News Service, Bureau Chief

“The demagogue is one who preaches doctrines he knows to be untrue to men he knows to be idiots.”  H. L. Mencken

More quotes for a rainy day (from the past to the present)

“The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.”  Winston Churchill

“The demagogue is one who preaches doctrines he knows to be untrue to men he knows to be idiots.”  H. L. Mencken

“Have the courage to act instead of react.” Earlene Larson Jenks

 “Necessity does the work of courage.”  George Elliot

 “Whether it to be failure or success, the first need of being is endurance ……” Bliss Carmen

 "Only an incompetent mind is content to express itself incompetently.”  J. M. Barker

 

 “…there is no such thing as a “little bit of hatred,” and any cause which allows itself to be infiltrated by it will ultimately be destroyed by it.” Andrew Greeley “The Jesus   Myth”

“Hatred is so marvelously useful to mobilize human emotions, to give movements their energy and drive….”  Andrew Greeley “The Jesus Myth

 “Fewer things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.”  Mark Twain

“We love in others what we lack ourselves, and would be everything but what we are.”  R. H. Stoddard

 “There is a difference between imitating a good man and counterfeiting him.”  Benjamin Franklin

 
“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.”  Pierre Teilhard Chardin

Now that everyone thinks I am crazy, talking with Jesus is much easier

 Now that I am out of the closet and everyone in Pizzaonia knows that I am the one who is talking with Jesus in the park, I have a sense of freedom that is new and exciting.

Once everyone thinks your crazy you no longer have to worry about how what you say or do affects those around you.  This is a rare freedom few are privileged to have.  Granted, the price may seem high, but so are most experiences that liberate you and allow you to be who you are.

Besides, once you reach a certain age you lose some of your need for affirmation.  Please note, I said you lose some of your need, not all of it.  Affirmation from the world you live in is still necessary; it just takes a different and less serious form.

  Since meeting with Jesus (I am going to presume he is the real Jesus until I know otherwise) I have a new perspective of what and who he is.  It's easy to fall into the trap of seeing him as the exalted one or as God.  I am not saying he is not these things since I believe he is, but it is refreshing to have a relationship that seems more human and real than anything I have experienced previously.  Another words, he seems more like us and that makes a relationship more direct and meaningful.

It also makes his sacrifice more meaningful.

I have so many questions I am going to explore with him.  I am curious to know how he feels about so many things, past and present – not as the savior, but as a human being like us.  I can hardly wait to hear his answers.

As far as my reputation is concerned, well we will have to see about that.  Many of you will leave me here, or in the near future, because you believe this whole experience is either nuts or not very meaningful. 

  But when you leave, leave for the right reasons.  Maybe what I am talking about is plain dull or for any other real reason, and that’s ok.  Just don’t leave because of some hidden prejudice you are not fully aware of.  That would be a shame.

Until next time.           Brother Giovanni

PNS HEADLINE NEWS: Pizzaonian Council for Spiritual Assessment and Arrestment to ask for censure of Brother Giovanni

  
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FROM:  PIZZAONIAN NEWS SERVICE (PNS)

Contact:  Publicio Relationio at the PNS office of Public Relations at   PIZZAONIAN@YAHOO.COM

SUBJECT:  Pizzaonian Council for Spiritual Assessment and Arrestment to ask for censure of Brother Giovanni

 Today a spokesmonk for PCSAA (Pizzaonian Council for Spiritual Assessment and Arrestment) made a stunning announcement surprising everyone and asked the Pizzaonian Monastery Committee on Committees to censure former Supreme Pizzaonian, Brother Giovanni. 

Brother Giovanni is currently serving as the popular Bureau Chief of Pizzaonian News Service.

Censure is imposed by Pizzaonians for the most serious of infractions and is rarely used. Brother Giovanni remains one of the most popular Pizzaonian leaders for his distinguished service as former Supreme Pizzaonian.

 Brother Giovanni was the main ally of current Supreme Pizzaonian, Sister Veronica, when she negotiated the very controversial faith healing provision as part of the National Spiritual Health Care Insurance Plan.* Faith healing became the cornerstone of the plan that made health insurance affordable for all Pizzaonians.

As a result Pizzaonia saved millions of health care dollars and it paved the way for the successful affiliation with International Pizza Conglomerate, Pizza digogo diVinci. 

This alliance made Pizzaonia the pizza imperialistic power it now is.  Pizzaonian Miracle Mozzarella pizza remains the beta-world standard with the potential to overwhelm world pizza markets.

 A reliable, unnamed source informed PNS that many of the monks at PCSAA are very upset with Brother Giovanni.  It is widely believed Brother Giovanni is behind the very controversial blog, Casual Conversations with Jesus**, which they consider a “sacrilege.” 

This developing story is the main topic of conversation in Pizzaonia and seems to be gathering momentum with each passing hour.

More later as this story develops ………..

*http://giovanniandfranco.typepad.com/giovanniandfrancocom/2009/09/pizza-giant-proposes-health-care-reform-plan-that-could-break-the-deadlock.html

 ** http://giovanniandfranco.typepad.com/jesus/

More quotes for a rainy night - giovanni and franco

 
“Growing old is no more than a bad habit which a busy person has no time to form.” Andre Maurois

“Without a sense of urgency, desire loses its value.”  Jim Rohn 

“When you embrace your faults you embrace your humanity.”  Pizzaonian spelunker

“Embrace your demons.  Just think how dull you would be without them.”  Recovering Pizzaonian puritan

“Doing your best is not enough.You must summon the courage to do your best at what needs to be done – or go to a movie instead.”Br. Giovanni

 

“Do you seek pleasing results or pleasing methods?  Careful – give some thought before you answer.”   Pizzaonian spelunker

“Many a time I wanted to stop talking and find out what I really believe.”  Walter Lippman

“Always forgive your enemies – nothing annoys them so much.”  Oscar Wilde

“As passion decreases, objectivity increases.”  Pizzaonian spelunker

“The right to be heard does not automatically include the right to be taken seriously.”  Hubert Humphrey

“Comedy is simply a funny way of being serious.”  Peter Ustinov

“Beliefs are what divide people. Doubt unites them.”  Peter Ustinov

 

Why our present wars stink - Remembering Pearl Harbor Day

 
The problem with our present wars is that they are not really our wars.  We are willing to let them be someone else’s wars -- the selective few that choose to volunteer.  Because they volunteer, we can rest easy in our willingness to let someone else’s sons and daughters die for us.

That is why these wars stink.  Not because they are good or bad wars or politically necessary, but because we are not willing to pay the price that all wars should demand – equal sacrifice from all of us.

So most of us live our daily lives without need to worry about the price.  And, of course, we are all to ready to honor the service of those who sacrifice, since they insulate us from having to honor the need for our sacrifice.

Reprinted on this day from the blog, Musings

Quotes for a windy, rainy night

 

“Growing old is no more than a bad habit which a busy person has no time to form.” Andre Maurois

“Without a sense of urgency, desire loses its value.”  Jim Rohn

“When you embrace your faults you embrace your humanity.”  Pizzaonian spelunker

“Embrace your demons.  Just think how dull you would be without them.”  Recovering Pizzaonian puritan

 
“Doing your best is not enough. You must summon the courage to do your best at what needs to be done – or go to a movie instead.” Br. Giovanni

“Do you seek pleasing results or pleasing methods?  Careful – give some thought before you answer.”   Pizzaonian spelunker

“Many a time I wanted to stop talking and find out what I really believe.”  Walter Lippman

“Always forgive your enemies – nothing annoys them so much.”  Oscar Wilde

“As passion decreases, objectivity increases.”  Pizzaonian spelunker

 
“The right to be heard does not automatically include the right to be taken seriously.”  Hubert Humphrey

“Comedy is simply a funny way of being serious.”  Peter Ustinov

“Beliefs are what divide people. Doubt unites them.”  Peter Ustinov

“The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.”  Winston Churchill

“Have the courage to act instead of react.” Earlene Larson Jenks

“Necessity does the work of courage.”  George Elliot

 
“…there is no such thing as a “little bit of hatred,” and any cause which allows itself to be infiltrated by it will ultimately be destroyed by it.” Andrew Greeley “The Jesus Myth”

“Hatred is so marvelously useful to mobilize human emotions, to give movements their energy and drive….”  Andrew Greeley “The Jesus Myth

“Fewer things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.”  Mark Twain

“We love in others what we lack ourselves, and would be everything but what we are.”  R. H. Stoddard

 
“There is a difference between imitating a good man and counterfeiting him.”  Benjamin Franklin

“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.”  Pierre Teilhard Chardin

“If we are strong, our strength will speak for itself.  If we are weak, words will be no help.”  John Kennedy

“Silence is as full of potential wisdom and wit as the unhewn marble of great sculpture.” Aldous Huxley

“Non violence is a powerful and just weapon …….. It is a sword that heals.”  Martin Luther King Jr.