August 14, 2021. I think it’s important to remind you and myself of the superpowers we possess. We have the power to make the people around us feel good or bad. If we can make someone feel really good, they will pass that on to others and the same ripple effect happens when we make other people feel bad. Use the superpowers wisely. I like to think of it as Karma. Today is Color Book Day, National Creamsicle Day, National Financial Awareness Day, National Navajo Code Talkers Day, National Wiffle Ball Day, National Bowling Day, National Garage Sale Day and National Tattoo Removal Day. Now some historical footnotes: In 1281, during Kublai Khan’s second Mongol invasion of Japan his invading Chinese fleet of 3,500 vessels disappeared in a typhoon near Japan. 3,500 ships! Wow. On this day in 1862 Abraham Lincoln received the first group of African Americans to confer with a US president. I wonder why he waited until the Civil War had been going on for a year? In 1912 on this day, 2,500 US marines invaded Nicaragua; we remained there until 1925. Why? To protect Americans and their business interests as they developed Nicaragua’s natural resources. On this day in 1935 the Social Security Act was established to provide a system of old-age benefits. Today is Magic Johnson’s birthday. I’ve met him several times and he’s a truly remarkable person. Magic said, “In life, winning and losing will both happen. What is never acceptable is quitting.” Put another way, when life knocks you down, get up, don’t give up (a quote from me). This is also Gary Larson’s birthday. He’s the creator of the Far Side and I’m unfortunately not related to him. I’ll end this post with one of his cartoon lines: “By the time they had diminished from 50 to 8, the remaining dwarfs began to suspect Hungry”. Have an excellent day and make someone feel special. Abide.
