This day’s name is October 5, 2023. I didn’t watch the news yesterday. I don’t know what’s going on in Washington. I’m happy and I feel good. A consequence? I think not. Intentional ignorance is sometimes wise; unintentional ignorance is usually foolish. Today is Do Something Nice Day, Get Funky Day, Global James Bond Day, National Apple Better Day, Mental Illness Awareness Week, National Poetry Day (in the UK), National Storytelling Day, and World Teacher’s Day. It also happens to be Active Aging Week and National Chili Month. Plenty of good things to celebrate. Now some historical footnotes: On this day in 1793 the Catholic Church was disestablished. The Catholic church legitimized the authority of the monarchy (Will of God) and demanded tithes of 10%. Anyone who disagreed was labeled a “heretic” and killed. Again, “God’s Will”. On October 10th the French Assembly went a step further and seized the property held by the church and put it up for sale. On this day in 1892 the Dalton Gang came to an end in Coffeyville, Kansas after a failed bank holdup. 4 members of the gang were killed, and the 5th captured. On this day in 1942 the Budy Massacre at Auschwitz took place when 90 French-Jewish women were beaten to death by prison guards. Another footnote to remember when you read about Neo-Nazis in Florida. On this day in 1951 Jackie Gleason debuted as bus driver Ralph Kramden on the 1st Honeymooners skit. On this day in 1962 “Dr. No”, the first James Bond film premiered in London. On this day in 1969 the world became more humorous when Monty Python’s Flying Circus premiered on the BBC. Today’s wisdom comes from Steve Jobs who died on this day in 2011 at the too young age of 56. Steve said, “Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice.” “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” “The most important decisions you make are not the things you do, but the things you decide not to do.” “Customers don’t measure you on how hard you tried; they measure you on what you deliver.” Last one: “The journey is the reward.” Abide.
