Here we are again at the beginning of a brand new month, the last for this year. Although Christmas seems to take up most of the month there are, in fact, lots of other great days to celebrate. Here's your December, 2016 calendar of special days.
December
1.    National Pie Day, National Eat a Red Apple Day, Bifocals at the Monitor Liberation Day, National Day Without ART (A national day of action and mourning in response to the AIDS crisis), and Rosa Parks Day.
2.   National Fritters Day, National Mutt Day, Special Education Day, Faux Fur Friday (Faux is always better than real!).
3.   National Roof Over Your Head Day (This is a day set aside to be grateful for what you have, starting with the roof over your head), Skywarn Recognition Day (A day to recognize and thank the public service volunteers in our communities who provide essential weather information, as it is happening, that helps to keep us all a little safer.)
4.  National Sock Day, National Cookie Day (A great day to start your own holiday cookie
baking tradition).
5.  National Sacher Torte Day (One of my favorites), Bathtub Party Day (A day to skip the shower and luxuriate in the simple pleasures of a soak in the tub. Add a rubber ducky for extra fun), International Ninja Day.
6.  World Trickshot Day (Do you know a basketball trick, or two? If so, this day is for you), National Microwave Oven Day (Ah yes, "Chef" Mike....what we all do without him?)
7.  National Pearl Harbor Rebemberance Day, National Cotton Candy Day.
8.  National Brownie Day, National Pretend to be a Time Traveler Day.
9.  National Pastry Day; Weary Willie Day (In honor of the character made famous by Clown-Extraordinaire, Emmett Kelley)
10.  Dewey Decimal System, Human Rights Day (Yippee!) Nobel Prize Day.
11.  UNICEF Birthday
12.  Gingerbread House Day, Poinsettia Day
13.  Hot Cocoa Day (What's not to love about this day?), National Violin Day, National Day of the Horse (A day for us to remember the contributions of horses to the econmy, history, and character of the United States.)
14.  National Bouillabasse Day (One of the best seafood stews/soups ever!)
15. National Wear Your Pearls Day, Bill of Rights Day, Cat Herder Day, National Cupcake Day.
16.  National Chocolate-covered Anything Day (Except frog's legs of course). Barbie and Barney Backlash Day, National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, Underdog Day (Hey, we're all rooting for you!)
17.  National Maple Syrup Day, Wright Brothers Day, National Wreaths Across America Day (A movement to cover every veteran's grave with a Christmas wreath).
18.  Answer the Telephone Like Buddy the Elf Day.
19.  National Hard Candy Day, National Oatmeal Muffin Day.
20.  Mudd Day (Dr. Samuel Mudd's birthday).
21.  Crossword Puzzle Day, Humbug Day, Phileas Fogg Win a Wager Day, Winter Soltice (the shortest day of he year), National Homeless Person's Day, National Flashlight Day.
22.  National Date Nut Bread Day, Forefathers Day (A day celebrated in Plymouth, MA commemorating the landing of the Pilgrims), National Re-Gifting Day.
23.  National Pfeffernusse Day, National Roots Day (A day to encourage us to look into our heritage, family history, and ancestry), Festivus (All you Seinfeld fans know what this is).
24.  National Eggnog Day, Christmas Eve, Chanukah Begins.
25.  National Pumpkin Pie Day, A'Phebet Day (Or No "L" Day...get it...Noel?) and, of course, Christmas!
26.  National Candy Cane Day, National Thank You Note Day, National Whiner's Day, Boxing Day (Canada and England).
27.  National Fruitcake Day (I don't know about you, but I kinda like this stuff).
28.  National Chocolate Candy Day (You mean this is celebrated EVERY day?), National Card Playing Day, Pledge of Allegiance Day.
29.  National Pepper Pot Day, Tick Tock Day (countdown to the end of the year...)
30. National Bicarbonate of Soda Day, Bacon Day (Another day that should be celebrated every day!), No interruptions Day.
31.  National Champagne Day, Leap Second Time Adjustment Day, Make Up Your Mind Day, Universal Hour of Peace, New Year's Eve.
I've got my list of days to celebrate. How about you? There are some mighty-fine days in December, I mean besides Christmas and new Year's Eve...and I'm excited to celebrate many of them. Have a great month!​

"The subject of my weekly lesson with Dharma Frog was this: "No frog becomes perfect, but all can become great."  As I learned this morning, greatness doesn't equate perfection, far from it, it simply means being your best and authentic self. The definition of the word great can mean a variety of things, but in this context, the best definition is this; "of ability or quality considerably above the normal or average range; full of emotion."
I am reminded of a quote by the legendary football coach, Vince Lombardi who said, "perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence." Perfection is one of those words, like love, that we tend to use lightly. We see something we like, perhaps something of beauty, and say that it is sheer perfection. We say things like, "the perfect glass of wine to go with the meal" or "the perfect pair of shoes for an outfit." But are these things truly perfect? I think the answer is no. Perfection is a very subjective thing. And that's not to say that perfection isn't a good thing; it does serve a useful purpose. While we go hopping, or chasing, around trying to be perfect, we can cover a lot of ground. We find out who we are; what we're made of of, and just how imperfect we really are. But that's where excellence comes into play.
I believe that accepting our faults is part of achieving greatness. Embracing our frogginess...or humanness, is what will make us real. It's pretty darn difficult to be around someone who never has a hair out of place, or can't laugh at themselves when they make a silly mistake. We like those individuals that aren't seen as perfect. We want to be around them. They have a sense of okayness about them;they understand that everyone has flaws and warts. They seem to say, "Here I am world! Take me or leave me, but this is who I am." 
Many a wise man, and frog, has said that we shouldn't focus on the destination...that life is meant to be about he journey. And that's true for achieving excellence. We don't simply start off being great, or excellent, it can be a long, slow, and often difficult road; trying things out, seeing what works and what doesn't. To achieve excellence, we first have to fall flat on our face. That's where accepting our flaws comes into play. Those who achieve greatness will tell you that they tripped and fell often and hard, as they searched for their true path. But they will also tell you that it was well worth it. Those scars and bruises make us who we are. They toughen us up. We learn from these experiences. Good, bad, or indifferent, we will all have our share of obstacles and challenges to face. But greatness is saying, "Bring 'em on. I can handle them," rather than stopping and retreating backwards. We are all created to be excellent, even great. The trick is, accepting it. And that's not always easy. Those around us can often shoot us down with well-meaning intentions. Those voices of fear and jealousy get stuck in our heads. They repeat and repeat. Until we choose to ignore them and persevere, never giving up on attaining our dreams; of attaining our own personal excellence.This is what is called being great. 
Attaining perfection is impossible, but it's a worthy goal to shoot for, as long as you know it'll never happen. We can work towards it. We can constantly strive to be better, to do better. And it's true. There's always room for improvement. Heck, I bet if you could go back in time and ask Mother Teresa if she was perfect, she'd smile and say, "I'm not even close to being perfect." And she'd be right. Some of us do get a lot closer to perfection than others, Mother T is was one of them, but each of us can, if we decide to pursue it, can achieve our personal best...the greatness that lies within each of us...if we're willing to do the work and not focus so much on the final destination.​
​Perfection is an illusion. Greatness, however, is real and very, very possible.

Each year, the Tuesday following Black Friday and Cyber Monday is designated as Giving Tuesday. After a decadent weekend of eating and shopping, then a day spent online searching for the best seasonal bargains, today is all about giving to those who may not have all the opportunities that we do.
Giving Tuesday kicks off the charitable season. Since it's first year, in 2012, Giving Tuesday has become a movement that celebrates, and supports, philanthropy...from the biggest to to smallest acts. Giving Tuesday was created by the team at Belfer Center for Innovation & Social Impact, at the 92nd street Y....a social group that has been bringing people of diverse cultures together around the values of service and giving back, since 1874! Together, these individuals, along with communities and other social groups from around the world, celebrate and encourage giving. These influencers have joined forces with the founding partners and collaborated across many sectors offering expertise and working diligently to launch Giving Tuesday. They continue to shape, grow, and strengthen the movement.
I've written extensively about how giving has a profound impact not only on the recipient, but on the giver, as well. Volunteerism and giving back makes us happy and improves both our mental and physical well-being. Here are 5 of the most ways that giving helps us"
1. Giving makes us feel happy. Sure, getting a gift is pretty swell, but giving to others can actually make us feel better.
2. Giving is good for our health. Giving to others has been shown to benefit people with chronic illness. Giving back helps elderly people live longer. Giving decreases stress and lowers blood pressure.
3.  Giving promotes cooperation and social connection. When you give, you're more likely to get back in your time of need. The giving/receiving exchange promotes trust and cooperation which, in turns, strengths our ties to others...we feel more included in our "tribe." 
4.  Giving evokes gratitude. When you give, you become more aware of all that you have. Gratitude for the all the things we have makes us want to give back...it's a very lovely cycle that only continues to grow and get bigger. Cultivating gratitude for all the things we have in our everyday lives, increases our sense of happiness and well-being. You not only boost your own positivity, but bolster it in others. Definitely a win-win situation!
5.  Giving is contagious. Unlike the flu, giving is contagious is the very best way possible. People and, dare I say frogs, want to catch it! We we see others giving back, it spurs us to do the same. Each person in their own network can positively influence dozens of others, some of whom you may not know or have ever even met! How cool is that?
The easiest way to celebrate this most joyous season is by setting aside a little time to volunteer at one of your favorite charities. If you can, make donations. Even the smallest amount is appreciated and will go towards helping the elderly, disabled, children, the disadvantaged, and even the animals have a better life. So, pick your organization and contact them today. All you need do is ask how you can be of service! They'll be happy to hear from you and you'll feel happier for simply making the call.
And use #GivingTuesday in your all your social media interactions.  Please help get he word out!

The holiday season is officially upon us. This is the happiest season of the year, so we're told. But often during the holidays we can find ourselves faced with sadness, loss, stress, and uncertainty. Feeling sad is never good, but feeling sad during the holidays can be the worst feeling ever. It seems like we're the only ones suffering, while the rest of the world is filled with gaiety; attending parties and having fun. No one likes having a sad sack around, especially not this time of year. So, instead of being with those we love, we tend to isolate ourselves and withdraw,. This, of course, only fuels the feelings of isolation. How then, can we overcome our grief and despair and rejoin our friends and families, partaking of the many joys that abound this time of year? It turns out that writing can be key in healing whatever ails us emotionally.
I write all the time but I know that for many, writing isn't something that comes naturally. I am happy to say, however, that many frogs...and of course humans...are getting into the habit of journaling. Some folks journal when their happy while some journal every day. Then their are those who put pen to paper only when they're feeling low. Writing down our negative thought and feelings is a process known as expressive writing. And, it turns out, is very, very helpful! This has been the subject of many studies over the past 30 years. Expressive writing authors Pennebaker and Smyth have written extensively on this subject showing it's benefits and how to make it work for you. When you feel stuck, for whatever reason, getting all those painful thoughts and feelings from out of your head and onto paper, can allow the healing process to begin. Writing is very therapeutic. I should know!
Expressive writing needn't be difficult. The basic idea is to write continuously for 20 minutes about your deepest thoughts and emotions surrounding whatever the difficult challenge is in your life. When you write, let it all out. Really try to explore the "event' and how it has affected you. Can you tie it to something from your childhood, relationship to your parents or other people you love? Does it tie into your career? The best way to do this exercise is to allow plenty of quiet time and space to allow those words and emotions to really flow. The goal, no matter what is troubling you and making you feel stuck, is to gain new insights and connections to other feelings. This isn't just about putting words on paper. For this exercise to truly be beneficial, you need to take a deep dive into some places that'd you'd probably prefer not to revisit. But revisit them you must, if you want to learn and grow from your current problem.
Although researchers say say writing for 20 minutes is optimal, they all agreed that even writing for just a few minutes can be beneficial. Some evidence, by no means conclusive, shows that those individuals who tend to keep things in...bottled up...and those folks who have the least opportunity to talk about their feelings, are the one who will benefit the most from expressive witing. Research has also shown that expressive writing about a very recent, or ongoing, traumatic event might not be effective. The best guide here is, if writing feels like the right thing to do, then do it.
Writing about something troublesome; fear, anger, sadness...isn't the most pleasant way to spend 20 minutes of your life so why bother to do it? In several, recent studies researchers have shown those who to participated in expressive writing about traumatic events for four consecutive days, as opposed to those who wrote about superficial things, felt a greater sense of meaning afterwards and, six weeks later, had better immune system function. In the six months following the experiment, the expressive writers had fewer doctors visits than the other group. It appears, then, that expressive writing helps to buffer the detrimental effects of stress and rumination.
Expressive writing can also help you to get another job. One study showed that engineers who had recently gotten laid off, wrote about their thoughts and feelings surrounding the layoff. Seven months later, more than half of them had found new positions...three times as many as those who wrote about other things, or didn't write at all! It's interesting to note here that the engineers in each group had roughly the same number of interviews. The expressive writing engineers said they felt better adjusted and had moved past their anger quicker, thus allowing them to feel more confident at their interviews. Expressive writing can be useful for almost any life-changing event...such as retiring or even going off to college.
The most exciting benefits of expressive writing may be for people who suffer from mental health issues or chronic disease. According to one study, those suffering from depression saw improvements in their mental health after only one month of trying this practice. There is some evidence that shows expressive writing can be beneficial for those suffering from PTSD. Expressive writing can be helpful (bringing a little relief) to those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, fibromyalgia, and even irritable bowel syndrome. Too, it can help people to lower their high blood pressure, boost immune function for those with HIV, and improve quality of life for cancer and heart attack patients. So how does expressive writing work?
Reearchers aren't 100% sure, but it appears that there's something powerful that happens when we translate our experiences into words...and not keeping them buried deep inside. It is also believed that getting negative thoughts out of our heads, keeps them from rattling around where they tend to resurface and demand our attention. Once they're "out in the open" we can see them for what they are and begin the work of healing the wounds.
It has been said that when we put our thoughts and feelings down on paper, we're not just transferring them, we are also transforming them. Writing forces us to arrange our thoughts into sequence, one after another. Over time, themes and patterns start to emerge. New insights bubble to the surface. And here's another interesting tidbit of helpful information; Those expressive writers who use an increasing number of cognitive words, i.e., effect, reason, realize, know - in successive writing sessions achieved the most benefit from their exercise. Words are indeed powerful.
It's always best to share our thoughts and feelings with the ones we love and trust. But sometimes that isn't possible. In those cases, expressive writing can help pull us out of the doldrums and move us to a new place that is filled with happiness, peace, and a greater sense of self.
​I'm feeling better already!

Friday, 25 November, is National Day of Listening. So, you might ask, why is Irwin mentioning this on Wednesday? There are two good reasons; the first is that I am hopping out of town later this afternoon to spend the long holiday weekend with family and friends in Land of Lily Pad so I won't be here on Friday. Secondly, this is such a wonderful idea that I wanted to give you enough time to prepare for it, although, really, not much effort is required. 
National Day of Listening is an unofficial holiday that's celebrated on the Friday following Thanksgiving. It was first launched by the national oral history project group, StoryCorps, in 2008 as an alternative the popular Black Friday shopping tradition. Generally, families are together over the long Thanksgiving weekend, with many members making this weekend their only annual trip back home. With loved one gathered 'round, Friday is the perfect time to make an oral recording of your family's personal history. 
In many cultures, the eldest members pass down the history and traditions of the tribe to the younger generations, thus preserving memorable and important historical facts and events. But this isn't as common as it once was. It's kind of nice, I think, to learn about your family's history and struggles directly from "horse's mouth," so-to-speak. Without these personal histories, we loose sight of where we came from, our family's struggles and triumphs; we loose our identity and all those things that make us unique and special. For example, I recently learned from my great-grandmother that my ancestors were some of the original setters in Land of Lily Pad and one, in particular, was actually the court jester to the original monarchy! I was thrilled to learn this, but this important historical family fact might have been lost forever if my great-grandmother hadn't had the foresight to tell me. As a writer, she knew I'd see that our family history got recorded for my little brother, Quigley, and all future generations of the Wart family.
So, instead of going shopping this Friday, why not spend the day with your family, listening to their stories, recollections, and memories while recording them for future generations. Better yet, make a video! Plan on making a new recording or video every year, or two. Time passes quickly and details can become lost or fuzzy.
Imagine how wonderful it will be, years from now, when you sit down with with your own grandchildren, and listen to the stories told by the relatives who are no longer with you. I know I am eager to record more of my family history this weekend! There's so much more I want to learn. After all, frogs do come from very large families and I'm quite sure there will be lots more fascinating historical tidbits to be told.
You can go shopping any ol' time, right? So why spend precious family time this holiday weekend getting pushed around some over-crowded mall? Instead, why not gather together all of your loved ones, grab a recorder (or video camera) and record your own family's oral history. Everyone, even the youngest members, will have something of interest to add. Making beautiful memories that will last a lifetime and beyond, is kind of what Thanksgiving is all about; being grateful for all the special people that fill our life with love, laughter, and stories.
From the Wart family to yours, have a happy and safe Thanksgiving! See you all back here on Monday.​

As we enter the holiday season, everyone seems to become a little nicer. We all seem happier and just a little less angry. It seems that this time of year inspires us to be better, kinder, more forgiving, and more generous. Since not everyone has the financial resources to make sizable charitable donations...you know, the kind that makes the nightly news, I wondered what little things the rest of us could do that might help brighten the life of a random stranger. Not long ago, I read an article on this very topic; I guess I'm not the only one who's looking for little ways to spread good cheer. It had some brilliant suggestions. I'd like to share a few of them with you.
Offering random acts of verbal kindness are tiny, yet powerful, ways to do something enormously kind for those you know and even for total strangers. Many of these verbal exchanges can have a profound and lasting effect on the person you engage. Has a stranger every approach you and made a lovely comment about your hairstyle or the new coat you're so proud of? It made you feel like a million bucks, didn't it? It put a bounce in your step that lasted all day. Recently, I was stopped by a stranger, a small brown toad on his way to work. Out of the clear blue, he told me that I was an exceptionally handsome shade of green. I was, well, gobsmacked! I stopped dead in my tracks, turned to be sure the toad was speaking to me, then flashed him a BIG smile and said, Thanks, friend! You've made my day." The toad tipped his hat and continued hopping. This seemingly simple compliment, changed the way I looked at myself. It was an awesome gift!
Just in case you need a little help finding things to say, here are a few random acts of verbal kindness that you can try out over the coming holidays.
1. "Take your time, I'm in no rush." Can you even imagine how wonderful this gift would be to, say, the mom with three fidgety kiddos standing in the check-out line just ahead of you? Or, perhaps, the older person who's having a little trouble collecting themselves at the always-busy local restaurant. Everyone's in a hurry all the time and knowing that you can take an extra couple of minutes to complete your business well, I dare, say, that would relieve a great deal of self-imposed stressed, wouldn't it?
2.  "Three different sources have confirmed that you are generous, kind to animals, and funny!" I'm sure you've had this happen. You're at a social gathering and someone's name comes up. Then, all of a sudden, everyone starts talking about how wonderful this person (or frog) is. So, the next time you see this incredible species, go ahead and tell them that they are appreciated. It'll blow their mind...because you weren't saying those things to flatter her/him, or to "butter him up." You're only repeating what others have said...the facts as you heard them.
3.  The way you smile lights up a room. (or eat a sandwich so elegantly, or sip tea with such finesse...) Commenting on a little habit that someone has, can stay with them forever. They may not even be aware of what they're doing. To them, it's just something they do, but after you mention this to them they'll fondly remember what you said every time they smile, drink tea, or eat a sandwich. It's a gift that keeps on giving.
4.  "I saw what you did...and please don't think me crazy, but it restored my faith in the human race." Of course you actually have to have witnessed the "act" and legitimately feel some sense of hope for the future, but saying this to the person who held the door for the veteran in a wheelchair, or helped an elderly person to their car with their loaded-down shopping bags...can actually make you believe that the human species hasn't completely hit rock bottom. There are loads of very good apples still left in the barrel. When you find one, let them know you think they're awesome.
5.  "That's awful!" Simply saying that, and not asking a bunch of probing questions, after a friend tells you about an unpleasant/sad/scary incident, can be a wonderful gift. Often, we just need to "unburden" ourselves and know that someone heard us. And feels our pain. We don't always want, or need, to elaborate on the gruesome details....
6.  Most of us don't particularly like the way we talk. We think we're too "pitchy" or loud, or our tone is grating to ear. If you don't agree with me, try saying, "I love the sound of your voice," to three people and watch what happens!
I could go on and on...there are a million silly, kind, simple, wonderful compliments we can offer to those we love, as well as to the many strangers we encounter every day. Spread some holiday cheer this season. Spread a little love and give someone a warm inner glow that'll mean more to them than you'll ever know. And it'll it'll cost you are a few kind words. 

Thanksgiving week is upon us and, soon enough after that, we have Christmas and New Years. I don't know about you, but this is the season I tend to pack on the extra pounds. With all the get togethers we attend this time of year, like family meals featuring our favorite high-calorie foods and desserts, and parties with friends and co-workers (with their tasty snacks and drinks), it's easy to gain weight that tends to stay with us until the spring thaw in April. I wondered if there was anyway to partake of these traditional gatherings and NOT gain weight. We could, of course, live on the bag of celery and carrot sticks we carry with to these events, but that makes everyone a little uncomfortable, and we certainly don't enjoy ourselves, either. I mean, it's no fun watching everyone else eating all that great food while we munch on crudité, like a rabbit. There has to be a better way!
Turns out, there is...and it's a pretty simple solution. It's called mindfulness eating. I've written a lot on mindfulness and how it can improve our life...making us happier and filled with more gratitude. Now, it seems, mindfulness can also help us monitor our weight. Who knew? Mindfulness, when applied to eating, helps us recognize our patterns and behaviors, while bringing attention to bodily cues associated with hunger and fullness. Practicing mindfulness while eating, helps us focus on the present moment; it helps us become more aware of the relationship we have with food. It also can help us to become aware of eating with enjoyment, which doesn't happen when we stuff our faces while doing a myriad of other things at the same time. I know I'm guilty of this; I eat dinner and watch the nightly news on TV, write my blog and consume breakfast, snack while on the phone to mom....
​Our bodies carry a lot of information and knowledge, so when we start to apply mindfulness to our eating, we can begin to make conscious choices instead  of falling into our old habitual habits...and, often-times, emotionally-driven behavior (Just like the stress eating we can be guilty of doing.). When we become aware of what we're doing, when we're doing it, our actions can then be more easily changed.
Frogs, and people too, who approach food with mindfulness are encouraged to

• Explore their own inner intelligence about food - likes and dislikes.
• Choose foods that are pleasing to and nourishing to their bodies.
• Accept particular food preferences without self criticism or judgement.
• Practice awareness of the body's cues on when to eat...and when to stop eating.
• Understand that their food preferences and eating experiences are unique to them.

One six-week study at the Oregon Research Institute found that 'eating-focused mindfulness intervention can result in significant changes in weight, eating behaviors, and psychological distress in obese people.' Their results also showed a reduction in binge-eating, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. So how do we begin being more mindful of our eating experiences and habits?
1. Start with just one meal. Don't try to change everything all at once. With just one meal, start paying attention to when you begin to feel hungry and when you begin to experience the sensation of being full. Maybe start with dinner. As this becomes easier and more habitual, then add on lunch and, finally, breakfast.
2. Remove distractions from view. This means leaving the cell phone, computer, or tablet in the other room. Sit an the table and no turning on the TV. Make it about the meal and little else.
3. Tune into your perspective. Recognize that there is no right way or wrong way to eat; there are only different perspectives and levels of awareness based on individual eating experiences. This will help to alleviate guilt and judgement.
4.  Engage your senses. Try using all your senses when you eat. Notice the colors, the tastes, the textures, and all the different smells. Try noticing how the food changes as you chew each bite thoroughly.
​5.  Take your time. This requires slowing down...which, in turns, allows your digestive hormones time to signal your brain that you're full before you eat too much! One easy way to accomplish this, is to intentionally set your fork down between bites. Slowing down the meal will also give you more time to enjoy the company of your dining companion(s). "Eating on the fly" is never a great idea, either. It's easy to get distracted when you eat while driving, working, or participating in other activities. Eating at the dinner table with a vase of fresh flowers and a prettily-set table helps make mealtime an event worthy of your undivided attention.
Mindfulness eating won't take away ALL your desires to over-stuff yourself on holiday food. But, what it will do, is make you more aware of what you eat. Research shows that when we take the time to savor the foods we eat, we need less of them to feel satisfied. And that, alone, can help keep off those unwanted pounds from adding up this holiday season. So, go ahead; eat that cookie or have that slice of pecan pie. Just remember to pay attention...and enjoy each and every bite!

M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E. Mickey Mouse is a beloved Disney character that first appeared 88 years ago today. Most of us grew up with Mickey, Minnie, Goofey and the rest of the gang. They're a fixture in childhood books, films, and cartoons. But did you ever wonder about how Mickey came to be in the first place? I did a little digging and found a few interesting mouse facts to share with you in honor of his special day.
Mickey was the brainchild of Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks (That's a name I never associated with "the mouse"). Mickey was first seen in a single screen test of Plane Crazy and officially debuted in the short film Steamboat Willie on this day in 1928, making it one of the world's first sound cartoons. Since then, Mickey has appeared in over 130 films. That's a pretty impressive career for any actor! Ten of Mickey's cartoons have been nominated  for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.  In 1942, Mickey's film, Lend a Paw, won the award. In 1978, Mickey became the first cartoon character to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
As early as 1930, Mickey has been featured extensively as a comic strip character that bears his name. Floyd Gottfrenson dew the Mickey comic strip for 45 years. From 1946 to 1995, Mickey had his own TV show, The Mickey Mouse Club. This enduring program made stars of many of the child actors who appeared on the show as Mouseketeers; Annette Funicello, Frankie Avalon, early on and, more recently, Justin Timberlake, Brittney Spears, and Christina Aguilera...to name but a few.
Did you know that Mickey started off his career as a mischievous antihero? He did, but was rebranded over time to become an "everyman"...usually seen as flawed, but an adventurous hero. In 2009, however, the Disney Studios began to rebrand him, once again, as the more adventurous and mischievous mouse, downplaying his cheerful, pleasant personality, beginning with the video game Epic Mickey. 
Early in his life, Mickey bore a striking resemblance to Oswald, the Lucky Rabbit. Ub Iwerks designed his body out of circles to make it easier to animate. In 1938, Fred Moore, redesigned his body from it's circular shape to one that is more pear-shaped. Everyone was skeptical of the new Mickey version, but Walt Disney loved it and said, "That's the way I want Mickey to be drawn from now on." And so he has.
From 1928 onward, Mickey was voiced by the great Disney himself. In 1946, Walt decided to no longer voice Mickey. It is believed that, because of his extensive cigarette smoking, Walt could no longer achieve Mickey's high falsetto voice. In recent years, Mickey Mouse has become a slang term for smallish and amateurish. And he regularly gets referenced in various TV shows. Everybody knows and understands Mickey Mouse.
Whether you're a kid of 8, or one that's 88, everyone loves Mickey Mouse. He's an enduring character that we can all relate to. Mickey is one of the most eagerly-awaited characters for children to meet when visiting the Disney theme parks. And with good reason. He makes us happy. We feel good when Mickey's around. I guess that's because here's a little Mickey in all of us. We've spent our entire lives with him. Most of us can't remember a time before there was Mickey Mouse.
I hope you'll join me in wishing our friend, a very Happy 88th Birthday...and many, many more to come.
Have a great weekend, everyone! I hope you'll join me back here on Monday. Stay safe.

There are many definitions of the word culture but the one I think comes closest to it's true meaning is this; "the way of life, especially the general customs and beliefs, of a particular group of people at a particular time." These beliefs, I think, include morals, art, law, and customs. 
It can seem as if the world's gone completely mad these days; there is unrest everywhere we look. With all the political turmoil happening all around us, it's easy to get swept up in the notion that life, as we know it, is (or soon will be) over. But then I am reminded of a quote by Mahatma Gandhi. "A nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of it's people." In the hearts and  in the soul of it's people...collectively. He didn't say in the heart and soul of the country's leaders or governing body. A nation is judged on what it's peoples think, do, and say...as the collective whole. Culture can be seen as "a series of activities and worldviews that provide humans (and frog groups) with the basis for perceiving themselves as 'persons of worth within the world of meaning, i.e. raising themselves above the merely physical aspects of existence,'" say the folks who came up with the idea of TMT (terror management theory). And I concur. Yes, we CAN raise ourselves up beyond the daily doses of terror, violence, hatred, and bigotry that we see on the nightly news. The power to do this lies in each of us.
But humans, in addition to their individual consciousness, have a collective consciousness, as well. And although it's not as well-defined as in the animal kingdom, humans innately know what's wright and wrong.  The strange part about the human collective consciousness is that certain rulers (government leaders and politicians) absolutely do not want certain matters, that are known in our collective consciousness, to actually become part of society. If they did, it would foil their plans to rule not only their nation, but also the minds of it's citizens. Ideas and beliefs get squashed; in large part because they conflict with the economic mindset of the top-tier wealthy and, too, because humans who are aware of their collective consciousness (i.e. their personal power) are harder to control.
I've heard it said that our collective consciousness creates our reality. I believe this is true. I see it all the time in the stories that make headline news. The good, uplifting stories get moved to the back, if they're ever told at all. Lately, it seems as if we all thrive on hearing and reading the negative. Sadly, sensationalism sells. Together, humans have created the reality we now live with; the reality that affects every living thing on the planet...not just humans. That's the bad news. The good news is that, collectively, you can change the course of your history (and mine). Thoughts are powerful. Actions are powerful. Does society want to continue down its current path, or do you, as citizens of the world, want to alter it and move in a direction of kindness, compassion, and love? That can be the collective consciousness of our future. Those beliefs can easily be turned into actions that move humanity forward. Otherwise, we risk decline.
This is way more political, and deeper, than I normally go in these blogs, but I felt it was time to say what I've been thinking for a long time. Goodness comes naturally, if we just let it. We (all sentient beings) cannot allow the forces of evil among us to prevail. We, and I do mean all of us, are living in difficult times. But, together, we can follow our hearts and minds and do what's right...what's best for our individual countries, as well what will best benefit the entire world. It is no longer feasible, I believe, to think merely as individuals. Each of us, both human and frog, must think and act globally for we are one collective consciousness. And that collective consciousness knows what's right. We only need believe it and act on it every day. Little acts of random kindness will go along way in keeping the nation's culture intact...this nation and all other nations. A nation's culture does reside in the hearts and in the soul of its people...it does not reside in the heart and soul of any single person, ruler, or political body. They cannot change our way of thinking, the national culture of doing what's right and just for all, unless we allow them to. We need to remember that.
Let's join forces, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, and be grateful for what we as a civilization have already achieved. But we have more greatness inside of us. There are new roads to travel and more goodness to give. Together, we can alter our future and make it one to be proud of! The new future starts today...and it starts with you. As Gandhi famously said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world."

As a youngster, did you ever spend spend hours looking for a four-leaf clover? I did. There was a large field near the lily pad where I grew up and, as a froglet, I'd hop there, after school, and spend hours in search of a lucky four-leaf clover. Once, I even went so far as to scotch-tape a fourth leaf to a regular clover. It looked very real until you turned it over. But luck isn't found in the clover patch. And then there's the question as to whether or not luck even exists. Or do we make our our luck? This was the subject of my lesson with Dharma Frog this morning.
"Irwin, my boy, many an opportunity is lost because the frog is out looking for four-leaf clovers," said Dharma. "Rather," he continued, "it's far better to look for opportunities right here, right now...within yourself. You can't rely on blind luck to give you the life you want." I sensed that he was right, he always is, but I wasn't just sure why. But soon enough, I had my answer.
Years ago, Dharma explained, hard work equated success. Recently, though, faith in luck has superseded the notion of creating our own luck. It seems that the main function of luck is hope. But hope, that feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen, is within each one of us...whether or not we believe in luck. Hope can be synonymous with self- confidence; that inner knowing that we have all we need to succeed. "Why then," asked Dharma, "would any human or frog need to trust in luck? Isn't is better to trust in yourself?" It was an excellent question to ponder.
Many humans consider themselves lucky, while many more consider themselves unlucky. Confident people attribute success to themselves and failure to bad luck or themselves...i.e. "I didn't work hard enough" or "I didn't study properly." This line of thinking is empowering and builds self-esteem. Those who attribute their success to luck and their failures to themselves..those who wait for luck to "strike them," will eventually become insecure. "Will it happen or won't it happen?" Thinking like this can, and will, make one crazy. We feel powerless and without autonomy. And those attributes only serve to make us feel small and weak. Many studies on the subject of luck have been conducted and they've all proven several points; that "lucky" people do seem to have more good things happen to them than those who consider themselves unlucky. And, it wasn't luck that caused the good. "Lucky" people tend to be more extroverted and open to others. They are are twice as likely to smile and engage in eye contact than those who deemed themselves "unlucky." Why? Because, according to Dharma, they maximized the probability of having positive opportunities. Unlucky humans will meet and speak less to people which greatly reduces their probability of having positive outcomes. You've probably seen this in action. Take a work-related dinner party, for example. Several employees are there, along with the boss. The employee who engages the boss in dinner conversation will be remembered when a promotion comes up. The meeker employee might be far more capable, but without the interaction of pleasant conversation, the boss will have difficulty remembering him. it's a classic case of "the squeaky wheel gets the oil."
Luck, you could say, is determined by your state of mind and the way that you engage the world. Being open and interactive, and being able to detect opportunities, gives you a competitive edge. If you see yourself as "unlucky" you might try looking at your behaviors and attitudes. Are you the "bell of the ball" or are you a "wallflower"? A few minor tweaks in the way we interact with others can make all the difference.  So, instead of hoping to find that lucky four-leaf clover, the one that will make your dreams magically come true, why not spend your energy looking for opportunities in the here and now. And don't be afraid to speak up and ask for what you want...or need. Frogs aren't much in the way of mind readers and, so I gather, neither are humans. No one but you knows what you want. So go ahead, speak up. Talk to others. Look for those golden opportunities. They're right there in front of you if you bring your attention a little closer to home. Leave the clover to the rabbits. Otherwise, you could be waiting a long time for Lady Luck to appear. And we all know how fickle she can be.