{"id":17803,"date":"2015-11-30T05:49:02","date_gmt":"2015-11-30T13:49:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/?p=17803"},"modified":"2015-11-30T05:49:02","modified_gmt":"2015-11-30T13:49:02","slug":"monday-morning-musings-november-30-2015","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/2015\/11\/30\/monday-morning-musings-november-30-2015\/","title":{"rendered":"Monday Morning Musings November 30, 2015"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"forgotten-muses-1226788\"<\/a><\/p>\n

In politics it is said, that when not fueled by hope there is a vacuum for fear to fill.  Since artists turn to the muses, Clio, Euterpe, Thalia, Melpomene, Terpsichore, Erato, Polymnia, Ourania and Calliope<\/strong> we are exploring what they can offer us for inspiration to have the hope fueling politics.  Last week we were in the wake of Paris; this week we follow two violent events on American soil (covered in other threads) in Minneapolis and in Colorado Springs yet do not hear near the cacophony of voices loudly urging actions to keep Americans safe.  We also follow the holiday most associated with gratitude in the U.S.: Thanksgiving.  One Thanksgiving email I received began with this quote<\/span>: <\/span>“I saw…that there was an ocean of darkness and death; but an infinite ocean of light and love…flowed over the ocean of darkness.” — Journal of George Fox (1647)<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Then continued with<\/span>:  ”<\/span><\/em>It can be hard to look into the darkness we find all too easily today: in the suffering and fear of so many, in the cycles of violence. Yet, when we come together with compassion, understanding, and openness, we find the Light in dark places.” It was from the Friends Committee on National Legislation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Calliope<\/em><\/strong> is considered the strongest of the nine and imposes serenity.  Researchers have been exploring this area and one finding that goes with post-Thanksgiving is:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Gratitude can be transformative:<\/strong>\"gratitude\"<\/a><\/p>\n

“The Thanksgiving holiday began, as the name implies, when the colonists gave thanks for their survival and for a good harvest. So perhaps November is a good time to review the mental health benefits of gratitude — and to consider some advice about how to cultivate this state of mind.”<\/span><\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/newsletter_article\/in-praise-of-gratitude<\/a><\/p>\n

“Recently scientists have begun to chart a course of research aimed at understanding gratitude and the circumstances in which it flourishes or diminishes. They’re finding that people who practice gratitude consistently report a host of benefits:<\/span><\/p>\n