Inspiring Words From Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Regarding Racial Issues In America

Nothing is quite as inspiring regarding racial issues as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech. Sadly we are still in need of these dreams for the future...

"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men [and people] are created equal.' I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners [and all others] will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood [and sisterhood]. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state [as well as so many others], sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four children [and all children] will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today [and every day!]."

-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

I will leave you with these encouraging words...

"Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow." [For yourself and others!]

-Doug Firebaugh

If you're interested in issues surrounding institutionalized racism and white privilege in America...please watch this 10 minute video I made:

The Story of a Privileged White Girl: My Blind Awakening

With love and peace, Jennifer :)

A Message from The Man of La Mancha

I went to see the musical The Man of La Mancha tonight - a wonderful community theater rendition. It showed me the power of the arts to entertain and yet also convey deep messages of truth about life and humanity.

My biggest take away message was this:

Everyone has the right to imagine life as it should be, and to inspire others to do so...

Life can be brutal sometimes...but we all have the gift of imagination, and we can choose to imagine a better life/future for ourselves and those we love, and even for those we don't love...

That is the essence of Hope...which is the essence of the Human Spirit...to prevail amidst adversity....


May we all aspire to be our own version of Don Quixote and Dulcinea...
In short, whatever life may throw your way...be the best YOU you can be.

With love and peace, Jennifer :)

A song in honor of my Father...

Love Never Dies

Copyright: Jennifer Blackburn Miller, 2015

(In honor of David John Blackburn - 8/5/1939-8/20/2012

Obituary )

Last night I saw a show

And it made me think of you

And the love that binds us

Through the past, present, and more…

The show taught me

That love never dies

Time just passes by

But memories live on…

Chorus:

La, la…

La, la…

Even though you’ve been gone awhile

My memories are crisp and clear

Of the love you gave each year

Selflessly fathering me…

I will always remember your love

No matter how much time goes by

Love will never die

As life passes us by…

Chorus:

La, La…

La, La…

Love is eternal

And it will live on

Throughout the eons

Beyond our time on earth…

Love is intangible

But it’s so powerful

It communicates so clear

Through each passing year…

Chorus:

La, La…

La, La…

“Tag” Ending:

Love will never die, I know

It’s a strong tie, I know

Our souls will live on, I know

In the great, great beyond…

Repeat…1X

Final Chorus:

La, La, Love never dies…

La, La

La, La, Love never dies…

La, La

Love never dies. 

Love Never Dies Recording

Two nice quotes... :)

"It is only by introducing the young to great literature, drama and music, and to the excitement of great science that we open to them the possibilities that lie within the human spirit - enable them to see visions and dream dreams.

-Eric Anderson

"The Holy Prophet Mohammed came into this world and taught us: 'That man is a Muslim who never hurts anyone by word or deed, but who works for the benefit and happiness of God's creatures. Belief in God is to love one's fellow men [and women]."

-Abdul Ghaffar Khan

Most Muslims are moderate, peaceful people...not extremists. And the message above really speaks to all religions - the main goal is to treat others as you would like to be treated....

A Song of Twilight... :)

After playing the piano and singing a bit this evening, I took a walk at twilight and these two poems came to me...

"A song of twilight:
From the birds.
Eternal wisdom without words.
They lay upon our waiting ears...
To tell the story of the years."

"Fireflies delight the eyes...
And birds their songs do sing.
The moon it casts its' spell below...
To ring the evening in."