Vctroll's Blog

Here is my new article. It is about two of the best things in this life: gentleness and hugs. I hope you like it.

Wishing you every joy,
Joe Mazzella

joecool@wirefire.com
GENTLENESS AND HUGS

By: Joseph J. Mazzella

In my life I have experienced a lot of different types of hugs. I have gotten the warm hug that goes on forever. I have gotten the bear hug that squeezes the air right out of your lungs. I have gotten the neck hug where the little child jumps in your arms and wraps lovingly around your neck. I have gotten the back slapper hug where the hugger gives you the bam, bam on the back. I have even gotten the leg hug which toddlers all over the world use to melt your heart. The most memorable hug I ever got, however, came when I was a teenager.

I was visiting a monastery in the Midwest with several other boys. Our guide took us through the simple rooms where the Priests and Monks lived, worked, and prayed. As we entered a small kitchen one of the Brothers walked in. To say he was intimidating would have been an understatement. He was a giant of a man. He stood well over six and a half feet tall. He must have weighed over three hundred pounds as well. He looked like a lineman for a professional football team dressed in a brown, wool robe. As we talked, though, his kind spirit and delightful sense of humor put us all at ease. That is until he rose to leave. Then he walked right at me to give me a hug. At first I feared he might crack a rib, but when he took me in his huge arms all I felt was the love from his soul. It was the gentlest hug I ever got.

Leo Rosten said: "It is the weak who are cruel. Gentleness can only be expected from the strong." I learned that lesson first hand in the arms of one of the strongest but gentlest spirits I have ever met in this world. He showed me with one hug that God is love and that our real strength comes from loving each other as He loves us. He showed me that our true power comes when we aren’t afraid to embrace our goodness or express our joy. He showed me too that gentleness and hugs will forever go together. May your life always be full of both.

Here is my new article. It is about how it only takes a moment for two lives to touch each other in this busy and crowded world. I hope that you enjoy it. Wishing you every joy,

 Joe Mazzella

 joecool@wirefire.com

EYES IN A CROWD

By: Joseph J. Mazzella

I never liked crowds much. As a boy I grew up in the country with only a few neighbors. Trips to the city were few and far between. I never had a chance to get used to crowds then. When I did encounter them I found them noisy, uncomfortable, and even a bit scary. They seemed full of strangers and even in the midst of them I felt lonely. All of this would change, however, thanks to a single pair of loving eyes. It happened one day when I was shopping in a mall. The crowds to my dismay were as thick as I had ever seen them. In this sea of people I noticed a little girl holding her Mom’s hand coming out of a store. As I looked down at her I could see in her face all of the fear and loneliness that I had in crowds only worse. In that noisy crush of strangers I saw her looking from face to face for comfort. It was then that her eyes met mine. In that moment we both smiled and I felt our souls touch. The fear and loneliness left her eyes and I saw love and joy replace them. Her angelic smile warmed my own heart as well and in that second I could feel a blanket of God’s love around us both. We shared a lifetime’s friendship in that instant before waving goodbye to each other. As I walked back to my car too I noticed a change. All of those noisy and busy strangers had suddenly turned into beautiful Children of God. People’s eyes sparkled, and their laughter became music. I smiled joyously at it all and wondered what I had been afraid of all those years. I knew, though, that thanks to that little angel I would never feel lonely in crowds again. I wish that lovely, little girl who helped me a lifetime of joy without fear and love without loneliness. I know too that I won’t be the last person whose eyes she will meet and soul she will touch. She showed me again that we are all God’s Children here. She helped me to see too that no matter how crowded our lives get we can still look each other in the eyes and share a smile.

Here is my new article. It as about a special Christmas memory and what I learned about the greatest gift of all. I hope that you enjoy it. Have a Merry Christmas, Joe Mazzella  joecool@wirefire.com

 CHRISTMAS GIFTS By: Joseph J. Mazzella

Some of my earliest memories from childhood are of sneaking under the Christmas tree to see what gifts had my name on them. I can remember lifting, shaking, and even peeling back some wrapping paper in order to see what toys my parents had gotten me. One Christmas before I could read I even opened every single gift under the tree. The December after I turned five, however, I was in for a shock. I looked under the tree and found not a single present with my name on the tag. There were gifts there for everyone else but nothing with a "to Joe" on it. I was heartbroken. It wasn’t so much that I was getting no toys. It was the fact that they had forgotten about me. Never in my young life had I felt unloved until that moment. With tears in my eyes I went and got some old toys of mine and some leftover wrapping paper. I had started to wrap them so that I could have something under the tree when my Mom caught me. Taking me in her arms she lovingly explained that I hadn’t been forgotten. They had gotten me presents but had decided to hide them from my prying eyes and fingers until Christmas Day. Looking back now I can’t even remember what I got that year, but I will always remember that reassuring moment in my Mother’s arms. The gift of love she gave me then remains in my heart to this day. It is the gifts of love that are the greatest gifts of all. Jesus’ entire life was a gift of love. As we celebrate His birthday this year then let us all seek to give the gifts of love as well. The gentle hugs, the caring looks, the joyful smiles, and the warm words of love we give will mean more than anything we buy in a store. The time we share, laughter we spread, and kindness we shower on others will live on in their hearts forever. Leo Buscaglia once said that, "Life is God’s gift to you and how you live it is your gift to God." May your gift be a loving one at Christmastime and always.

GETTING THINGS DONE

By: Joseph J. Mazzella

     Every now and then God gently taps you on the shoulder and reminds you of what life is all about. I got just such a tap the other day. It was a day when there was too many errands to run, too much work to do and not enough time in the day to do it. I was rushed, stressed, and irritable. I even snapped at my kids to hurry up and get ready for school as I worried about how I was ever going to get everything done that day.

     It was then, however, that I got my gentle tap on the shoulder. Actually, it was more of a one two punch from my furry friends. As I stood there frowning with worry and tensed up with stress I felt a sticking in my left leg. At the same time my right hand suddenly felt warm and wet. I looked down and found one of my cats with her claws on my knee looking up with that scratch my head look in her eyes. When I turned to my right I saw my drooling Saint Bernard nuzzling in for a few pets himself. I smiled at my loving, furry friends and at the same time heard God’s gentle voice in my mind saying: "You are not here to get things done. You are here to love."

     I thanked God for the reminder as the stress disappeared and the worry faded away. I gave each of my kids a hug before heading out to start the day. I still had a lot to do, of course, but now I did it with a smile on my face. I sang joyously along with the music in my car as I ran my errands. I did my work at home happily and easily taking several breaks to pet my dogs, hold my cats, look at the Fall leaves, and to tell God just how much I loved Him. I got everything done with time to spare and most importantly I did it all blissfully, peacefully, and lovingly.

     The next time that the stress of getting things done starts to build up inside you then take a break and remember why you are really here. In the end it is the love we share, the joy we spread, and the happiness we create that matters. Those are the things God wants us to get done.

Here is my new article. It is about the best time for anyone to make a fresh start. I hope that you enjoy it. Wishing you every joy, Joe Mazzella

A FRESH START By: Joseph J. Mazzella

 I was able to make a fresh start recently. It felt so good to be able to put all of those past mistakes behind me. It felt so wonderful to be able to look towards the future with clear eyes and a clean heart. It felt so glorious to greet the new day with a peaceful mind and a joyful soul. I didn’t get my fresh start by moving to another town, however. I didn’t get it by starting a new job. I didn’t get it by going on vacation. I didn’t get it by buying something either. I didn’t get it by changing the world around me at all. Those types of changes never work anyway. You can’t clean your house by sweeping the sidewalk, after all. How did I get my fresh start then? Why, I simply opened my eyes this morning. You see, everyday of our lives can be a fresh start if we wish. Each new morning is another gift from God when we can begin again to clean our house within and to live our lives better than we did before. Each new day is a fresh beginning to choose love, create joy, spread laughter, help others, and give something back to the world. Each new moment is another chance to share a hug, a smile, a compliment, or an act of kindness. It doesn’t matter how many mistakes we have made, wrong turns we have taken, or days we have wasted. We all can begin again this morning, this day, and right now. God is there waiting to help us to live and love as we were meant to. There is an old saying that goes, "If you wake up breathing, you have another chance." Don’t waste your chance today. Make your fresh start now. Wake up this morning and say, "Good morning God! Thank you for my life!" Then go out and live it in joy, love, and oneness with Him. Open your heart, soul, and mind to the love, goodness, and delight that is all around you. Share all the wonder, talent, compassion, and uniqueness that is within you. Help to build a better world with the life you live in it. And seize each new day as a fresh start to live and love.

WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING FOR By: Joseph J. Mazzella

 I remember reading a story once about a wealthy businessman who over the years of his travels had formed a friendship with a Native American. This pair in spite of their differences remained close and after many years the businessman finally convinced his friend to visit him in the city where he lived. As they were walking down the busy streets full of noise, traffic, and people the Native American suddenly stopped, walked into an alley, and bent down over a small plant growing there. His friend followed him and found him listening to a tiny cricket chirping. Amazed, the businessman asked him how he had ever heard that little sound among the deafening noise of the city. The Native American just smiled and said, "What you hear is what you listen for." As they walked back to the street the Native American took a handful of coins out of his pocket and dropped them on the pavement. The businessman smiled as he saw a dozen heads turn towards the sound. He realized what his friend had meant. What are you listening for in this life? Are you listening for the latest lottery numbers to be announced or are you listening for the sweet songs of the birds in the morning? Are you listening for the newest gossip people are saying or are you listening for the happy sound of your children’s laughter? Are you listening for the shouting voices of anger and hatred in this world that try to fill our ears and hearts with their poison? Or are you listening for the gentle voice of God whispering to you: "I love you My Child. Come work with Me and we will shower the world with love and joy together."? Either way what you listen for is what you will hear. Open your ears, mind, heart, and soul then. Listen with them for all this world’s joys. Listen with them for the loving voice of God within you. Listen with them and delight in the glorious music that is life.

Interesting Human Body Facts  
 
    A full bladder is roughly the size of a soft ball.
 
    It takes the food seven seconds to get from your mouth to your stomach.
 
    One human hair can support 3kg.
 
    Human thighbones are stronger than concrete.
 
    The attachment of human muscles to skin is what causes dimples.
 
    Your thumb is the same length of your nose.
 
    A woman's heart beats faster than a man's.
 
    If the average male never shaved, his beard would be 13 feet long when he died.
 
    Men without hair on their chests are more likely to get cirrhosis of the Liver than men with hair.
 
There are about one trillion bacteria on each of your feet.
 
    Side by side, 2000 cells from the human body could cover about one square inch.
 
    Women blink twice as much as men.
 
    The average person's skin weighs twice as much as their brain.
 
    When you are looking at someone you love, your pupils dilate,
 
    They do the same when you are looking at someone you hate.
 
    It takes twice as long to lose new muscle if you stop working out Than It did to gain it.
 
    You're ears secrete more earwax when you are afraid than when you Aren't.
 
    Your body uses 300 muscles to balance itself when you are standing still.
 
    If saliva cannot dissolve something, you cannot taste it.
 
    The average woman is 5 inches shorter than the average man.
 

    You checked out the length of your thumb..
    Didn't ya?

A THOUSAND BUTTERFLIES By:

Joseph J. Mazzella I have always loved butterflies. I think I must have got it from my Mom. When I was a boy she used to take a break from working in her flower garden just to watch these delicate winged beauties fly from blossom to blossom. After my Mom passed away I told my daughter many times that if her Grandma ever wanted to check up on her that she would probably just hop a ride on the back of a butterfly to do so. The amazing thing is that the more I would say it the more the butterflies would dance gracefully in the air around us when we walked outside. I would always smile and silently tell my Mom how much I loved her as they fluttered by. This year I have seen more butterflies than ever before. I think my Mom must have gathered a thousand, invisible, angel riders to join her in watching over me. It is so glorious seeing all these butterflies floating on the breezes whenever I go out. I know that it is just my Mom’s wonderful way of letting me know that she loves me, that she is looking out for me, and that she along with so many others are helping me as I travel down the road of my life. It is so good to know that my Mom is still with me in my heart, mind, and soul. It is so blissful to feel her presence as I do my best to give love, spread joy, and make this world a better place. It is so wonderful to realize that a thousand angels are cheering me on as I strive to do what God wants me to do and go where God wants me to go. It is so peaceful knowing that this life I am living is a part of something far greater than myself. As you go down the road of your life then always remember that you are not alone. God and His angels are always with you. They are watching you, helping you, and cheering you on as you love, give, and live. They are delighting in your every effort to do good and make this world a better place. And sometimes they are even riding unseen on the backs of a thousand butterflies.

Okay I haven't seen this posted here, so we'll start a new game!!!  Just complete the sentence IT'S SO HOT THAT~~~

Here's mine, IT'S SO HOT THAT THE TREES ARE WHISTLING FOR THE DOGS!!

Ya'lls turn now!!!!

Here is my new article.  It is about the hard work that brings you a lifetime of love and joy.  I hope that you enjoy it.                     Wishing you every joy,                                                     
                                                joecool@wirefire.com

SIMPLE NOT EASY

By: Joseph J. Mazzella

     Shortly after our first home burned down when I was a boy we moved into a small house near the top of a mountain. The entire house was heated by a single, wood stove. My dad, brothers, and I spent days every Spring and Summer cutting and stacking the wood for it. It worked great as long as the wood wasn’t wet. A lot of the time, however, this wasn’t the case. Snowy and rainy days meant wet wood, a weak fire, and a cool house. It wasn’t long then before my Dad decided that we needed to build a wood shed.

     I can still remember the day we started it. Dad had me and my brother climb into the pick-up truck after school. A local railroad company had pulled up some unused track and was giving away the wooden ties that went with it. Dad wanted to use 4 of these ties as the corner posts for the new building. It seemed simple enough at the time. All we had to do was load them up, take them home, dig some holes, and set them in the ground. What I didn’t realize was that each railroad tie weighed almost 500 pounds. I never worked so hard or strained so much in my life. I went to bed that night exhausted and had sore muscles for a week afterward. Yes, it was a simple job, but it surely wasn’t an easy one.

     Living in love, joy, and oneness with God is simple too, but sometimes it isn’t easy. It is a choice that we have to make every single day of our lives. We often have to give love in the face of hate and share joy in the face of despair. Easy or not, though, it is still worth the effort.  Loving God, loving ourselves, and loving others is what we were meant for. Nothing is better for us or feels better to us. When we work for love, we work for God, and when we work for God we will always have joy. Work hard at the simple life of love then. Even if you do run into some heavy lifting at times God will always be at the other end ready to help you.

I GOT THIS IN MY EMERGENCY ALERT EMAILS, BUT DIDNT SEE IT ON FOX5, AND DIDNT WANT ANYONE TO MISS IT. Don't ask me, I have no idea how they can do it!

But looks good to me!!

Click here: Free Antibiotic perscriptions. First of its kind program makes critical drugs available to all. - The Emergency Em

My thoughts and  prayers are with all the victims and families in Minneapolis.  As bad as it is, it could have been worse.  God was watching over that bridge. So far, rush hour traffic, dozens of cars, a loaded school bus,  and 6 killed.  A miracle.

   Here is my new article.  It is about the light inside us all.  I hope that you enjoy it.

                       Wishing you every joy,                                                     
                       joecool@wirefire.com

OLD PHOTOGRAPHS

By: Joseph J. Mazzella

    Every now and then God clears our vision and lets us see a glimpse of Heaven while still here on Earth. My own eyes got opened for me the other day while I was looking through some old photo albums. I was never very good at sorting pictures so they were pretty mixed up. Some had been taken a few years ago, some were of my children as babies, and some old, family ones were taken up to 70 years ago. Each one of them, however, contained a precious moment frozen in time. As I looked through them too I noticed something very wonderful. It seemed that the happier the person was in the picture, the more the light shined from their eyes. I could see this pure, radiant, and loving light in picture after picture no matter how long ago it was taken. With every smiling face there were a pair of shining eyes sending their joy across the years and into my heart. It was then that I realized that God was giving me a glimpse through the window to the Heavenly soul in each person. This was who they really were. Each photo was of a Child of God: full of love, full of joy, and full of light. I knew too that even though those pictures would one day fade that those souls would shine on forever.

     I am still thanking God for that little glimpse of Heaven. I am keeping it close to my heart, mind, and soul. I want to remember it not just every time I look at a photograph but also every time I am tempted to judge another. Only God knows the depths of our souls and only God can see the light within each of us.

     God loves us so much. We are His Children and He put us here to help each other to grow in love, joy, light, and wonderful oneness with Him. Let’s embrace our birthright then. Let’s be the best Children of God that we can be. Let’s shine our light in our photos and in our lives. Let’s make each of our days a beautiful picture by loving, helping, and giving joy to each other.

I found this in the St. Louis blog, and thought Atl. would like hear the answers too!! So Webmaster, we're waiting!!!

Just curious about about a few things...

• Who was the very first FOX5 blogger and are they still a member of the FOX5 Blogging Community?
• Who's BLOG generated the most comments here in Atl.?  In other words, who has BLOGGING RIGHTS?!?!  My guess would be Russ or Doug.
• Which BLOG topic was it????
• Who among the FOX5 Blogging Community has posted the most Blogs?
• What are some of the HOTTEST blogging TOPICS?
• How do you decide who's blog or pictures are posted on the community page and for how long?
• Do you realize what you've created here?  Yep...a MONSTER!!!!

Awwww MAN!!! What am I supposed to do NOW?  I read a blog, I make a comment, and I gotta wait 24 hours for it to be POSTED? Don't you all know, in 24 hours, I FORGET what I said in the first place?  At my age, you begin to devolop a very short attention span.  Dang, and I was so happy. Wasn't having to talk to my little voices, I had real people on here to talk to. I had things to read.  I guess I"ll just have to go dig out those 1980 Reader's Digests.  So if all of a sudden, if you all start getting weird comments, just read all the blogs, then read all the comments, and sort out where I meant to put them! And if I answer your blog 10 times, just pick one, and know I didnt mean to do it.  Maybe I"ll just make one blanket comment, a multiple choice one, then post to every one, then you can pick the answer that applies to your blog? Hey when does school start?  Maybe that will solve part of the problem?  Can't we have year round school?  These kids should let us old folks have SOMETHING!! Or Maybe we've become a class project for some computer class?