Why is it that at THIS time of year we are loving, kind, generous, supportive, happy, friendly and warm-hearted? Why not embrace these traits all year long?

Recently I was asked to say “something” at a holiday party. As I thought about what I would like to say, I thought about what message people will carry with them not only at this time of year, but hopefully throughout the entire year.

I decided to make a list of twelve gift ideas which hopefully people will give ALL YEAR long. Most importantly, these gifts cost no money and will give you as much as they give the recipient. (more…)

When I was growing up and my pets got old, they went to live on a “farm” where I could not visit them. Grandparents and loving relatives just disappeared to go live in Heaven, which was explained by someone pointing to the sky. On Sundays, our family would go visit marble-faced stones with my dad’s sister or his father’s name on it. When I was really young, I wondered why those relatives never came to visit or how they could breathe inside that wall. The explanation was that they lived in Heaven (or the sky in my mind).

There are many questions in life that we cannot answer. One question with an answer that most of us agree upon is that our physical life ends in death. (more…)

When we were first approached with the “perfect” film for Purple People to sponsor for the Sedona International Film Festival (SIFF) Tuesday night series, I was thrilled. (more…)

Today is a beautiful day. Hmmmnnn… seems like a GREAT day to take away some Civil Rights from Americans, doesn’t it? Where should we start? Should we not allow people of a different race to live in “our” neighborhoods? Should we tell people “of age” that they can’t have benefits to which they’re otherwise entitled because they’re old? (more…)

I never thought that I would get “worked up” over a singing competition. However, American Idol, this season, is much more than a mere singing competition. It’s the representation of acceptance of diversity vs. acceptance of the boy next door. (more…)

My New Year’s Resolution is not new. Well, perhaps it is in some ways in that I have chosen to NOT make any New Year’s Resolution. Instead, I have chosen to CONTINUE to maintain a positive approach to every situation and to focus on the positive. I’ve been thinking about my Resolution for about a month and as I have observed others, I concluded that for me, the best Resolution is to embrace myself just the way I am. (more…)

We began the New Year by seeing “Seven Pounds” (starring Will Smith and by the Director of “Pursuit of Happyness”).

There are several inspirational messages worth pondering in this thought-provoking film, but the simplest message might be missed by many a movie-goer. Simply put, PUT THE CELL PHONE/PDA Device AWAY while driving. NOTHING is that important that you should be distracted from giving your undivided attention to driving.

Have a SAFE 2009.

I have been challenged by allowing judgment to enter into my thought process and therefore have been remiss in blogging for some time. I apologize to all of you and thank you for registering so that you may participate in the PURPLOG experience. I’m back and will comment more frequently, SO, PLEASE JOIN IN THE CONVERSATION, OTHERWISE IT GETS LONELY OUT HERE!

For Evelyn and Myrna in Memory of Peter

When I die, I want my life to have been spent some place where I can be me.
Is that a “place” or is that “place” within each of us, where we truly live in our heart and soul? (more…)

I just returned from Boston where I had a wonderful time. Having lived in the Boston suburbs for over twenty years, returning now as a “tourist” can be really fun and exciting. This trip, one of the great things I experienced was all of the different cultures in the City, by eating at restaurants of different ethnic foods from around the world. (more…)

Everything happens for a reason. A few months ago, I was on a flight and noticed a flight attendant’s bracelet. I asked her what it meant and she told me it was in memory of a flight attendant, Mel, who lost her battle with Breast Cancer. Although she never met Mel, flight attendants world-wide have supported Mel’s charity. She wrote the website on a piece of paper. Why did I find this piece of paper today, months after I received it? (more…)

When we learn about our neighbors in other countries, we can learn to “Honor Our Differences and Cherish Their Similarities.” I am grateful that my vision of that goal is felt world-wide, and by a recipient of The TED Award. (more…)

Pangea Day? This is a Global event bringing the World together through film.
Why?
In a world where people are often divided by borders, difference, and conflict, it’s easy to lose sight of what we all have in common. Pangea Day seeks to overcome that – to help people see themselves in others – through the power of film. (more…)

Did you ever meet a woman who in her understated, quiet, non-egotistical way is single-handedly changing the World?
My partner and I got to meet such a woman yesterday. (more…)

I wrote this in 2004 and reprinted it on February 4, 2007 and it was requested to be moved to the “top” of the PURPLOG so here it is again…
incredibly timely given some recent events.

I wrote this a few years ago after seeing the statistics on “The Christmas Box” by Richard Paul Evans, who sold 42.5 million copies of it, as of 2004. Apparently just as he pondered how he’d lose everything if the book was not a success, he felt that God came to him and spoke.

This is the conversation I had with God shortly thereafter. –Susan Faith 2/4/07

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