Thanks to my facebook friends.

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I just turned 60 and it feels good.

of the 6575 friends, 1710 of you wished me on my birthday and New Year between my two facebook walls. www.facebook.com/MikeGhouse and www.facebook.com/MikeGhouse2

My 1st resolution was to respond to each one of you for the time you took to wish me, and thank God I have been able to put time aside to respond to everyone but 31 in a cluster. I will wrap that up tomorrow along with the ones I hav…e received in my email, another 1000 of friendship greetings. I am truly overwhelmed with your affection. Thank you.

My 2nd resolution was to tie the loose ends of the life.

My 3rd item was to take 5 minutes every morning and evening to begin and close my day. I have begun that today.

You can do it too.

Please take 7 minutes to read about making your 2012 purposeful and meaningful. http://nabsites.net/demo/purposeful-2012/

PUBLIC SERVICE IN 2011

Thanks to Dallas Morning News, Huffington Post, Washington Post and several periodicals for publishing 318 articles, thanks to Sean Hannity for having me on his TV show twelve times, and thanks to nationally syndicated radio show for eleven appearances.

Thanks to Dallas communities for attending a few successful events that we organized in building a cohesive America including Reflections on Holocaust and Genocides, Unity Day (9/11), and several other events.

Thank God for helping me present pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. If we can learnt to respect the otherness of other, and accept the God given uniqueness of each one of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge.

God willing with your support, I will continue to write, speak, think and address on the issues of politics, religion and the social ills of the society like stereotyping, racism, Islamophobia, Anti-Semitism, anti-GLBT and other pressing issues that divide us. I am committed to building a cohesive America where no American has to live in the fear of the other, one brick at a time.

Thank you for your support,

Mike Ghouse
www.MikeGhouse.net 

Americans together in 2012

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http://americatogetherfoundation.blogspot.com/2011/12/americans-together-in-2012.html

We wish a very happy and meaningful New Year.
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CITIZENSHIP, ISLAM AND AMERICA IN 2012

Law is one thing and practice is the other. As an American and as a Muslim, I have to be critical of both groupings and work towards creating cohesive societies where no citizen has to live in apprehension, discomfort or fear of the other. Here is a summary of 2011 and what we can aspire for 2012. First of all, let’s look at the bigotry prevalent in Muslim majority nations and then focus on America in the second half of the article. How do we make our lives better for us and for fellow Americans.   Continued at:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/citizenship-islam-and-ame_b_1174834.html

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HAPPY NEW YEAR – HOW TO MAKE YOUR 2012 MEANINGFUL

Whether you are with family, friends or alone, you can make your new year meaningful and reflective. For many years, I have set aside “TWO HOURS” yes, just two hours on new years eve or earlier and have focused on different aspects of my life and found a lot of peace and tranquility in knowing who I am and what I want out of life. In those two hours, I allow nothing else to crawl on my mind or deviate from the job I sat down for. Continued at- http://nabsites.net/demo/purposeful-2012/
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V ANNUAL REFLECTIONS ON HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDES

Please consider hosting this event in your town, if you are in Dallas area, please plan on attending it.  Education is the purpose; we have to learn, acknowledge and reflect upon the terrible things that we humans have inflicted upon each other, and to we have to understand that our safety hinges on the safety of all others around us. Please mark your calendar of Sunday, January 22, 2o11 between 5 and 7 PM.  http://holocaustandgenocides.blogspot.com/

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CYCLISTS RALLY FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN DALLAS
 
We welcome the Japanese Americans bike riders at Dallas city Hall on January 2, 2012 to highlight an issue that we should all think about. As global citizens we need to commit ourselves to restoring social order in our societies where no one has to live with the fear of persecution. This is what all of the spiritual masters wanted to do, and precisely what Jesus wanted to do; to create the Kingdom of Heaven.” http://wisdomofreligion.blogspot.com/2011/12/cyclists-rally-for-religious-freedom-at.html
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TARRANT COUNTY MUSLIM MEDICAL CLINIC SERVING AMERICANS

This is the America you will come to love, where each one of us is serving the needy with blinders on, just service to Americans. Dallas is blessed with two clinics that serve the people without insurance. Here is a story of the one in Tarrant county Clinic initiated by Dr. Basheer Ahmed – http://wisdomofreligion.blogspot.com/2011/12/tarrant-county-clinic-provides-health.html

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FOUNDATION FOR GOOD MARRIAGE

Love, equity, and kindness are the hallmarks of an ideal marriage. Deep down each one in the relationship wants the experience to be a blessing. As long as both are just and fair to each other, it will remain blissful. The moment one takes advantage of the other, and does not consider the other as equal the marriage will start slip sliding. It is time to fix it immediately… nothing will work out by itself.. you have to work for it. The longer you wait, the worse it gets, you have to act now.  Both are equally responsible to restore the marriage or let it go bad.  Each should resist the temptation to get even, or telling the other to go to hell. Remember, it is really not the money that brings peace of mind, it is humility. You must consciously say the words and do the things that restores the bliss you once had and resist the temptation to aggravate each other. Happiness is a choice. May you commit yourselves to strengthening your relationship? Amen.

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DONATE GENEROUSLY  AND BE A PART OF A POSITIVE CHANGE!

We are committed to building a cohesive America, and have laid out the outline at www.AmericaTogetherFoundation.com   Together we can do our share of work in creating a better America and a better world, so that you and I to can live without apprehension discomfort and fear of the other. We need your support in creating such a society.  PLEASE DONATE – http://americatogetherfoundation.blogspot.com/2011/12/donate-to-america-together-foundation.html
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Mike Ghouse is committed to building a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on  issues of the day to the media and the public. He is a speaker thinker and a writer on the topics of pluralism, cohesive societies, Politics, Islam, interfaith, India and Peace, he is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and several nationally syndicated radio talk shows. Over a thousand articles have been published on the topics and two of his books are poised to be released on Pluralism and Islam in America. Mike’s work is reflected in several websites and blogs indexed at http://www.mikeghouse.net/. Mike’s most current articles are at www.Theghousediary.com

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REST OF THE DECEMBER BULLETIN
A MUSLIM’S CHRISTMAS – HUFFINGTON POST
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/a-muslims-christmas_b_1167258.html
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HOW DID YOUR FAITH SHAPE YOU IN 2011 – DALLAS MORNING NEWS
http://nabsites.net/demo/texas-faith-how-did-your-faith-shape-in/
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MUSIC IS CENTRAL TO CHRISTMAS – DALLAS MORNING NEWS
http://nabsites.net/demo/texas-faith-why-music-is-central-to/
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THANKS TO DALLAS MORNING NEWS and SEAN HANNITY
http://americatogetherfoundation.blogspot.com/2011/12/thanks-to-dallas-morning-news-sean.html
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PLURALISM GREETINGS & INCLUSIVE PRAYERS
http://nabsites.net/demo/pluralism-greetings-and-prayer-a/
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HAPPY HANUKAH
http://nabsites.net/demo/happy-hanukah-jewish-festival-of-lights/
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BIGOTRY AGAINST HINDUISM IN RUSSIA
http://nabsites.net/demo/bigotry-against-hinduism-in-russia/
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WHAT SHOULD AMERICAN MUSLIMS TO WITH LOWE’S BIGOTRY?
http://www.indianmuslimobserver.com/2011/12/latest-editorial-what-should-american.html

PURPOSEFUL 2012

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Whether you are with your family, friends or alone, you can make your new year meaningful and reflective. For many years, I have set aside “TWO HOURS” yes, just two hours on new years eve or day and have focused on different aspects of my life and found a lot of peace and tranquility in knowing who I am and what I want out of life. In those two hours, I allow nothing else to crawl on my mind or deviate from the job I sat down for; knowing and defining myself.    

All you have to do is write down a few headlines like; family, friends, job, business, personal budget, travel, gratitude, freedom, society, volunteerism, spirituality, physical fitness, entertainment and finally your role in family and the society. You can write on the palm of your hand, notes section of the cell phone or a napkin in a restaurant. 

This is a trip to yourselves, you’ve been to places, done things, met people… it is time to visit yourselves and enjoy the connection. You’ll love it.

FAMILY – Thoughts on strengthening the bonds and spending more time with family – first I would write randomly with no sequence or priority, but just thoughts in bullet format, then I go back and enhance and reflect on each relationship within my family.

FRIENDS – same process, who are my closest friends, what kind of things I need to continue to do to nurture the relationships? Reflect on each friend and what I want happen with that relationship.

BUSINESS/PROFESSION – Where am I going with it, where will I be in a year, two or five years? I don’t have to be perfect and precise, but just a thought of having an idea of where I will be is good. Then develop from it. Those employed securely need not worry, you are blessed.

BUDGET – Take a look at your income from all sources and then put down monthly fixed payments that you have to pay. Then add those payments that you can do away with or add on to. Figure out what to do with the shortage or surplus.

TRAVEL– At least dream about it

GRATITUDE – Who all we need to thank for the good they have done

FREEDOM – Who all we need to forgive for the pain they have given us, and the misery we have heaped on them.  How do I free myself from that apprehension?  My blood should not boil when I see them or I should not get the urge to punch them upon sight.

SOCIETY – I scream out loud that things are not right; there is injustice, corruption, bigotry etc… Am I going to do something about it? Would I become their enemy or find a solution for all of us to co-exist and mind our own business.  The least I can do is support someone who is standing up for justice and making efforts to create a better world for everyone.  From just saying, I appreciate your work, to sending them a check to volunteering with them spreading the word and everything in between.

YOUR ROLE – What role do you want to play in the society? speak up when you see some thing is wrong, write a comment on blog or news paper, or tell friends that there is another point of view to consider… make a genuine effort to see another point of view. On my part I have determined that whatever I talk, think and act will lead towards mitigating  conflicts and nurturing good will and I will make every effort NOT to aggravate a situation. What is that you want to do? You think about it.

SPIRITUALITY – have I taken the time to visit myself, am I in tune with myself?  Can I make a serious effort to spend 5 minutes in the morning and 5 in the evening – just to close the eyes and remain calm, do nothing, think nothing and refresh myself. Or take a course in meditation, or a video… you don’t need to say any words or invoke God, just you and you with stillness.

2011 – How did you do it in 2011? No need to brood, instead use the time to improve on the things you have done wrong and cherish on the things you have done right.

You can make your own list, please do this exercise, it is worth your time and you will start finding meaning in your life.

Make your own list… at the end of the two hours, you will find relief, comfort and a sense of purpose in life.

On my part I am committed to build a cohesive America, and have laid out the outline at the website www.AmericaTogetherFoundation.com . If you like it join me, together we can do our share of work in creating a better world. You can volunteer, you can organize events, you can write or you can send a check from $50 to $5000 and see your time and money work for a better America. We are a non-profit organization and your monies are tax deductible.

By the way, I will be writing another reflective article on New Year’s. I wrote 315 Pieces this year thus far… and hope to write a few more by the end of the year. They are all at www.Theghousediary.com

Enjoy this beautiful song on the theme of visiting myself. It is one of my favorite songs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhQWND9jKDA
 

Mike Ghouse
Committed to building a cohesive America
www.MikeGhouse.net 

A Muslim’s Christmas, Huffington Post

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As a Muslim I will be celebrating Christmas, recommitting myself to listen to Jesus and follow his path. And in my Islamic tradition, I will reflect on chapter 19 of Quraan, dedicated to Maryam, Mother Mary, and pray on his birthday. I will pray that we all honor his message of creating peace and building cohesive societies where no one has to be apprehensive of the other. Amen!

Continued: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/a-muslims-christmas_b_1167258.html

Mike Ghouse is committed to building a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day to the media and the public. He is a speaker thinker and a writer on the topics of pluralism, cohesive societies, Politics, Islam, interfaith, India and Peace; he is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and several nationally syndicated radio talk shows. Over a thousand articles have been published on the topics and two of his books are poised to be released on Pluralism and Islam in America. Mike’s work is reflected in several websites and blogs indexed at http://www.mikeghouse.net/.

Music is Central to Christmas, Dallas Morning news

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Music is one big part of the harmony that binds people; it is a reflection of one’s moods. When we are joyous, we have to give expression to that sentiment to bring a sense of fullness to the feeling. 

http://nabsites.net/demo/texas-faith-why-music-is-central-to/

Mike Ghouse is committed to building a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day to the media and the public. He is a speaker thinker and a writer on the topics of pluralism, cohesive societies, Politics, Islam, interfaith, India and Peace; he is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and several nationally syndicated radio talk shows. Over a thousand articles have been published on the topics and two of his books are poised to be released on Pluralism and Islam in America. Mike’s work is reflected in several websites and blogs indexed at http://www.mikeghouse.net/.

Thanks to Dallas Morning News and Sean Hannity

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We hope to create comprehensive leadership programs to produce public leaders who would be committed to work towards building a cohesive America and put America’s interests ahead of their own.

Continued at: http://americatogetherfoundation.blogspot.com/2011/12/thanks-to-dallas-morning-news-sean.html

Mike Ghouse is committed to building a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day to the media and the public. He is a speaker thinker and a writer on the topics of pluralism, cohesive societies, Politics, Islam, interfaith, India and Peace; he is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and several nationally syndicated radio talk shows. Over a thousand articles have been published on the topics and two of his books are poised to be released on Pluralism and Islam in America. Mike’s work is reflected in several websites and blogs indexed at http://www.mikeghouse.net/.

Merry Christmas ya'll

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Bible Workshop in Chicago

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Chicago, December 14-17
Four days conference on “Original substance of divine principle” by Unificationist Church Ministry of Rev. Moon. 

This learning has reaffirmed my belief that religion is about bringing a balance to an individual… and creating a cohesive world. It sounds so much like Islam and Hinduism in a few spots Bahai. Why should any religion have a different bottom line – all seek salvation, their own unique way, all believe Justice is the core value in a society with compassion to keep the society moving forward as smoothly as it can.

I hope to attend the next conference by Unitarian Universalists. I’m blessed to have attended the Jewish, Hindu and Sikh workshops. The more you know the lesser you know, but the search for truth is wonderful, it’s the same truth expressed differently and I thank God for helping me see the beauty and wisdom of each faith.

If I get the chance, I will write the specifics of the conference. They focused on the essence of the word of Bible rather than the literary meaning.

Mike Ghouse
Committed to a Cohesive America
www.MikeGhouse.net

Pluralism Greetings and Prayer at the Unitarian Church

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Pluralism Greetings and Prayer at the Pathways Unitarian Church
South Lake, December 18, 2011
Sermon link:  http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2011/12/my-sermon-at-pathway-unitarian.html   

1. Essence of greetings

A.  Acknowledging the stranger
B.  Inviting the other to connect with you
C.  Possible friendship

When you say Namaste to someone, you are essentially saying, let the good in you connect with the good in me.  When the Abrahamic faiths call Salaam, Shalom and peace to you, they are initiating a relationship with peace. May you be drenched in peace, soaked in peace and together we will talk, think and act peace. It is conditioning each other for creating good acts and talks.

2. Greetings

American – Aho piva (Cheyenne)
Baha’i –  Allah-u-Abha 
Buddhist – Buddha Namo
Christian – Peace to you
Hindu – Namaste
Jain – Jai Jinendra
Jewish – Shalom
Muslim – Salaam
Sikh – Satsri Akaal
Wicca – Hail to mother earth
Zoroastrian – Hamazor Hama Asho bed

3. Prayer

Dear creator. Please accept our gratitude in every name we call upon you; Mahio, manito, Yahweh, Elohim, Ishwar, Buddha, Wahe Guru, Ahura Mazda, Mother Earth, Allah and Jesus Christ.

Thank you lord for enriching our nation with your creation represented by different races, nationalities, ethnicities, languages, cultures and religions.

Dear God, together we see you as one, none and many and see you as male, female and genderless, we take you as a being as well as nonbeing, some us have a name for you and for some you are nameless, but together we believe we are one universe, one people and one humanity.

Dear causer of the Universe, in your name we want to create a cohesive and peaceful America with care, kindness and dignity to every one of the 312 million of us as well as 7 billion of us in the world.

Dear God, guide us to talk, act and believe that we are one humanity and one nation under you.

Dear God, as we undertake the mission of building cohesive societies, where no one has to live in apprehension of the other, we are painfully aware of the ignorance, fear, mistrust and ill-will that divides us, help us open our hearts and minds towards receiving each other.

Dear God, guide us to become conflict mitigaters and good will nurturers.

Dear God, Protect our men and women in uniforms committed to our safety and well being.

Dear God, help us think, speak and act peace every moment of the day.

Dear God, guide us to value and practice the principles of liberty and justice for all of your creation, just as you treat us.

Dear God, give us your infinite wisdom and give us the courage to do the right thing, every moment of the day.

Help us learn to respect the otherness of other in each one of us, and accept the god given uniqueness in each one do us.

In your precious name we bow

Amen!

Mike Ghouse
Committed to a cohesive America
www.MikeGhouse.net

Texas Faith – How did your faith shape you in 2011

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http://nabsites.net/demo/texas-faith-how-did-your-faith-shape-in/

We need to have a serious dialogue about the right of individuals to deny the right of others in the same public square. Not all of the 312 million Americans see God the same way. So, who am I to regulate other’s beliefs?

Twelve Texas Faith panelists respond to the question in Dallas Morning News, here is my response:

MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas

The Carrollton City Council is one of the most pluralistic councils in the Dallas area, and it was my honor to do the invocation prior to council meetings at least six times this year. As a public speaker, I took seriously my responsibility to represent religious sentiments of most citizens in the inclusive prayers. However, I was taken aback by the criticism from fellow Carrollton residents for invoking God by his many names, as he, she or it is called.

One of the paragraphs that created the uproar was, “We are represented by every race, nationality, ethnicity, language, culture and religion. We see God as one, none and many and in every form; male, female, genderless; existent and non-existent, being and a non-being, nameless and with innumerable names. We are one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.”

That was it. God is not an exclusive property of anyone. Nor has he, she or it signed a deal with Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus or others behind my back or your back. We don’t need a discriminatory and sneaky God like that.

As Americans we need to have a serious dialogue about the right of individuals to deny the right of others in the same public square. Not all of the 312 million Americans see God the same way. So, who am I to regulate other’s beliefs?

Should we set a model of co-existence to the world to follow or should we follow the very bigoted models we detest? America has always led in medicine, research, technology, innovation and other sciences. It is time we lead the world in the practice of pluralism, learning to respect the otherness of other and accept the God-given uniqueness of each one of us.

The events in my own backyard have inspired me to go forward with the America Together Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to building a cohesive America, where no American has to live in anxieties, discomfort or fear stemming from the other American.

We hope to create comprehensive leadership programs to produce public leaders who would be committed to work towards building a cohesive America and put America’s interests ahead of their own. God willing, we are moving forward with series of educational programs, seminars, workshops and talks to find pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. It is my calling.

I was in Chicago for four days to learn the “original substance of divine principles” taught by the ministry of Reverend Sun Myung Moon. It was enlightening to see them look at the essence of Jesus’ teachings with a focus on building strong family values and reconnecting with the lineage of God.

This learning has reaffirmed my belief that religion is about bringing a balance to an individual and creating harmony around what surrounds him. I have participated in the workshops for Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Muslims, and hope to be part of every human endeavor. Last Sunday, I gave a sermon at the Pathways Unitarian Universalists Church about patience, our responsibility to find the truth and creating the kingdom of heaven.

We must be secure in our faith to learn about others. The search for truth is an enriching experience and has strengthened my own faith. Now, help me God to take on the responsibility to work towards building a cohesive America.

Mike Ghouse is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. His work is encapsulated in 4 sites and 27 blogs indexed at www.MikeGhouse.net. Over a thousand articles have been published and two of his books are poised to be released soon.