A layer of toxic foam coated parts of a sacred river near India’s capital on Wednesday as Hindus gathered on its banks to celebrate a religious festival and some devotees bathed in the waters.

The white froth, a mixture of sewage and industrial waste, formed over the last week in sections of the Yamuna River — a tributary of the holy Ganges River.

The pungent foam contains high levels of ammonia and phosphates, which can result in respiratory and skin problems, according to experts.

Its arrival coincided with Chhath Puja, a festival dedicated to the sun god Lord Surya.

Earlier this week, some Hindus were seen wading through the toxic foam to bathe and pray in the river.

Devotee Gunjan Devi said Tuesday SHE HAD NO CHOICE but to bathe in the polluted waters. (CNN)

We must clean up the earth.

It’s our only home.

If not today, when?

The US jobs recovery finally picked up steam again in October, but not everyone is benefiting: Many women who were forced to drop out of the labor force during the pandemic are still on the sidelines.

The number of women NOT in the labor force was nearly 3 million higher than before the pandemic.

“Additionally, women took on the majority of caring responsibilities, for older relatives and children alike,” noted Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.

In September last year, hundreds of thousands of women dropped out of the workforce, which was attributed to their children’s remote schooling needs. (CNN)

So, the women TAKE IT ON THE CHIN ONCE AGAIN!

They continue their role as our nurtures and care givers.

Their self-sacrificing for the benefit of others is HEROIC in the truest example of heroism!

If you have a woman in your life, get down on your knees and THANK GOD!

If not today, when?

A REVELATION OF WHO YOU ARE!

What are the values of those you admire?

What is the quality that attracts you to them?

Do you attempt to imitate them in your own life?

If so, will your imitation of them lead you to a gratifying life or one of regret?

As for me, I most admire those who have had a terrible childhood and yet have risen to make a meaningful life for themselves.

I also admire those who dedicate their lives to the service of helping others.

Those you admire are a revelation of WHO YOU ARE!

Who do you admire?

The streets of Madrid were filled with sheep and the clanking of bells on Sunday as shepherds guided their flocks through the heart of the Spanish capital, following ancient seasonal herding routes.

Locals lined the route to welcome back the spectacle, which was canceled last year because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The annual event, which started in 1994, allows shepherds to exercise their right to use traditional routes to herd their livestock from northern Spain to more southerly pastures for winter grazing. (CNN)

What a great photo and an even greater tradition!

Do you have traditions in your life?

It is important because they are an occasion for celebration.

They also provide you with something to pass onto the next generation.

We have a birthday cake for Jesus on every Christmas day.

Begin a new tradition.

If not today, when?

I’m going to offer a simple solution that is the result of my own experiences.

My solution: JUST DO IT!

I had two major fears in my life: Joining the Navy during the Vietnam War and racing the length of Lake Huron in a six man racing yacht.

I did both and consider them to be among the major accomplishments of my life.

Overcoming fear is about the biggest EGO BOOSTER I can think of.

The factor that made the yacht race very gratifying was a major storm that that hit us and remained for eight hours. Because of the enormous waves and troughs, it put the boat and the six crew members in great peril.

So, there is my simple solution to overcoming fear.

JUST DO IT!

If not today, when?

(Photo of Parwana and her father)

“Do I let my family of six starve this winter or do I sell my 9 year old daughter, Parwana, to a 55 year old man as a child bride in exchange for enough food to feed the remaining family for 6 months?”

Her father tried to find work in a nearby city, so he could support his family, but there was no work.

The man who wants to buy Parwana says he’s 55, but to her, he’s “an old man” with white eyebrows and a thick white beard, Parwana told CNN.

She worries he will beat her and force her to work in his house.

Parwana is one of many young Afghan girls sold into marriage as the country’s humanitarian crisis deepens. 

Day by day, the numbers are increasing due to lack of food, lack of work,

The families feel they have to do this.”

 Parwana’s father told the buyer, “This is your bride. Please take care of her — you are responsible for her now, please don’t beat her.” (CNN)

This photo, which appeared in the Detroit News, shows a player adjusting his helmet so another player could use it.

The article went on to explain that the high schools in the City of Detroit did not have access to the amount of funding required to allow those students, who wanted to enter a sport, to do so due to the lack of proper equipment and salaries for coaches. (Detroit News)

I have personal knowledge of another example:

Henry Ford High School in Detroit has a large swimming pool that is not available because the school can’t afford its maintenance and lifeguards.

So, my question is, “When will we RIGHT THE WRONG?”

Must we continue to ignore our HAVES and HAVE NOTS situation right here in our local community?

The photo above tells the whole, sad story of kids trying to grow up in the inner city of Detroit.

I have looked into the eyes of despair! It’s unsettling.

The disproportionate wealth and poverty in our cities is shameful.

“It is in giving that we receive!”

If not today, when?

A foodie hub in the Danish capital that’s seen new businesses thrive even in the depths of the pandemic has been crowned the world’s coolest neighborhood by Time Out.

Nørrebro, Copenhagen topped the global media brand’s 2021 list, which was compiled via a survey of some 27,000 people living in cities across the world.

In the wake of Covid-19, Time Out says COMMUNITY SPIRIT played a big part in selecting the top districts.

“The pandemic was pretty crushing for cities and culture and hospitality businesses,” Caroline McGinn, Time Out’s global editor in chief told CNN Travel.

“But each of these places has its own story to tell about how people came together to support each other – and inventing new grassroots culture along the way.” (CNN)

What can you do to lift the COMMUNITY SPIRIT of your neighborhood?

If not today, when?