Thought For the Day: From the Equality of Rights Springs Identity of Our Highest Interests; You Cannot Subvert Your Neighbor’s Rights Without Striking A Dangerous Blow At Your Own

“From the equality of rights springs identity of our highest interests; you cannot subvert your neighbor’s rights without striking a dangerous blow at your own.” – Carl Schurz

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Honored In My Praise

Honored In My Praise
by Michael Doyle

From now until my death
I'll praise God to my last breath
Whether doubtful or in confidence
I'll put my faith in providence

Knowing that God stays in control
His is the hold on my soul
There is nothing to hide
As long as God controls the tide

Rolling through all my days
I lift my voice in praise
Marking the moments that I'm alive
My trust in God always thrives

I look and it astounds me
That God's bounty has found me
My savior on Calvary
Sacrificed Himself for me

My sins are always forgiven
AS long as I am living
Dedicated to following His ways
And He remains honored in my praise

(c) March 7, 2025 Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved
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First Principles: I Think We Have More Machinery of Government Than Is Necessary, Too Many Parasites Living On the Labor of the Industrious

“I think we have more machinery of government than is necessary, too many parasites living on the labor of the industrious.” – Thomas Jefferson (1824)

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Thought For the Day: Flowers Always Make People Better, Happier, and More Helpful; They Are Sunshine, Food and Medicine For the Soul

“Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.” – Luther Burbank (7 Mar 1849-1926)

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Best Friends Without Words

Best Friends Without Words
by Michael Doyle

Without words, because they must
Our furry friends show their trust
In small subtle signs of deep meaning
As they attach to their human beings

With the unrestrained touch of their paws
We feel and hear as their love calls
Holding relaxed ears in a natural state
We know our friends are happy with their fate

This was the type of dog that once had me
Filling my days with love and happiness
From the age that she was my puppy
And the dog that grew up to be the one I miss

A dog's happiness is there in their gaze
It suggests the soft ease of their days
A long, wiggly body suggests love and joy
With a wagging tail, they happily employ

Look at that bright and cheerful smile
A lolling tongue is a statement of style
As your dog engages in a playful dance
Sprinting around in joy at every chance

This was the type of dog that once had me
Filling my days with love and happiness
From the age that she was my puppy
And the dog that grew up to be the one I miss

With a play bow she delivered her invitation
Confident and secure for the initiation
To engage in frisbee catching and other games
She was my best friend my any other name

Constantly vocalizing her beautiful emotion
She signaled me on my return of her devotion
I didn't have to be a genius to know her intent
Or study her mood to know that she was content

This was the type of dog that once had me
Filling my days with love and happiness
From the age that she was my puppy
And the dog that grew up to be the one I miss

Her well-being was ensured by playtime and walks
It shouldn't be doubted that we enjoyed our talks
And while she always helped me keep my optimism
She approached her meals with great enthusiasm

Until that is, it was time for her peaceful sleep
Her good behavior ensured our bond grew deep
She was a creature of physical touch and great affection
God knows how much it is that I miss this connection

She was the type of dog that once had me
And I miss those days of love and happiness
Maybe 24 years later, it's time for another puppy
That will become the love of a dog just like this

(c) March 6, 2025 Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved
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First Principles: Republics Are Created By the Virtue, Public Spirit, and Intelligence of the Citizens. They Fall, When the Wise Are Banished from Public Councils

“Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens. They fall, when the wise are banished from the public councils, because they dare to be honest, and the profligate are rewarded, because they flatter the people, in order to betray them.” – Josepsh Story (1833)

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Thought For the Day: God Himself Is the Best Poet, And the Real Is His Song

“God Himself is the best Poet, And the Real is His song.” – Elizabeth Barrett Browning, poet (6 Mar 1806-1861)

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The Thick of the Thin

The Thick of the Thin
by Michael Doyle

Whispered rumor has it
That we're the thick of the thin
If you were in Hell
I'd come barreling in

Founded on trust and loyalty
This is what makes us a family
My soul is resolved in this decision
Yours is the lasting trace of my vision

Ours is the strength of never falling
As we breathe into each other's calling
We are stronger in our broken places
As healing fills in our loving traces

Hardships can grow hearts somehow more tender
But we have the strength to never surrender
Struggles develop into tensile strength
To last through the longest day's length

Silence is the voice of the true friend
Who knows the damage but will stay to the end
Silence is the voice that will never betray
The holding of hands when there is no more to say

I breathe that honesty deep in your eyes
Knowing your integrity is never to my surprise
And if we must face hard times, I will cover you
Standing in front to take the worst, as true friends do

A respectful loyalty is given to my dying breath
And I will keep loving you unto the other side of death
This is my commitment to build our living trust
And I give this to you willingly, as I know that I must

(c) March 5, 2025 Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved
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First Principles: Without Continual Growth and Progress, Such Words As Improvement, Achievement, and Success Have No Meaning

“Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.” – Benjamin Franklin

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Thought For the Day: Success Is the Sum of Small Efforts, Repeated Day In and Day Out

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” – Robert Collier

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