Life Adventures

Your Truth May Not Be Another’s Truth

I joined another large Facebook group. I learned the bigger the group the bigger the lion’s den. Sometimes I feel vulnerable, thinking a lion might attack me at any moment. I shared my Living Promises, which are brief guidelines to fully live our potential, which include joy, thankfulness, and forgiveness. Some agreed. Some were confused.… Continue reading Your Truth May Not Be Another’s Truth

Amazing Today, Life Adventures, Philosophy

Be Thankful for your Suffering.

Hooray! I survived Covid (actually, being vaccinated I recuperated quickly.) But I got shingles at the same time! I feel somewhat slighted because I couldn’t separate the Covid experience with the other ailment. I’m not complaining. Soon I will be jumping around. I try to live as I teach and I am thankful for this… Continue reading Be Thankful for your Suffering.

Gallery of Diamonds, Jewelry, Why Mom Deserves A Diamond

Thank you, Mr. Le

Mr. Le was born in Seoul, South Korea in 1955. He began as a jewelry apprentice at age 18. During the following six years he divided his time in the army and working in the jewelry business. Afterward, he found a job with a larger jewelry company where he mastered his skills for the next… Continue reading Thank you, Mr. Le

Life Adventures

We Must Always Be Thankful

Each of us has a book inside of us and a story to tell. If I ever say we should be thankful I don’t mean we should be thankful just because we were adopted, and we should not be thankful just because society expects us to feel that way. The word “grateful” has become twisted… Continue reading We Must Always Be Thankful

Childhood Memories, Life Adventures

The Empty House

The living room of my childhood home in New Albany, Indiana. 1725 Grantline Road. I always wanted to slide down the stairs but the post at the bottom would surely cause embarrassing injury. If one was obese it may have been difficult to squeeze through the narrow archway to the kitchen. The heating vents were… Continue reading The Empty House

Family Life, Life Adventures

Thank You, Earth. The International Dinner Party

August 16, 2015. Beginning in 1993 as a small get-together between friends to show thanks and mutual respect, the International Dinner is celebrated every year. Prepared with love, shown are some of the delicious native dishes from family and friends for the 22nd Annual Dinner. United States:  American beef hamburger sliders, Ham and Cheese Ball,… Continue reading Thank You, Earth. The International Dinner Party

Life Adventures

22nd Annual International Dinner

In 1993, shortly after I had decided to rebuild my life in California, six of my friends came over for refreshments. As we huddled together, we realized the different shades of our skin and contours of our faces. The seven of us represented six countries; Switzerland, Thailand, Iran, Israel, Guatemala, and the United States.  We planned… Continue reading 22nd Annual International Dinner

Adoption, FlyUp!

To My Adoptive Mom

You understood that I was never searching for a mother. I always knew that special person was you. I know it was you that bandaged my wounded knees and packed my lunch for school. Your tight hugs and enduring encouragement made me the human I am today. By loving me first you taught me to… Continue reading To My Adoptive Mom

Ask Diamond Mike, Gallery of Diamonds, Life Adventures

Giving a Diamond

People ask me how big of a diamond they should get their girlfriend or how much to spend. Please do not worry about these things. The size or the price does not determine how much you love someone. In fact, it is not a diamond that makes a person happy, it is the memories associated… Continue reading Giving a Diamond

Life Adventures, Philosophy

Happiness

This is a picture I took on my last trip to Guatemala. This family was appreciative that I wanted to take a picture of them. If you look closely, you can see pure joy on each face. This is all the proof I need to know that happiness does not come from objects that surround… Continue reading Happiness

food, fruit, vegetables, cornucopia, center piece, decoration, thanksgiving, diamond mike, Gallery of diamonds, newport beach, 92660, why mom deserves a diamond
Life Adventures

The International Dinner

Today we bring food from our countries As we sit and eat with people from all nations It is easier to see our sameness than our differences We are all interwoven Today we savor our fellowship And flavors of our cultures Undivided by flags or borders We see the reflection of ourselves The mirror of… Continue reading The International Dinner

Gallery of Diamonds, Life Adventures, Philosophy

What is Important Now?

A friend of mine consoles terminally ill patients.  Many times she is there, holding their hand as they walk into the light of an unknown door.  Her experience has taught her a great truth, which is to always ask oneself, “What is important now?”  In her case, the most important thing to do in those… Continue reading What is Important Now?

Family Life, Life Adventures, Philosophy, Poetry

The World Table

Nineteen years ago, in the summer of 1993, seven of my friends got together.  Realizing the rich differences of our backgrounds, we decided to have a dinner in which each person would have to bring a dish of food from their native country.  We dubbed it the International Party. One friend brought chicken with peanut… Continue reading The World Table