Dear Paul,

Thank You for reminding us of what Buddha said
2,500 years ago:

"If I do not get insulted, then the anger falls back on you."

In other words - the best reaction to insults is a
non-reaction.

The link is great.

Did you get a chance to read the link about
Captain Cook and New Zealand?

"If I do not get insulted, then the anger falls back on you."

Foxy,
You'd better look into doing something about your memory !

http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?discussion=9153#303312

G'day Foxy,

Yes, thanks for that, an interesting read, Maori people today are somewhat divided on Cook, on one side (my wife's view) he's seen as an enlighten, even benevolent man wishing no harm, but a victim of his times, as European and Indigenous cultures clashed. Then there is the extreme view as referenced in the article, which for most is a minority opinion, and not what history records. One inescapable fact is on his three voyages of discovery at least one hundred native people lost their lives, some say many more. Cooks personality changed with each voyage, Cook on his third voyage was not the man on the first two voyages, his personality changed considerably. Some say if it had been the Cook of the 'Endeavour' in Hawaii in 1779, he would have sailed away with his life.

Dear Paul,

Everything has its story, and everyone has obstacles
to overcome. They are our greatest teachers.
Each of us goes through transitions and transformations.
The important things is that we acknowledge them and
learn from them.

Dear Indy,

"In faith (life) there is enough light for those
who want to believe and enough shadows to blind
those who don't".

Blaise Pascal.

Dear Paul,

You may enjoy the following:

Australia was an uncut jewel
With an interior vast and cruel
When first brought under our Mothers rule:
Rough diamond in the Pacific pool
With fair Venus as his guiding star
A Gulliver reached it from afar

James Captain Cook, with furrowed frown
Unearthed that jewel for the British crown
The "Endeavour" Cook's ship of renown
Brought him to "New Holland" ground
Thus Cook made a good report
And ships for settlement were sought ...

There's more at:

http://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/to_owe_the_mockingbird_1189062