Briana’s Blog of Madness

Hi! Since you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed to get updates.

Couple Celebrates 50 Years of Once-Forbidden Love

While most young couples held hands on the streets, Laurence and Lena Nelson were forced to hide their relationship. In an era of segregation and blatant racism, it was a dangerous time for an interracial couple to be in love. But for Laurence and Lena, it was worth the risk.

By Kathryn Hawkins. Posted on February 07 2010

---

Like thousands of other couples, Laurence and Lena Nelson just celebrated their golden anniversary.

Most couples who’ve been together for that long have all kinds of cute stories about meeting up at the malt shop, going on hayrides, prom dances, and other charming tales of 1950s-style love.

Things were a little different for the Nelsons, though: When they went on dates, they met in secret, afraid they’d be arrested if they were spotted together. For years, they were forbidden from marrying, but when they finally eloped in November 1957, they told only their family members and close friends about the union.

While most young couples held hands on the streets, parading their love before the world, Laurence and Lena were forced to hide their relationship behind locked doors. In an era of segregation and blatant racism, it was a dangerous time for an interracial couple to be in love.

But for Laurence and Lena, their relationship was worth the risk.

Laurence and Lena began working at the same place in 1956, but it took months for Laurence to work up the nerve to ask Lena out. He was afraid that she would never consider dating an African-American man, particularly in a time when blacks were not even permitted to drink water from the same fountains as whites. But when Laurence finally talked to Lena, he realized he shouldn’t have worried.

“She didn’t look at me as black; I didn’t look at her as white,” Lawrence told The Arizona Republic. “Our hearts,” Lena added, “didn’t know the difference.”

Still, things weren’t easy for the Nelsons in those days, and they were forced to make many sacrifices – even their own families.

“My father… told me that if I married Lawrence I didn’t need to come home anymore,” said Lena. “I cried and tried to talk him out of it. But it never worked.”

Despite the difficulties they faced, the Nelsons know that their love was worth fighting for. And their two sons, Larry and Nelson, are proud of their parents for paving the way in the struggle for racial equality and acceptance.

“The sacrifices my parents made are tremendous,” Nelson said. “I don’t think I could do what my mother did, and anything I can do for my parents, I will.”

Originally published February 14th, 2008.

*****

Personal Note:

I think this is a truly inspiring story. These two people found love, and despite everything that was stacked against them, their love held true, and they stayed together. I think every couple hopes to be able to attain this kind of happiness and longevity.

The sad fact is, that even in today’s society, people are still trying to make relationships work when society doesn’t approve. Bi-racial relationships are not nearly as taboo as they once were, as a matter of fact, in many areas, they are almost commonplace. We have begun to look past color as a reason why people should not love one another. This is wonderful, but there are still hurtles to overcome.

In today’s society, homosexual relationships are still within the realm of taboo, and gay marriage is a hot point in the government and media. But, shouldn’t marriage be open to any committed couple? As humans, we have a divine right to experience and share love. We all seek to find that other half that will make us whole. Love is love, regardless of the race, religion or sexual preference of the people sharing that love, so long as they are human and of consenting age.

I personally support gay marriage. I hope to see a day when the government and religious groups realize they have no place in people’s bedrooms, and that all humans have the right to wed the one they love. I know that there are homosexual couples, that despite their inability to marry, have had longer-lasting and more devoted relationships than most heterosexual couples could ever hope for.

I encourage you to support marriage and love for all. Tell the government to keep it’s nose out, and allow consenting adults to marry, regardless of their gender, color, religion or any other labels. Contrary to extremist beliefs, gay marriage will not lead to bestiality or pedophilia.  It will only lead to more loving happy relationships, where people are free to be themselves and not hide their love from the world. We all deserve to love and be loved.

Austrian Multi-Millionare Karl Rabeder Sells Off Fortune and Gives Proceeds to Charity

Karl Rabeder, a multi-millionare businessman from Austria, recently decided to trade in his luxury life for simplicity, and is donating the proceeds of all of his possessions to a microfinance charity.

By Kathryn Hawkins. Posted on February 10 2010

---

At the age of 47, most people are still working to obtain their dream homes. But Karl Rabeder, an Austrian businessman, owned both a stunning lakeside chalet in the Alps and a beautiful stone farmhouse in Provence, France. He also had a luxury Audi A8 sportscar and 6 gliders—as well as a successful furnishing business that had made him millions.

Now, all of his luxurious trappings are either gone or up for sale. You might guess that Rabeder got too greedy, fell into debt, and is now paying the price, but in fact, his sacrifice is completely voluntary: “My idea is to have nothing left. Absolutely nothing,” he told The Daily Telegraph. “Money is counterproductive – it prevents happiness to come.”

Born to a poor family, Rabeder had become wealthy through a combination of luck and hard work. But as he became more and more successful, instead of enjoying his wealth, he began feeling troubled by his luxurious life. A three-week Hawaiian vacation with his wife was the breaking point.

“In those three weeks, we spent all the money you could possibly spend,” he said. But in all that time, we had the feeling we hadn’t met a single real person – that we were all just actors. The staff played the role of being friendly and the guests played the role of being important and nobody was real.”

Meanwhile, he became aware of the huge chasm between his life and the lives of people in developing countries, who lack basic necessities like food and clean water. So he recently made a drastic decision: to sell off everything he owned, and give all of the proceeds to the microfinance charity he had launched, which helped people in South America launch their own businesses.

Rabeder has handed off his lucrative company. He’s already sold his gliders, and his two homes are on the market now. His next home will be something small, simple, and cheap.

And does he have even a hint of regret about giving up all of his possessions? Doesn’t seem that way: these days, Rabeder says, he feels “free, the opposite of heavy.”

****

Personal Note:

I don’t believe that having money damages your life. Personally, I’m on a journey to free myself from the shackles of poverty, and experience the good life. However, I truly applaud this man for what he’s doing. If having that much money made him feel bad, then by all means, he should get rid of it and live a life that makes him more complete. For those of us who have never experienced wealth, it may seem insane, but the real goal in life is to become whatever we are truly meant to be, and find our own happiness.

That’s one of the things that the Secret teaches. We don’t all want the same thing, so even if we all get what we want, there will still be plenty to go around. I want to have financial stability, a bit more than I really need, and a successful business. Some want massive riches, some want utter simplicity, some really want for nothing but inner peace.

I do think that there’s a lesson to be learned though. People who have amassed millions should really do some good with at least a portion of their money. There is no need for people to have multi-million dollar homes, more cars than they can drive, clothes that they throw away after wearing once, and other status possessions. Many celebrities and rich people are just trying to outdo their peers, and the ways they use their money do not truly bring them happiness. I would love to see more of the wealthy sharing their money with those in need. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if no one in the world had to want? Wouldn’t it be fantastic if everyone had enough to eat, clothes to wear, a roof over their head…? The rich people of the world could help make that happen if they would just let go of greed and feel the happiness and fulfillment of giving.

When I tap into the riches that are waiting for me, I fully intend to donate to homeless shelters, libraries, animal shelters and other worthy causes. If you have great wealth, think about sharing it. Think about getting rid of those status possessions that you don’t really need, and experience the joy of giving to someone who has never been as lucky as you are. You will be doing yourself and the world a great service.

I’m all for people learning and growing and becoming the best person they can be, so I figured I’d share a few things that have been helping me, and hopefully they’ll help you as well.

The Secret
This is where it all started for me. I watched the movie, listened to the audiobook, and it really changed the way I think, act and view the world.

Joe Vitale
Joe Vitale talks about some of the things that were missing from The Secret, and helps you expand your awareness, and truly change the way you think and live.

Other Resources
Some other works that can help you on your path to becoming a better you.