Wednesday, June 28, 2017

42914 :: We Don't Have to Agree

Sometimes we don't agree with each other. That's OK with me. What's not OK with me is when someone assumes that I therefore hate them or feel compelled to change them to my way of thinking. What I do wish is that people would afford each other the same courtesy and respect that they desire for themselves: the right to their own opinion.

Period.

More likely than not, when you run into someone who disagrees with you, they are not looking to string you up. It's OK if they are vocal in explaining why they feel the way they feel. Dialogue is necessary to understanding each other. If you are so threatened about the opinion someone has, you might do well to examine why you feel threatened. Sometimes, it can be because you are not confident that you have made the right choice and are afraid that changing your mind will make you the loser.

The only losers are people who turn their backs on another human being without giving them the respect they deserve as a fellow human being.


It is no secret that I hate labels. Labels only mean something when there is a standard, like "100% Fruit Juice, no added sugar." When we slap a label of "Christian" or "gay" or "[insert your political party here]" on someone, those labels are far less standardized and come with lots of stereotypes and misconceptions on the part of the label-er or the person being labeled. Not to mention those labels represent only a fraction of what makes that person who he/she is. Unlike a juice box, no one is 100% any label we can think of sticking on them. And I guarantee that there is no person on this planet with whom you are going to agree 100% on any given topic.

When we can have an open, honest discussion about feelings and opinions, there is no place for labels or name-calling. There IS a place for saying, "Well, I don't quite agree with your choice / conclusion / opinion." Past that, name calling, shaming, belittling, or intimidation have no place in a civil discussion. We have enough other things to discuss... why not focus on what we have in common instead of our differences. We need to stop defining people by their "other-ness."

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

42913 :: Slip Sliding Away

Not that I needed a reminder. As if I could forget the day I became a mother.

That my daughter is now 40 years old comes as somewhat of a surprise. I do know how to count, it's just that I have somehow missed accounting for about 35 of those years. (I was told upon entering Motherhood that I should not blink, as I would be surprised by how quickly it passed by. Those were some true words.)

So, in 40 short years we have gone from my precious Honey...


  ...to this lovely young woman...


to this accomplished, amazing, strong, spirited, beautiful mother of her own two lovelies...



I think I now understand how my Dad felt when I told him I was applying for Medicare. It's hard to fathom where the time has gone.

Sunday, April 2, 2017

42827 :: Reflecting on Judi

Taking some time to reflect on life after saying good-bye to yet another friend today. Cancer and other illnesses, if nothing else, at least give us time to prepare our hearts for that good-bye, but violent, instant death of a friend happens just as often, I have found. And it is wrenching.

A friend does not need to be a bosom friend or BFF to be missed. A friend is not necessarily that person you spend a lot of time with or have photo albums full of memories. A friend can just as easily be someone who is able to give you her whole smile and attention and make you feel that she genuinely cares about you. It does not take a huge investment of time, but it does involve being real and being vulnerable.

We look at Facebook sometimes and wonder how someone can have so many "friends." It's really quite simple: love on people.

So today we all  hugged each other and said as we seem to say too often these days, "We've got to quit meeting at funerals... let's get together soon."

A profound meme was posted after her memorial service that sums it up for me...
...that was Judi's legacy... the love she deposited into so many lives.

Friday, March 31, 2017

42825 :: Labels and Such

After reading this well-reasoned piece recently posted by , some thoughts regarding "mediocrity" and other labels formulated itself, that I just had to jot down...

Here's the thing about "mediocrity" - as soon as we accept labels from society, we redefine our value based on other's expectations and value systems.

Who is to say that a life spent within a narrow scope of influence has any less value that a life spent affecting millions?

That is not to say that a Mother Theresa should not follow her own passion and calling, but the point is: It's HER passion and HER calling.

Didn't Elizabeth Ann Everest, the nanny who helped shape the life of Winston Churchill, instill within him the drive and determination that consequently pulled an entire nation through a devastating war with the resolve to persevere despite the ever-present threat of invasion and defeat, and thereby affect millions who never knew her name? How can her role be labeled "mediocre"?

I would so rather see a world with a million persons who are parented with love and integrity, taking their passion into their world one person at a time than to see one Hitler wreaking his bigotry and hatred on 6 million and more.



It's not so much about what you do, but being obedient to what you are called to do.

Monday, January 23, 2017

42758 :: In which I offer my 2¢

It's a pity that some haven't grasped the concept that if they want something changed, they need to be actively doing something constructive to bring that change about. 

If you really want to make a difference, put your energy into advocating for those who have been marginalized. (And, I might add that advocating is not the same as marching and picketing.) 

Apparently, the only thing actually accomplished at this rally
was more work for city sanitation workers.
(I wonder if they appreciated receiving the overtime pay?)
...Constructive things such as:
  • volunteering time and skills to homeless shelters
  • veterans' organizations
  • women's shelters or crisis centers
  • elder facilities
  • abortion clinics or pro-life clinics (according to your belief)
  • lobbying their representatives to vote for or against bills
  • volunteering with inner city programs - sports, education, etc.
  • donating to programs such as Boys and Girls Clubs, etc.
  • helping people learn to get a handle on their debt and finances
  • working in a community garden or food bank
  • cleaning up parks and working with other environmental programs... 
...the list is endless, and there are a lot of people who have realized the value of doing those things. 

However, it sure seems like there are more who would rather sit back and point fingers and complain than actually put their social media and electronic devices down and follow Gandhi's admonition to BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD.
Hardly a new concept, as Socrates said it long before Gandhi: 
Which leads to me conclude that this is not an issue peculiar to our generation.