what if....
we didn't rush?
what if.....
we didn't fuss?
what if...
you remembered you have a voice?
what if.....
you remembered you have a choice?
what if....
you greeted people with a smile?
what if....
instead of talking, you listened for a while?
The sun would shine a little brighter.
Your load would be a little lighter.
Your heart would beat a little stronger.
Fear and doubt would haunt you no longer.
Just think...
What if?
Friday, January 31, 2014
Monday, January 6, 2014
Reboot
I started this blog last year. I didn't have any expectations...just wanted to see what it was like. I started off with a lot of steam, but, well....like a lot of other things I started off full steam, this kinda fizzled.
It's a new year and like most people, I am starting anew on a lot of things. One of those things is this blog. Last year was a year of mostly observations. This year I hope will be more about actions. I would like to do things, go places, and blog about those experiences. I'm sure I will also blog about observations (I have a few rough drafts of those rumbling about in my head already!).
The two adjectives I have in mind for 2014 are fearless and active. Fear is the basis of most negative behavior. I have spent a good portion of my life afraid of one thing or another. Fear may have protected me in some instances, but it has also held me back. It has kept me from being active, from trying new things, from failing and making mistakes and learning from those failures and mistakes. I want to try more things and go more places; I can't know if I like or don't like something or am good at something if I don't try.
I didn't make any real resolutions for 2014, but this is a good start :) Happy New Year!
It's a new year and like most people, I am starting anew on a lot of things. One of those things is this blog. Last year was a year of mostly observations. This year I hope will be more about actions. I would like to do things, go places, and blog about those experiences. I'm sure I will also blog about observations (I have a few rough drafts of those rumbling about in my head already!).
The two adjectives I have in mind for 2014 are fearless and active. Fear is the basis of most negative behavior. I have spent a good portion of my life afraid of one thing or another. Fear may have protected me in some instances, but it has also held me back. It has kept me from being active, from trying new things, from failing and making mistakes and learning from those failures and mistakes. I want to try more things and go more places; I can't know if I like or don't like something or am good at something if I don't try.
I didn't make any real resolutions for 2014, but this is a good start :) Happy New Year!
Monday, May 6, 2013
Think before you speak...or text...or tweet....
Words are powerful things. A kind word has the power to make someone's day; a thoughtless remark can break someone's heart. Communication is a driving force in our society. We are blessed in this country with freedom of speech-and we take full advantage of it in every form available to us. You just have to look at a few of our idioms to see how much importance we put into words: "Talk is cheap"; "think before you speak"; "The pen is mightier than the sword"; "Say what you mean, mean what you say".
Sometimes though, we talk for the sake of talking. We want to get our opinions out there, we want to matter, to be part of the conversation, to be heard. I have a battle within myself-sometimes I am quite content with silence or being silent; other times, I can't shut myself up, whether it be through speaking or typing. It's in those times that I lose discernment-I am more interested in getting facts or my opinions out there than whether they are necessary. Or needed. Or wanted.
This past weekend, I got in a conversation on Twitter with someone. I was making a point and I said something that *I* thought was just teasing. Instead, the effect of my words made the other person defensive. And I regret that. It wasn't my intention to make her feel bad, but I didn't stop to consider the weight of my words. It's a problem many of us have.
I read some wonderful advice in the May/June 2013 issue of Spirituality & Health regarding this subject. Rabbi Rami Shapiro was asked by a reader how she and her friends could live more spiritually. To start, he suggested by guarding your tongue. He said before you speak, ask yourself three questions: Is what I am about to say true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? If something is true and kind, with no negative consequences, says Rabbi Shapiro, then say it. However if it is true and unkind, he recommends asking yourself the third question. If what you have to say is harsh, choose your words carefully and the manner in which you say them. By following these simple guidelines, you elevate the quality of your words and your conversations.
Those three questions are simple but very effective. It is true that no one can offend you if you don't take offense to what they say. Sometimes we give words too much power or become overly sensitive about what others say. But we also have to take ownership of the things we say AND write. Social media is a powerful communication tool, whether it be Facebook, Twitter, IM, texting, etc. What you may think is a harmless comment or just "telling it like it is" can definitely have the wrong effect on someone else. And we have all embellished, right? Not just me? Because I know I have embarrassed myself too many times by just running off at the mouth and not knowing when to quit-until it was too late.
Like our mothers told us, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all". I know that is very challenging in this day and age. Choosing your words carefully, not rushing to speak, sitting back and listening more-all of these can give quality to our conversations, our relationships, and our lives.
Sometimes though, we talk for the sake of talking. We want to get our opinions out there, we want to matter, to be part of the conversation, to be heard. I have a battle within myself-sometimes I am quite content with silence or being silent; other times, I can't shut myself up, whether it be through speaking or typing. It's in those times that I lose discernment-I am more interested in getting facts or my opinions out there than whether they are necessary. Or needed. Or wanted.
This past weekend, I got in a conversation on Twitter with someone. I was making a point and I said something that *I* thought was just teasing. Instead, the effect of my words made the other person defensive. And I regret that. It wasn't my intention to make her feel bad, but I didn't stop to consider the weight of my words. It's a problem many of us have.
I read some wonderful advice in the May/June 2013 issue of Spirituality & Health regarding this subject. Rabbi Rami Shapiro was asked by a reader how she and her friends could live more spiritually. To start, he suggested by guarding your tongue. He said before you speak, ask yourself three questions: Is what I am about to say true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? If something is true and kind, with no negative consequences, says Rabbi Shapiro, then say it. However if it is true and unkind, he recommends asking yourself the third question. If what you have to say is harsh, choose your words carefully and the manner in which you say them. By following these simple guidelines, you elevate the quality of your words and your conversations.
Those three questions are simple but very effective. It is true that no one can offend you if you don't take offense to what they say. Sometimes we give words too much power or become overly sensitive about what others say. But we also have to take ownership of the things we say AND write. Social media is a powerful communication tool, whether it be Facebook, Twitter, IM, texting, etc. What you may think is a harmless comment or just "telling it like it is" can definitely have the wrong effect on someone else. And we have all embellished, right? Not just me? Because I know I have embarrassed myself too many times by just running off at the mouth and not knowing when to quit-until it was too late.
Like our mothers told us, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all". I know that is very challenging in this day and age. Choosing your words carefully, not rushing to speak, sitting back and listening more-all of these can give quality to our conversations, our relationships, and our lives.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Patriots Day
So let me get this straight....
Boston
Boston, my hometown. A city that is a balanced blend of erudite learning and pugnacious pride. A city whose sons and daughters, no matter where they end up in the world, always look to as Home. One of the cradles of liberty of this country. A city that relishes the role of underdog and never backs down from a fight.
Boston was attacked on Patriot's Day.
Patriot's Day is the anniversary of the battles of Lexington and Concord. The first battles of the Revolutionary War. The beginning of this country as an independent nation. The first step was to drive out oppressive, foreign powers from our soil. Boston is so proud of this, this day of fighting back, it's a HOLIDAY. That should tell anyone about the rebellious spirit of this city.
Boston was attacked on Patriot's Day during the Boston Marathon.
A marathon is a race, a race in length of a little over 26 miles. For many runners, a marathon is the ultimate goal, the ultimate test. It is not a race of speed; it is a race of endurance. For so many, the goal is not to win the race; it is to finish it, to cross the finish line, no matter what your time may be. It is a challenge of the body and mind. It is often a metaphor for life, to keep striving forward, no matter what the obstacles are, within or without, until you reach your goal.
Boston was attacked on Patriot's Day during the Boston Marathon.
O cowardly assassins, you picked the wrong city on the wrong day at the wrong time. You may have struck fear into us for a moment, but it will coalesce into strength and resolve and action, as it has done in the past in this city.
Boston does not scare so easily.
Boston does not forget so easily, either.
We will find you and drive you out.
You have been warned.
#prayforBoston
Boston
Boston, my hometown. A city that is a balanced blend of erudite learning and pugnacious pride. A city whose sons and daughters, no matter where they end up in the world, always look to as Home. One of the cradles of liberty of this country. A city that relishes the role of underdog and never backs down from a fight.
Boston was attacked on Patriot's Day.
Patriot's Day is the anniversary of the battles of Lexington and Concord. The first battles of the Revolutionary War. The beginning of this country as an independent nation. The first step was to drive out oppressive, foreign powers from our soil. Boston is so proud of this, this day of fighting back, it's a HOLIDAY. That should tell anyone about the rebellious spirit of this city.
Boston was attacked on Patriot's Day during the Boston Marathon.
A marathon is a race, a race in length of a little over 26 miles. For many runners, a marathon is the ultimate goal, the ultimate test. It is not a race of speed; it is a race of endurance. For so many, the goal is not to win the race; it is to finish it, to cross the finish line, no matter what your time may be. It is a challenge of the body and mind. It is often a metaphor for life, to keep striving forward, no matter what the obstacles are, within or without, until you reach your goal.
Boston was attacked on Patriot's Day during the Boston Marathon.
O cowardly assassins, you picked the wrong city on the wrong day at the wrong time. You may have struck fear into us for a moment, but it will coalesce into strength and resolve and action, as it has done in the past in this city.
Boston does not scare so easily.
Boston does not forget so easily, either.
We will find you and drive you out.
You have been warned.
#prayforBoston
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Mindless Entertainment
Earlier this week, Shain Gandee of Sissonville, WV died of carbon monoxide poisoning. Who is Shain Gandee, you ask? He was a member of the cast of MTV's Buckwild, a show about a bunch of young adults in West Virginia. Mr. Gandee's death was tragic-he was 21 years old. If it were not for this show, we wouldn't know who he was.
That brings up an interesting point, for me, anyway-exactly what is this show about? A bunch of young people living in West Virginia. And by living, I mean drinking, getting into trouble, hooking up-things that would make people watch a show like this. I'm sure these young people have daily routines, hold down jobs, visit with family-but mundane things like that don't generally rake in viewers. The show is billed as a bunch of twenty somethings "having fun". Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia objected to the show after seeing a preview, feeling that the show profited off young people making bad decisions.
People making bad decisions equals viewers, unfortunately. If you have any doubt about that, look no further than "The Jersey Shore" which made celebrities of another bunch of young people drinking, getting into trouble, and hooking up. Or is that Big Brother? Or the . Real World?
There are the Kardashians with their many shows. Here Comes Honey Boo Boo. The Gypsy Shows. The Shahs of Sunset. Myrtle Manor. The various "Wives" shows-Housewives of Beverly Hills, Atlanta, Basketball Wives, Mob Wives.
What do these shows have in common? They are about people that are marginally famous behaving badly. And they are multiplying. They are appealing to someone out there. A lot of networks have some form of this type of show in their lineup. It's scary that more of our young people know who Honey Boo Boo is but can't name the governor of their own state.
There's little to be learned from these kind of shows and they don't seem to have any point. Networks and advertisers will keep creating and supporting them, though, because people watch. Have we become so bored as a viewing audience that we would rather watch girls get punched out in bars or guys drive four wheelers through the woods? I'm sure a good bit of these shows are scripted-I can't imagine that the "reality" portrayed represents the majority of these people's lives. At least I hope not.
To be fair, I haven't watched many of these shows. Most of my tv viewing is sporting events, a few dramas and comedies, and documentaries. I am hoping these real life soap operas run their course and make way for smarter, more interesting shows. Looking at the lineup for a lot of networks, I won't hold my breath.
Just my two cents.
That brings up an interesting point, for me, anyway-exactly what is this show about? A bunch of young people living in West Virginia. And by living, I mean drinking, getting into trouble, hooking up-things that would make people watch a show like this. I'm sure these young people have daily routines, hold down jobs, visit with family-but mundane things like that don't generally rake in viewers. The show is billed as a bunch of twenty somethings "having fun". Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia objected to the show after seeing a preview, feeling that the show profited off young people making bad decisions.
People making bad decisions equals viewers, unfortunately. If you have any doubt about that, look no further than "The Jersey Shore" which made celebrities of another bunch of young people drinking, getting into trouble, and hooking up. Or is that Big Brother? Or the . Real World?
There are the Kardashians with their many shows. Here Comes Honey Boo Boo. The Gypsy Shows. The Shahs of Sunset. Myrtle Manor. The various "Wives" shows-Housewives of Beverly Hills, Atlanta, Basketball Wives, Mob Wives.
What do these shows have in common? They are about people that are marginally famous behaving badly. And they are multiplying. They are appealing to someone out there. A lot of networks have some form of this type of show in their lineup. It's scary that more of our young people know who Honey Boo Boo is but can't name the governor of their own state.
There's little to be learned from these kind of shows and they don't seem to have any point. Networks and advertisers will keep creating and supporting them, though, because people watch. Have we become so bored as a viewing audience that we would rather watch girls get punched out in bars or guys drive four wheelers through the woods? I'm sure a good bit of these shows are scripted-I can't imagine that the "reality" portrayed represents the majority of these people's lives. At least I hope not.
To be fair, I haven't watched many of these shows. Most of my tv viewing is sporting events, a few dramas and comedies, and documentaries. I am hoping these real life soap operas run their course and make way for smarter, more interesting shows. Looking at the lineup for a lot of networks, I won't hold my breath.
Just my two cents.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Au Naturel
I love my beauty products just like any other girl. However, I am also trying to be more conscious of what on put on my body. A quick perusal of many hair care and body products yields a lot of words I cannot pronounce. So I have been trying to make an effort to find ways to make my own personal care products.
While doing some research, I came across the "no 'poo method"-eschewing store bought shampoo and conditioner for simple concoctions to wash your hair. The most popular method is using a tablespoon of baking soda dissolved in about 8oz of water for shampoo, with an apple cider rinse (1 or 2 TBSP of apple cider vinegar diluted in about 8 oz of warm water) used afterwards. I tried this method for about 2 weeks. Results? Meh. I really didn't like how my hair looked or felt. I couldn't figure out if it was the baking soda mixture or the apple cider rinse. I read that it takes a while for your scalp to readjust to the more natural cleasing methods, so I don't know if it was that or not.
I didn't want to go back to store bought shampoo, so I sought out a different formula. After some searching, I found this homemade shampoo, which I absolutely love! This is courtesy of wellnessmama.com which is a wonderful website if you are looking for information on a healthier lifestyle.
1/4 cup coconut milk
1/3 cup castille soap (I use Dr. Bronners, which you can find at most health food stores & Target)
1/2 tsp or several capsules Vitamin E (optional)
20 drops of essential oil (whatever your preference)
for dry hair you can add 1/2 tsp olive or almond oil
Combine everything in a jar and keep in the shower, shaking up before using. It even lathers up a bit, like regular shampoo. My hair feels so much better. Occasionally I will use a rinse on it. I usually put some rosemary in a tea ball, put it in a cup, and pour boiling water over it and let it steep. I'll add a few drops of essential oil, like Roman Chamomille, and a little bit of apple cider vinegar.
I highly recommend the e-book Hair Gone Wild by Diane Kidman. She has all sorts of natural recipes and remedies for different types of hair and hair problems.
One note-although the baking soda method didn't work for me, it worked wonders on my daughter's hair. Her hair is usually a nightmare to comb through. Since I started using the baking soda/ACV rinse on her hair, it is much more manageable and easy to comb through in the mornings-which is a godsend.
In the future, I'll write about my experiences with homemade toothpaste and body wash :)
Combine everything in a jar and keep in the shower, shaking up before using. It even lathers up a bit, like regular shampoo. My hair feels so much better. Occasionally I will use a rinse on it. I usually put some rosemary in a tea ball, put it in a cup, and pour boiling water over it and let it steep. I'll add a few drops of essential oil, like Roman Chamomille, and a little bit of apple cider vinegar.
I highly recommend the e-book Hair Gone Wild by Diane Kidman. She has all sorts of natural recipes and remedies for different types of hair and hair problems.
One note-although the baking soda method didn't work for me, it worked wonders on my daughter's hair. Her hair is usually a nightmare to comb through. Since I started using the baking soda/ACV rinse on her hair, it is much more manageable and easy to comb through in the mornings-which is a godsend.
In the future, I'll write about my experiences with homemade toothpaste and body wash :)
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Surrounded
I was just looking at a Facebook post from Huffington Post. It listed the 10 favorite food bloggers of the month. Then I looked through my timeline and found dozens of pages devoted to food-paleo diet food, gluten free food, desserts, product pages, etc. My Twitter feed is filled with the same thing. My inbox always has recipes or links to blogs that tout certain ingredients. And I wonder why I have such issues with food!
We are a nation surrounded by paradoxes in food. Fast food vs fine dining, gluten free, lactose free, paleo friendly, vegans and vegetarians. Price Choppers vs Whole Foods. Food, food everywhere in this nation of abundance. Is there any reason why we should wonder why so many Americans are overweight, have poor diets, run like hamsters on treadmills, or pop pills for ailments that can be traced back to what we consume? We have tv networks devoted to food, hundreds of magazines, cooking segments on the news. We are surrounded.
The question I ask myself is: WHY? It's just food. Food is fuel for your body. Thankfully it comes in many wonderful wholesome forms, which we insist on transforming and recreating into countless recipes. Food nourishes us and provides us with vitamins and minerals that our bodies need. Food, in its simplest forms, is just plain beautiful.
Food is not meant to cure our ills. It shouldn't take the place of anything. It shouldn't be a bandaid for emotions, or a companion for boredom. It should be consumed when you're hungry and when you are full, you should stop. Seems so simple, doesn't it?
Then why am I, and many other people, plagued with thoughts of food? It's like an addiction. It is an addiction-but one you can't just stop. You can give up drugs, alcohol, or smoking, but you can't stop eating. It's a disease of affluence. I can walk a half a mile from my house and hit a McDonald's, a pizza joint, two diners, and a sub shop. Not to mention I have 3, count 'em, 3 grocery stores within a mile of my house. Talk about a junkie's paradise.
I grew up in a family where food was love. You celebrated with food, you gathered for special dinners, you went out to eat for....well, for no reason at all sometimes. And while every culture feasts when they celebrate a victory or a marriage or a holiday, I think we take it to an extreme here.
For me, personally, food has to step off center stage. I have to stop letting it dominate my thoughts-there's no need for that. There are so many things I can worry about than what to make for dinner. I can do so many more things with a friend than meet them at a restaurant. And while bookmarking recipes has become a favorite pastime, it has to be replaced with something more worthwhile. Only then will I get over this addiction and start to gain back my health and well being.
We are a nation surrounded by paradoxes in food. Fast food vs fine dining, gluten free, lactose free, paleo friendly, vegans and vegetarians. Price Choppers vs Whole Foods. Food, food everywhere in this nation of abundance. Is there any reason why we should wonder why so many Americans are overweight, have poor diets, run like hamsters on treadmills, or pop pills for ailments that can be traced back to what we consume? We have tv networks devoted to food, hundreds of magazines, cooking segments on the news. We are surrounded.
The question I ask myself is: WHY? It's just food. Food is fuel for your body. Thankfully it comes in many wonderful wholesome forms, which we insist on transforming and recreating into countless recipes. Food nourishes us and provides us with vitamins and minerals that our bodies need. Food, in its simplest forms, is just plain beautiful.
Food is not meant to cure our ills. It shouldn't take the place of anything. It shouldn't be a bandaid for emotions, or a companion for boredom. It should be consumed when you're hungry and when you are full, you should stop. Seems so simple, doesn't it?
Then why am I, and many other people, plagued with thoughts of food? It's like an addiction. It is an addiction-but one you can't just stop. You can give up drugs, alcohol, or smoking, but you can't stop eating. It's a disease of affluence. I can walk a half a mile from my house and hit a McDonald's, a pizza joint, two diners, and a sub shop. Not to mention I have 3, count 'em, 3 grocery stores within a mile of my house. Talk about a junkie's paradise.
I grew up in a family where food was love. You celebrated with food, you gathered for special dinners, you went out to eat for....well, for no reason at all sometimes. And while every culture feasts when they celebrate a victory or a marriage or a holiday, I think we take it to an extreme here.
For me, personally, food has to step off center stage. I have to stop letting it dominate my thoughts-there's no need for that. There are so many things I can worry about than what to make for dinner. I can do so many more things with a friend than meet them at a restaurant. And while bookmarking recipes has become a favorite pastime, it has to be replaced with something more worthwhile. Only then will I get over this addiction and start to gain back my health and well being.
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