Thursday, May 9, 2013
Mother's Day Journey
Journeys are filled with all sorts of adventures. Some are fun; some not so much, but the real adventure of a journey isn't the beginning, the middle, or the end. No, the real adventure is all the little things in between which when brought together compose the purpose of the journey. Yeah, I know, what the heck am I talking about? Think about it. This weekend we celebrate Mother's Day on Sunday, May 12th. It's a day in which we all are supposed to acknowledge mother's everywhere (especially our own) and honor the influence our mother's have had on society and the American culture. No, it isn't a day to go to the beach and work on our tans! (Bummer!) Nor is it a day to go out get drunk and have a nice family fight! It isn't even really about going out and buying the most expensive gift for mom just so we can be the sibling who spent the most on dear old mom! Nope, it's all about recognizing our moms, honoring them, and seeing what they did to help our society. At least that's what it meant in 1908 when Anna Jarvis held a memorial service for her mother. After she saw the success her idea had, she began working with Congress to make Mother's Day a holiday which would be recognized. IT worked! She did it! IN 1914, Mother's Day became a holiday in the United States. It's just that it didn't hold the reverence she wanted to expose other Americans too...Or rather the type of reverence she was seeking to share with other Americans. Yep, you got it! By the time the "roaring 20s" decade arrived, Jarvis was filled with disappointment for Big Business found a great way to commercialize it and make a pretty good profit. Yes, you know the rest, we are overwhelmed every year on the 2nd Sunday of May to purchase cards, flowers, jewelry, and other gifts which we proffer to our mothers as we move solidly along with society's view of ourselves and our mothers exposed. Did we get the right gift? Is the card sappy enough? How about a funny card? Gag gift? So many different items to choose from!
So, what does this have to do with journeys and adventures? It's a journey of discovery! Discovering ourselves and morals! Discovering our true feelings about our moms and what they DID do to influence society. It's an adventure to see what WE learned not only from our moms, but from society. It's an awakening on understanding who we are and what we stand for! Sometimes its fun and sometimes its not; but it does indicate who we are and the type of journey we are traveling on. The most interesting aspect of this is that each year we celebrate Mother's Day it is always new and ever changing. Just as our life journey is always confronted with obstacles or incentives leading to new openings or paths to explore. FUN! Yep, always something interesting and it's always the little things that bring the happiest smiles and hugs from moms. IN the end it is the stories and memories which remain and will be either remembered fondly or sadly....it depends on our journey and who we share this particular adventure with. Enjoy! Have Fun! and maybe, just maybe, think about what Anna Jarvis wanted to share with us....A day in which we thank our mothers for all they have done or not done (which ever you have had) and think, discuss, and talk about the role mothers played in influencing society. Happy Mother's Day to all the women who have influenced me! Especially, my mom and my stepmom! Love you both!
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Gun Control, The 2nd Amendment, and Fear
The past week has been one filled with horror, chaos, accusations, diligence, cooperation,dismay,relief, insecurity,and the most notable- fear. Yes, fear. This one emotional is the catalyst of all the other actions and feelings I just listed. The week began with the heinous bombing at the Boston Marathon. We saw it occur over and over again as news media and videos flooded the air waves of television and internet. We gathered, called, texted, e-mailed, and reached out to one another as we became embroiled in the ensuing chaos. We wanted to understand and filled our minds with all the information we could, but it wasn't enough. Yet, it was enough to create one thing. The bombing did its job, it created fear. Fear, an emotional range which can cripple and destroy the very fabric of life. If we let it. The bombing was more than horrifying, it was cowardly and a means to establish a foothold of terror in our mentality. It was also an event which occurred right before an important vote in the United States Senate on gun control. Oh we could have fun with all the different views and aspects of the vote, but the truth of the matter is that this bill was brought forth as a means of fear. "What? You're saying? Have you lost it?"
No, I haven't. I found it instead. Go back to Sandy Hook,too many young children were killed...by a young man. Go back to Colorado. Too many Batman fans killed in a movie theater...by a young man. Go back to Colorado, too many people killed and wounded at a political appearance...by a young man. Virginia Tech..students and professors killed...by a young man. Want me to continue? I hope not, it just gets more and more bloody. People, young, old,professional, blue collar. All victims of violence, terror, and fear. The fear hangs on and each time one of these infamous murders occurs, we react, we blame, we scream, we argue,...but we don't do anything about it. The Boston Marathon bombing, two young men . The only difference between them and these others is they used bombs. The others used guns/rifles. Then as the net tightened around the two young men, they too, resorted to w
guns/rifles.
However, as gun advocates say guns do not kill people. People do and they are right. It is similar to saying cars kill people. This is where my own personal quandary begins. Although, I believe in gun reform, do I have the right to push my belief on the rights of others. You see for me the real issue bears down on the 1st and 2nd Amendments. The 2nd Amendment was passed and accepted by the American forefathers for a reason. A really good reason too. I may wish for gun control, but the truth is we cannot legislate laws concerning guns. Why? Simple the moment we circumvent or Bill of Rights, we lose. How soon before the 1st Amendment is attacked? It already has been many many times. How soon before a state religion is recognized? Just a month ago that was brought up and defeated in the state of North Carolina. This is why I must defend the right guaranteed in the 2nd Amendment to bear arms. We must make sure we do not give in to fear and dispose of our rights.
Instead, we need to evaluate and respond to the real issue at hand. Not the how these horrific events happened, but why.
Notice anything in common about the events...yeah young men committed them. Using automatic and semiautomatic weapons. The question remains why? This is the most important question. Once we know that answer then we can begin doing. Not condemning. Not blaming. But answering and doing to stop these senseless acts. Actually if we really want to blame someone we need only look to ourselves. Please understand I am not just focusing on young men either. We need to know and understand why anyone snaps and commits violence. We need to look at ourselves and our society. We need to understand and educate. I grew up around hunting rifles and shotguns, but I was taught by my parents to respect not only weapons but life. I have many family members who want their right to bear arms; as badly as I want to keep my rights. They too, have been taught the same respect as I was. What are we teaching individuals now? The one with the gun has the power? Is this a true thought being indoctrinated into individuals?
Yes, I believe so. It's not the truth , but for some it would seem it. So when we blame video games, movies, television, the internet, and so on for the actions. I say No! We must accept the blame ourselves for the bullying, the hate, the anger, the suffering, the fear. We make decisions in what we say and do toward others. We refuse to research and find answers to mental health issues! We are the blame and we must take actions to stop th
exe catastrophes not through fear, but through intelligence , cooperation, and respect.
The Boston Marathon bombing is another heinous act of terrorism and so were all those other shootings. Will legislation stop it? Let's be honest, no it will not. If someone wants to do this, they will find a way and means. However, we can begin the process of curtailing and ending the events by changing our own views and learning to understand and prevent them from happening through research, education, and believe it or not compassion. I know many will not agree with me, but I will not let fear rule my life. As Franklin Delano Roosevelt said "We have nothing to fear; but fear itself".
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
To Be Bored or Not To Be....Your Choice!
How many times have I read about someone being bored? Somedays it seems as though Facebook is having an epidemic of boredom! I look at the "bored " posts and wonder how and why anyone can be bored.There is so much to do, watch, see, hear, play, read, and many many other things to participate and explore. So why are there all these "bored " posts? I have no idea. Maybe it's because there are too many things to choose from. I've been to a grocery store and just stood in front of certain items trying to figure out what I wanted. Or perhaps individuals are bored due to being alone. Yeah; alone. Being alone can be scary and frightening. It brings forth emotions such as anxiety, fear, and loss; as well as lowered confidence, little self-esteem, or self-awareness. Yet, maybe the individuals are just plain bored. So, instead of writing about being bored; be creative! Explain why you are bored! Get up and move! Dance! Jump on one leg! Talk to a cat or dog! If you don't have one talk to a nearby squirrel! Life is to short to spend time being bored! By the way, find time to play everyday believe me; you won't be bored any more! Enjoy life its yours for the taking!
Monday, March 18, 2013
Passage of Time
Wow! It's been long time since I've written anything. A time filled with so many different
occasions and moments which fill my days and life. A passage of time which will never return. - unless I relive it in memories. Yet, even then the events are not accurate. No. The memories are but shadows which flit and flutter through the recesses hidden within the passageways in my mine. They are perceptions of my beliefs and thoughts which fit my interpretation of the moments I experienced. That's right. Interpretation. Beliefs. Individual concepts. Or is it? Could these reflections be the result of cultural stimulus ;societal indoctrination; and/or chemical reactions? Yeah; sounds really inspiring when reducedto a molecular stage. Instead, the passage of time is a linear look at events which have taken place between two points in life. Yeah; a period filled with joys; tears; anger; angst, and love which fills my days of life. Time to return to the present and look at the looming future with eyes wide open and chemical reactions that are ready to interact! The time is nigh and moment is here...spring in and enjoy the ride!
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