Friday, January 30, 2015

Different Kind of Hood

Every two years I am reminded of what it is that separates us from the lower life forms. All of the nature shows demonstrate that the animal world is territorial and probably due to a lack of communication, the animal kingdom settles their disputes with aggressive behavior. I don't know if humans developed these same traits by observing animals or if it just comes natural to us, but we have excelled at it far beyond anything another mammal can imagine.

So every 2 years I am continually surprised at humanity's ability to put aside the world's conflicts to spend 3 weeks in friendly competition in a series of games called the Olympics. I've seen young men and women hugging and respecting each other during an event even during the most disappointing moments. Many who don't understand the person standing next to them but have an honest and sincere connection with people from all over the world. If this could only happen the other 101 weeks.

Why Wait?

Another day is here that spurs men to wait online at the local grocery store with an armful of cheap flowers and generic balloons. Why do some people put so little effort into showing their loved one how they feel? If this is the most important person in your life, then a little bit of creativity would be in order. I would rather receive something home made that expresses a person's emotion than a last minute shallow attempt at displaying affection.

I understand that life creates obstacles to overcome daily that interfere with our ability to shower our person with gifts and events. Working extra hours, taking care of the kids and maintaining a home all tug us in different directions. I get how it can squelch the opportunity for creativity. But why wait for a holiday to express these feelings. It's the little things in life that get the most appreciation. It's understanding what makes your partner happy and doing that regardless of how much it may be inconvenient. Valentine's Day is a great holiday and should be celebrated, but why wait for that day when there are 364 other perfectly good days for showing your love?

My Fair lady

It's amazing what triggers a memory whether it is a sound, a smell or a sight. I was watching the Olympics the other night and heard the music that the skaters were using for their routine. Not exactly a memorable song unless you grew up watching My Fair Lady. A song so simple but so powerful enough to raise an image of a time where the most important woman in my life was my mother.

It sounds silly now since I am well grown and she's been gone for over ten years, but there was a time that my mother was everything to me. She was matriarch, model and Marine all wrapped up in one self made mystery. She was one of a pack of similar sisters who grew up in the Depression and came out the better for it. She was the template that I now measure all women against. An independent soul who can shift from Mother Teresa to Miss Demeanor in a moment and deliver each with equal enthusiasm. There were many times that I deserved the punishment I received for being a rambunctious boy but I never held it against her because it never seemed personal, just business. So thank you Olympic skaters for reminding through a song called "I could have danced all night" that my mother is always just a sight, scent or song away.

Across the Aisle

Henry Clay was selected as one of the five greatest Senators in history which was partly based on his ability to compromise. One of his nicknames was the Great Compromiser due to him being able to reason intelligently and responsibly with all parties. Webster's dictionary states that the word compromise means "a settlement of differences by mutual concessions; an agreement reached by adjustment of conflicting or opposing claims, principles, etc., by reciprocal modification of demands"



To compromise seems to have lost all importance over the years. In the past, an elected official whose actions led him to work with his opponents and find a common ground for the common good was seen as an achiever and a patriot. Ronald Reagan and Tip O'Neil did not always share the same political ideology but they found ways to agree enough to make a difference and retain their mutual respect. How our country became so divisive and fragmented is surprising based on our history, but today there is more of a separation of ideas and beliefs than ever. That separation has spread to intolerance and morphed into hate. Isn't it time to recognize that it's OK to be different and to reach across the aisle to find a place in the middle?

Casting Stones

"Let him who is without sin cast the first stone" is a passage from John 7:53-8:11. This story in the bible teaches compassion and self reflection concerning the persecution of a woman accused of adultery. These words demonstrate personal examination and self judgement.


Whether you are a follower of an organized religion or an atheist, it might be wise to reserve judgement on others when said judge is imperfect. Whether it was politically or spiritually motivated, the Governor of Arizona made a decision to veto a bill that discriminates based on a belief of intolerance. If people believe that they are as flawed as I am, then show the compassion and love that Jesus preached and gave his life for, but for those people that believe in this bill feel that they are without sin, then please by all means cast the first stone.

Walk That Step

If I step into the dark will you hold my hand
And guide my way to the promised land
Will you embrace my love with all its flaws
Acquitting me from the breaking of laws

Will you smile at my missteps of mindless endeavors
And hold me tight today and forever
Walk me down to the aisle of dreams
Barefoot we go into cool water streams

So let's step lively to the beat of love
Tip toeing to the melodies from high above
Swaying to the tunes that's all around
Blending our hearts to the eternal sound

Embrace me tenderly and never let me go
Invite me along to explore your Van Gogh
Paint my mind with your colors of light
And I will love you till the end with all my might

Thursday, January 29, 2015

I Believe...


I believe that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don’t even know you.


I believe that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.


That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.


I believe that the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

That sometimes when I’m angry I have the right to be angry but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.


I believe that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don’t love you with all they have.


That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had and what you’ve learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.


I believe that it isn’t always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.


That no matter how bad your heart is broken that the world doesn’t stop for your grief.


I believe that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.


That just because two people argue, it doesn’t mean they don’t love each other. And just because they don’t argue, it doesn’t mean they do.


I believe that you shouldn’t be eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.


That it’s taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.


I believe that you should always leave loved ones with loving well wishes. It may be the last time you see them.


That you can keep going long after you can’t.


I believe that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.


That we don’t have to change friends, if we understand that friends change.


I believe that no matter how good a friend is, they’re going to hurt you once in a while and you must forgive them for that.


That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.


I believe that you either control your attitude or it controls you.


That regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, that passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.


I believe that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.


That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.


I believe that money is a lousy way of keeping score.


That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.


I believe that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you’re down, will be the ones who help you get back up.




Author Unknown

Different Kind of Hood

Every two years I am reminded of what it is that separates us from the lower life forms. All of the nature shows demonstrate that the animal world is territorial and probably due to a lack of communication, the animal kingdom settles their disputes with aggressive behavior. I don't know if humans developed these same traits by observing animals or if it just comes natural to us, but we have excelled at it far beyond anything another mammal can imagine.

So every 2 years I am continually surprised at humanity's ability to put aside the world's conflicts to spend 3 weeks in friendly competition in a series of games called the Olympics. I've seen young men and women hugging and respecting each other during an event even during the most disappointing moments. Many who don't understand the person standing next to them but have an honest and sincere connection with people from all over the world. If this could only happen the other 101 weeks.