thoughts on the news of the day: one day without shoes

hmmm…..

            My daughter and I are big fans of Tom’s Shoes.  The creator of the company either has a remarkably big and generous heart or is a genius at marketing – I am not sure which!  If you have been living in a cave, you don’t know yet that when you buy Toms Shoes, you buy two for one.  In 2006, Blake Mycoskie, an American, visited Argentina and learned about children who had no shoes.  Inspired to help them, he created Toms Shoes, a company that pledged to make a pair of shoes for every pair purchased and give them to a child in need.  Later that year, he returned with 10,000 pairs of shoes made possible by his customers. 

            A friend of mine from New Zealand sent me a notice this morning that now Toms is establishing “One Day Without Shoes” to be held on April 5.  It is hoped that on this day, by not wearing shoes, awareness will grow as to how many children do not have protection for their feet.

            Why are shoes important?  Well, probably 15 minutes going about the business of the day without shoes would prove that point.  Shoes protect our feet and prevent cuts and bruises which can later become infected.  In some third world countries, if you don’t have shoes, you can’t go to school; so shoes mean education.

            I am not sure whether I can get away without wearing shoes on April 5.  It would probably cause quite a stir.  I am not sure, but I am thinking about it ….

            hmmm…..

thoughts on the news of the day; Elizabeth Taylor

hmmm…..

            Elizabeth Taylor was laid to rest yesterday.  True to her wishes the funeral started late.  The service was scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. but began at 2:15 p.m.   Miss Taylor had left instructions that it was to begin at least 15 minutes later than publicly scheduled because “she even wanted to be late for her own funeral.”

            I am glad that those in charge followed her wishes.  Often times the wishes of the deceased are not followed.  Sometimes it is because they are impossible to make happen, like when the deceased wants someone to participate in the service who is unable to be there.  But sometimes it is because someone in charge has a different agenda.  They want different music or speakers or flowers.

            When someone asks us to do something for them, do we follow their instructions, or do we make up our own agenda for how it is to be done?  Maybe we do have a better idea, but usually the requestor has a reason for proceeding in the way they have chosen. 

            It’s about being considerate of other people’s wishes.  We always think we are right.  We always think our way is best.  And, like the Burger King ad, we want to have it “our way”. 

            Think about that and next time a friend or loved one asks you to pick up milk. Get them the whole milk they requested, instead of the 2% milk you think is better for them.  Or whatever …. You get the idea ….

            hmmm…..

thoughts on the news of the day: bmi

hmmm…..

            If Michele Obama’s daughter is overweight, is there any hope for me? She has been in the forefront of encouraging exercise and diet in an effort to improve health of children in this country. Recently she found out that her daughter’s BMI (Body Mass Index) was creeping upward.  A high BMI is problematic in children because it indicates overweight which develops problems such as high blood pressure, liver disease and diabetes.

            First Lady Michelle Obama celebrated the first anniversary of her “Let’s Move!” campaign against childhood obesity last month.  She said, “Over the past year, we’ve seen the first signs of a fundamental shift in how we live and eat. We’ve seen changes at every level of our society from classrooms, to boardrooms, to the halls of Congress.”  The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids act signed into law last year, initiatives like Let’s Move Cities and Towns, and preventative measures like BMI and obesity screenings have all contributed to awareness of a growing problem in the United States.

            Sure, we know the reality of the situation, that if you eat more and exercise less, you will gain weight.  And it gets worse the older you get.  We know that reality, but still we are tempted constantly to eat that cookie, or those chips or drink that soda.  So my question, again, is:  “If Michele Obama’s daughter is overweight, is there any hope for me and for all of us who battle weight on a daily basis?”  Maybe there’s more to it than just diet, exercise and self control…..  maybe we need a truly fundamental shift …..

            hmmm…..       

thoughts on the news of the day: generations

hmmm…..

            The internet has an article today on 22 year olds who have made over one million dollars establishing their own companies.  It lists kids who are still in college – or left college to try their luck at their own business.  Their youth seems to be their only common denominator.

            I have three friends who are dealing with aged parents who are at the end of their lives.  All of the parents are in their 90’s, have lived long full lives and are going peacefully and with dignity. 

            Age is a curious thing.  Seems like no matter what age we are, we wish we were somewhere else.  Younger kids wish they had the perks that go with age – freedom, rights, money and establishment.  Older folks wish they had the energy, the potential and the health that goes with youth. 

            But no matter what age we are, ageing is a matter of attitude.  Thinking young can keep you young.  I remember hearing older folks complain about “the younger generation” when I was the younger generation.  I thought, “They just don’t understand” and “They are out of touch.”  Now I am that older generation and I am tempted to participate in conversations that bash the young folks of today.

            Today I am going to commit to stopping the youth bashing.  I am going to be completely open to the music, the fashion, the habits and the trends of our youth.  It’s not that I want to re-live my youth, I want to enable youth to live theirs.

            After all, in what will seem like a short while, they will be their own “older generation.”  It happens so fast.

            hmmm…..

thoughts on the news of the day: transplant

hmmm…..

            A Texas construction worker has received the first full face transplant performed in the United States.  The man, Dallas Wiens, who is 25 years old, was given a new nose, lips, skin, muscle and nerves from an organ donor who is unidentified.  The operation was paid for by the U.S. military which wants to use what is learned to correct severe facial injuries in wounded soldiers. 

            With no sensation in his face right now, the injured man would like to be able to feel his 4 year old daughter kiss him on the cheek.  The operations will enable some feeling in his face once again.

            Wiens was quoted by his grandfather as saying “After the accident, he could choose to get bitter or get better.  His choice was to get better. Thank God today he’s better.”  Dallas Wiens accident was catastrophic.  His face and his life will never be the same.  But he has chosen a positive outlook on the events.  He has hope.

            Bitter or better – a grand choice for us, too.  How many times have we received bad news, had something unpleasant happen to us, or been hurt by someone else.  Do we harbor resentment?  Hold grudges?  Become bitter?

            We can all take inspiration from this young man’s tragedy.  We can have a hopeful and positive outlook.  We can become better, or we can stay bitter.  It’s our choice.

            hmmm…..

thoughts on the news of the day: news

hmmm…..

            There is plenty of news to choose from today.  Japan is still dealing with earthquake damage; missiles have hit close to Gadhafi’s tent in Libya; oil prices have soared and AT&T bought out T-Mobile.  Then on top of that, there is basketball March Madness to contend with and plenty of celebrities acting out in a variety of ways.

            All that to say, life goes on.  Whether the news is slow or fast and furious, our lives can still be filled with mundane, but nevertheless important things to us.  For example, I have new puppy dog.  She is a precious, lap sized Pomeranian. I haven’t mentioned her but she has pretty much taken over my life.  I recently took her on a trip to see my daughter in Austin and discovered that she is prone to car sickness and is very skittish around men: two big problems to have when traveling. 

            Driving through curvy, hilly mountains in the Ozarks or stop and go traffic on the freeways between Austin and Dallas can be a real challenge.  Stops to clean up messes come frequently and pit stops need to be devoid of any male influence.  It’s strange how the world can be crumbling around you but little things like caring for a small animal can become a top priority.  And I am not sure if that is good or bad – it just is. 

            “It is”, as they say, “what it is.”

            hmmm…..

thoughts on the news of the day: mercy

hmmm…..

            War. Invasion. Attack.  Three words we would rather not read.  In fact, three words we would rather not have in our vocabulary.  But nevertheless, they are.  And those words found their way into our news reports yesterday when our country decided to stand up against a tyrannical dictator in Libya who announced he would show no mercy towards his people.

            Justice and mercy are two words that seem to go together.  Justice is about moral rightness and equity.  Mercy is about compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power.  Justice is not always fair, but then again neither is mercy.  We need both in large doses to survive in this world. 

            And they are not just grand words for world leaders.  They must be parceled out daily in our own lives.  Do we show justice toward the cashier who accidentally gave us too much change?  Do we show justice toward a coworker who accused us? Do we show mercy toward the driver in front of us who seems to insist on going 20 miles an hour below the speed limit?  Do we show mercy toward our spouse or our child who always insists on being late?

            Myself personally, I would always rather receive mercy than justice. Yes, I want to be treated fairly and with moral rightness.  But I would much rather receive compassion and kindness.  Maybe that’s why we pray not “Lord, have justice on us”; but “Lord, have mercy on us.”

            hmmm…..