Friday, January 30, 2015

Vertigo

     When you experience vertigo, the world seems to be spinning; something within yourself causes you to lose balance.  A tiny spec of calcium in your inner ear can bring on this sensation.  Normality can slowly return with the help of medical science.
     Sometimes our world seems to be spinning out of control.  Nature is usually human-friendly, but a winter storm can literally cause our wheels to spin and our normal routine gets out of balance.  The behavior of most of the world's inhabitants enables us to have pleasant and rewarding lives, but misbehavior can cause us alarm and even endanger our lives.
     Outside influences can make it difficult to walk the path we have chosen, but something within ourselves: our thinking, reasoning, and coping skills may cause us to become unbalanced.  We may reach out to something to regain our footing.
     When vertigo strikes, realize that you may need assistance to regain your balance.  Just be sure that you grab onto reality. 
         

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Home

     If we had a choice to leave or to stay, many of us would spend our lives in the home where we were born.  Louisiana has the highest percentage of residents born in-state than any other state in the US; four out of five stay.  They share their lives with close extended families of many generations and with friends they have known since childhood.  Business and political connections made are legendary.  Those who stay a lifetime witness the changes and become part of the history of their home state.  I was not born in LA but have lived here for over 30 years, raising three daughters  through their high school and college years.  One remains here with her family while the other two have moved away.    
     Often we make the choice or circumstances make the choice for us to leave our hometown, to go to other cities and states, to start anew in an unfamiliar territory full of strangers.  Sometimes, careers demand us to move multiple times, and we adjust and readjust to places away from home.  Family gatherings only occur during vacations or holidays.  I left my home state when I married and relocated many times.  Of course, there are advantages of leaving home, experiencing other places with people of different backgrounds and perspectives.  If fact, many people are glad to have the opportunity to not only see the world but also live in different places.
     Whether you have left or have stayed where you were born,  you need to create the comfort of home wherever you live.  However, I sometimes wonder what life would have been like if I had stayed, especially when I hear "Back home again In Indiana .... how I long for my Indiana home."
     
     
          

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Have a Dream

     A wish for your future and the future of the world can begin with a dream.  Look at the past and present and imagine a better future.  Go from wishful thinking to making goals and a specific plan.  Next you must take action.
     Martin Luther King viewed the past and the present situation as it was in 1963.  In his famous speech, "I Have a Dream," he stated, "Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy."  His dream was for the freedom and equality of all American citizens.  He mentioned specific goals: an end to segregation, equal access to public places, and equal voting rights.  He took many non-violent actions during his lifetime to help make the dream come true.
     When we look at our society today, we want to maintain what is good but can detect problems and dream up solutions.  As we form a vision of what we think should be, we need to take action.  If we want change, if want a better world, we need to take responsibility to make it happen.
     The same can be said of our personal future.  We want to sustain what is good and even make it better.  Sometimes, we see problems that need improvement.  Imagine what you want, make a plan, and take action.  Start by having a dream.

    
    

Saturday, January 10, 2015

What are they thinking!?

     As terrorists continue to murder around the world, we try to make sense of their behavior, to understand how they get to this point.  What are they thinking!?  Experts say they misinterpret the Koran and believe that Allah  wants them to destroy the infidel (those who don't agree with their religion.)  Add to that the hate they have against anyone they think has done them wrong: Americans, Israelis, and the rest of the world.
     Other groups here in the US terrorize each other.  Rival gangs murder each other.  Abusive husbands and boyfriends often harm and murder the women in their lives.  How do people get to this point?  Perhaps all humans have the potential to become overconfident in their own thinking and may try to exert undue power over others.
     Devaluing life might also be a cause.  Some people might think of other humans as animals who can be snuffed out. They think that their own life on earth is just a temporary phase and that if they die a martyr, they will go on to live in paradise.  Of course in many religions, people think that their life on earth is just a phase and that they will have eternal life in paradise if they are faithful believers.
     Whenever we become overconfident in our thinking, when we begin to judge others as wrong, when our actions limit the rights of others, we need to wonder how we get to this point.  We need to ask ourselves, "What am I thinking?" 
 
        
    

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Exercise

     Any physical activity that maintains or enhances fitness and health is exercise.  When we move, walk, run, swim, dance, do physical work or play sports, when we lift, push or pull, when we stretch and keep flexible, we are exercising.
     Our distant ancestors who had to hunt and gather their food had a daily life full of exercise.  When they began to develop agriculture, the amount and type of exercise changed.  Their lives became more sedentary, and they lost some bone and muscle mass.  Even so, I'm sure the pioneers didn't have to jog or join a health club.  As society progressed, our physical strength and stamina decreased because we sit, ride, and use a multitude of labor saving devices.  We may be better off in many ways, but we are physically weaker and have developed health problems related to our sedentary lifestyles.
     So having basically the same body we did thousands of years ago yet decreasing our physical activity, we may have to go out of our way to get enough exercise.  Knowing what to do and doing it are two different things.  Aging can also complicate matters.  Making exercise fun may help us stick to it.  Move it or lose it.
    

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Diet

     Going on a diet or dieting usually means altering your intake for some reason.  A diet is often viewed as a planned regime toward a specific goal.  We should think of the word diet as just the sum total of what we eat and drink.  Every living creature consumes a diet to sustain the body.  However, we eat and drink for many other reasons beside sustenance.
     Mother's milk or formula serves the purpose for the first months of life.  Then comes soft foods leading up to solids.  A wise parent gives the child a wide variety of healthy foods.  Somewhere along the way, our taste buds prefer some foods over others.  When we develop preferences, we may begin to consume what we like rather than what our body needs.
     Our family and culture form our food habits.  Holidays and celebrations often lead to overindulgence.  Food is sometimes used as a reward.  We also eat and drink to satisfy emotional needs, to relieve stress and boredom, to perk us up or calm us down.  In our busy lives, we often consume the fast and convenient instead of the more nutritious.  Some foods and drinks are just empty calories. Unfortunately, our diet can take a detour from what we naturally need for nutrition, health, and longevity.
     Some people are more careful about what they feed their pets than what they consume themselves.  Parents too often allow their children to choose their own diet.  Adults often get into unhealthy habits then face the consequences of an unhealthy body.  Begin at the grocery and only bring home the nutritious stuff.  Plant a garden and a fruit tree.  When you consume a good diet, you won't have to go on a diet.  
      

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Cafeteria

     Our first image is walking through a restaurant line, viewing the variety of food offerings, and choosing what we want.  Another image is deciding on an insurance plan, learning about a variety of options, and choosing the best deal we can afford.
     A third image is witnessing cafeteria Christians, often Catholics, who agree with most of the church's beliefs, but choose to disagree with doctrines against premarital sex, birth control, abortion, and homosexuality.  They may also question the church's stance on Bible interpretation, evolution, and female priests.  In other words, they pick and choose what to believe and what not to believe.
     Life itself is a cafeteria especially in a free society.  When we become aware of all the choices, investigate, think, and rethink the options, we can choose what we want, not necessarily what our family and acquaintances want us to choose.  As you walk through life, enjoy the freedom of your cafeteria.      

Saturday, January 3, 2015

Educate

 
     We educate our children, our students, and anyone who comes into our lives.  Sometimes, we are unaware of the effect we are having.  Sometimes, we are aware when we are trying to teach something to someone.  As others listen to you speak, read what you write, and observe what you do, you are teaching and they are learning.
     At times, you may feel ignored, but you never know how your words or actions may help someone later on.  Sometimes, you may receive disagreement and opposition, but at least you have started someone thinking.  Other times, you will feel rewarded when you have inspired and empowered someone toward a better life.
     Beware when  your behavior is less than stellar.  A strong person may just see an example of what not to do.  A more vulnerable person may adopt your habits.  Also, be careful when your power of persuasion causes someone to remain narrow minded; instead, try to broaden their viewpoint.   
     Keep talking, writing, and being a good role model.  Someone will be observing your words and your actions.  Your experience and wisdom can help educate others, the best gift you can give.

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Education


     We receive education throughout our entire lives at home, at school, and in society.  Sometimes we are unaware and just automatically absorb the world around us.  Sometimes we are aware of the  process and through our own efforts seek out information and study.
     We need education to develop our physical, intellectual, emotional, and social skills in order to become responsible citizens working at fulfilling jobs and having meaningful relationships.  We need to develop our curiosity, reasoning skills, self-discipline, and self-reliance.
     As children, we rely on adults to provide education.  As adults, we become more responsible to continue learning.  Even in adulthood, we may often depend on others when we should develop independence.  We may expect our mate to provide some of our needs while we reciprocate and provide for them.  Teach each other the skills to be independent.
     Every adult needs to become well-rounded and not relinquish their duty to be life-long learners.    Women, especially, should ready themselves for a life that might include taking care of an incapacitated spouse or becoming a widow.  While you have the time, keep learning especially about those things that your husband has done in the past.  We shouldn't go from being a dependent daughter, to being a dependent wife, to being a dependent mother of adult children.
     Have self confidence that you can learn what it takes to be independent.  Have courage and determination.  Please continue your education.