Friday, April 29, 2016

Parenting

   
     You can be a parent without giving birth, without adopting or fostering, without replacing or sharing the responsibilities of a family member.  In the broad sense of the word, you are a parent when you take care of yourself and others.
     Most everyone is grateful for having loving parents who brought you up right.  They provided what you needed before you could provide for yourself and became important role models.  They will love and give you what they can until they die.  When we become parents, we learn what it really takes to bring up a child.
     Everyone needs a parent to protect, provide, love, teach, forgive, and encourage us.  At times, we must parent ourselves.  We should also parent other people.  This doesn't mean we are older and wiser but that they could benefit from our attention and help.
     Some say God is the Perfect Parent.  Others say that when we don't feel capable enough to provide all our own needs, we fashion a god who does.
      Being a parent is being an adult.  Human beings need each other to survive.  No matter how independent we become, we seek guidance and comfort in our relationships with each other.  Parenting is taking care of yourself and others.

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

I've heard all the arguments...

 
     You may believe you have heard all the opinions on a particular topic and have made up your mind.  These opinions may be classified anywhere between true and false, logical and illogical, based on fact or fallacy, on emotion or reason, on myth or proven history.  At times, we have to make up our mind, make decisions, and get on with life.
     If we completely close our mind, however, and refuse to investigate other opinions, we may be to a disadvantage.  Our narrow perspective may make it more difficult to understand other people.  An open mind is better suited to learning, seeing a broader picture, and more clearly defining our own opinions.
     No one has really heard it all.  New arguments come up every day.  We may get to the point of exhaustion and don't want to hear one more word on the topic.  We may not recognize our own prejudices and biases.  We may fear doubting or changing our thinking.  After all, feeling strong in our own convictions helps form our identity.
     Remember that just because you have strong opinions doesn't make you right, nor should you insist on winning your arguments.  You may present your reasons but also keep listening to other ideas.

      

Sunday, April 24, 2016

Creation

     Every human being has a tremendous ability to create.  From your unique self, something equally unique can be created.  Of course, procreating, reproducing, is a prime example of creation.  You and another person, or at least a vital contribution from another person, can create a new human being.  Then, the activities of  parenthood along with other factors can develop the child into an adult.
    Setting this aside, we need to think about what else we are creating.  Our skills and talents can make creations which can have positive effects on ourselves and others, or negative effects.  Some creations may be copies of what our predecessors have created, repetitions of the same behaviors and beliefs without much analysis or judgment on our part.  Real creativity occurs when we use our potential to create something unique.  The more we develop ourselves, the more we are able to create.
     Whether you are a scientist or artist, a teacher or healer, a producer of goods or services, you can give the world something new.  Use your time, energy, and talents and create. 

Saturday, April 16, 2016

Limitations


     Some limitations are self-imposed or imposed on us by others.  Some limitations are beyond our control.  Power to those who can diminish or delete their limitations.  Empathy to those who must accept and compensate for what they cannot do.
     We are born with limitations.  Much of our blueprint cannot be altered.   Society imposes some limitations for the survival of the group.  Religions add  limitations by labeling some behaviors as sins of commission or omission.  Each individual needs to decide which limitations to accept.  We should develop empathy for the physical and mental limitations of others.  We should not limit the rights of others in order to satisfy our own wishes. 
     No matter how well we have taken care of ourselves, we may begin to notice that our body and mind can't do want they used to.  Others around us are also showing signs of aging.  Again, we must learn to adapt and compensate.
      A sand fence limits damage caused by wind, storms, and pedestrians so the dunes can continue to protect inland areas.  We need to deal with what nature has given us and set limits to protect ourselves from dangerous behaviors and manipulations.
          

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Exposure

     For the most part, nature is friendly to us; otherwise, our species would not have survived.  Nature, however, can also be dangerous when we expose ourselves to extreme temperatures, too much sun, harmful plants, insects, and animals, plus unhealthy bacteria, viruses, and diseases.  We also polute the air, water, and  soil which exposes us to other dangers.  Consuming harmful substances can also expose our bodies to poor health. 
     Our mental state is also affected by overexposure and underexposure.  When we allow false or exaggerated ideas to flow into our mind and block out a variety of good ideas, our thinking can become stagnant and dangerous.  The extreme heat of emotion can burn out logic.  A cold heart can freeze out empathy.  Our minds can become poisoned with unhealthy ideas.  Exposure to bad behavior may tempt some people to lower their standards; whereas, exposure to good may help improve our lives. 
     Just like a camera needs correct exposure to produce a good photo, our own eyes need good light to see our world.  Our minds also need beneficial exposure to understand that world.

Sunday, April 3, 2016

Just Because You Can

 
     Just because you can doesn't mean you should.  We have to consider the consequences.  Also, be aware of who made your Should List.  Many people have contributed: parents, society, government, religion, peer group, friends.  The list goes on.  Be sure you have the final say.
     Our parents and family members, perhaps from many generations back, form our earliest list of should and should nots.  This list may be based on survival, tradition, religion, and common sense.  Realize it is their list, and you have the right to form your own.
     Our society has established certain norms which have similarities and differences of other societies around the world.   As we become exposed to other groups, we can better understand ourselves and others.  Every society lives under a form of government from dictatorships to democracies.  Here in the USA, we are exposed to various candidates and are free to vote for representatives who we hope will uphold and design laws to protect our freedom.
     Religions also have their lists of shalls and shall nots.  Some lists were formed thousands of years ago but may or may not be complete or valid for today.  Many people believe their scriptures come from the highest authority and should be followed.  Here in the USA, we have the freedom to follow religion or not.
     Many forces influence our thinking.  It is difficult to go against what your family has taught you, what your society expects, what religion professes, what your peer group and friends do.  We need to realize that we can decide what we should and shouldn't do.