LANGUAGE TOOLS

Maybe I don't have to write my blog; maybe I can have technology do it for me.  Now we have ways to ask language tools to write blogs, essays, reports, almost anything.  Plagiarism can sneak in and we can get the credit unless something can detect our shortcut.  Words and ideas received from these sources seem almost too good to be true.

We need to put more value into original thought and write our own ideas; however, even our own ideas might not be our own.   They may be echos from our parents, pastors, and professors or from biased or untrue notions we hear and read from the media.

Research is good, but we need to form our own thoughts and opinions, not just accept the words of others whether from human sources or from artificial intelligence. 

Privileged

 If you were born into a family with loving parents who had enough funds to provide the necessities, you already are privileged.  You did nothing yourself to deserve this status.  Some people may say that their parents worked very hard to have enough to cover their expenses, and that their families were not privileged. They may think that families who do not have enough to provide just don't work hard enough or are relying on only one parent.

If you obtained a higher education, you may think you studied hard to get that degree, but you may have been born with the intelligence to succeed plus had a way to pay for your classes.  Some people may think that many teenagers just waste their chances to do their best in high school and will only be suited for lower income jobs.  Many people may never have felt prejudice or been held back by a society who stereotypes some groups as less capable.  They may believe that minorities have just as many opportunities or chances to succeed as anyone else. 

Some people use the term blessed when they have what they need.  Some use the term lucky.  We realize that what we have is often not what we deserve or even what we have earned.  And those that do not have all they need have not always caused their own situation.  Many of us are privileged to be the haves while others are the have-nots or underprivileged.  Our society needs to give empathy, not blame.

Risk of Sports

If your body is prepared and warmed up, if your brain is prepared, if you are able to focus and at times relax, you can benefit from sports participation.  Some sports with no physical contact can be lifelong activities, like golf and swimming.  Many sports, however, require physical contact, and more risk is involved in sustaining injuries, like boxing and football.  Some injuries may affect the rest of the athlete's life.

Most people are aware of the positive aspects of sports, but aren't mindful of the negatives.  Athletes and parents of young athletes need to weigh the positive with the negative.  Perhaps another less risky sport or physical activity would be better in the long run.

Parents may believe their young athletes will receive the benefits of the sport.  They also may enjoy watching the accomplishments of their offspring.  Plus the athletes often get adulation from their peers.  The possibiity of financial benefits from scholarships, college play, or turning pro is very slim.

Participation in sports is one thing; being a fan or spectator is another.  Vast amounts of money is made from ticket sales to sponsorships.  So the value of many sports rests on how much money is made from the spectators.  Many of the more popular spectator sports involve physical contact team sports, almost like a substitute for battle.  Often the possiblity of the damage to the athletes is ignored.

One leads to another.  Sports most enjoyed by spectators may be the ones young people want to play.