Who's the Bully?

     Bullying is a form of aggressive behavior to intentionally hurt another person which can include name calling, mockery, rumors, and character assassination.  We often picture bullying as one child trying to intimidate another which has become something that teachers are being trained to recognize and prevent.
     We should also recognize adult bullying often used to control or dominate a discussion or debate.  In order to look better than a competitor, adults may paint a negative or exaggerated picture of their opposition.  Bullies believe the worse the other person looks, the better they will appear.  Many of our politicians have mastered the art of bullying.

Forward to

     What do you look forward to?  Probably something more pleasant or eventful than the present moment, maybe the end of something and the beginning of another: rest after work, free time after chores, peace after chaos, or just a cup of coffee or a glass of wine.  Often we look forward to an improvement in our lives: regaining health and mobility after rehab or other hard exercise, accomplishing a goal, or finishing a project.  We also look forward to special events, family gatherings, parties, vacations, or just going out to dinner and a movie.  And in the midst of winter, many of us look forward to spring.

     Hopefully when you look back on what you had looked forward to, it did produce the pleasure or reward that you had expected; however, we may want to get more satisfaction and contentment out of  our daily lives, out of the present moments.  Waking up to a new morning with our bodies and minds functioning well, having some companionship with family and friends, and being aware of nature's beauty and bounty can give as much satisfaction as any upcoming special event.  Finding contentment in work and chores, doing the more unpleasant yet necessary tasks of life, and trying to keep our spirits up during hard times may be difficult, but we can practice appreciating each breath we take and each moment we live. We can learn to love winter as much as spring.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Religious Rights

     U.S. citizens have the right to believe in their own religion and the right not to believe in any religion, but they do not have the right to impose their religion on others.  Evangelical Christian conservatives are trying to do just that.  They promote legal restrictions based on religion.  Laws limiting or against abortion, contraception, same-sex marriage, and sex education are examples of such restrictions based on religion.
     Other religious and non-religious groups do not believe in these restrictions but value the separation of church and state.  We all have the right to our religious beliefs and the right to try and influence our political leaders, but we should not expect the U.S. government to make laws based on religious beliefs.

Was...Is

     We sometimes yearn for the way it was when we were kids.  Life seemed simple then.  Most of our energy and thoughts were on the present, going to school, riding bikes, and playing with friends with the only responsibilities being doing a little homework and keeping our rooms clean.
     Now everything seems more complicated, is more complicated because we are the adults dealing with many daily responsibilities, planning for the future, and balancing our lives with what seems like not enough time and not enough energy.
     We remember our childhood weekends consisting of a break from school,  family gatherings, and lots of free time.  Now the weekends often consist of catching up with what we couldn't finish during the week and trying to find time for a day or at least a couple of hours of relaxation.
     If we want to get the feel of the way it was, we need to simplify our lives, limit work time, give ourselves time to play, and set aside time to rest.
    

Women

     

     Recently, famed physicist Stephen Hawking stated, "Women.  They are a complete mystery."
     In many ways most women are just like most men.  Even though I don't want to stereotype females, I feel the following may help Mr. Hawking and other males who are mystified.
1)  Women know what it feels like to be discriminated against, to be relegated to second-class citizenship throughout history by religions and governments; therefore, they have more sympathy for the plight of minorities and gays and realize the importance of true equality.
2)  Women are not as impressed by outward beauty as men.  Even though handsome men can get their attention, wise women focus beyond physical attraction and desire a mate with inner beauty, someone who could be a life-long companion and partner.
3)  Women like to make a nest but believe all residents should keep it clean and tidy.  The idea that "A woman's place is in the home," was invented by men.
4)  While men spend a few minutes fertilizing eggs, women spend nine months housing and nourishing the new life and labor to give birth.  That's one reason they put more value into sustaining humanity and see little value in sending soldiers off to war to kill, die, and be maimed.
5)  Mothers learn more about the true needs of human beings and thus are more empathetic.
6)  Women value communication and spend more time listening and talking than men.

Move

     As we age, strength and flexibility diminishes.  The entire body may slow down, at times become incapacitated, and need a jump start just like a worn down battery.  We may become sedentary and find ourselves spending more time on the couch with the remote control.
     Now is the time to move.  It is never too late.  Even with disabilities and limitations, we should move our bodies so as not to lose any more capability and to increase what we have.  You hear the phrase, "Move it or lose it."  Just do a little more every day: stretch, walk, dance, swim.  Having a buddy or joining a class may keep you motivated.  Getting involved in a sport may help.
     Have fun and move.  Your body will thank you for it. 
    

Write

      Your thoughts, feelings, and opinions are important.  Put them into words and write them down.  Use your calendar to plan and remember appointments, birthdays, and anniversaries.  Also use the space to keep a mini-diary, a little history of your life.  Diaries and journals can hold your private thoughts. 
      E-mail your friends and family to keep in touch.  Facebook and other social media can be used to update with words and pictures.  Keep communication going.
     When you read an article in your newspaper that provokes you to respond or when you have an opinion on current events, write a letter to the editor.  You may be pleasantly surprised to see it in print.
     Start a blog; it's free and easy.  Think through your opinions, organize and clarify them into a rough draft, then type and post.  Your readers can agree, disagree, and add to your topic.
     Writing helps you think, plan, remember, and keep in touch.