Too often, we go through life and don't recognize the people that have made an important and positive impression in our lives. I tend to be somewhat critical of people (I am trying to work on this), so I don't offer up words of gratefulness to people as often as I should. So, I like the idea of recognizing someone every month or so on my blog.
The person that I want to recognize first in my blog is my brother-in-law, Dale. He is a man that has made a difference in not only my life but in the lives of hundreds of people. Lately, many people have started calling Dale, "Papa Dale", and I think that is very appropriate. He is wise, a leader, caring, but yet firm and direct when needed. Dale has given of himself so unselfishly for so many years that I think it would be very difficult to fully understand the number of people that he has impacted. He is truly a "father figure" to many.
For me, Dale has always been there both in good times and in bad times. He has been a steady influence on my life as well as my wife's life. To me, Dale is the leader of the Showalter clan and a mentor. To my wife, he has always been the big brother that has blazed new trails for her while growing up and still is influencing our family today. Even from a distance.
In understanding Dale, I think it is appropriate to understand how Dale views himself. What does he think is important for us to know about him? The following is from the "About Dale" section of the Showalter Roofing website. It is intended for prospective customers to read in relation to his business, but I think he does a nice job of telling us what is important to him in this excerpt. The website page reads:
"I’m Dale Showalter, president of Showalter Roofing in Naperville, IL.
I started the company in 1979 working all of my life in the roofing business. Now at the age of 58, I’m proud of what the company represents. Many of the workers and division leaders have been working with me for many years, and some from the very beginning. Now the challenge for me is to pass the values on which we were founded to the next generation.
In a world where our moral compass is wavering, I want to do my part in holding up the value of serving others. We preach it every chance we get and practice daily the core values of Customer Service, Integrity, Teamwork, and Excellence. “Rising to great heights to serve you” is not meant to be just our slogan, but a lifestyle.
Not only am I involved with Showalter Roofing, but I am also a husband of 37 years, married to my college sweetheart Kim. Our two children are now grown with their own families, and we are now enjoying the revenge of parenthood and joy of grandparenthood: Grandkids! It’s so much more fun watching them grow and develop their own little personalities and then give them back at the end of the day!
I enjoy being a Worship Leader at the church I have attended for 36 year. Kim and I are board members of the Missionary Furlough Homes Foundation which provides affordable housing for missionaries who return to the states after several years in another country. In need of rest, these families can open their suitcase and begin “living” as all they need is provided, including great schools for their children.
There is much more to tell but also much more to be written. I hope you will be part of that story."
To me, Dale is the real deal and my life is better because of him. If you don't know "Papa" Dale, hopefully you will have the opportunity to meet him someday. Your life will be better for it.
Love you Dale! I appreciate what you mean to my family and me.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Syria's Turmoil
Syria is in turmoil right now. President Bashar -Al Assad is hanging on to his dictatorship by a thread. If he loses power in that country, things could get very interesting, primarly because of the interview that I have posted below. What if the Assad regime falls and a new regime that is even remotely America friendly comes into power? Well, things could get very interesting and here's why. General Georges Sada, who served as the second-highest ranked general in the Iraqi Air Force as a two-star general, was recently interviewed by Larry Elder. Here are some quotes from that interview:
Elder: General, as you know, the president (Bush) has been accused of lying about the intelligence, fabricating it, cherry-picking it, that he wanted to go to war, he really didn't believe that Saddam had WMD. It was all a big smokescreen. When you hear people accuse the president of lying about WMD, of misleading the country and the world, your reaction, Gen. Georges Sada, is what?
Sada: Let me tell you. I am really surprised how people are speaking like this and their soldiers are still in the battle. You see, a soldier when he is in battle, he wants to feel that all his nation are backing him and they are with him. And now I tell you I feel very sorry when I see some people in this country, their soldiers are in the battle, and they are discussing political things making that soldier to feel that he is there in the wrong place. That's one. Second, if there was something right had been done in this country, it was the best decision taken in the proper time, to go and liberate Iraq from an evil dictatorship who only God knows what he was going to do in the region, and maybe even to America, because that man was possessing the weapons of mass destruction and then he was with very evil intentions towards all the West, especially America.
Elder: Fifteen months before we invaded Iraq, the president began talking about what our intentions would be if Saddam would not comply with the U.N. resolutions. During those 15 months . . . did Saddam have WMD, have stockpiles of WMD, and, if so, what type?
Sada: Iraq possessed WMD and they were there, and they were chemical and biological, and nuclear weapons. He have also deals with China to make it in China this time, not in Iraq, because F-16s of Israelis have destroyed the Iraqi nuclear project, therefore, he designed a new system to have the atom bomb to be done in China, and he would only pay the money, and he did for $100 million, and $5 million were paid for down payment. I know the bank, I know the branch, and I know the accountant who did it.
Elder: What happened to the chemical and biological weapons?
Sada: The chemical and biological weapons were available in Iraq before liberating the country, but Saddam Hussein took the advantage of a natural disaster that happened in Syria when a dam was collapsed and many villages were flooded. So Saddam Hussein took that cover and declared to the world that he is going to use the civilian aircraft for an air bridge to help Syria with blankets, food and fuel oil, and other humanitarian things, but that was not true. The truth is he converted two regular passenger civilian aircraft, 747 Jumbo and 727 . . . all the weapons of mass destruction were put there by the special Republican Guards in a very secret way, and they were transported to Syria, to Damascus, by flying 56 flights to Damascus. . . . In addition . . . also a truck convoy on the ground to take whatever has to do with WMD to Syria.
Elder: I've always thought it incredible, bizarre, unbelievable, that our intelligence could have been wrong, British intelligence could have been wrong, the French, the Germans, the Russians, the U.N., the Egyptians, the Jordanians, all of whom thought he had WMD. I never felt comfortable with the idea that everybody got it wrong. . . .
Sada: Your intelligence said that Saddam Hussein had WMD. . . . I agree with them. They were there in Iraq. But they didn't find them after liberation of Iraq, because they were searching not in the right place. These things were transported by air and by ground.
Elder: General, why would Saddam, knowing we were about ready to invade, transfer WMD out of the country instead of using it on American and coalition troops?
Sada: Because he knew that the power of America to liberate the country is more than what he can do. And maybe not all WMD were ready to use then. And that's why he transported to Syria and he thought that he's going to maintain in the power as he was maintained in 1991 and then he was going to get it back again and then proceed to complete the whole project of WMD.
So, what if the intelligence reports by the U.S., France, Germany, and Britain were correct? What if Bush didn't fabricate the WMD story? What would happen if we found out Sada is right? At the very least, I would say that many, many Democrats would owe an apology to President Bush and the American public.
Stay tuned.
Elder: General, as you know, the president (Bush) has been accused of lying about the intelligence, fabricating it, cherry-picking it, that he wanted to go to war, he really didn't believe that Saddam had WMD. It was all a big smokescreen. When you hear people accuse the president of lying about WMD, of misleading the country and the world, your reaction, Gen. Georges Sada, is what?
Sada: Let me tell you. I am really surprised how people are speaking like this and their soldiers are still in the battle. You see, a soldier when he is in battle, he wants to feel that all his nation are backing him and they are with him. And now I tell you I feel very sorry when I see some people in this country, their soldiers are in the battle, and they are discussing political things making that soldier to feel that he is there in the wrong place. That's one. Second, if there was something right had been done in this country, it was the best decision taken in the proper time, to go and liberate Iraq from an evil dictatorship who only God knows what he was going to do in the region, and maybe even to America, because that man was possessing the weapons of mass destruction and then he was with very evil intentions towards all the West, especially America.
Elder: Fifteen months before we invaded Iraq, the president began talking about what our intentions would be if Saddam would not comply with the U.N. resolutions. During those 15 months . . . did Saddam have WMD, have stockpiles of WMD, and, if so, what type?
Sada: Iraq possessed WMD and they were there, and they were chemical and biological, and nuclear weapons. He have also deals with China to make it in China this time, not in Iraq, because F-16s of Israelis have destroyed the Iraqi nuclear project, therefore, he designed a new system to have the atom bomb to be done in China, and he would only pay the money, and he did for $100 million, and $5 million were paid for down payment. I know the bank, I know the branch, and I know the accountant who did it.
Elder: What happened to the chemical and biological weapons?
Sada: The chemical and biological weapons were available in Iraq before liberating the country, but Saddam Hussein took the advantage of a natural disaster that happened in Syria when a dam was collapsed and many villages were flooded. So Saddam Hussein took that cover and declared to the world that he is going to use the civilian aircraft for an air bridge to help Syria with blankets, food and fuel oil, and other humanitarian things, but that was not true. The truth is he converted two regular passenger civilian aircraft, 747 Jumbo and 727 . . . all the weapons of mass destruction were put there by the special Republican Guards in a very secret way, and they were transported to Syria, to Damascus, by flying 56 flights to Damascus. . . . In addition . . . also a truck convoy on the ground to take whatever has to do with WMD to Syria.
Elder: I've always thought it incredible, bizarre, unbelievable, that our intelligence could have been wrong, British intelligence could have been wrong, the French, the Germans, the Russians, the U.N., the Egyptians, the Jordanians, all of whom thought he had WMD. I never felt comfortable with the idea that everybody got it wrong. . . .
Sada: Your intelligence said that Saddam Hussein had WMD. . . . I agree with them. They were there in Iraq. But they didn't find them after liberation of Iraq, because they were searching not in the right place. These things were transported by air and by ground.
Elder: General, why would Saddam, knowing we were about ready to invade, transfer WMD out of the country instead of using it on American and coalition troops?
Sada: Because he knew that the power of America to liberate the country is more than what he can do. And maybe not all WMD were ready to use then. And that's why he transported to Syria and he thought that he's going to maintain in the power as he was maintained in 1991 and then he was going to get it back again and then proceed to complete the whole project of WMD.
So, what if the intelligence reports by the U.S., France, Germany, and Britain were correct? What if Bush didn't fabricate the WMD story? What would happen if we found out Sada is right? At the very least, I would say that many, many Democrats would owe an apology to President Bush and the American public.
Stay tuned.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
The Old Silver Fox
Some of the earliest memories I have of spending time with my dad revolve around watching storms from the porch and going to the dragstrip to watch him race his American Motors Rambler. (I'm starting to understand why I like storms so much and why I am practically deaf in one ear). When I was young, it was my dad that supported my hobbies and let me experience "boy" things. From ponies to mini-bikes, beta fighting fish to wild rabbits, and spending time in the woods or in my tree house, my dad provided for and allowed me to be a boy.
My teen years were mostly good, but I definitely went through a stage where I thought my father had lost his mind. From girlfriend advice to strict curfews, my dad could dish out the advice and had no problem laying down the law. At the time, I thought he was out of touch. After being a father myself, I appreciate what he did and how he provided the guidelines that I needed at the time.
My father has been through a lot in his life. And I now understand that the migraine headaches that he came home from work with on occasion, were not a sign of weakness, but a result of putting up with a job that could be stressful and difficult at times, and something that he put up with willingly in order to provide for his family.
And recently, his battle with cancer showed our entire family a man that wasn't afraid to admit that he felt vulnerable and afraid while showing courage and faith. It's a joy to observe a man that views everyday as a gift.
So today I want to wish my father a very happy birthday. Thank you for taking care of your family. Thank you for staying the course when it would have been easy to take the shortcut. And in a time when America leads the world in children not having their father present in their life, thank you for fighting to be my father and for providing a stable influence throughout my life.
Happy Birthday Old Silver Fox! Love you.
My teen years were mostly good, but I definitely went through a stage where I thought my father had lost his mind. From girlfriend advice to strict curfews, my dad could dish out the advice and had no problem laying down the law. At the time, I thought he was out of touch. After being a father myself, I appreciate what he did and how he provided the guidelines that I needed at the time.
My father has been through a lot in his life. And I now understand that the migraine headaches that he came home from work with on occasion, were not a sign of weakness, but a result of putting up with a job that could be stressful and difficult at times, and something that he put up with willingly in order to provide for his family.
And recently, his battle with cancer showed our entire family a man that wasn't afraid to admit that he felt vulnerable and afraid while showing courage and faith. It's a joy to observe a man that views everyday as a gift.
So today I want to wish my father a very happy birthday. Thank you for taking care of your family. Thank you for staying the course when it would have been easy to take the shortcut. And in a time when America leads the world in children not having their father present in their life, thank you for fighting to be my father and for providing a stable influence throughout my life.
Happy Birthday Old Silver Fox! Love you.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Tough Life Lessons
In a matter of half an hour today, Spencer's band went from being rated #1 in the nation (in the college battle of the bands contest) to not even being on the screen. What a shame. It is very apparent that the bands that were getting beaten by The WhiteWall Gentlemen decided to sabotage the results and vote a low number for them. The contest now feels like a contest to see who can sabotage the results more so than who has good musical skill. And the band just keeps dropping in numbers everytime I check back.
But the band should keep their heads up. They were on top and got taken out because they were the best in the nation. It would have been a nice "trophy" to have, but I don't think it will matter in the long run.
I spoke to Spencer and told him that he is learning a good "life" lesson. The lesson is that you have to do the best that you can do and then be content that you have given it your all. If you go to bed at night and lay your head on the pillow and know that you have left no stone unturned and have given 100%, that's all you can do. Obviously, The WhiteWall Gentlemen have no control over other bands in New York or Boston or Seattle. Or their attempts to sabotage the band. They just need to keep producing their music and keep working hard to promote their band.
I just need to heed my own advice now.
But the band should keep their heads up. They were on top and got taken out because they were the best in the nation. It would have been a nice "trophy" to have, but I don't think it will matter in the long run.
I spoke to Spencer and told him that he is learning a good "life" lesson. The lesson is that you have to do the best that you can do and then be content that you have given it your all. If you go to bed at night and lay your head on the pillow and know that you have left no stone unturned and have given 100%, that's all you can do. Obviously, The WhiteWall Gentlemen have no control over other bands in New York or Boston or Seattle. Or their attempts to sabotage the band. They just need to keep producing their music and keep working hard to promote their band.
I just need to heed my own advice now.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Doing Nothing Special
This past week was a good week. Nothing special. Nothing really planned. Just time together. Relaxing, doing some chores and just spending time together.
Josh and I started off the week by going to the Corvette plant on his birthday. We both really liked it. The absolute coolest part was at the end of the tour when a Corvette went screaming by us, revving his engine, and giving a show to all Corvette lovers.
And then throughout the week, we spent a good amount of time at the track and at the gym. Josh used the week to build his stamina and strength for May when it counts. The meet on Saturday was not Josh's best effort, due to soreness and tiredness, however his times were respectable and he learned a valuable lesson about long-term goals and giving up immediate glory for long-term results.
We also had a few opportunities to meet up with Spencer and have a couple of meals together. Spencer also went to Josh's track meet to support him. As I write this blog, Spencer's band, The WhiteWall Gentlemen, is rated number one in the nation in a college battle of the bands concert. Way to go guys!
Along with the small chores and "honey-do's", Dena and I spent time time relaxing and simply spending time together. Sometimes it's just good to unwind.
But, despite the fact that this week was not spectacular by any means, it was still an enjoyable week. I loved spending time with my family. I enjoyed working together. And I feel a great sense of pride when the boys use their talents and do well. And sometimes I wonder if God feels the same way about us.
I think He does.
Josh and I started off the week by going to the Corvette plant on his birthday. We both really liked it. The absolute coolest part was at the end of the tour when a Corvette went screaming by us, revving his engine, and giving a show to all Corvette lovers.
And then throughout the week, we spent a good amount of time at the track and at the gym. Josh used the week to build his stamina and strength for May when it counts. The meet on Saturday was not Josh's best effort, due to soreness and tiredness, however his times were respectable and he learned a valuable lesson about long-term goals and giving up immediate glory for long-term results.
We also had a few opportunities to meet up with Spencer and have a couple of meals together. Spencer also went to Josh's track meet to support him. As I write this blog, Spencer's band, The WhiteWall Gentlemen, is rated number one in the nation in a college battle of the bands concert. Way to go guys!
Along with the small chores and "honey-do's", Dena and I spent time time relaxing and simply spending time together. Sometimes it's just good to unwind.
But, despite the fact that this week was not spectacular by any means, it was still an enjoyable week. I loved spending time with my family. I enjoyed working together. And I feel a great sense of pride when the boys use their talents and do well. And sometimes I wonder if God feels the same way about us.
I think He does.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Obama's War
After 72 holes of golf during the week, some pick-up basketball games, and following the NCAA March Madness games on TV, Obama boarded Air Force One with his family for a nice vacation in Rio De Janeiro for Spring Break. And on the way, he had a press release issued saying that we were at war with Libya. Make no mistake, President Obama is proud of how he put together the Libyan operation. A model of international cooperation. All the necessary paperwork. Arab League backing. A Security Council resolution. Everything but a resolution from the Congress of the United States, a minor inconvenience for a citizen of the world. It's war as designed by an Ivy League professor and community activist.
So how is the war going? The Arab League is already reversing itself, criticizing the use of force it had just authorized. The secretary-general of the Arab League, is shocked to find that people are being killed by allied airstrikes. Putin is already calling the Libya operation a medieval crusade. China is calling for a cease-fire, which would completely undermine the allied effort by leaving Gaddafi in power, his people at his mercy and the country is divided and condemned to an ongoing civil war. Brazil joined China in that call for a cease-fire. And how about NATO? Let's see. Britain wanted the operation to be led by NATO. France adamantly disagreed, citing Arab sensibilities. Germany wanted no part of anything, going so far as to pull four of its ships from NATO command in the Mediterranean. France and Germany walked out of a NATO meeting on Monday, while Norway had planes in ready to go but refused to let them fly until it had some idea of who is running the operation. And Turkey, whose prime minister four months ago proudly accepted the Gaddafi International Prize for Human Rights, has been particularly resistant to the Libya operation from the beginning.
Yet Obama deems this process as a great diplomatic success that the League permitted others to fight and die to save fellow Arabs for whom 19 of 21 Arab states have yet to lift a finger.
So how is the war going? The Arab League is already reversing itself, criticizing the use of force it had just authorized. The secretary-general of the Arab League, is shocked to find that people are being killed by allied airstrikes. Putin is already calling the Libya operation a medieval crusade. China is calling for a cease-fire, which would completely undermine the allied effort by leaving Gaddafi in power, his people at his mercy and the country is divided and condemned to an ongoing civil war. Brazil joined China in that call for a cease-fire. And how about NATO? Let's see. Britain wanted the operation to be led by NATO. France adamantly disagreed, citing Arab sensibilities. Germany wanted no part of anything, going so far as to pull four of its ships from NATO command in the Mediterranean. France and Germany walked out of a NATO meeting on Monday, while Norway had planes in ready to go but refused to let them fly until it had some idea of who is running the operation. And Turkey, whose prime minister four months ago proudly accepted the Gaddafi International Prize for Human Rights, has been particularly resistant to the Libya operation from the beginning.
Yet Obama deems this process as a great diplomatic success that the League permitted others to fight and die to save fellow Arabs for whom 19 of 21 Arab states have yet to lift a finger.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Wake Up Men
Last Wednesday, the church that I mentor at, had an event called Silver Ring Thing. It is a program where the youth groups from around the area get together and have a show/concert about abstaining from sex. It is a very hip, very cool program and I am all for the concept. Aside from moral reasons, there are a ton of positives that come from babies not having babies. It is hard on young girls to finish their education with a baby to care for. It is hard to makes ends meet when their parents can't pitch in. It is hard to break out of the cycle that is created by teen pregnancy.
But in reality, I am glad that I am on Spring Break this week and wasn't at the show/concert. I know it seems sort of strange that I would not fully support a program with good intentions, but I don't. Why? Because I believe the foundation of this program is built on hype and emotion. And the emotion lasts about 2 days. I had several boys last year that bought a silver ring and committed themselves to waiting to have sex. All of them had the ring off of their fingers in two weeks time. The show was cool. It created a "herd" mentality. Lots of teens put on the ring. And it failed.
So what is the answer?
It's just my opinion, but I think it is time for men to start being men again. But I know how hard it is nowadays. Our favorite recliner chair calls at the end of a hard day and we just need to rest. Maybe we have to mow the grass or wash the cars. Maybe you're a fan of American Idol and you just can't miss the show. And maybe, just maybe, you would go out and mentor a young man and help him find his way and help him through his struggles, but the University of Kentucky is playing basketball and you have to root for five or six perfect stranger black kids for 2.5 to 3 hours. No way could you miss that!
People that have made a difference don't sit around and wait for someone else to do the job. Jesus didn't sit around and play with a dreidel. He went out with twelve guys, 24/7 for three years, and took his teachings to the Pharisees, the prostitutes, the lepers, and the "unwanted". Mother Theresa didn't think the orphans, people with AIDS, or the blind, disabled, aged, alcoholics, the poor and homeless, victims of floods, epidemics, and famine were too messy for her. But in a group of 2500, not one man will stand up to help the boys in their community.
Every week my "bad" boys tell me that they have had sex, taken drugs, got beaten at home, suspended from school, didn't have enough to eat, got in a fight, that there parents are high on Meth and Crack or drunk daily, or they are flunking school. And they are bombarded constantly with the media, or rap songs, or their situations regarding home life. Young girls dress sensually and ask for them for sex. The local high school had 48 girls last year that got pregnant and had babies.
In other words, these boys need help. They need a man to help provide them with guidance. Most of these boys don't have a father or mother at home. Most of these boys need someone to take them fishing on weekends and to have someone to talk to. Most of these boys need someone to tell them what the life consequences of their actions can have. These boys need someone to care.
So the next time you see me (and you know who you are) don't tell me about how Kentucky is doing on the court, don't tell me about how tired you are, and don't tell me that you are not well enough equipped. Don't complain to me about teen pregnancies going up in the community, and don't complain to me about crime rates going out of control. Get in the trenches. Get dirty.
Get off your butts and make a difference in the life of a young man.
But in reality, I am glad that I am on Spring Break this week and wasn't at the show/concert. I know it seems sort of strange that I would not fully support a program with good intentions, but I don't. Why? Because I believe the foundation of this program is built on hype and emotion. And the emotion lasts about 2 days. I had several boys last year that bought a silver ring and committed themselves to waiting to have sex. All of them had the ring off of their fingers in two weeks time. The show was cool. It created a "herd" mentality. Lots of teens put on the ring. And it failed.
So what is the answer?
It's just my opinion, but I think it is time for men to start being men again. But I know how hard it is nowadays. Our favorite recliner chair calls at the end of a hard day and we just need to rest. Maybe we have to mow the grass or wash the cars. Maybe you're a fan of American Idol and you just can't miss the show. And maybe, just maybe, you would go out and mentor a young man and help him find his way and help him through his struggles, but the University of Kentucky is playing basketball and you have to root for five or six perfect stranger black kids for 2.5 to 3 hours. No way could you miss that!
People that have made a difference don't sit around and wait for someone else to do the job. Jesus didn't sit around and play with a dreidel. He went out with twelve guys, 24/7 for three years, and took his teachings to the Pharisees, the prostitutes, the lepers, and the "unwanted". Mother Theresa didn't think the orphans, people with AIDS, or the blind, disabled, aged, alcoholics, the poor and homeless, victims of floods, epidemics, and famine were too messy for her. But in a group of 2500, not one man will stand up to help the boys in their community.
Every week my "bad" boys tell me that they have had sex, taken drugs, got beaten at home, suspended from school, didn't have enough to eat, got in a fight, that there parents are high on Meth and Crack or drunk daily, or they are flunking school. And they are bombarded constantly with the media, or rap songs, or their situations regarding home life. Young girls dress sensually and ask for them for sex. The local high school had 48 girls last year that got pregnant and had babies.
In other words, these boys need help. They need a man to help provide them with guidance. Most of these boys don't have a father or mother at home. Most of these boys need someone to take them fishing on weekends and to have someone to talk to. Most of these boys need someone to tell them what the life consequences of their actions can have. These boys need someone to care.
So the next time you see me (and you know who you are) don't tell me about how Kentucky is doing on the court, don't tell me about how tired you are, and don't tell me that you are not well enough equipped. Don't complain to me about teen pregnancies going up in the community, and don't complain to me about crime rates going out of control. Get in the trenches. Get dirty.
Get off your butts and make a difference in the life of a young man.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
The Healing Foods Eating Plan
For almost three weeks, I have been on a mission to lose weight and get back in shape. (Beware, I will post pics again close to Easter to compare where I started and what progress I have made in 40 days.) I am doing this because I want to feel better, have better energy, and I want to be superfit. I definitely believe in a body/mind connection. So I am eating anything and everything that is a natural, and mostly, in a raw state. For example, if it doesn't look like it did when it came off the tree or out of the ground, I don't eat it. I am eating fish and chicken also. I am following an eating plan that is pretty close to the plan that Josh's doctor has devised. He calls it the the HEALING FOODS diet and is not just a diet; it’s a tool that will "launch you into a total health transformation". This diet was designed to help anyone triumph over diseases like: diabetes, obesity, heart disease, autism, digestive disorders, fatigue, depression, hormone imbalance, and cancer prevention.
Taken from Dr. Axe's website, he says the following:
The Healing Foods diet targets FIVE ASPECTS of your health to help you gain victory over illness:
1. Removing the BAD FATS – Replacing them with GOOD FATS.
So there you have it. I hope you join my family and me in this adventure.
Stay tuned.
Taken from Dr. Axe's website, he says the following:
The Healing Foods diet targets FIVE ASPECTS of your health to help you gain victory over illness:
- Decreases Inflammation – Most diseases today are due to inflammation. Inflammation damages your cells and arterials walls and causes High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, Arthritis, and digestive disorders like Crohn’s disease to name a few. By reducing inflammation your body is better able to heal from any disease.
- Alkalizes body – Your body should have an average pH of 7.36. A can of soda literally has a pH of 2.5 and it would take approximately 30 glasses of water just to balance things out. Green vegetable juices like wheat grass and spinach help restore the body’s proper pH. All diseases including infections, osteoporosis and cancer thrive in an acidic environment. By alkalizing your body your cells can heal and regenerate at the highest level.
- Lowers blood glucose – One of the primary causes of diabetes and weight gain are burnt out and insulin receptors. By lowering blood glucose levels, insulin receptors can heal and your body can begin to produce normal amounts of insulin to heal diabetes and leptin for weight loss.
- Eliminates Toxins – Toxicity has become epidemic in or society today and is a major cause of our increase in hormonal imbalance and autoimmune diseases. The diet helps problems like female disorders, infertility, hypothyroidism and headaches by balancing hormones and helps in reversal of autoimmune diseases like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, Alzheimer’s, and Autism.
- Optimum Nutrients – Many of today’s illnesses are due to nutritional deficiencies. Most of the foods we eat today are processed and stripped of all vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants and enzymes. This diet slows the aging process, improves mental capacity, and increases energy levels.
1. Removing the BAD FATS – Replacing them with GOOD FATS.
Bad fats such as hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils, trans fats, soybean oil, canola oil and vegetable oils cause heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, chronic fatigue, and neurotoxic syndrome. Bad fats create chronic inflammation throughout the body inducing disease. Good fats are essential to hormone production, cancer prevention, brain development, weight loss, cellular healing, and anti-inflammation.
2. Change the MEATS that you EAT.There are hundreds of studies that link commercial meats with cancer and heart disease. The grain fed to animals that were created to eat grass changes fatty acid ratios (too much omega-6, not enough omega-3) and denatures good fats, leading to modern day disease. The bioaccumulation of commercial pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics, and hormones in meats are causing a toxic onslaught, which leads to many cancers, neurological disorders and chronic illness. Grass fed and free range meats offer many fatty acids missing in the Standard American Diet (SAD) such as: aracodonic acid, congegated linoleic acid, and Omega 3 fatty acids.
3. Remove ALL Refined SUGARS and GRAINS from your Diet.This includes white rice, white pasta, and white bread. 1/3 sugar comes from soft drinks, 2/3 from hidden sources including: lunch meats, pizza, sauces, breads, soups, crackers, fruit drinks, canned foods, yogurt, ketchup, mayonnaise, etc. High glycemic or refined sugars cause elevated glucose, which elevates insulin leading to premature aging and degenerative diseases such as type II diabetes, heart disease (inflammation of the arteries), and cancer.
Sugar is an anti-nutrient offering insignificant amounts of vitamins and minerals and robbing your body of precious nutrient stores. This inevitably leads to diseases of the new millennium such as chronic fatigue, ADD, ADHD, heart disease, diabetes, and cancers.
Low glycemic carbohydrates in the forms of fruits and vegetables have high amounts of fiber, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help you age slower, improve energy levels, lose weight, and naturally detoxify your cells.
Foods on the Healing Foods Diet
| Nuts & Seeds (raw is best) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Almonds | Pecans | Cashews |
| Walnuts | Macadamia nuts | Brazil nuts |
| Pine nuts | Pumpkin Seeds | Flaxseeds |
| Hempseeds | Chia seeds | NO peanuts (biotoxic and high omega-6) |
| Black beans | Adzuki beans | Kidney beans |
| Pinto beans | White beans | Lima beans |
| Fruits | ||
|---|---|---|
| Strawberries | Blueberries | Raspberries |
| Blackberries | Acai Berries | Goji Berries |
| Cherries | Lemon | Lime |
| Apples | Pears | |
| Fruits (to be eaten in moderation) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bananas | Oranges | Mangoes |
| Pineapple | Melon | |
| Dairy (raw is best) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Goats milk | Goats milk yogurt | Goats milk cheese |
| Sheep cheese | ||
| Fats & Oils (organic is best) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ghee | Butter | Coconut Oil |
| Grapeseed Oil | Olive Oil | Flaxseed Oil |
| Hempseed Oil | Pumpkin Seed Oil | Borage Oil (GLA) |
| Fish Oil | Cod Liver Oil | Avocado Oil |
| Sesame Oil | ||
| Vegetables (high fiber and low glycemic) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Asparagus | Bell Peppers | Broccoli |
| Brussel Sprouts | Cabbage | Cauliflower |
| Celery | Collard greens | Cucumber |
| Eggplant | Garlic | Ginger root |
| Grasses (wheat and barley) | Green beans | Green lettuces |
| Heart of palm | Kale | Mushrooms |
| Mustard greens | Olives | Onions |
| Parsley | Radishes | Snow peas |
| Spinach | Sprouts | Sea Vegetables |
| Water Chestnuts | Zucchini | |
| Vegetables (to be eaten in moderation) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Artichokes | Beets | Carrots |
| Chick peas (garbanzo) | Legumes | Leeks |
| Lentils | Okra | Peas |
| Pumpkin | Squash (acorn, butternut, winter, summer, spaghetti) | Tomatoes |
| Meats/Protein (all-natural poultry and grass-fed meat) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Eggs (cage free) | Fish (wild caught) | Chicken |
| Turkey | Beef | Lamb |
| Venison | Wild Game | |
| Lower fiber Carbohydrates (NOT on Healing Foods Diet, but on Basic Diet) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Amaranth | Barley | Brown rice |
| Buckwheat | Corn (non-GMO) | Ezekiel bread |
| Millet | Quinoa | Spelt |
| Sprouted grains | Steel cut oats | Sweet Potatoes or Yams |
| Wild rice | ||
| Condiments | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sea Salt (Celtic, Himalayan, or sea) | Apple cider vinegar | Balsamic vinegar |
| Salsa | Guacamole | Hummus |
| Mustard | Organic flavorings (vanilla, almond, etc.) | Vegenaise w/ grapeseed oil |
| Cocoa and Carob | Herbs and spices (basil, rosemary, curry, cinnamon, etc.)s | Soy sauce (wheat free), Braggs liquid amino’s |
| Sweeteners | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stevia | Xylitol | |
| Sweeteners (NOT on Healing Foods Diet, but on Basic Diet) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Raw Honey (unheated in small amounts) | Agave Nectar | Maple syrup grade A or B |
| Brown rice syrup | ||
| Beverages | ||
|---|---|---|
| Purified, non-chlorinated water | Natural sparkling water, no carbonation added (Pellegrino) | Herbal Teas (unsweetened preferably organic) |
| Raw Vegetable juices | Raw lemonade (Stevia, lemons and water) | Fermented drinks |
So there you have it. I hope you join my family and me in this adventure.
Stay tuned.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Obamacare's First Anniversary
I apologize if politics isn't your thing (sorry Dena). But lately, I have seen a few people post on Facebook and other media in favor of Obamacare. I still love you if you recognize this as you, but I can't help but think you are very mislead about the realities of this program. I believe we need to improve the system. I just don't think we need to bankrupt the country and companies while we are improving healthcare. I also read blogs and Facebook entries that have the attitude that it is time to make corporate America pay. If that person is you and you are reading this now, please know that I will not be as sympathic to you when you and your spouse get laid off and can't pay your personal bills because the "evil" CEO's couldn't afford to keep you and your spouse hired due to ObamaCare.
One year ago, David Axelrod, then-White House senior advisor, promised that Obamacare would be more popular over time. Well, the opposite has happened. Look at any poll and you’ll see that Obamacare has only gotten less legitimate. Today, only 37 percent support it while 56 percent oppose. And according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, after Obamacare passed, 62 percent of Americans thought the law would either have no effect on them or make them worse off. Today that number is up to 69 percent. So what is happening?
The reason why President Obama and his liberal allies have failed to turn public opinion around is simple: The major claims made by the President in the effort to pass Obamacare have all been exposed as frauds, and the early implementation by his Administration has been a complete disaster.
Here are some FACTS:
Want some cold hard facts to support Starbucks CEO? International House of Pancakes franchise owner Scott Womack told Heritage’s Tina Korbe: “Our average revenue per employee is $58,000. Our typical profit per employee is $3,000 and this legislation is going to cost anywhere from $7,000 to $10,000 per employee.” America’s businesses simply cannot afford Obamacare. It is, and is going to continue to be, a huge job killer.
And our nation’s taxpayer’s can’t afford Obamacare either. Last year, our nation’s oldest entitlement program, Social Security, ran a $37 billion deficit. This year, it will pay out $45 billion more than it collected. Over the next 10 years, Social Security will run a $600 billion operating deficit. Instead of making our existing entitlement programs solvent, President Obama created a brand new trillion-dollar entitlement in Obamacare. This trillion dollars in new spending is paid for by half-a-trillion in higher taxes and another half-a-trillion in stolen funds from the existing Medicare program. And the CBO just upped Obamacare’s final price tag by 8.6 percent to $1.44 trillion.
This is simply unsustainable.
Heritage Foundation says it well. "Two hundred and thirty-six years ago, while making the case for Virginia to enter the Revolutionary War, Patrick Henry said: “Give me liberty or give me death!” After just one year, it is already clear that President Obama’s failed health care policies are a betrayal of the founding sentiment".
One year ago, David Axelrod, then-White House senior advisor, promised that Obamacare would be more popular over time. Well, the opposite has happened. Look at any poll and you’ll see that Obamacare has only gotten less legitimate. Today, only 37 percent support it while 56 percent oppose. And according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, after Obamacare passed, 62 percent of Americans thought the law would either have no effect on them or make them worse off. Today that number is up to 69 percent. So what is happening?
The reason why President Obama and his liberal allies have failed to turn public opinion around is simple: The major claims made by the President in the effort to pass Obamacare have all been exposed as frauds, and the early implementation by his Administration has been a complete disaster.
Here are some FACTS:
- According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), whose April 22, 2010, report shows Obamacare adding more than $310 billion more in health care spending. This will raise the price of your meds folks.
- Again, according to CMS, 14 million Americans will lose their current coverage if Obamacare is not repealed. You won't have a choice in what you get for healthcare if this happens. See my blog "I'll have 40 snickers please" if you don't understand this concept.
- We were promised that “The middle class will not see tax increases.” Yes, they will. In fact, most of Obamacare’s tax increases hit the middle class.
- Celtic Insurance Company in Wisconsin and North Carolina has attributed half of its 18 percent rate increase to Obamacare mandates.
- Just one year after Obamacare forced all insurers to sell coverage to all applicants—no matter what—insurers in 34 states have exited the market entirely, and 20 states now have no insurers that offer child-only plans.
- The Obama Administration predicted that 375,000 previously uninsured Americans would benefit from Obamacare’s high-risk insurance pools. In reality, only 12,500 people (just 3 percent of the initial estimate) obtained coverage through this program.
Want some cold hard facts to support Starbucks CEO? International House of Pancakes franchise owner Scott Womack told Heritage’s Tina Korbe: “Our average revenue per employee is $58,000. Our typical profit per employee is $3,000 and this legislation is going to cost anywhere from $7,000 to $10,000 per employee.” America’s businesses simply cannot afford Obamacare. It is, and is going to continue to be, a huge job killer.
And our nation’s taxpayer’s can’t afford Obamacare either. Last year, our nation’s oldest entitlement program, Social Security, ran a $37 billion deficit. This year, it will pay out $45 billion more than it collected. Over the next 10 years, Social Security will run a $600 billion operating deficit. Instead of making our existing entitlement programs solvent, President Obama created a brand new trillion-dollar entitlement in Obamacare. This trillion dollars in new spending is paid for by half-a-trillion in higher taxes and another half-a-trillion in stolen funds from the existing Medicare program. And the CBO just upped Obamacare’s final price tag by 8.6 percent to $1.44 trillion.
This is simply unsustainable.
Heritage Foundation says it well. "Two hundred and thirty-six years ago, while making the case for Virginia to enter the Revolutionary War, Patrick Henry said: “Give me liberty or give me death!” After just one year, it is already clear that President Obama’s failed health care policies are a betrayal of the founding sentiment".
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Obama's Foreign Policy
In my opinion, Obama's domestic policies have been a complete and utter failure. He has shown a lack of direction, a lack of purpose, and a lack of leadership. I am for an improved healthcare system, but not Obamacare that will strap future generations to unsustainable debt. We spent billions and billions of dollars and more Americans remain out of work than at any time in this nation's history, while Obama claims progress on the economy. Even non-partisan economists admit that Obama's policies have failed and many Americans may never find a decent job again. The Gulf castastrophe showed Obama's inability to handle a crisis so much so that even the New York Times was upset about how he handled the crisis saying, "the administration should not have waited, and should have intervened much more quickly on its own initiative. … The timetable is damning. … What we do know is that we now face a huge disaster whose consequences might have been minimized with swifter action.” Felt the pinch at the gas pump lately?
But I believe that it is Obama's foreign policy that really magnifies a presidency of ineptitude, incompetence and inability. But you have to hand it to him, he is consistent. Throughout his term, with every Islamic revolution that has swept the Middle East and Africa, he has sided with the Islamic supremacists and extremists at every turn. For example, he backed the Muslim Brotherhood, a radical Islamic group bent on worldwide sharia law, in Gaza, Judea, and Samaria. He has backed Hezb'Allah in Lebanon. He has backed Islamic law at the U.N., having the U.S. co-sponsor a resolution with Egypt on the restriction of free speech regarding Islam. Are you kidding me? Restriction of free speech against Islam while we support moron's freedom in this country to protest military funerals. Quite frankly, I find Obama's U.N. resolution disgusting.
And most recently, Obama is backing Al-Qaeda in Libya, with Al-Qaeda having already established an emirate in eastern Libya, and is playing a leading role in the revolt against Gaddafi. The Libyan Islamist Fighting Group is also involved. They are a group that is, according to the Telegraph, "focused only on promoting sharia law in Libya. As I discussed in my blog' "What in the World is going on?", the uprisings and revolutions are mostly extremist militant Islamic factions trying to take over nations while promoting sharia law.
Some democrats admit privately that Obama could become the biggest disappointment in the White House since Jimmy Carter....... and that is saying a lot. Even Hillary wants out.
But sadly, in my opinion, the stakes are higher than when Carter was in the White House. Obama's fierce loyalty to radical Islamic groups is not only bad policy but threatens free men the world over.
But I believe that it is Obama's foreign policy that really magnifies a presidency of ineptitude, incompetence and inability. But you have to hand it to him, he is consistent. Throughout his term, with every Islamic revolution that has swept the Middle East and Africa, he has sided with the Islamic supremacists and extremists at every turn. For example, he backed the Muslim Brotherhood, a radical Islamic group bent on worldwide sharia law, in Gaza, Judea, and Samaria. He has backed Hezb'Allah in Lebanon. He has backed Islamic law at the U.N., having the U.S. co-sponsor a resolution with Egypt on the restriction of free speech regarding Islam. Are you kidding me? Restriction of free speech against Islam while we support moron's freedom in this country to protest military funerals. Quite frankly, I find Obama's U.N. resolution disgusting.
And most recently, Obama is backing Al-Qaeda in Libya, with Al-Qaeda having already established an emirate in eastern Libya, and is playing a leading role in the revolt against Gaddafi. The Libyan Islamist Fighting Group is also involved. They are a group that is, according to the Telegraph, "focused only on promoting sharia law in Libya. As I discussed in my blog' "What in the World is going on?", the uprisings and revolutions are mostly extremist militant Islamic factions trying to take over nations while promoting sharia law.
But while the media continues to look the other way when it comes to Obama’s mistakes, both domestic and foreign, and some of my Democratic friends have the wool pulled over their eyes day in and day out, Democrats in Congress worry that Obama's Presidency, combined with the lackluster Democratic leadership in Congress, could spell disaster at the polls again.
But sadly, in my opinion, the stakes are higher than when Carter was in the White House. Obama's fierce loyalty to radical Islamic groups is not only bad policy but threatens free men the world over.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Now is the Time
Close to fifteen years ago, I watched a scene unfold before my eyes that I thought was horrible. I was getting a bagel and tea at a local restaurant in Chicago and had just walked out of the door and was headed back to my car. Before I had gotten halfway there, I heard a girl scream as she was running through the parking lot. "Somebody help me. They are going to kill me" she cried at the top of her lungs. Two men followed her in hot pursuit, both at full speed.
Without thinking, my adrenaline kicked in and I took off in a dead sprint through the parking lot, directly towards the two "thugs" in hot pursuit of this poor "damsel" in distress. As I neared the first guy, I gave him a forearm shiver (football move) and knocked him to the pavement. The other guy was just a few yards away and within seconds I had caught him and tackled him to the ground. The girl sailed through the parking lot and on to safety. Mission accomplished. Or so I thought.
As the two young men picked themselves up off of the pavement, they started cussing me out like drunken sailors (Now that I think about it, I never have heard a drunken sailor cuss). "What are you doing you fool?" they were yelling. "Leave that poor girl alone" I shouted back. "She just stole product from the grocery store you idiot", they yelled back. At that point, I felt about one inch tall. I had screwed up really badly. The bad "guy" (girl) got away. I had tackled her pursuers, the employees from the grocery store, that were trying to recover the store's product that had just been stolen.
If I had a chance to do it all over, and if I didn't know what was happening, would I still do the same thing? No, probably not. Back then we didn't have portable devices with cameras and phones and text messages and quick-dial emergency apps at our service. I most likely would take a pic, call the police, and "document" everything from a distance. Especially because I am fifteen years older and probably couldn't catch anyone anyway. But I would like to think I would take action.
But today I think the "bad" guys count on the "good" guys not doing anything. We are so caught up in our daily activities and busy lives that we don't want to get involved. We think somebody else will. I am guilty of letting my opinion be known, but not taking things to the next level, where my actions can really make a difference.
I want to become more aware of those people around me that need help and do something. I need to write my congressman more often. I need to take part in rallies for things that I believe in. We need to lend a helping hand or take time to listen to someone that is hurting. It is apparent to me that the people that I don't agree with are active. All I have to do is to turn on the radio or the television or look on Facebook and I am blasted with the opposition and their opinions and can see the actions they are taking. And it is apparent that more and more people are needing a helping hand each and every day.
And sooner than we know it, if we don't make our voices heard and our opinions known and take care of those around us that need help, we will wake up one day and things will be too far gone to do anything.
Without thinking, my adrenaline kicked in and I took off in a dead sprint through the parking lot, directly towards the two "thugs" in hot pursuit of this poor "damsel" in distress. As I neared the first guy, I gave him a forearm shiver (football move) and knocked him to the pavement. The other guy was just a few yards away and within seconds I had caught him and tackled him to the ground. The girl sailed through the parking lot and on to safety. Mission accomplished. Or so I thought.
As the two young men picked themselves up off of the pavement, they started cussing me out like drunken sailors (Now that I think about it, I never have heard a drunken sailor cuss). "What are you doing you fool?" they were yelling. "Leave that poor girl alone" I shouted back. "She just stole product from the grocery store you idiot", they yelled back. At that point, I felt about one inch tall. I had screwed up really badly. The bad "guy" (girl) got away. I had tackled her pursuers, the employees from the grocery store, that were trying to recover the store's product that had just been stolen.
If I had a chance to do it all over, and if I didn't know what was happening, would I still do the same thing? No, probably not. Back then we didn't have portable devices with cameras and phones and text messages and quick-dial emergency apps at our service. I most likely would take a pic, call the police, and "document" everything from a distance. Especially because I am fifteen years older and probably couldn't catch anyone anyway. But I would like to think I would take action.
But today I think the "bad" guys count on the "good" guys not doing anything. We are so caught up in our daily activities and busy lives that we don't want to get involved. We think somebody else will. I am guilty of letting my opinion be known, but not taking things to the next level, where my actions can really make a difference.
I want to become more aware of those people around me that need help and do something. I need to write my congressman more often. I need to take part in rallies for things that I believe in. We need to lend a helping hand or take time to listen to someone that is hurting. It is apparent to me that the people that I don't agree with are active. All I have to do is to turn on the radio or the television or look on Facebook and I am blasted with the opposition and their opinions and can see the actions they are taking. And it is apparent that more and more people are needing a helping hand each and every day.
And sooner than we know it, if we don't make our voices heard and our opinions known and take care of those around us that need help, we will wake up one day and things will be too far gone to do anything.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Charles Joshua Dale Martin
Truth be told, I didn't want another child. I couldn't imagine trying to give my love to another child. I was set on just having Spencer in our family. But Dena was set on having another child. She had come from a large family and knew that she wanted to have another child. This left little doubt that we were going to have another member of our family.
So on March 21, 1994, Joshy made his entrance into our world. And, just like his running today, when he decided to come, he came very fast. Dena had labor pains for about one month, and on March 21st, she woke me up early to say that she was confident this was the day. However, this was the third or fourth time that she had felt this way, and I was very slow to get out of bed. I thought we had another false alarm. When Dena started to make her way down the stairs declaring that she was leaving without me, I knew I needed to get moving, and fast.
Thankfully, we were literally five minutes from the hospital. When we arrived, I parked at the front door, left the car running, and got attention for Dena asap. I told her I would be there as soon as I parked the car. When I ran back into the hospital, I was rushed to her room. The attending nurse started barking orders to me saying that the baby was on his way and that we didn't have time for the doctor to make it to the hospital. Needless to say, panic hit me immediately as I started to provide assistance to the nurse.
I wasn't panicked for long though. Within five minutes, Dena and I had a healthy baby boy. Any doubt that I had initially about having another addition to our family totally evaporated as I held Joshy in my arms. His hair was blonde, his cry was loud, his eyes were blood shot red (from coming through the birth canal so quickly), and I couldn't imagine a more perfect baby to join our family.
Seventeen years later, I still am thankful for my wife's persistence and can't imagine my life without Joshy in our family.
Happy Birthday! I love you boy!
So on March 21, 1994, Joshy made his entrance into our world. And, just like his running today, when he decided to come, he came very fast. Dena had labor pains for about one month, and on March 21st, she woke me up early to say that she was confident this was the day. However, this was the third or fourth time that she had felt this way, and I was very slow to get out of bed. I thought we had another false alarm. When Dena started to make her way down the stairs declaring that she was leaving without me, I knew I needed to get moving, and fast.
Thankfully, we were literally five minutes from the hospital. When we arrived, I parked at the front door, left the car running, and got attention for Dena asap. I told her I would be there as soon as I parked the car. When I ran back into the hospital, I was rushed to her room. The attending nurse started barking orders to me saying that the baby was on his way and that we didn't have time for the doctor to make it to the hospital. Needless to say, panic hit me immediately as I started to provide assistance to the nurse.
I wasn't panicked for long though. Within five minutes, Dena and I had a healthy baby boy. Any doubt that I had initially about having another addition to our family totally evaporated as I held Joshy in my arms. His hair was blonde, his cry was loud, his eyes were blood shot red (from coming through the birth canal so quickly), and I couldn't imagine a more perfect baby to join our family.
Seventeen years later, I still am thankful for my wife's persistence and can't imagine my life without Joshy in our family.
Happy Birthday! I love you boy!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
The Underdog
It happened tonight in the NCAA 3rd round of March Madness. #1 seeded Pitt fell to Butler. I am sure it messed up a lot of people's brackets. But I also know a lot of people were cheering for Butler. How do I know? Because Butler was a big-time underdog and we like cheering for the underdog.
And it's not just basketball that we find ourselved rooting for the underdog. How about Susan Boyle, the frumpy, 47 year old lady that won America's got Talent? We like the story of David vs. Goliath. Rocky Balboa. Secretariat. Rudy. The 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team. Just mention these underdogs and I bet you get a good feeling deep inside. There is something about them that we relate to.
Why do we like cheering for the underdog? I think there are several reasons. For example, some people like rooting for the underdog as a basis of bragging, especially if the underdog wins. Being able to brag that you supported to underdog implies a cleverness on your part.
It also implies that you aren't just following what is popular. Ironically, this also offers a safe psychological out if the underdog loses. In that sense it gives some people the best overall bet--you can either brag that your team won against the odds or can shrug off a loss and make the self-righteous claim that you didn't go with the obvious.
Perhaps we feel morally good about rooting for the underdog.
Maybe, it's part of our identity as a nation, after all, the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth rock seemed destined to fail from the start.
But, here's why I think we really like the underdog; because if they can do it, maybe, just maybe, we can do it too.
And it's not just basketball that we find ourselved rooting for the underdog. How about Susan Boyle, the frumpy, 47 year old lady that won America's got Talent? We like the story of David vs. Goliath. Rocky Balboa. Secretariat. Rudy. The 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team. Just mention these underdogs and I bet you get a good feeling deep inside. There is something about them that we relate to.
Why do we like cheering for the underdog? I think there are several reasons. For example, some people like rooting for the underdog as a basis of bragging, especially if the underdog wins. Being able to brag that you supported to underdog implies a cleverness on your part.
It also implies that you aren't just following what is popular. Ironically, this also offers a safe psychological out if the underdog loses. In that sense it gives some people the best overall bet--you can either brag that your team won against the odds or can shrug off a loss and make the self-righteous claim that you didn't go with the obvious.
Perhaps we feel morally good about rooting for the underdog.
Maybe, it's part of our identity as a nation, after all, the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth rock seemed destined to fail from the start.
But, here's why I think we really like the underdog; because if they can do it, maybe, just maybe, we can do it too.
Friday, March 18, 2011
The Miracle of Work and Common Sense
I got in late tonight and had a long day. So I wanted to re-post a blog that I read lately. This is not mine but I thought it made a lot of sense. Hope you enjoy!
In John 7, Jesus decides to go to Galilee and avoid Judea because the Jews in Judea were hatching a plan to kill Him. I often turn my faith into voodoo like seances and emotion-filled prayers in seeking God’s will, while Jesus Himself just uses common sense. I’m not going to Judea, He says, because those guys are trying to kill me. I’ll go over to Galilee instead. I hear they have a Dairy Queen.
I remember reading a big report from a church I used to go to, a vision statement outlining the plan for the church to grow. It involved buying new property and building a new building and more than quadrupling the size of the congregation over the next twenty years or so. When I read it, I remember thinking that the vision lacked common sense. The church was in a rural area, and there was no growth happening in the community. It seemed like, if you wanted to reach more people, you’d just send another pastor into an area closer to town and plant another church. It would be a lot cheaper to do it that way anyway. But the vision was couched in a lot of God talk, a lot of talk about how it was “bathed in prayer” and the sort of language that creeps normal people out. That vision statement came out ten years ago, and very little has happened, save a church split and a lot of controversy.
I find it suspect when a vision for power and glory for man is couched in a lot of religious talk. I usually suspect that its one of two things, if not both:
1. Justification for doing something we really want and God didn’t ask for.
2. A way of defending what we want so nobody will argue with us or push back. How can they? We prayed about it and stuff.
Miracles happen and people get visions for sure. But mostly God gives us a hoe and some seeds and introduces us to the miracle of work and a lot of common sense.
In John 7, Jesus decides to go to Galilee and avoid Judea because the Jews in Judea were hatching a plan to kill Him. I often turn my faith into voodoo like seances and emotion-filled prayers in seeking God’s will, while Jesus Himself just uses common sense. I’m not going to Judea, He says, because those guys are trying to kill me. I’ll go over to Galilee instead. I hear they have a Dairy Queen.
I remember reading a big report from a church I used to go to, a vision statement outlining the plan for the church to grow. It involved buying new property and building a new building and more than quadrupling the size of the congregation over the next twenty years or so. When I read it, I remember thinking that the vision lacked common sense. The church was in a rural area, and there was no growth happening in the community. It seemed like, if you wanted to reach more people, you’d just send another pastor into an area closer to town and plant another church. It would be a lot cheaper to do it that way anyway. But the vision was couched in a lot of God talk, a lot of talk about how it was “bathed in prayer” and the sort of language that creeps normal people out. That vision statement came out ten years ago, and very little has happened, save a church split and a lot of controversy.
I find it suspect when a vision for power and glory for man is couched in a lot of religious talk. I usually suspect that its one of two things, if not both:
1. Justification for doing something we really want and God didn’t ask for.
2. A way of defending what we want so nobody will argue with us or push back. How can they? We prayed about it and stuff.
Miracles happen and people get visions for sure. But mostly God gives us a hoe and some seeds and introduces us to the miracle of work and a lot of common sense.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Thoughts by the Fire at the Camp
Next week will be three years since I purchased a camper and pulled it to Kentucky. When I arrived, I set the camper up in a snowstorm. The next morning I couldn't get the shower to run hot water. After going home for the weekend, on my return trip to Kentucky, I hit something on I-65 so hard that I blew my tire and snapped the rim. That was the beginning of the end for the Volvo.
But not everything has been a bad experience at the old campground. I have had some good times; kayaking on the lake, cooking out, being able to relax occasionally in the hammock, and having lots of time to read, and most recently, write. While alone in the camper, or next to a big fire at night, I have been able to think through some things. As you know, none of the philosophies listed below are original. All of these thoughts have been passed down for ages and ages. I am just trying to live them and have gotten better at it while in Kentucky. Some of my "campfire philosophies" are as follows:
But not everything has been a bad experience at the old campground. I have had some good times; kayaking on the lake, cooking out, being able to relax occasionally in the hammock, and having lots of time to read, and most recently, write. While alone in the camper, or next to a big fire at night, I have been able to think through some things. As you know, none of the philosophies listed below are original. All of these thoughts have been passed down for ages and ages. I am just trying to live them and have gotten better at it while in Kentucky. Some of my "campfire philosophies" are as follows:
- Enjoy the journey as you pass through life. Watch a sunrise. Go outside at night and look at the stars. Take an afternoon off after a grueling work week. And learn to like and appreciate the power of silence and be still for a change.
- A man must do whatever he can to provide for his family. It may not be fun, it may be demoralizing, and it may not be your "dream" job, but there is great satisfaction in knowing that the people that depend on you are taken care of and are able to pursue their dreams.
- Take responsibility for problems that are the result of your own bad decisions. Don't displace blame. You won't learn from your mistakes until you take responsibility for them.
- Be bold before men but meek before God.
- Money can destroy relationships. Especially when borrowing or lending.
- Live debt-free and below your means. It gives peace of mind.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Truth or Consequences
Tonight, and most Wednesday nights, I meet with a group of 20+ high school freshman and try to teach them about life, and relationships, and God. The church of 2500 that I teach at can't find a single man to work with these boys because they are the "bad" boys, the "un-churched". These boys don't meet to "fellowship". They don't even know what that word is. Their prayers don't sound like "church" prayers. But I like it that way. They are real. And most of them want to learn. And so I started wondering, if I were to get a group of famous preachers and leading evangelists together for a pastor's conference and asked them ask them to write a book about God and the church to present to my freshman boys, what would the book look like? What would it contain? What would be the message?
These leaders probably wouldn't write about the story of Jim Bakker having a sexual affair with Jessica Hahn, Jimmy Swaggart telling people on TV about how poor he was while leading a life of opulence, or Ted Haggard talking macho and homophobic and then secretly sleeping with men and using drugs. I doubt they would talk about powerful religious figures getting drunk and sleeping with the nanny. After all, it wouldn't be wise to talk about such things to such impressionable young men. They might get the wrong idea. And they might not understand why the story is being told. But last week, I asked those boys to read stories similar to situations I just mentioned. I asked them to take notes so that we could talk the next week. You see, I asked them to read the Bible.
I believe that at the end of the pastor's conference, I might get a book full of rules and mission statements and theological "truths". The book may contain song lyrics, and stories of brave missionairies that lost their lives oversees. And then, at the end of the book, I think I would find plans and programs designed to help my students lead a happy, productive, financially stable life. In other words, I would get the Book of Mormon.
But the Bible is not like that. What I love about the Bible is it’s honesty. This is not a book in which authors tried to hide anything. If somebody got drunk and slept with their daughter, it’s in there. If the king of Israel had a man killed and slept with his wife, it’s in there. If somebody doubted God’s love, it’s right there in the book. And it's necessary so that "un-churched" people like my group boys (and me), know that there is hope. It's necessary so they know that they don't have to be perfect.
So why don’t Christian books read anything like the Bible? Can we handle the truth?
Part of the problem is that we want to look good. We want to impress others with "Christianese". When the authors of scripture sat down to write, they weren’t writing for critics, and they didn’t care whether or not people approved, they were attempting to capture truth. And they believed telling the truth was more important than hiding details or looking good.
So do we believe in telling the truth? What if the church shrunk in attendance because pastors started telling the truth in Sunday morning sermons? (in maturity and objectivity) Would people stop reading my blog if I was honest? And at what point do we call a white-washed style of writing or teaching or preaching.......... lies?
I lived with a pastor when I was in college and, at times, it wasn't pretty. So, what if you knew the thoughts of your small group leader? Or your pastor? If others knew about my darkest sins and thoughts, would they stay away from me, or not let me teach the boys on Wednesday night? Just how did a book filled with such brutal honesty create such a "vanilla" cover-up, culture?
What could happen if just one man in this community of 2500 would take an interest in the freshman boys and show them truth?
What do you think would happen if we all stopped “spinning” the gospel, and started telling the truth?
Honestly, I dont know.
These leaders probably wouldn't write about the story of Jim Bakker having a sexual affair with Jessica Hahn, Jimmy Swaggart telling people on TV about how poor he was while leading a life of opulence, or Ted Haggard talking macho and homophobic and then secretly sleeping with men and using drugs. I doubt they would talk about powerful religious figures getting drunk and sleeping with the nanny. After all, it wouldn't be wise to talk about such things to such impressionable young men. They might get the wrong idea. And they might not understand why the story is being told. But last week, I asked those boys to read stories similar to situations I just mentioned. I asked them to take notes so that we could talk the next week. You see, I asked them to read the Bible.
I believe that at the end of the pastor's conference, I might get a book full of rules and mission statements and theological "truths". The book may contain song lyrics, and stories of brave missionairies that lost their lives oversees. And then, at the end of the book, I think I would find plans and programs designed to help my students lead a happy, productive, financially stable life. In other words, I would get the Book of Mormon.
But the Bible is not like that. What I love about the Bible is it’s honesty. This is not a book in which authors tried to hide anything. If somebody got drunk and slept with their daughter, it’s in there. If the king of Israel had a man killed and slept with his wife, it’s in there. If somebody doubted God’s love, it’s right there in the book. And it's necessary so that "un-churched" people like my group boys (and me), know that there is hope. It's necessary so they know that they don't have to be perfect.
So why don’t Christian books read anything like the Bible? Can we handle the truth?
Part of the problem is that we want to look good. We want to impress others with "Christianese". When the authors of scripture sat down to write, they weren’t writing for critics, and they didn’t care whether or not people approved, they were attempting to capture truth. And they believed telling the truth was more important than hiding details or looking good.
So do we believe in telling the truth? What if the church shrunk in attendance because pastors started telling the truth in Sunday morning sermons? (in maturity and objectivity) Would people stop reading my blog if I was honest? And at what point do we call a white-washed style of writing or teaching or preaching.......... lies?
I lived with a pastor when I was in college and, at times, it wasn't pretty. So, what if you knew the thoughts of your small group leader? Or your pastor? If others knew about my darkest sins and thoughts, would they stay away from me, or not let me teach the boys on Wednesday night? Just how did a book filled with such brutal honesty create such a "vanilla" cover-up, culture?
What could happen if just one man in this community of 2500 would take an interest in the freshman boys and show them truth?
What do you think would happen if we all stopped “spinning” the gospel, and started telling the truth?
Honestly, I dont know.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
I'll have 40 Snickers Bars Please
Yesterday, more of the veil was pulled back and surpisingly, the American public was told the truth. The only problem is that the veil was pulled back too late. I am referring to the Democrats constant drum beat regarding health care reform. Yesterday, Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, said that the health-care law that Obama signed last March is a “platform” for building a single-payer health care system in the U.S. During a program at the National Press Club on Monday, Conyers said that after discussing the issue with Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D.-Ohio) he voted for the health-care law because he saw it as a necessary “platform” for building toward a single-payer health-care system in the United States.
Speaking after the event at the National Press Club, Conyers said, “What we’re trying to do is insure everybody, right? We’re trying to insure more people, not less and so it’s my feeling that the rising costs that are going on will not be solved by getting rid of people’s health insurance–that throws them into emergency rooms and charity and other things. That’s why HR 676 is our ultimate solution–is that everybody’s insured from birth on and that’s what we’re still fighting for.”
First of all, for those of you who don't know, the term single-payer describes funding referring to health care financed by a single public body from a single fund—and does not specify the type of delivery, or for whom doctors work. Also, understand that the single payer referred to in regards to U.S. healthcare and what Conyers and Kucinich is referring to is the government.
I am a simple guy so I will try to explain the problem with single-payer. Let's substitute healthcare with something that everyone can relate to and is easier to understand, like food. So, lets say that your employer takes $10,000 per year out of your paycheck and signs you up for a "food plan". Your options are limited: you get to purchase food at a few assorted restaurants and one large grocery store. Any time that you go to those places, you only pay $10 no matter what you purchase. A few things would most likely happen:
Just because I don't believe that the federal government should be involved in the health-care business doesn't mean that I dont believe we should work to make high quality health care available to everyone. The difference between me and Conyers and Kucinich is simply in the approach. While "progressives" think that the best way to cover everyone is through regulations, mandates, and price controls, I believe the exact opposite policies will get us much closer to where we all want to be.
Speaking after the event at the National Press Club, Conyers said, “What we’re trying to do is insure everybody, right? We’re trying to insure more people, not less and so it’s my feeling that the rising costs that are going on will not be solved by getting rid of people’s health insurance–that throws them into emergency rooms and charity and other things. That’s why HR 676 is our ultimate solution–is that everybody’s insured from birth on and that’s what we’re still fighting for.”
First of all, for those of you who don't know, the term single-payer describes funding referring to health care financed by a single public body from a single fund—and does not specify the type of delivery, or for whom doctors work. Also, understand that the single payer referred to in regards to U.S. healthcare and what Conyers and Kucinich is referring to is the government.
I am a simple guy so I will try to explain the problem with single-payer. Let's substitute healthcare with something that everyone can relate to and is easier to understand, like food. So, lets say that your employer takes $10,000 per year out of your paycheck and signs you up for a "food plan". Your options are limited: you get to purchase food at a few assorted restaurants and one large grocery store. Any time that you go to those places, you only pay $10 no matter what you purchase. A few things would most likely happen:
- You would be robbed of your choice. What if you heard that the restaurant down the street served great Mexican food? Sorry, you are not covered there. You can't eat at that restaurant. Or maybe you are on a health kick and want gluten-free, organic food only. Sorry again. The few assigned restaurants that you are allowed to go to have only certain food choices and gluten-free and organic are not on the menu.
- You would buy more food than you need. Remember, the co-pays are tiny. So, you are walking through the aisles at the grocery store and can't decide what you want. Try both types of spaghetti sauce and throw the one out that you don't want. It doesn't matter. Remember, you don't have to pay.
- No prices would be displayed at the restaurants that you can eat in or the grocery store that is assigned to you. There is no reason. It is free. And before you know it, Snickers bars cost $25, There is no way to figure out what a fair market value is because there is no competitive pricing.
Just because I don't believe that the federal government should be involved in the health-care business doesn't mean that I dont believe we should work to make high quality health care available to everyone. The difference between me and Conyers and Kucinich is simply in the approach. While "progressives" think that the best way to cover everyone is through regulations, mandates, and price controls, I believe the exact opposite policies will get us much closer to where we all want to be.
Monday, March 14, 2011
My Brother
I don't want to write about this subject but it has been on my mind all day. I wanted to write about something "vanilla". But I can't. I think I need to get this off my mind.
I had a little brother that passed away when he was very young. I was young too. We didn't get to do much together because he was so young and sick. But I do have good memories of swimming with him, swinging on the swings with him, and pushing him in the stroller. I missed him so much that I had dreams of him until I graduated from high school. I haven't had dreams of him for a long time though. My blog yesterday was about a little boy that went to heaven during his surgery to repair his appendix. One of the things that the boy talks about in his book is seeing his unborn sister in heaven and missing her afterwards. I hope that I get to see my brother again some day.
But one of the gifts that I received not long after my brother passed away was another little brother. When Rich was born I was so thankful. He didn't replace the void that I had, but rather helped to fill a void. Rich's intials are RPM, which is very appropriate. He has always been a high RPM guy. If it isn't fast and dangerous, Rich doesn't have much to do with it. Throughout the years, I always felt protective of Rich and often worried about him when he was away. But then, in between my sixth and seventh grade years, my dad married a wonderful lady that came with a package deal, a little girl and a boy that was Rich's age. That little boy, Brett, and Rich were inseperable. And I was thankful.
A few years later, Rich and I connected again and then we both moved to Tennessee. I spent many, many hours with Rich. The boys called him "Unkie Poo" and loved when he was around. He was fun and made them laugh. We talked a lot about the future.
And then things changed. And our futures as brothers changed. Decisions were made and things happened that altered our relationship. I haven't spoken to Rich in years. I don't even know his phone number or address. As a husband and father, I have been forced to make decisions that are best for my family. And it makes me sad. Especially on days like today when it is Rich's birthday. I feel like things will never be the same as they once were, but I do hope that one day we can at least talk occasionally by phone.
And the irony is that the brother that helped to fill a void has left another void in my heart.
I had a little brother that passed away when he was very young. I was young too. We didn't get to do much together because he was so young and sick. But I do have good memories of swimming with him, swinging on the swings with him, and pushing him in the stroller. I missed him so much that I had dreams of him until I graduated from high school. I haven't had dreams of him for a long time though. My blog yesterday was about a little boy that went to heaven during his surgery to repair his appendix. One of the things that the boy talks about in his book is seeing his unborn sister in heaven and missing her afterwards. I hope that I get to see my brother again some day.
But one of the gifts that I received not long after my brother passed away was another little brother. When Rich was born I was so thankful. He didn't replace the void that I had, but rather helped to fill a void. Rich's intials are RPM, which is very appropriate. He has always been a high RPM guy. If it isn't fast and dangerous, Rich doesn't have much to do with it. Throughout the years, I always felt protective of Rich and often worried about him when he was away. But then, in between my sixth and seventh grade years, my dad married a wonderful lady that came with a package deal, a little girl and a boy that was Rich's age. That little boy, Brett, and Rich were inseperable. And I was thankful.
A few years later, Rich and I connected again and then we both moved to Tennessee. I spent many, many hours with Rich. The boys called him "Unkie Poo" and loved when he was around. He was fun and made them laugh. We talked a lot about the future.
And then things changed. And our futures as brothers changed. Decisions were made and things happened that altered our relationship. I haven't spoken to Rich in years. I don't even know his phone number or address. As a husband and father, I have been forced to make decisions that are best for my family. And it makes me sad. Especially on days like today when it is Rich's birthday. I feel like things will never be the same as they once were, but I do hope that one day we can at least talk occasionally by phone.
And the irony is that the brother that helped to fill a void has left another void in my heart.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Is Heaven for Real?
Heaven has always been something I have known about but actually know little about. Theologians and scholars debate constantly over what is in heaven, where heaven is, and what we do in heaven. Explanations vary from heaven being a place where we do nothing but sing and worship God for eternity to people believing that there is no heaven to heaven being a figurative place that only represents good.
I have read the bible and know that there are several descriptions of heaven. Some of the verses give specific dimensions of heaven, some verses provide a picture of golden streets, mansions, and angels. Some verses talk about a war going on in heaven.
This weekend I read a book titled Heaven is for Real. The book is about a three year old's journey to heaven and back while in surgery for appendicitis. I liked the book because it came from a little boy's perspective, not that of an adult who is tainted naturally by their personal experiences, culture, upbringing, etc.. The little boy in the book, Colton Burpo, told of spending time with his great-grandfather (Pop) and of his sister, both of whom he had never met. He also describes how heaven contains a rainbow of colors, he tells the reader about Jesus' horse, Jesus' markers, he told of how people in heaven are not old, and tells of what he saw in heaven about the future.
I am purposely not going into detail about the book because I want to encourage you to read it for yourself. At the very least, you will find it interesting and thought-provoking. It's a quick read, fast and interesting, and entertaining. It will leave you with questions and inquiries to make because you will just want to know more. The last line of the book summary is appropriate when it says, "Heaven is for Real will forever change the way you think of eternity, offering the chance to see, and believe, like a child."
I have read the bible and know that there are several descriptions of heaven. Some of the verses give specific dimensions of heaven, some verses provide a picture of golden streets, mansions, and angels. Some verses talk about a war going on in heaven.
This weekend I read a book titled Heaven is for Real. The book is about a three year old's journey to heaven and back while in surgery for appendicitis. I liked the book because it came from a little boy's perspective, not that of an adult who is tainted naturally by their personal experiences, culture, upbringing, etc.. The little boy in the book, Colton Burpo, told of spending time with his great-grandfather (Pop) and of his sister, both of whom he had never met. He also describes how heaven contains a rainbow of colors, he tells the reader about Jesus' horse, Jesus' markers, he told of how people in heaven are not old, and tells of what he saw in heaven about the future.
I am purposely not going into detail about the book because I want to encourage you to read it for yourself. At the very least, you will find it interesting and thought-provoking. It's a quick read, fast and interesting, and entertaining. It will leave you with questions and inquiries to make because you will just want to know more. The last line of the book summary is appropriate when it says, "Heaven is for Real will forever change the way you think of eternity, offering the chance to see, and believe, like a child."
Saturday, March 12, 2011
The Question
If I could have all my money back right now that I lost in real estate, but it would mean giving up what I have learned by losing it, would I take the money or would I take what losing the money has taught me?
That is a question that I have wrestled with. It's really kind of silly because it's not possible to get the money back, but in some ways it helps me focus and prioritize.
If you asked a professional counselor, I am sure that I have probably been a classic case in regards to dealing with unexpected loss. I was in shock, I was angry and wanted to find Rich Leli (my bankrupt builder) so that I could hurt him, and then I became depressed.
But, after processing my situation, I can honestly say that I would take the lessons learned from losing my money. In real moments of truth (as I call them), we clearly see the difference between how we want to live and how we are living. We see what we value that is priceless and the ways in which we've sold our souls.
So I have started to process things differently, to have different perspectives than I did before. For example,
Rich Leli, you had your day. Now, I am taking back mine. Only this time, I hope and pray I will be wiser and have more of an appreciation of the journey to get there and gratitude for what I have now.
That is a question that I have wrestled with. It's really kind of silly because it's not possible to get the money back, but in some ways it helps me focus and prioritize.
If you asked a professional counselor, I am sure that I have probably been a classic case in regards to dealing with unexpected loss. I was in shock, I was angry and wanted to find Rich Leli (my bankrupt builder) so that I could hurt him, and then I became depressed.
But, after processing my situation, I can honestly say that I would take the lessons learned from losing my money. In real moments of truth (as I call them), we clearly see the difference between how we want to live and how we are living. We see what we value that is priceless and the ways in which we've sold our souls.
So I have started to process things differently, to have different perspectives than I did before. For example,
- I have a sense that if I can take care of my basic needs for my family and for myself, that is enough.
- I know now that the ways that I see things is not always the way they are and I need to take a step back first.
- I have become more content. I enjoy simple things and the things I have.
- I have learned the real value of things by not having so much money that I take them for granted.
Rich Leli, you had your day. Now, I am taking back mine. Only this time, I hope and pray I will be wiser and have more of an appreciation of the journey to get there and gratitude for what I have now.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Johnny Appleseed Day
Ths past weekend I peeled apples with Dena for a homemade squash soup. The soup was not my favorite soup, or Josh's, so thankfully I won't have to peel any more apples soon.
But the apples reminded my of one of my favorite things when I was young. I used to love getting up on Saturday morning to watch cartoons. My favorites were the Roadrunner and Bugs Bunny. I have good memories of waking up early, pouring a bowl of cereal, getting a glass of milk, and watching Saturday morning cartoons with my dad. Cartoons were more special then. We only had three T.V. stations and the cartoons were only on Saturday mornings. Nowadays, you can see cartoons 24/7 and I think that takes away some of the anticipation and fun of watching cartoons that I experienced as a child.
In addition to the cartoons, there were what I would call "fillers" that would be shown between the "actual" cartoon shows. The networks would play these "fillers" once a month or so. "Conjunction junction what's your function?" is one of those regular"filler" cartoons that still sticks in my head. "Hooking up words and phrases and clauses"... Sorry, I digressed. But my favorite regular "filler" cartoon was Johnny Appleseed. The guy was so cool to me for some odd reason. He wore a metal pan on his head, was a scrawny, little guy, and he was a pioneer. And he loved the woods. One of the things I liked about Johnny Appleseed was that he was happy all of the time. When the show opened, he would climb an apple tree and sing a little song while picking apples. The song started with Johnny singing, "The Lord is good to me, and so I thank the Lord, for giving me the things I need, the sun and rain, and an appleseed, Yes, He's been good to me". I am laughing just writing this little ditty. Can you imagine that being on a Saturday morning cartoon in 2011?
Unlike many legends, Johnny Appleseed was a real man. His name was John Chapman. He was born in 1774 and in 1792, at the age of 18, Johnny took his 11-year old half brother and sister and headed west. Tradition holds that Johnny's father lost his farm in the American Revolution, so Johnny, hearing of fertile soil in the western United States from passing pioneers, decided to try and make a life for himself and his siblings by leaving home and heading to the new frontier. In 1800, Chapman settled for a while in Ohio, which was considered "the West" at the time. His father rejoined him in 1805 with his second family. Johnny's younger brother rejoined his father, his sister married, and Johnny decided it was time to move on and, from that time until his death, was a traveling planter and preacher.
John Chapman was, in fact, an entreprenuer, a conservationist, and an animal lover. Instead of the myth that has Johnny roaming the landscape aimlessly, in fact he would travel from area to area and plant nurseries (rather than orchards), built fences around them to protect them from livestock, left the nurseries in the care of a neighbor who sold trees on shares, and returned every year or two to tend the nursery. Many of these nurseries were located in the Mohican area of north-central Ohio. Appleseed's managers were asked to sell trees on credit, if at all possible, but he would accept corn meal, cash or used clothing in barter. Appleseed was not the only person to have this type of business, but in fact is believed to be the first person to start such a business and is the only person that continually traveled from nursery to nursery.
At the time of his death in 1845, John Chapman left a considerable estate of 1200 acres, roughly 15,000 apple trees, to his sister. He became a living legend, mainly because of his kindness and the charity that he showed to all. He also became a living legend for the symbolism and importance that he placed on what he considered to be a simple gift from God, the apple.
Today, March 11th, is considered by many to be Johnny Appleseed Day.
But the apples reminded my of one of my favorite things when I was young. I used to love getting up on Saturday morning to watch cartoons. My favorites were the Roadrunner and Bugs Bunny. I have good memories of waking up early, pouring a bowl of cereal, getting a glass of milk, and watching Saturday morning cartoons with my dad. Cartoons were more special then. We only had three T.V. stations and the cartoons were only on Saturday mornings. Nowadays, you can see cartoons 24/7 and I think that takes away some of the anticipation and fun of watching cartoons that I experienced as a child.
In addition to the cartoons, there were what I would call "fillers" that would be shown between the "actual" cartoon shows. The networks would play these "fillers" once a month or so. "Conjunction junction what's your function?" is one of those regular"filler" cartoons that still sticks in my head. "Hooking up words and phrases and clauses"... Sorry, I digressed. But my favorite regular "filler" cartoon was Johnny Appleseed. The guy was so cool to me for some odd reason. He wore a metal pan on his head, was a scrawny, little guy, and he was a pioneer. And he loved the woods. One of the things I liked about Johnny Appleseed was that he was happy all of the time. When the show opened, he would climb an apple tree and sing a little song while picking apples. The song started with Johnny singing, "The Lord is good to me, and so I thank the Lord, for giving me the things I need, the sun and rain, and an appleseed, Yes, He's been good to me". I am laughing just writing this little ditty. Can you imagine that being on a Saturday morning cartoon in 2011?
Unlike many legends, Johnny Appleseed was a real man. His name was John Chapman. He was born in 1774 and in 1792, at the age of 18, Johnny took his 11-year old half brother and sister and headed west. Tradition holds that Johnny's father lost his farm in the American Revolution, so Johnny, hearing of fertile soil in the western United States from passing pioneers, decided to try and make a life for himself and his siblings by leaving home and heading to the new frontier. In 1800, Chapman settled for a while in Ohio, which was considered "the West" at the time. His father rejoined him in 1805 with his second family. Johnny's younger brother rejoined his father, his sister married, and Johnny decided it was time to move on and, from that time until his death, was a traveling planter and preacher.
John Chapman was, in fact, an entreprenuer, a conservationist, and an animal lover. Instead of the myth that has Johnny roaming the landscape aimlessly, in fact he would travel from area to area and plant nurseries (rather than orchards), built fences around them to protect them from livestock, left the nurseries in the care of a neighbor who sold trees on shares, and returned every year or two to tend the nursery. Many of these nurseries were located in the Mohican area of north-central Ohio. Appleseed's managers were asked to sell trees on credit, if at all possible, but he would accept corn meal, cash or used clothing in barter. Appleseed was not the only person to have this type of business, but in fact is believed to be the first person to start such a business and is the only person that continually traveled from nursery to nursery.
At the time of his death in 1845, John Chapman left a considerable estate of 1200 acres, roughly 15,000 apple trees, to his sister. He became a living legend, mainly because of his kindness and the charity that he showed to all. He also became a living legend for the symbolism and importance that he placed on what he considered to be a simple gift from God, the apple.
Today, March 11th, is considered by many to be Johnny Appleseed Day.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
My "Nuclear" Political Rant
At the request of my wife, I have not written a "political" blog for a few days. But I can't stay quiet any longer. Listening to the radio headlines today, my stomach was turning from anger. So, I will combine a few of my political opinions in one blog so as not to sound too negative and write about more positive issues throughout the week.
Here are a few of my opinions and thoughts for the day:
The leftist progressive "talking heads" went ballastic last night. On the radio, reporters were talking about the "Ash Wednesday Ambush" and saying that the Wisconsin Republican legislature went "nuclear" (what happened to not using "war" rhetoric, huh?). But I can understand why the leftist progressives are so angry that collective bargaining process and pension plans are being revamped (wages aren't being touched folks). It's because they have been rallied by thugs such as union leader, John Trumpka, who needs to continue to have his money to pay for his million dollar salary and private jet. It is because the left needs that money to continue to fund the Democratic party. The "gravy train" needs to continue. And things get "serious" when the money dries up.
But here is where I have a problem with public unions continuing to demand higher wages with ridiculously inexpensive benefits packages and extreme pensions; my problem is that the math doesn't work. My worst subject in school was mathmetics, but this doesn't make sense even to me. For example, a public sector union employee in Wisconsin makes twice the amount of a "regular Joe" private sector employee. In addition, the public sector union employee pays less than half of what the common man pays for his benefits. Then, to top things off, the teacher's union employee makes 75% of their highest wage earned as a pension for life.
In other words, people that are making half of the wages of the public sector union employees are paying for their wages and benefits. We are also paying for their ridiculous pensions. It is true that the public sector employee pays into his retirement fund, but I can assure you that they do not pay 75% of their paycheck every week. So who makes up the difference? Yep, you and me. We make up the difference. The math doesn't add up. And if it continues, teachers and other union employees will have to be layed off or you and I will have to fund another stimulus bill, neither or which we can afford. This is not about a fair wage and the poor teachers being able to provide for their families. It's about balancing a budget, something that you and I have to do every day.
I am also angry because my wife and I, my boys, my future grandchildren, and my great-grandchildren paid for the public sector union employees in Wisconsin last year to continue to have their fat checks and pensions. How you ask? Obama's stimulus package (paid for by us and future generations) provided $701 million to Wisconsin last year. Instead of that money going to "shovel-ready" jobs as Obama lied about, $680 million went to pay for the deficit of public sector union wages and pension programs. The public sector union employees, in turn, then pay their union dues and the union uses 82% of it's dues to support Obama and the Democratic party. The stimulous bill was not used to help America get jump started, it was a "slush fund" for the Democrats and you and I paid for it. Starting to get the picture?
Now here's the kicker. The teacher's union, the NEA, is doing a horrific job in Wisconsin and throughout the United States. Two out of three eigth-graders in Wisconsin can not read proficiently. In other words, they can't sound out words and make sense of them. Over half of the high school students in Wisconson do not graduate. 82% of ALL high schools in America are getting a failing grade, according to an Obama Administration report today. Why would Obama release those horrific numbers today? To make a push to get more money. But, that's not the answer. Wisconsin, with such terrible student academic results, spends more money than any other state in the Midwest.
One last small rant. Michelle Obama took over the presidential press conference today to lecture the American public about how students need to stop eating Cap N Crunch at school and how we need to stop bullies in the classroom. I agree these are important issues.
And I have a solution. First, get the government out of the schools and privatize the lunch programs. The government has been in charge of lunch programs for fifty years. Michelle is complaining about the government and doesn't even realize it. Second, get rid of "zero tolerance" in the schools and bullying will lessen dramatically. Zero tolerance says that it doesn't matter who started a conflict, no matter what the outcome, all students involved in a conflict will be punished the same. Last week in my youth group, seven of the fourteen boys in my class were suspended. Why? Most of them had been smacked around by flunking thugs that don't want to be at school and don't care about their education. So after being punched and slapped over and over, some of the boys in my class took matters into their own hands and beat the "snot" out of the bullies. The message to bullies with zero tolerance is that they are "protected" and if they want to cause major disruption, pick on the good students and get them thrown out of school....just for fun.
So, the death threats and bomb threats have started against the Wisconsin republicans and their families, while the citizens get to pay for the repair of $7 million in damage done to the Wisconsin state capital building by the protesters. Also, I am hoping that the "Great Orator" will have another press conference and discuss issues such as our nation's highest debt ever and record deficits and record unemployment, and the Middle East burning, and why several Christians were murdered in Egyt yesterday by Muslims, and when we are going to open the Gulf back up to help alleviate $4.00 per gallon gas prices.
But don't hold your breath for that press conference.
Ahh, thanks for letting me rant and rave. My stomach feels better now.
Here are a few of my opinions and thoughts for the day:
The leftist progressive "talking heads" went ballastic last night. On the radio, reporters were talking about the "Ash Wednesday Ambush" and saying that the Wisconsin Republican legislature went "nuclear" (what happened to not using "war" rhetoric, huh?). But I can understand why the leftist progressives are so angry that collective bargaining process and pension plans are being revamped (wages aren't being touched folks). It's because they have been rallied by thugs such as union leader, John Trumpka, who needs to continue to have his money to pay for his million dollar salary and private jet. It is because the left needs that money to continue to fund the Democratic party. The "gravy train" needs to continue. And things get "serious" when the money dries up.
But here is where I have a problem with public unions continuing to demand higher wages with ridiculously inexpensive benefits packages and extreme pensions; my problem is that the math doesn't work. My worst subject in school was mathmetics, but this doesn't make sense even to me. For example, a public sector union employee in Wisconsin makes twice the amount of a "regular Joe" private sector employee. In addition, the public sector union employee pays less than half of what the common man pays for his benefits. Then, to top things off, the teacher's union employee makes 75% of their highest wage earned as a pension for life.
In other words, people that are making half of the wages of the public sector union employees are paying for their wages and benefits. We are also paying for their ridiculous pensions. It is true that the public sector employee pays into his retirement fund, but I can assure you that they do not pay 75% of their paycheck every week. So who makes up the difference? Yep, you and me. We make up the difference. The math doesn't add up. And if it continues, teachers and other union employees will have to be layed off or you and I will have to fund another stimulus bill, neither or which we can afford. This is not about a fair wage and the poor teachers being able to provide for their families. It's about balancing a budget, something that you and I have to do every day.
I am also angry because my wife and I, my boys, my future grandchildren, and my great-grandchildren paid for the public sector union employees in Wisconsin last year to continue to have their fat checks and pensions. How you ask? Obama's stimulus package (paid for by us and future generations) provided $701 million to Wisconsin last year. Instead of that money going to "shovel-ready" jobs as Obama lied about, $680 million went to pay for the deficit of public sector union wages and pension programs. The public sector union employees, in turn, then pay their union dues and the union uses 82% of it's dues to support Obama and the Democratic party. The stimulous bill was not used to help America get jump started, it was a "slush fund" for the Democrats and you and I paid for it. Starting to get the picture?
Now here's the kicker. The teacher's union, the NEA, is doing a horrific job in Wisconsin and throughout the United States. Two out of three eigth-graders in Wisconsin can not read proficiently. In other words, they can't sound out words and make sense of them. Over half of the high school students in Wisconson do not graduate. 82% of ALL high schools in America are getting a failing grade, according to an Obama Administration report today. Why would Obama release those horrific numbers today? To make a push to get more money. But, that's not the answer. Wisconsin, with such terrible student academic results, spends more money than any other state in the Midwest.
One last small rant. Michelle Obama took over the presidential press conference today to lecture the American public about how students need to stop eating Cap N Crunch at school and how we need to stop bullies in the classroom. I agree these are important issues.
And I have a solution. First, get the government out of the schools and privatize the lunch programs. The government has been in charge of lunch programs for fifty years. Michelle is complaining about the government and doesn't even realize it. Second, get rid of "zero tolerance" in the schools and bullying will lessen dramatically. Zero tolerance says that it doesn't matter who started a conflict, no matter what the outcome, all students involved in a conflict will be punished the same. Last week in my youth group, seven of the fourteen boys in my class were suspended. Why? Most of them had been smacked around by flunking thugs that don't want to be at school and don't care about their education. So after being punched and slapped over and over, some of the boys in my class took matters into their own hands and beat the "snot" out of the bullies. The message to bullies with zero tolerance is that they are "protected" and if they want to cause major disruption, pick on the good students and get them thrown out of school....just for fun.
So, the death threats and bomb threats have started against the Wisconsin republicans and their families, while the citizens get to pay for the repair of $7 million in damage done to the Wisconsin state capital building by the protesters. Also, I am hoping that the "Great Orator" will have another press conference and discuss issues such as our nation's highest debt ever and record deficits and record unemployment, and the Middle East burning, and why several Christians were murdered in Egyt yesterday by Muslims, and when we are going to open the Gulf back up to help alleviate $4.00 per gallon gas prices.
But don't hold your breath for that press conference.
Ahh, thanks for letting me rant and rave. My stomach feels better now.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
What's Your Story?
I think most of us just kind of let life happen to us. I sometimes get focused and work a plan for short periods of time. And then, it seems like I wander for even longer periods. Most patterns in life follow something like this: We are born, our parents send us to school, we go off to college, we know we are supposed to get married so we start looking for a mate. We try to find a career that we can make some money at and pay the mortgage. We get married and send our kids to school and then to college and then help pay for their wedding. A vicious cycle for sure. For the most part we are not intentional We dont believe that we have as much control over our fate as we actually do. I hear a lot of people talking about destiny and fate. I do believe in destiny and fate but I have to tell you, I do think we have a lot more control over our lives than simply, as the song says, being dust in the wind.
Real life characters that tell stories about their lives have something in common. One is that they know what they want. A character that wants something makes for a great story. Frodo wanted to destroy the ring to save middle earth. Maximus Aurelius wanted revenge for the killing of his family. William Wallace wanted freedom. There is absolutely no doubt these men (and hobbits) knew what they wanted. They knew their purpose. If you and I know what we want and are very focused and intent and clear, our lives will make a lot more sense. Also, just like the characters in these stories, if we are willing to sacrifice, if what we want for our life is sacrificial, if what we want is good for our families, for other people, that also makes a much more fulfilling story.
Also, if the thing that we want is very difficult to obtain and if there is a lot of conflict, conflict actually brings meaning to our story. The hard days that we have are made even harder if what we want is not very meaningful. If what we want is more meaningful and sacrificial, then the conflict makes more sense and is a lot easier to bear.
So those are the elements of a great story. And I do believe you can plan your life. You can sit down with a piece of paper and write down the things that you want to accomplish. You and I can plan conflict ( to a degree) that we anticipate is going to happen as we pursue our stories, and then it will not surprise us as much.
And at the end of a year, or a decade, or a lifetime, when the credits roll, you will have a great sense of meaning and fulfillment because you have lived a terrific story with your life.
So, what is your story?
Real life characters that tell stories about their lives have something in common. One is that they know what they want. A character that wants something makes for a great story. Frodo wanted to destroy the ring to save middle earth. Maximus Aurelius wanted revenge for the killing of his family. William Wallace wanted freedom. There is absolutely no doubt these men (and hobbits) knew what they wanted. They knew their purpose. If you and I know what we want and are very focused and intent and clear, our lives will make a lot more sense. Also, just like the characters in these stories, if we are willing to sacrifice, if what we want for our life is sacrificial, if what we want is good for our families, for other people, that also makes a much more fulfilling story.
Also, if the thing that we want is very difficult to obtain and if there is a lot of conflict, conflict actually brings meaning to our story. The hard days that we have are made even harder if what we want is not very meaningful. If what we want is more meaningful and sacrificial, then the conflict makes more sense and is a lot easier to bear.
So those are the elements of a great story. And I do believe you can plan your life. You can sit down with a piece of paper and write down the things that you want to accomplish. You and I can plan conflict ( to a degree) that we anticipate is going to happen as we pursue our stories, and then it will not surprise us as much.
And at the end of a year, or a decade, or a lifetime, when the credits roll, you will have a great sense of meaning and fulfillment because you have lived a terrific story with your life.
So, what is your story?
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
My book
Following are the first few paragraphs of the introduction of a book that I am trying to write about my grandfather. Whether or not the book comes to fruition I do not know. But I do know that the most important thing to do is start.
Introduction:
Morning broke over the calm still lake. Only a few ripples blemished the surface occasionally, caused by a small fish breaching the surface to feel the warmth of the sun as it sparkled over the clear pure water. The geese that had settled near the shoreline for the night were just starting to stretch their necks. Between the river and the lake, off in the distance, was a small cabin. The smell of wood burning in the fireplace filled the air. That particular morning, the cabin was bustling with activity. A short, stocky man, an old dented metal bucket in hand, with purposeful stride, was hurrying to the lake to gather water. After filling the bucket, he turned and, again with a purposeful and hurried stride, made his way back to the cabin, water sloshing out of the bucket with every step that he took. As the man opened the door and rushed in, just for a split second, one could hear the faint whimper of a newly born baby.
So began the life story of Charles Filmore Martin. A life by many standards that was normal, routine, and unremarkable. You will not read of Charlie in any history book. He was not wealthy. He was not a public figure. He was not an educated man. But, he left a legacy that was anything but normal, anything but ordinary. Charlie’s life was not an easy life, or, by some accounts, a happy life. Rather, his life was a useful life, an honorable life, and a compassionate life. By living his life on purpose, by focusing more on contribution than accumulation, he changed the life of his family, his family’s family, his church, his community, and generations to come. This is the life story of Charles Filmore Martin. A simple life. A good life.
Let me know your thoughts. And yes, I can take constructive criticism.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Mardi Gras, Muslims and me
When the boys were young, we went to New Orleans for a vacation and had the time of our life. We went to the aquarium and to Cafe Du Monde in the Warehouse district and had beignets. We went to the parades and the boys caught huge bags of beads and stuffed animals. I went with a friend who was a native to New Orleans to have an authentic "soul food" breakfast. I will never forget walking in the door and having everyone stare at me as though I had a third eye in the middle of my head. Before taking another step, at the top of his lungs, my friend made an announcement to everyone in the restaurant that it was "OK" for me to be there, I was his friend. White people were not allowed in the restaurant without this type of announcement. Quite the experience indeed.
So tomorrow, New Orleans will be at it's craziest. Tomorrow is Fat Tuesday and people traditionally eat fatty rich foods before starting their Lenten fast. Most Catholics also go to confession just before midnight to ask forgiveness of their sins committed on Fat Tuesday. Nowadays, thanks to the internet, Fat Tuesday is associated with women bearing their breasts in the French Quarter and drunken orgies. The Mardi Gras that I experienced was a family event. I still don't agree with the ritual or the reasoning for Mardi Gras, however, I do have Catholic friends that are sincere in their efforts to fast and pray and give up something of meaning until Easter.
Fat Tuesday in some ways reminds me of the Muslim celebration of Ramadan. No, there are no parades or French Quarter "celebrations". However, for Ramadan, all Muslims- old, young, and children - fast from sunrise to sunset for thirty days. At the end of each of those days, they all come to break the fast and pray to their god, Allah. It is a form of worship for them, helping them focus on spiritual things instead of earthly needs. They come together all over the world for this thirty-day religious event, sacrificing and praying to a god who isn't even alive. Is it any wonder that Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the United States? It is estimated that in a few years, one in four worldwide will be converted to Islam.
Speaking for myself only, most of the churches that I have attended from birth until recently, have dwindled in attendence and have been "dead" churches. It seems everyone, myself included, just go through the motions. Church people say all the right church words like "fellowship" and say things like "I will pray for you, man". But it all seems like entertainment hour to me; sing a few songs, have some announcements, a speaker (preacher) will give a lecture (sermon), another song is sung, we all shake hands and go home. It seems insincere.
So it doesn't surprise me that people are turning to Islam. They are serious. They are devoted. People are looking for something to counteract the craziness going on in the world right now. Catholics have a 40-day period (starting Wednesday) that they keep their rituals and religion at the forefront. I have Catholic friends that put me to shame with their commitment to devotions every morning of every day of the year.
So, as I spend time alone in a 22-foot camper, I believe I will eventually have to come to a decision. Do I have the guts to commit my heart and soul to fast and pray and give or will I just complain about the growth of Muslim conversions in the U.S.and snicker at the Mardi Gras celebrations and do nothing at all?
So tomorrow, New Orleans will be at it's craziest. Tomorrow is Fat Tuesday and people traditionally eat fatty rich foods before starting their Lenten fast. Most Catholics also go to confession just before midnight to ask forgiveness of their sins committed on Fat Tuesday. Nowadays, thanks to the internet, Fat Tuesday is associated with women bearing their breasts in the French Quarter and drunken orgies. The Mardi Gras that I experienced was a family event. I still don't agree with the ritual or the reasoning for Mardi Gras, however, I do have Catholic friends that are sincere in their efforts to fast and pray and give up something of meaning until Easter.
Fat Tuesday in some ways reminds me of the Muslim celebration of Ramadan. No, there are no parades or French Quarter "celebrations". However, for Ramadan, all Muslims- old, young, and children - fast from sunrise to sunset for thirty days. At the end of each of those days, they all come to break the fast and pray to their god, Allah. It is a form of worship for them, helping them focus on spiritual things instead of earthly needs. They come together all over the world for this thirty-day religious event, sacrificing and praying to a god who isn't even alive. Is it any wonder that Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the United States? It is estimated that in a few years, one in four worldwide will be converted to Islam.
Speaking for myself only, most of the churches that I have attended from birth until recently, have dwindled in attendence and have been "dead" churches. It seems everyone, myself included, just go through the motions. Church people say all the right church words like "fellowship" and say things like "I will pray for you, man". But it all seems like entertainment hour to me; sing a few songs, have some announcements, a speaker (preacher) will give a lecture (sermon), another song is sung, we all shake hands and go home. It seems insincere.
So it doesn't surprise me that people are turning to Islam. They are serious. They are devoted. People are looking for something to counteract the craziness going on in the world right now. Catholics have a 40-day period (starting Wednesday) that they keep their rituals and religion at the forefront. I have Catholic friends that put me to shame with their commitment to devotions every morning of every day of the year.
So, as I spend time alone in a 22-foot camper, I believe I will eventually have to come to a decision. Do I have the guts to commit my heart and soul to fast and pray and give or will I just complain about the growth of Muslim conversions in the U.S.and snicker at the Mardi Gras celebrations and do nothing at all?
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Can we make a difference?
Tonight I watched a new show called the Secret Millionaire and I liked it. It caught my interest because the show took place in Knoxville, TN this week. But I ended up watching the entire show because I was impressed by the people in the show that have given their time and talents to help those that are less fortunate. The show featured a guy that used to head up the Knoxville Symphony and is now helping children to better themselves through music. Another lady is helping sick children by doing a "makeover" of their bedrooms.
But my absolute favorite people on the show were two little 82 year-old twin ladies that operate "The Love Kitchen". They feed homeless and less fortunate people and also have a home delivery service to help those that can't get out. The thing that caught my attention was not just the fact that these two ladies are old and still full of energy or that they are giving so much of themselves to help others. I was impressed by the long hugs that they gave. I was impressed by the love that they showed to everyone who passed the doors of their kitchen. At the end of the show, the Secret Millionaire gave them $20,000 to help continue their operation. The gratefulness and happiness that the two old ladies showed was priceless.
I don't have millions to give to people that are making a difference. I can't make donations for $20,000 or $40,000 to help further great causes. But we all can help by giving someone a helping hand. We can give a word of encouragement. We can give someone a hug. And we can sit and listen to someone that needs someone to talk to.
And hopefully that will be enough to make a difference.
But my absolute favorite people on the show were two little 82 year-old twin ladies that operate "The Love Kitchen". They feed homeless and less fortunate people and also have a home delivery service to help those that can't get out. The thing that caught my attention was not just the fact that these two ladies are old and still full of energy or that they are giving so much of themselves to help others. I was impressed by the long hugs that they gave. I was impressed by the love that they showed to everyone who passed the doors of their kitchen. At the end of the show, the Secret Millionaire gave them $20,000 to help continue their operation. The gratefulness and happiness that the two old ladies showed was priceless.
I don't have millions to give to people that are making a difference. I can't make donations for $20,000 or $40,000 to help further great causes. But we all can help by giving someone a helping hand. We can give a word of encouragement. We can give someone a hug. And we can sit and listen to someone that needs someone to talk to.
And hopefully that will be enough to make a difference.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Getting back in the game
I was working with a friend this week on a special project for him. He has the opportunity to be a head coach and needed me to put together some documents for a presentation to the A.D., he needed help with his interview answers, and how to "package" his coaching philosophies, etc. Naturally, our conversation turned to his competition, the men that would also be interviewing for the head coach position.
And then, there it was. My friend made an innocent little comment that stuck in my brain and challenged me to the core. In speaking about the man that is in competition for the same coaching position my friend said, "But you have to consider his appearance. He is really overweight, a sure sign to the Board and the A.D. that he doesn't even have the discipline to take care of himself let alone having the ability to instill discipline in an entire football program". I generally don't care what others opinions are of me, but there was a truth in what my friend was saying. I do believe that our society looks upon a heavy person as someone who really doesn't have their act together. I confess that I think that way. Even though I know it is wrong, I look at fat people in a grocery store and think to myself how sad it is that these people often times fill their carts with terribly fat and unhealthy food. Kind of strange considering that I weigh 285 pounds and have a 44 inch waist.
I think of myself as being different than the other fat people though. After all, I have a reason. I have had several bad years where high stress was the norm. Every doctor will tell you that stress is a huge fat builder. And when I look at myself in the shower, I really dont see a fat man. A little big in the belly but strong muscular legs and strong arms. And then I catch myself. These are all just excuses. Excuses that I tell myself in order to avoid the pain and discipline to get back in shape and to lose weight.
So, I think I am ready. I am planning on going on a no "fake" food eating plan. What is "fake" food? No, it is not a wax apple in a display sitting on a table at Pottery Barn. Fake food is the opposite of real food and real food is food in its most basic form taken directly from nature without additives, alterations, or fillers. So that will eliminate refined sugar, hydrogenated oils, processed grains and any white stuff, pasteurized dairy, conventional meats and eggs, and artificial sweetners (I am going to miss my Southern sweet tea).
So why do this now? Several reason really. My boys want to run some races with me and how many more times will I get the opportunity to do that? My wife says she wants me to stick around a while. I want to see grandkids sometime in the distant future. I want to feel good. I want to hike up the side of Half Dome. I want to ride bikes again.
But mostly I want to set an example for my boys. I want to practice what I preach. I want to show them that no matter how difficult things may be and how far you fall, you can get up, change direction, and get back in the game.
And then, there it was. My friend made an innocent little comment that stuck in my brain and challenged me to the core. In speaking about the man that is in competition for the same coaching position my friend said, "But you have to consider his appearance. He is really overweight, a sure sign to the Board and the A.D. that he doesn't even have the discipline to take care of himself let alone having the ability to instill discipline in an entire football program". I generally don't care what others opinions are of me, but there was a truth in what my friend was saying. I do believe that our society looks upon a heavy person as someone who really doesn't have their act together. I confess that I think that way. Even though I know it is wrong, I look at fat people in a grocery store and think to myself how sad it is that these people often times fill their carts with terribly fat and unhealthy food. Kind of strange considering that I weigh 285 pounds and have a 44 inch waist.
I think of myself as being different than the other fat people though. After all, I have a reason. I have had several bad years where high stress was the norm. Every doctor will tell you that stress is a huge fat builder. And when I look at myself in the shower, I really dont see a fat man. A little big in the belly but strong muscular legs and strong arms. And then I catch myself. These are all just excuses. Excuses that I tell myself in order to avoid the pain and discipline to get back in shape and to lose weight.
So, I think I am ready. I am planning on going on a no "fake" food eating plan. What is "fake" food? No, it is not a wax apple in a display sitting on a table at Pottery Barn. Fake food is the opposite of real food and real food is food in its most basic form taken directly from nature without additives, alterations, or fillers. So that will eliminate refined sugar, hydrogenated oils, processed grains and any white stuff, pasteurized dairy, conventional meats and eggs, and artificial sweetners (I am going to miss my Southern sweet tea).
So why do this now? Several reason really. My boys want to run some races with me and how many more times will I get the opportunity to do that? My wife says she wants me to stick around a while. I want to see grandkids sometime in the distant future. I want to feel good. I want to hike up the side of Half Dome. I want to ride bikes again.
But mostly I want to set an example for my boys. I want to practice what I preach. I want to show them that no matter how difficult things may be and how far you fall, you can get up, change direction, and get back in the game.
Friday, March 4, 2011
The Old Man and the Sea
This day in 1951 must have been a relief for Earnest Hemingway. Today is the day that Hemingway finished The Old Man and the Sea. The novel is his last major work of fiction to be produced and published in his lifetime. Hemingway was still feeling the sting of his last few novels being a "bust". This book most likely was symbolic of the struggles he had recently been through. And just like the main character of the story, Santiago, Hemingway persevered and wrote a novel that put him back on top of the literary world. I first read the novel in high school as an English assignment, then later simply for enjoyment. I made the book required reading for my boys. They loved it also.
One of the things that makes the novel so special is that every reader in some way relates to Santiago's life; the struggles, the decisions, the fear of facing an opponent (or obstacles), and hopefully, we find a way to experience some sort of victory, just as Santiago did.
But the best part of the story for me is the ending. When the old man lies down exhausted in his hut after he conquers the marlin. Santiago dreams a pleasant dream, a dream of lions at play on the beaches of Africa. At times, I have wondered about the significance of what these "lion" dreams mean.
As I make my way into and through mid-life, I relate more and more to the message I believe Hemmingway is sending. I believe that the old man associates the lions with his youth, and I think the dream suggests the natural ebb and flow of life. Santiago imagines the lions, the fierce predators that they are, playing on the beach , suggesting the natural struggle of life and death, love and hate, destruction and regeneration that we all go through at some time in our lives.
One of the things that makes the novel so special is that every reader in some way relates to Santiago's life; the struggles, the decisions, the fear of facing an opponent (or obstacles), and hopefully, we find a way to experience some sort of victory, just as Santiago did.
But the best part of the story for me is the ending. When the old man lies down exhausted in his hut after he conquers the marlin. Santiago dreams a pleasant dream, a dream of lions at play on the beaches of Africa. At times, I have wondered about the significance of what these "lion" dreams mean.
As I make my way into and through mid-life, I relate more and more to the message I believe Hemmingway is sending. I believe that the old man associates the lions with his youth, and I think the dream suggests the natural ebb and flow of life. Santiago imagines the lions, the fierce predators that they are, playing on the beach , suggesting the natural struggle of life and death, love and hate, destruction and regeneration that we all go through at some time in our lives.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Disney in Spring Hill, TN??
I traveled home late to Tennesse tonight so the blog is not thought-provoking or revealing. However, a very interesting announcement was just made about the city of Spring Hill. The mayor of Spring Hill and the CEO of a company called “Big International Group of Entertainment Inc” announced that Spring Hill will be getting a theme park. And the plans seem to indicate that it will be rather large, a "mini-Disney". Some of the plans include:
So I say we make plans for the next Showalter reunion on Thanksgiving of 2012!
Stay tuned.
- Theme park, 80 acres
- Theme park expansion, 8 acres
- Theme park parking, 50 acres
- General parking, 83 acres
- Service area, 37 acres
- Amphitheater, 4 acres
- Water park, 10 acres
- Park Hotel, 12 acres
- Entertainment Complex Hotel, 10 acres
- Conference Center Hotel, 25 acres
- Timeshare parcel, 35 acres
- Pool ammenities, 12 acres
- Conference Center, 12 acres
- Entertainment Complex, 20 acres
- Lake, 10 acres Developes have been in talks with the NBA about bringing a team to this area
- Over 80 restaurants have committed to be a part of the development
- A charter school for kids is a definite part of the plans
- Two resort hotels with 4,000 rooms per hotel have committed to build
So I say we make plans for the next Showalter reunion on Thanksgiving of 2012!
Stay tuned.
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