In today’s Thursday Thought quote, Marianne Williamson reminds us of exactly what it is that binds, limits, and controls us.
Archive for admin
Recommendation: Crip Camp
I don’t often recommend movies or documentaries, but I think this one is worth watching. Full disclosure: I grew up with a disability (post polio), and this documentary is about kids with disabilities.
I identify with some of the kids at the camp (10 years earlier I attended Easter Seal Camp) and at the protests (I participated in anti-Nam protests). But some of what the film presents was new to me — like us “Polios” being considered at the top of the disability ladder and “Cerebral Palsies” being at the bottom.
Whether or not you have a disabled child among your friends or family, this is a worthwhile film to watch. The kids aren’t “brave” or “admirable” or “inspiring” or any of the other terms people use that grate on our nerves. They’re just what we all are — people standing up for their rights.
(Warning: sex, smoking, and pot are involved.)
If you, like me, grew up with a disability, you should watch this, too. And, by the way, fellow “crips,” remember that our group is among the lowest in voter turn-out, and nobody else will push for our rights, so VOTE!
And watch “Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution” on NetFlix,
Unmelted Bottle Caps
Remove caps from bottles before recycling. Because they melt at far different temperatures, a cap mixed in with bottles can leave unmelted plastic, making the whole batch unusable for other items.
[For more easy, money-saving, Earth-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to www.Smashwords.com/books/view/7000 or your favorite e-book seller and download to your computer or e-book device. Totally free, with no strings attached.]
How to Win that Argument
Often, our discussions, especially on hot-button issues, end up in an argument. At some point, all that matters is that we win. Today’s Thursday Thought quote reveals what actual winning looks like.
Packed planes? No safety rules?
Plan to travel by airplane anytime soon? Why not, since the airlines are following federal guidelines to keep us safe from the coronavirus, right? WRONG!!! Read this, then go to Secretary Chao: Airline safety is your job and sign the petition to get enforced health and safety regulations that can help us fly safely:
Right now, air travel is a free-for-all when it comes to protecting against the spread of the coronavirus. Without enforceable health and safety rules, airlines are free to fill every seat and ignore social distancing guidelines; mask requirements vary from flight to flight; and airports don’t have to take steps to limit spread.
Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao has the authority to set enforceable standards for airports, airlines and passengers during this health crisis, but she hasn’t. Tell her to require health and safety rules for air travel — airline safety is her job, not yours!
Family Relationships
Family is the most complicated relationship on earth. They’re the people we most love, yet the people who irritate us the most. And they’re right there at home, handy for us to take out our rotten day on. Sociologists say that how we treat each other in our family reflects how we treat everyone else. If we’re loving and forgiving within our family, we’ll likely extend that not only to our friends but into our attitude toward strangers across the country and in other hemispheres. If we’re ready to fight within our family, we’re eager to get into conflicts and wars elsewhere. You get the idea. Then, what small step can you take, what little change in your patience, attitude, or treatment of family members? Only you will know the answer. Look at your family and yourself and decide. The relationship with your family–and with others–is worth the effort.
Where to Buy Produce
| Reasons to buy local produce: fresher (doesn’t travel 1-2 weeks to get here); fewer/no preservatives or genetic modifications to extend freshness; save energy (local production takes 3-17% less oil); less packaging; support our local farmers and economy. |
Are You “Head Over Heels”?
I’m in that mood again: where the heck did that phrase come from? Please indulge me. It gives me a break from serious thinking.
Of course, you know what it means–super excited, hyper-interested, like, wow! that’s unbelievably fantastic! And most people associate it with being in love.
Originally, though, it just meant being upside down, topsy-turvy. The romantic soul who tied it into love for the first time did so in his autobiography in 1834. That was none other than Davey Crockett.
How’s that for a bit of trivia that you can’t work into any conversation?
The Ideal of Beauty
Today’s Thursday Thought quote struck me as a very simple truth.
Emotional Blackmail
“If you were my friend, you’d….”
“How would you like it if I told your parents/spouse/children/friends/boss that….”
“What about the time I did _____ for you?”
Anyone who says things like this to you is emotionally blackmailing you. So is gaslighting. And it isn’t always done with malicious intent. Sometimes the person feels justified doing it. Even so, it’s abusive, and you shouldn’t put up with it. You need to confront it through communication.
If you think you or a loved one is being emotionally blackmailed, read this short but informative article, How to Spot the Toxic Behavior.
