Small Things Count

Here is the next-to-last chapter description of The Women in Me: How they Helped Me Survive and Thrive (https://smthingscount.com/women-in-me/). Watch for the final chapter in this space next Wednesday.

Ch 18 Into the Future: What will my future look like, she asks. She dabbles with retirement, and fails. She examines her possibilities with her priest-friend, reaches out to others during the pandemic via Zoom, gives serious thought to what is important to her. She draws on the positivity willed to her by her Influencers. Finally, she has settled on a list of things she will do that will make her happy.

I’m struggling to keep an open mind up to November’s election but am finding it harder and harder to consider voting for someone who has, at least 4 times so far, disrespected and made fun of members of a group I’m part of–the disabled community. He doesn’t seem to understand that we, too, are human beings with the power of the vote. NOTE: This is PERSONAL, not political.

Often, as we look back on our lives, we recall and focus on mistakes we’ve made. I think this is true more of women than of men. Today’s Thursday Thought quote is good advice.

Here’s a preview of another chapter of my book, The Women in Me: How they Helped Me Survive and Thrive (https://smthingscount.com/women-in-me/).

Ch 17 Pop-Up Influencers: Everyone has a handful of major Influencers, those people who had the greatest impact on our lives. In addition, we have others who cross our paths briefly. We should not ignore what they offered us, as well. The author reminisces about a few of them.

It’s a brand-new year, a fresh start. How should we approach it? Resolutions will probably last only a few weeks. Action is more fruitful. This is a good time to focus more on where we need attitude adjustments. To acknowledge the fact that, when we encounter a stranger of a particular race, nationality, religion, age, housing-status, job, sexual orientation, etc., the little stomach flip-flop is a feeling of unease or distrust resulting from an unconscious judgment we’re making about someone. To recognize that it’s human nature to jump to conclusions about strangers, based not only on our past experiences, but also on social media, slanted news stories, friends’ opinions, and what’s going on in the world. These seep into our sub-conscious. If we work hard this year to identify those negative feelings and root them out, we’re that much closer to erasing what divides humanity and building a happier, more just world.

“It’s just a little dog poop.”  Think again. 10.7 million tons of the stuff is produced by our  country’s 78.2 million dogs.  That’s 6% of the 165 million tons of yearly waste going into our landfills.  Try more digestible dog food.  (And PLEASE pick up after your dog!)

[For more easy, money-saving, Eco-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/7000, choose a format, and download to your computer or e-book device. For a description of the book go to My Free Books).

Martin Luther King, Jr. lays it out straight in today’s Thursday Thought quote. There is a big difference in the effects of love and hate.

That’s one possible title the marchers could use.  Or “Walk to End Abortion.”  Or “Walk to Save Babies’ Lives.”  Or any number of things.  But not “Walk for Life.”

I know people who participate in these walks and stand outside abortion clinics to try to get women to consider options other than abortion.  They’re good people, well-meaning people.  But so many of them are not interested in the larger issue of preserving life.  Many support executions and the right of a person to commit suicide when pain becomes too unbearable or for doctors to do it for them (euthanasia).  Many would express the view that we should assassinate tyrants and bomb regimes even before all peaceful means have been attempted to resolve the conflict, even though some innocent civilians might be killed in the process.  How is any of this “for Life”?

Actually, I don’t want them to change their walk’s name or their description of their stance: “pro-life.”  I just want them to live up to those labels.

What the heck is a “motley crew,” except an old band (Crue)?  Today’s lesson, Children, is about where this familiar phrase came from (sorry…the language-loving teacher in me breaks out once in awhile).  It refers, of course, to a group of misbehaving ne’er-do-wells.  That’s today.  In the sixteenth century the costumes worn by court jesters were made from a cloth called “motley.”  Soon most stage performers adopted this style, with its many colors in a patchwork-design.  It became such a distinguishing trademark for these people that groups of them became known as “motley crews.”   So, next time you want to frolic and gambol across a stage, first dig out your motley and get your crew together.

Maybe the season is making me giddy, but I liked this and decided to pass it on to you. My readers who are dog-lovers will enjoy it. As for the rest of you…well, Merry Christmas anyway.