Who’d think that a hand-held device could become a verb? Yes, the iPod has begun to show action. I heard perfectly intelligent people on the TV show Press Here discuss companies that are starting to iPodify! Now, I’m all for language growth–it enriches us all. But I prefer borrowings from other languages, like the French chic, Irish hooligan, Italian fresco, Yiddish klutz, and, of course, the Spanish taco. I’m not sure I like that gizmo I can’t escape from wheedling its way into my language, forcing me to listen to people iPodify, watch neighbors iPodify, seeing my dog step into something after someone carelessly iPodifies…my Heavens! being forced at gunpoint to iPodfy or perish…and I don’t even know how! No, I’m not ready for this.
Tag Archive for action
A Thank-Full Day
Often a “thank you” isn’t needed. Why thank a person for doing what he is supposed to do? Here’s a thought: a “thank you” may encourage someone to do the right thing the next time he’s in that situation, or it might be the only bright spot in his otherwise-depressing day. I thank the driver who stops for me in the crosswalk, the bicyclist who sees me coming in my handicap scooter and moves from the sidewalk to the street, the woman who notices me pulling into a disabled parking spot and moves the shopping cart she’d blocked me with in the cross-hatch section, the teen who turns down his loud music when he notices that we at the next picnic table are being bothered by it, the delivery man for being gentle with my package, the child who puts his trash into the can without being told. Why? Because we are responsible for each other, including nourishing each other’s spirits, fostering actions that inspire others to care about members of the human family. Such is the power of a simple “thank you.”
Something to think about — and practice — on this International Thank-You Day.
My Thoughts on Kneeling
This isn’t a political statement, so please don’t react to it as such.
In today’s negative climate, I think we’re too quick to assume that a person’s out-of-the-ordinary action is intended to be an insult to us personally. Take kneeling at the National Anthem, for example.
I don’t pretend to know the motivation of each person doing that, but I do know why some people kneel. They look at kneeling from its historical perspective: showing respect (as to a king or queen); showing devotion, esteem, or reverence (God); as a form of supplication ( God, marriage proposal, begging); mourning, sadness, vulnerability. If this is a person’s motivation, what’s wrong with it? Is it okay to kneel before our flag to show it honor and respect? To kneel during the National Anthem to show sadness at perceived wrongs going on in our country? Possibly even to kneel in silent prayer for the good of our country and its people?
To some people, could kneeling, especially with a hand over the heart and bare heads, actually be positive?
Maybe we’d be better off fighting the true evils that divide us rather than reading people’s minds and attacking them for actions that express what they’re feeling while doing no harm to anyone.
Remember: 75 Years Ago
Some claim it never happened. Others hear stories about it from relatives and friends. Still others lived through it. It affects all of us, because it was one of the most heinous crimes that humans have perpetrated against fellow humans. The Holocaust.
Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. It’s been 75 years. Yet, we remember it so that we can prevent it from happening again, even as we see shades of it developing in our world today.
Take a few minutes to view this video, “Rescue,” of people who refused to accept the inhumanity and fought it–and are still fighting it–by taking action.
I Could Have Lost My Son
I was very shaken. I’ve seen news of mass shootings in various cities. I’ve prayed for the victims and their families and felt a lump in my heart for them. But this was different. My son and his girlfriend decided at the last minute not to go to the Gilroy Garlic Festival. If they had gone, they would be there when the shooter killed three people, including a 6-year-old, and injured a dozen others. Life is such a precious gift, one we must make an effort to protect from the rampant violence in our country. Each of us must put pressure on our lawmakers to make fair and equitable laws that address issues of mental health, gun safety, responsible gun ownership. In our own lives, we must confront violence in any form we encounter—bullying, domestic violence, road rage, animal cruelty, taunts on social media—because those things perpetuate the culture of violence that is killing our loved ones and our souls.
An Important Lesson for Our Children
Today commemorates D-Day, the largest military action attempted back in 1944. It was successful. But so many lives were lost. And it didn’t end wars. This day makes me think about peace and how we achieve it. I believe that a more peaceful world begins with our children, who will be the caretakers of the future. And with us, their current caretakers.
We can teach them peace in simple ways. Avoid video games, TV programs, and movies that glorify war, violence, torture, and destruction. As parents, we can be an example by working out disagreements without our engaging in a shouting match and certainly without hitting each other. In fact, even hitting or punching each other in jest sends a message to a child that violence is a game. We can find something specific to do when we or our children get very angry, whether it’s listening to soothing music, reading a book, or sitting quietly in a special spot in the garden. Although no single negative action will necessarily create a violent person, replacing any one of them with a positive action heads a child toward a more serene adulthood.
Just Let Me Die!
I want to die. Life isn’t worth living. I can’t go on like this. You may not feel like this right now, but you probably know someone who does. The U.S. suicide rate is the highest it’s been in 30 years. It’s up to those of us in a good space to help those in a dark one. We can’t erase all the negativity in the world–we don’t control oppression, war, power-hungry dictators, or devastating disease. But we can keep a positive attitude around others (we never know when an affirmative word or action is just what the person we’re with needs). And we can speak up against public people who constantly spew negativity.
In everyday life we can watch for suicide warning signs (read the signs of potential suicide), keep the Suicide Prevention Hotline number (800-273-8255) handy to give to an at-risk person, and lend him/her our cell phone to call immediately.
Together, giving of ourselves and positive, concerned actions can stop that suicide rate from increasing and bring hopeless people back into the light.
(This is Suicide Prevention Week, within Suicide Prevention Month.)
I Want to Die!
I want to die. Life isn’t worth living. I can’t go on like this. You may not feel like this right now, but you probably know someone who does. The U.S. suicide rate is the highest it’s been in 30 years. It’s up to those of us in a good space to help those in a dark one. We can’t erase all the negativity in the world–we don’t control oppression, war, power-hungry dictators, or devastating disease. But we can keep a positive attitude around others (we never know when an affirmative word or action is just what the person we’re with needs). And we can speak up against public people who constantly spew negativity.
In everyday life we can watch for suicide warning signs (read the signs of potential suicide), keep the Suicide Prevention Hotline number (800-273-8255) handy to give to an at-risk person, and lend him/her our cell phone to call immediately.
Together, giving of ourselves and positive, concerned actions can stop that suicide rate from increasing and bring hopeless people back into the light.
(This is Suicide Prevention Week.)
Spring Headfirst
Today, nothing heavy, no suggestions for action. Today, on the first day of Spring, I just want you to enjoy this picture and immerse yourself in the beauty, new life, and promises of the season. Then, spring headfirst into a joyous day.
Talk and Action
Today’s Thursday Thought is a Biblical one that struck me because of how much inhumane action is going on in our world today in the name of doing what’s best for people.
