A Nation Divided?

What bugs me about politics and this country right now is that we are NOT "One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all". Right now in the midst of a Presidential election I would venture boldly to say we are one nation divisible and very much divided. The democrats vs. the republicans…The McCainers vs. the Obama’s. I realize that as a responsible American I have the right and the privilege to vote for many things including one man or woman that I choose to represent me as President of my country. I just wish that during a campaign season I didn’t have to be pitted against my friends, neighbors and countrymen for my decision….

In my ideal America I wouldn’t have to watch political parties pit themselves against each other and throw out nasty comments and slanderous insults to the opposing party; but instead raise intelligent and respectful debates and arguments on differing opinions. In my America the President that is currently serving my country is deserving of respect and honor regardless of whether that is who I voted for or not…Yes we’ve been given a brain and a voice and a country that gives us the right to express our thoughts, however; were we given the right to disrespect our fellow countrymen who see life with different perspectives and influences?

So do engage your brain. Please do...Do the research and know what and who you are voting for and definitely WHY. But then, if you must, respectfully defend your position with honor and dignity. I think we would be better served by our public officials if we weren’t encouraged to get into heated, slanderous arguments against each other to defend who we are supporting. If we were allowed to focus on the issues and policies instead of being forced to research what is truth and what is propaganda. We would be better served by intelligent and respectful individuals who set the standard of conduct not by who could deal the lowest blow, with the most convincing and charismatic speech; but by who could respectfully lead a people of various and differing views. Don't you see, all this division distracts us from the real leaders and the real issues??

Just my thoughts...And the good news is, you're not only entitled to express your own but entrusted with the right to do so...:)

Ponder This....

So I've been thinking about something... Are the things we pass judgement on others about the very things we consciously or subconsciously fear we are susceptible to? Is our human nature attempting to deflect judgement from ourselves in a perceived area of weakness?

Let me give you an example. Integrity or the lack there of in anyone who holds a leadership position whether it be the President of our nation or a Pastor at a local church... Taboo? Socially unacceptable? Yes, yet it happens around us to some level or another all the time. Talk to just about anyone about their Boss, Senator, Governor...friend and they can probably eagerly identify a character flaw, weakness or failing.

Why do we do that, because we all do? Is our judgement truly based in a thought out standard or moral value? Is it because we've been taught it's wrong? OR is it because we sense a weakness in our own character that makes us prone to that type of behavior? Get past the pre-programed "that's just wrong" to the why?

So, what do you think...? Is our judgement of others a shield we use to deflect judgement on ourselves?

Happy pondering:)!

And Life Goes On...

I attended a wedding this weekend which lead me to add another life lesson to my growing list this year. This particular bride and groom planned their wedding and reception outside, which in August, in Colorado is a relatively safe bet. Of course, this is Colorado and true to form their wedding day happened to fall on the ONLY weekend all summer that brought us a massive rain storm (which I might add lasted all weekend). On the morning of the wedding day they had to find a new venue and relocate the ceremony indoors, in addition to calling all of the RSVP'd guests with the update. They couldn't however, find a location for the reception so it remained outdoors. I felt really bad for the bride, having been one myself once. I just thought of how disappointed I would be having to make adjustments to a day that I literally dreamt about for years. But the bride actually showed great poise in the midst of it.

And in all my observation and pondering I unearthed a life lesson. Life is so unpredictable, even when we carefully lay solid plans in advance. Sometimes they work out, sometimes they don't. But in the end we take what life throws at us and we make it work. And that is what I like to call reality. Life Lesson #9 of 2008 for me.

And speaking of reality...It seems like just yesterday I was adjusting to the rigors of being a parent. I remember thinking one morning after many sleepless nights that I wasn't going to make it. I was going to be a flunky of the first order as a mom. At that particular moment 5 years and school were an eternity away from me until today... Five years later and I'm walking away from my daughters first full day at Kindergarten. I'm not sure how it's possible that I made it from that moment to this one but day by day we took life, made adjustments and along the way she grew up...I'd like to think I'm passing through parenthood now not flunking:).

And life goes on...

Busting Through

When one door closes often a window is opened up, right? Last week I felt like every door I knocked on slammed in my face the moment it opened a crack. I really couldn't get my foot in any where and to make matters worse I couldn't find any windows either. Believe me, I tried. I'm not one to roll over and accept a "no". I definitely started to feel sorry for myself by about Thursday of last week and I didn't pull my head out til I went to bed on Saturday and was so frustrated that I couldn't sleep which inevitably left me to my own thoughts. Danga! But this time my self-pitiful, irritating thoughts led me to a window that I think might be opening for me and if it's not I'm busting it open and going through any way:).

I have spent this year to date "Unraveling" as I put it in a February post. I've been tearing my life apart to try to get to the core of who I am and what I'm supposed to do with that. By that I mean I've been trying to figure out how to use the talent I have and what I enjoy doing to make a contribution in my world. It is my deep desire to use what I've been given to better this world.

I feel like so few of us take the time to evaluate ourselves and the skill sets we've been given. That usually goes hand in hand with something we enjoy doing. Along with that not many of us enjoy the profession we work in, but we keep going back to it for the paycheck. And before we know it life and time get away from us and we never conquer let alone tackle the dreams we have inside. I decided in December of '07 not to live like that anymore and this process hasn't been easy but I think I'm finally getting somewhere.

I'm not going to make this an eternal blog and tell you all that I've uncovered but I am going to try and start blogging more often and I'm sure it will leak out in later posts:). For now I want to challenge you to do what I did. Start to think about your position in life. Ask yourself questions like, are you happy? Are you where you wanted to be or are you headed in that general direction? What do you enjoy? What are you good at? How can you use that? I know those are a lot of heavy, soul-searching questions but I want to challenge you to get to your core...Know who you are, why you're here, WHAT you believe and WHY...And what you can do with all that! Take your brain off of cruise through this life control...And think:).

I believe with passion that we can all leave a mark in our immediate world and I'm determined to do just that. Starting right here with my writing to you in blog format...

P.S. (I'm going to try to syndicate my blog through Bust A Blog: http://themissinglink.bustablog.com/ so hit me, hit them and send your friends if you find my entries of interest and relevance. Thanks:)!)

Taking One For the Team??

I'm putting together a relay team to run in the Denver Marathon in October. I'm excited about training with a small group of people and DEFINITELY needed the fitness goal to keep me motivated this summer, especially in our 100° + heat lately...BUT here's the problem. There are four legs in this relay they range in distance from 4 to 9 miles. When I looked into signing a team up I assumed I'd find a runner who wanted to do the 9 mile leg and the rest of us would just fight over the shorter distances. After all there are tons of people out there training for and running in marathons, so what's 9 miles to them? Yeah, um, not so much. Looks like Team Captain, Marion gets to run the 9 mile leg:)! At first I was resistant to the challenge because I know my distances and my personal performance goals. I do run my best races at the 5k (3.1 mile) and 5 mile distances. But this 9 mile challenge is kinda growing on me. I'm not going to set any PR's running this distance but I will be completing something I never have done before which will be rewarding. I'm sure the training won't be easy and I'm sure I'm going to get whiny about it from time to time, but overall I am excited to tackle this challenge. And having a fitness goal that will keep me motivated right up to the beginning of the Holiday season is a plus... Then I can rest...At least for a few months:).





XO

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