Name Your Revolution

Do you feel like we’re living in the midst of several revolutions? Listen to the news. Everyone’s revolting against a social issue, an economic program or a political party. People in Middle Eastern countries rally for new governments and in America we have Occupy (name your city). We haven’t seen this much unrest since the flower children of the sixties when they turned on, tuned in and dropped out and let’s not forget the marches and sit-ins that followed. Change is a popular, everybody wants it.   

During my college years, almost every spring our student body found an issue to protest. Like clockwork a group would rise up with a cause to champion and then out would come the tents, signs and large collections of demonstrators blocking pathways and chaining classroom building doors. It certainly kept things interesting. I guess we should expect that kind of behavior from a group of determined thought-leaders bent on impacting the college and the culture.

I bet we all think the world would be a better place if everyone shared our views. Check out this video and see if you agree with these suggestions on how to improve the world.

Sometimes a non-peaceful uprising is necessary to improve a social or political situation, but not always. Step one involves standing up for something you believe in. One person can make a huge impact on the world. Find the courage to introduce an issue and go for it! What do you have a passion to change? What’s the name of your peaceful  revolution?  

Found It?

We’ve been found. Not that were hiding or anything but about five years ago a cute little kitten showed up at our back door and the rest, as they say, is history. The surprise is that I NEVER thought that I would own a cat. Kids will do that to you. But, in defense of our pet, I have to say our cat is fun to have around and very similar to dog, in a good way.  She’s smart, she keeps us company and she half-fetches. “The half” means we throw the ball, she runs after it—and then we have to retrieve it ourselves to throw it again.

Last week our cat wriggled out of her collar. Instead of finding it in plain view like we usually do, it took us about three days to locate it. She had tucked the collar at the far end of our oldest child’s closet. What’s she trying to tell us?

 I suppose our kitty likes living with us. She’s a house cat so I don’t foresee her searching for another owner anytime soon.  She may not even realize that she lives a pretty comfortable life. She’s safe from cars and predators, has enough food and can enjoy several cozy sleeping spots. But sometimes I wonder if she longs to prowl the neighborhood like the cats she watches from our window. It’s easy to believe that someone else’s situation is better than our own. How many of us feel content with our present circumstances?  Perhaps this U2 performance captures the attitude of our times: (lyrics)         

Can you relate to this song? Before we find something, we need to know what we’re seeking. What have you searched for? Are you still looking or have you found it?  

     

At What Cost?

What’s the biggest, scariest bug you’ve ever seen? There are several countries I prefer not to visit because they grow their bugs large. One day I went to dump the trash out, but when I approached our entrance to go back inside, I saw it. On the front door hung a huge, scary bug essentially blocking my path and holding me hostage. Trapped! Once I finally summoned enough courage to move within a few feet of the door—I kid you not—the bug turned its head and looked at me. I could even see its eyes. My first thought was, “It’s watching me and it knows I’m here!” Creeeepppy!

During that time we were living in a big apartment complex.  I spotted a “neighbor” and signaled for at him to come over. I assumed he lived in the complex, too (there’s a lesson here somewhere). The man surveyed the situation.  I’m pretty sure he thought the bug was a biggie because when it moved, he jumped and he just didn’t tackle it with guns a-blazing like I had envisioned.  Did I feel slightly silly making a big deal over an insect and calling on a stranger for help? A little, but not so much after seeing this video:

Yes. That’s what trapped me outside—a preying mantis.  During a fight, they look like they’re strategizing, thinking and patiently waiting for right moment to attack. Don’t underestimate them. In this video, the snake underestimated the preying mantis and almost paid for it with its life.  Clearly, the preying mantis underestimated the snake’s determination to wiggle itself free. Who or what have you underestimated and at what cost?

Fire Power

I’m a chicken. Here ’s why:  I love it when we warm up the house with a blazing fire inside the fireplace on wintry days, but I pass on lighting them. So, when I say we, I actually mean my husband.  I’ll add logs to keep the fire burning but as for starting a hot, three-hundred degree house-warmer from scratch—not me.

Fire mesmerizes some people to the point that they’re drawn to it. You probably know people who hold their fingers over the flame to see how close they can get without injuring themselves (is that you?). Others stick their fingers directly into flames to see if they can pass through the fire and not get burned. Do they do it for the thrill?        

Fire is a powerful element. You’ve heard stories about how fires can smolder undetected for awhile and suddenly re-ignite or how flames can leap across roads. Fire can do weird things. I’m sure many firemen have harrowing stories about flash overs and back drafts.  Fire captivates people with its flickering red and orange flames, and the volcano is the ultimate demonstration of fire’s power in nature. Take a look:

After taking that kind of risk, that guy gives the saying “to the edge and back” a new perspective. Regardless of whether or not fire intrigues you, you have to respect its power.  Our society relishes power; either we seek it for ourselves or we’re fascinated by those who do.  Whose power or what kind of power fascinates you?

A Braver New World

I’m going. No, wait. Turn back! Go now. Freeze! That’s squirrel-thought. You’ve seen them, those cute,  bushy-tailed creatures that waiver between coming and going in the center of the street, paralyzed in the face of danger. What are they thinking? Why don’t they just keep going?

They’re not unlike us sometimes. Fear can paralyze us when we need to make big decisions, tackle the unknown or try a potentially dangerous endeavor. What motivates a squirrel to risk life and limb to want to cross the road?  

Speaking of mammals, what about those Navy SEALs? If you read the news, you know how our military elite accomplished at least two dangerous assignments during the last several months. Their training involves grueling calisthenics, strength exercises and underwater feats designed to push a solider past the fear factor and the limits of ordinary people. What drives a person to want Navy SEAL status and what can we learn from their incredible efforts? Have a listen:

Are you fired up yet? I know there are dreams you’ve placed on the back burner. Maybe now’s the time to go for them! Reaching your goals will take commitment, confidence, mental toughness, support from your inner circle, and a solid plan. Be brave, the world is your oyster! What ultimate dream do you want to achieve?   

Got Masks?

Cell phone? Keys? Hand sanitizer? Got them! Why do we feel incomplete leaving home without our stuff? (Is it just me?) It started with the keys, next came the cell phone and now the hand sanitizer takes front stage. Fortunately, we can relax knowing anyplace with four walls will probably offer dispensers full of the gooey, alcohol-laden gel.

If we�re not careful, we can become maniacal about bacteria and germs. Why, years ago I remember cringing when babies and toddlers seated in shopping carts sucked the handle bars. Guess what happened to those kids? I think they�re growing up as the healthiest children in their schools, immunized early by a mouthful of germs.

Given the onslaughts of nasty bugs like H1N1, the avian flu, and the dreaded flesh-eating infection, what�s the outlook for the future? If health professional keep discovering new viruses, I�ll skip the hand sanitizer and tuck disposable rubber gloves and a nice surgical mask inside my purse. Masks have gained popularity in one country. Take a look:

How would a surgical mask cover eyelid surgery? Are they cutting eye holes in the surgical masks and wearing them higher across the face? That admission pushed mask-wearing in a different direction, extending the function way beyond germ-containment. We invest a lot of energy, time and money in changing ourselves. In the spirit of making New Year�s resolutions, what internal or external personal modifications are you striving to make this year?         

Quirky, Functional or Fancy-Schmancy?

You never want to exit an establishment’s restroom and think, “Yikes and yuck!” Some businesses understand the value of providing a completely positive experience and some don’t. In all fairness to businesses, an unexpected spike in customer activity or one sloppy patron is all it takes to ruin a restroom visit.

The kids at our house rate public restrooms. According to their system, the highest rated ones usually include several touchless features. If the restroom contains automatic-everything, including a door that pushes out so you can avoid touching the handle, well, that room could easily rate an eight or higher. Of course, tasteful décor and cleanliness boost ratings, too. Some establishments put as much thought into designing the restroom as they put into the rest of the facility. Take a peek at a few award-winners:

Who ever thought a restroom could win a contest? Restrooms like the one in the Shoji Tabuchi Theater in Branson, MO don’t come cheap, perhaps it’s too lavish for your style. If restrooms reflected personalities, which type of restroom would reflect you—quirky and unusual, functional and utilitarian, or extravagant and fancy-schmancy? Why?