I love free speech. It is one of the rights I think is vital to democracy but free speech brings consequences and requires the use of respect and tact unless that is what one is about—to stir up trouble. I don’t want to stir up trouble and my blog is not a democracy. It is a way for me to speak freely.
Rules… mine…Yes, we are to that point again. Sorry.
I will not be ridiculed or told that I am not a true Christian/believer or that I’m headed to hell or whatever people decide they want to JUDGE me about. If you leave me a comment that I don’t like for whatever reason, I reserve the right not to publish your comment. Simple, right? 🙂 You may use the same wordpress feature on your blog. 😉
If your comment involves you thinking that I am lost or at a lower position than you in the spiritual realm and you think you need to quote me some Bible scripture to lead me to the right path (and please remember I was a student of the Bible—I’ve actually read and studied the Bible), then you need not write the comment. I was a teacher in another life (actually this one but it’s a joke I’m not sure everyone will get) and since it is my blog, I am in charge… 🙂
I ask for people to be nice. I respect others and speak out about things I want to improve. If you disagree with me, that’s fine. I’ll even discuss things with you if you have an open mind. But… remember…
Your path=your journey
My path=my journey
It’s simple. I will not be an enabler for self-righteous dominance and will not promote violence nor bigotry. I’m trying to be nice, but these are my rules…again. 😐
I guess people don’t understand what I wrote in my prayer. I’m not hurt by words that are slung at me—well, I was a bit put off when a person said to go _(blank)_ myself out of the blue the other day. I’m hurt because of the way people are treating others specifically people who are calling themselves Christians treating others as they are not good enough. What would Jesus do???
I think people have become so obsessed with the interpretations from others, maybe themselves too, about the Revelation to John that they forget the true words Jesus spoke. If you are a Christian and you do not honor the greatest commandment, believe me when I say that nothing…NOTHING…else matters.
That battle you are arming yourself for means nothing if you do not honor the greatest commandment.
Why isn’t this being taught in churches and Bible studies? This is what people need to ask themselves in church. Why are people so hell-bent on trying to see when the end is nigh? Are you really that scared of the end or are you waiting for the time so you can watch the non-believers perish in the sea of hellfire?
If the message you are receiving preaches non-love then it isn’t of Jesus, now is it?
Try reading the part about the wolves in sheep’s clothing…that’s a tell that you need to watch out for.
Now for the kicker. I don’t believe in a hell of eternal damnation. It doesn’t mean I’m going to said place and it doesn’t mean that I’m any less of a Christian. This is between me and my God. You might think all of this is a little harsh but I am tired of being judged and I’m really tired of people either telling me to go to hell or that I am going to hell. That isn’t nice. I try to include all people but there are so many who are trying their best to exclude. I’m trying to respect your beliefs but you must respect mine.
For those who do not believe in Christianity, that’s great. I’m fine with it but I feel your pain and I am truly sorry that there are people who will judge you. I really am here to build gates and bridges that connect people, not walls and fences that divide us. My beliefs are a bit different than a lot of people but it doesn’t make me better or more accurate and it sure doesn’t make me inaccurate (wrong). 🙂
Have a great start to your week and may your gardens grow with kindness to each and every one! 🙂
An emotional day…rather than explain my day, this is my prayer that I posted for another blog…blessings and good tidings to you this Sunday… 🙂
Dear God, I cried today first because people called me awful names and told me terrible things after they told me to go to hell. But, those tears were nothing compared to the heartache I felt when I read that a certain minister has called for a boycott of any institution who will not stand against SSM. What would Jesus do? I ask myself that question. Would he turn away from people who need him? Would he judge others? Would he treat others as 3rd class citizens? No!!!
God, I cannot believe what I see each day…hatred for others and those who are hating are the ones who are saying they are being persecuted. What happened, Father? What went wrong? The moral decay is not coming from some sin that is preached about as an abomination. The moral decay has already taken place in the hearts and minds of Christians who believe the law says to build walls and fences to keep others out. Father, your son preached to the Pharisees but his words are more true today than they were 2000 years ago. There are Pharisees among us who would have us believe that Jesus would shun part of the world. I don’t believe that. He wouldn’t do such.
Father, you taught me to love all, to judge not, and to live by example. My tears are for those who have been marginalized and are told every day that they are going to hell. We sin, Father, when we take your place. My tears are for those who believe they have the right to dictate how others should live. It hurts me to know they do not understand love, the greatest commandment. I may not walk my path alone but sometimes it sure feels that way and yet, I know you are with me. 🙂 Never leave me…
I search for peace to build bridges so that we may all live in harmony…this I pray…
Amen.
My heart weighs heavy from what I have experienced today. No one should ever go through what I faced and if it wasn’t enough, I was mocked and made fun of. Do I question if I’m doing the right thing? Yes, I do question and the answer is yes–not because it is a trendy thing but because it is the answer to what would Jesus do? I believe there is a great divide about to come across this nation…there has been a swelling feeling of pride and arrogance and when we look at history, that arrogance is what brings down empires. Each of us has a choice to make. We can choose to bury our head in the sand or we can choose to love. Those are the only two choices that I see.
Also, I was preached to last night that I was going to die at the hands of my Muslim friends by having my head separated from my body (perhaps he has watched too much Highlander) because I will not fight against Islam. No, this person was not speaking about the fanatic group across the sea but that all Muslims want me dead. These are perilous times we are in, there is no doubt but to spread such hate and fear mongering is unfathomable.
Empathy is not sympathy. It involves finding that part of ourselves that connects to others. It can be painful to find the connection but as you can see in the video it is so important to do so.
😀
I think this is very relevant today when we have difficulty stepping in the shoes of others. I love this video especially the part at 2:06–that’s just the best. 😀There is a TED talk by Brené Brown that I watched some years ago. I may have shared it–I can’t remember but she is an excellent person who understands from various perspectives. Thanks to a friend who shared a blog post with a link to this video.
Hey, I applaud WordPress for getting involved in the civics of our nation and usually I would care but quite frankly if you live in the United States it is your responsibility to get out and vote—it is your civic duty. Look at it as a requirement for being able to live in a free society. It is a freedom we seem to take for granted much too often. While I appreciate the added “stuff” I can add to my blog to let you know I have voted or to let you know you should vote, etc.—this is your reminder…VOTE. 🙂
And, before you vote…
Please do NOT listen to the crazy news stations
Do NOT listen to the political ads
Do NOT vote straight ticket/party
Do get to know who you are voting for–do your homework before you get to the polls
And if you are unsure of someone—don’t just pick a name or vote the incumbent–it is better to skip a question in this case
Personally, I always go with a cheat sheet in hand where I have done my homework. I am very quick when I vote because I know who and what I am voting for.
Please do not listen to people who say you do not have a right to vote because you are of a certain age or of a certain demographic. Those people are idiots who are saying this and yes, I have listened to the videos. Every person who is qualified to vote—of a certain age, registered, etc. needs to get out and vote…PERIOD.
Finally…
Once the person is in office, we need to all stand behind those who are elected whether we voted for them or not. It’s just like a team sport…shake hands at the end and all work together. This is the way politics SHOULD be rather than throwing nastiness back and forth until the next election. (BIG SIGH)
Two things we didn’t talk about at home when I was growing up were finances and politics—as whom one votes for. For those of us in the states…we need to do our duty and vote with a good conscience for the best person for the job. The day I start to vote a party ticket is the day you need to take me out and put me out of my misery. 😀
Do you know why people laugh at US–the United States? Well, here is a clue…
This has been bothering me. Maybe someone was watching FoX NEWS when this happened last week—I don’t watch them anymore. It seems that a female pilot from the UAE was being hailed a hero for her part in the airstrikes in Syria but instead the shout out was made a mockery by some buffoons there at the channel. According to the Guardian…
One presenter, Kimberly Guilfoyle, tried to pay tribute to Major Mariam al-Mansouri, 35, one of four UAE fighter pilots to take part in the operation. “Hey, Isis, you were bombed by a woman,” she said. “Very exciting, a woman doing this … I hope that hurt extra bad because in some Arab countries women can’t even drive.”
She continued: “Major Mariam al-Mansouri is who did this. Remarkable, very excited. I wish it was an American pilot. I’ll take a woman doing this any day to them.”
But after the segment, co-host Greg Gutfeld interrupted Guilfoyle, mocking the pilot.
“The problem is after she bombed it she couldn’t park it,” he said.
Another presenter, Eric Bolling, joined in, asking:
“Would that be considered boobs on the ground or no?”
The conversation between panellists [sic], which was broadcast on Wednesday, was part of discussion show The Five on Fox News.
…
Mansouri, who is from Abu Dhabi, graduated from the UAE air force academy in 2008 after becoming one of the first women to join after it scrapped its ban on women.
Speaking to the National of UAE, she said: “It was my aspiration. Ever since I finished high school, I wanted to learn flying because it was something that I liked in the first place.
“A woman’s passion about something will lead her to achieving what she aspires and that’s why she should pursue her interests.”
Mansouri told CNN this summer: “I put my mind to being a fighter pilot. But at that time, the doors were not open for females to be pilots, so I had to wait almost 10 years.
“Whenever a woman enters a new male-dominated field, they find the same hesitation, the same prejudice, the same stereotype thinking.
“And I had to prove myself by just being determined and having that skill and the knowledge enough to prove that I can perform as skilfully as the men in this field.”
You can watch the video (this link is from Youtube) but I will let you know that I had to hide my head in shame as I watched. I could not believe it. This is 2014 not 1814 or 1614 or 3214 BC or BCE. Women may have found equality in some areas but until a woman is respected—until she has as much rights and power and respect as that of any man (and I am speaking across the board for all women)—we (all humans) are no better than animals. In fact, I love animals and would rather be with them than a lot of the asinines who talk like these two. Women have had to do things twice as hard to get noticed and twice as much to gain respect and it still is not good enough in the eyes of some. I wish the two guys had been fired that day. Castration (or worse) is an option…ok, I’m kidding…sort of…maybe…well…I’m not perfect…
My father didn’t have a son but he taught me to push for the stars and that no one should treat a female as a second rate citizen. When we do not respect others, we do not get respect—I’m talking about women and other countries. When we do not respect the rights of others, they will not respect us. I didn’t fit the norm when growing up. Daddy didn’t see me as female or a male—I was his child. He wanted the best for me. He taught me how to build things, how to roof a house, build two additions onto our house, how to make things, how to draw and plan projects, how to build furniture…all types of stuff. I was there watching and learning at first and then I was doing it with him–his helper–his trainee. I was mowing lawns and cutting wood during my teenage years. He used to joke about his log splitter…that he had the best. The sales people that went into his office pictured something out of a catalog but he was talking about me. 😀 We have laughed at that story for so many years.
Women can do anything they want. Don’t make fun of them and never refer to them/us as objects or boobs or other degrading things. And, encourage girls to keep pushing the limits.
If you are a man, before you make fun of a woman in a degrading way, you need to first think about your daughter or potential daughter or granddaughter. If that’s not enough, think about your mother’s father. What if he had treated her in such a way–making fun of her? Every time a man degrades a woman, he makes a stab at all women and that’s just not acceptable. Women work too hard to “earn” respect. I know some will say women shouldn’t be respected but we should. Maybe one day…
Oh, and here is a response from some of those who have served in the armed forces. I really think these two guys shouldn’t be working in the public sector where they can give people a bad name. They don’t speak for me. Sometimes, life is tough and there are some men who think being a woman is so easy.
Dear Mr. Bolling and Mr. Gutfeld,
We are veterans of the United States armed forces, and we are writing to inform you that your remarks about United Arab Emirates Air Force Major Mariam Al Mansouri were unwarranted, offensive, and fundamentally opposed to what the military taught us to stand for.
First, foremost, and most obvious to everyone other than yourselves, your remarks were immensely inappropriate. Your co-host Kimberly Guilfoyle was so right to call attention to an inspiring story of a woman shattering glass ceilings in a society where doing so is immeasurably difficult. We never heard an answer to her question: why did you feel so compelled to “ruin her thing?”
As it turns out, women have been flying combat aircraft since before either of you were born. Over 1,000 Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) flew during World War II. Seeing as U.S. Army Air Forces Commander “Hap” Arnold said “Now in 1944, it is on the record that women can fly as well as men,” we can probably guess he thought their parking was adequate. The WASP legacy reaches into the present day; on 9/11, then Lt. Heather “Lucky” Penney scrambled her F-16. Completely unarmed, she was ready to lay down her own life to prevent further devastating attacks on American soil.
Thus the skill of women as fighter pilots is well established. And before you jump to the standby excuse that you were “just making a joke” or “having a laugh,” let the men amongst our number preemptively respond: You are not funny. You are not clever. And you are not excused. Perhaps the phrase “boys will be boys”—inevitably uttered wherever misogyny is present—is relevant. Men would never insult and demean a fellow servicemember; boys think saying the word ‘boobs’ is funny.
The less obvious implication of your remarks, however, is that by offending an ally and cheapening her contribution, you are actively hurting the mission. We need to send a clear message that anyone, male or female, who will stand up to ISIS and get the job done is worthy of our respect and gratitude.
We issue an apology on your behalf to Major Al Mansouri knowing that anything your producers force you to say will be contrived and insincere. Major, we’re sincerely sorry for the rudeness; clearly, these boys don’t take your service seriously, but we and the rest of the American public do.
Very Respectfully,
[Men and women of the Truman Project—The Truman National Security Project unites next-generation veteran, political, and policy leaders to develop and advance strong, smart, and principled solutions to the global challenges]
I counted 60 names who signed on. There were more who wanted to sign but the letter had been sent. Those people that present the NEWS are representing us as a country whether they mean to or not and I don’t take kindly to that. I cannot wish bad things on people but I wish they were not so senseless. I wish they were more respectful of people—speaking for the boys on the show. There is a terrible disease in this country and across the globe—pride and selfishness. Someone said she watches FoX–she said that all stations make mistakes so it doesn’t bother her. That is true…we all make mistakes. But, this was not a mistake. A mistake is something that you don’t mean to do. This was true to their character, their way of life, the way they believe…no mistake. They would do it again if they thought they could get away with it and they did get away with it, didn’t they? If it was me saying something about a man…I would be out of a job that day.
Where does it stop? Where does respect begin? Too many people see women as sex objects–worth less than a man and many times they see us as worthless. It is past time for that to change. It’s 2014! It’s time for the boys in the world to grow up and become MEN! Oh, and…I’m just a girl… 😀 Other things I was taught along the way: how to arc weld, how to drive a tractor, and how to drive a CAT road grader and skidder-like machine…and some other stuff. 😀 I’m just a girl who has been a math teacher, a cook, waitress, restaurant manager, tutor, volunteer, trainer and leader for Girl Scouts, caregiver, I have given birth to two children, yada, yada,… A woman’s job is never done and one day I hope to be a grandmother and it cycles again. I read, paint, sew, make music and build things … and I blog. 😉
Encourage the young women in your life to push the limits and require the guys in your life to show respect. Have a great day! 🙂
Time to write about a certain “faction” (for lack of a better term) within the US–only a shadowy glimpse. A certain lawyer turned preacher has passed away or that is what I understand. From my perspective, he was very bigoted and hateful which seems to be the most ironic thing coming from someone who professed to be Christian. I am trying not to find fault but it is very difficult.
There are people who have steered away from any religion—all faiths—because of the words from this man–so much pain he and his followers have inflicted—so many bad seeds they have planted. I was shocked to see how proud they were of themselves for doing such–pride in telling people that God hates us. If this man was trying to bring “justice” to the world, he succeeded in ways I don’t believe he meant to. But if he was trying to further Christianity or his beliefs, I believe he failed. Rather ironic in several ways.
wikipedia
My heart hurts not just for what he did but more of what he could have done—good things—but he abused his leadership—his power. I want to scream! I must grab myself before I let the hate consume me. Hate grows and it feeds—it consumes everything in its path. We can control it but we choose to feed the beast—well, often times we do.
I think he narrowed my focus and helped me to see that we cannot judge others—really judge. We have—HAVE—to extend a hand and not shout from the sidewalks. We can’t think of ourselves as perfect and believe we are the only right things in life. We should be willing to stand with a brother or sister, ALL of them and not say no because we believe they are “unclean.”
We can choose to help others or we can choose to hinder. I have this belief that if we begin to show kindness all of the time then the hate has less food to eat and will wither from starvation.
How would you want to be treated? Whatever your faith or religion, or absence of, no one deserves to be treated with lack of respect. We need to quit being hateful…even to those who spread hate. 🙂 Hugs…
A lady rushes to the post office to mail a package. Inside is a quilt she made as a surprise birthday gift for a childhood friend—her best bestie. She spent hours upon hours sewing with the one intent to make her friend happy. She even included pictures of them when they were young copied onto some of the blocks in the quilt. Needless to say the quilt could never be duplicated—never replaced—not exact. As the lady walked home, she thought about how much excitement this friend would have when opening her gift. Oh, to be there… The whole purpose was to make the friend happy for her birthday. They could not be together so this was the next best thing.
Days went by. Two weeks passed. The lady heard nothing about the package. No thank-you, nothing. The lady started to get a little agitated. Here she spent all of this time on this one gift and her friend wasn’t even courteous enough to thank her. Imagine. Who would do that?
The lady became angry. She was so mad. How dare this friend do this to her. She began thinking what she could do to get back at the friend for not thanking her. It wasn’t right that she be overlooked. She emailed at first—still no mention of the quilt. She called once—no mention of the package at all. What could she do since her friend was evidently not going to acknowledge all of the hard work that went into this project—a project of love? Not be friends anymore? Hmmm… She began to wish bad things on the friend and even write bad things to her. If she only knew. If she only knew…
wikipedia
This is another fictitious story that is based on a true story—one that is very hurtful. In both stories, the gift never arrived. The packages were lost in transit. That option never occurred to the lady or to the person in the real story. Both were willing to judge their friends and hurt them for no reason. Is this true friendship?
Never assume what you do not know. Put yourself in the friend’s shoes. The friend never knew the gift existed. How could she know? A gift is a gift, period. There are no strings attached; no return gift; no thank-you is necessary 🙂 … hear me out, please. If you are holding something against a person because they didn’t thank-you for something, I am sorry. We probably all do that to an extent—wishing for acknowledgement but truth is we should never expect gratitude. The reason is that when gratitude comes, we are blessed because we receive–not because of “payment” in return. Gifts are free. There are no—NO—strings attached because if there were, it wouldn’t be a gift. It doesn’t change the fact that we should acknowledge and be thankful when we receive but when we give, we can’t expect anything in return. I wish people understood that. We would be so much happier.
How many of us did (or do) keep Christmas card lists of everyone who sends a Christmas card from the year before in order to repay the next year with a card? It is like trading Valentine’s – in my opinion. “Here is yours—where is mine?” An awful thought when we put it that way, isn’t it? This is just one example of many. We need to let the petty things go. We need to forgive. 🙂
Stories will continue. I hope they bless you in some way but be warned that some of them are less than fictitious. 😉
Do I offend you? Do you not like the way I believe? Do you think I am wrong in my choices? Perhaps you think I could do better.
wikipedia
We are different…men, women, boys, girls, and that’s just the humans. Should we all strive to be the same? I think not. Do you want me to be like you? Whatever you believe, it’s important to you and whatever I believe is important to me. When you trivialize my beliefs, feelings, background, etc., you devalue me. I don’t like that. You may think that you are right and that I am wrong. That’s your opinion.
We can’t be the same and I don’t want to be the same. Sure, I think there are people who do not exercise all of their brain cells but I don’t either all of the time. I can’t find fault with you just because you are different. Why am I a little upset about this? Probably because I am tired of being bombarded by people who assume I am a republican or a democrat—that I am a conservative or a liberal—that I believe in certain things because I believe in God. I could tell what assuming does to people…ASSUME…but I’ll let that lie. 😀
I get tired of people passing on information they call important when it is more drivel. I am referring to making fun of a certain party, certain beliefs, etc. I don’t pull for one political party over the other. Personally, I think they are both fools. And, anyone who chooses to make fun of someone needs to look in his/her own sandbox before he/she starts to throw sand. It’s not that clean and we shouldn’t be engaging in such utter non-positive behavior. Yes, I’ve gotten fed up and that is not a place I like to be.
I value you and your opinions but … we need to stop hurting others. Remember that we can get a lot further if we work together. And, to let you know just how far off things get in life…
I am a registered democrat in my state for reasons I am not sharing here. However, I do not vote either straight party ticket. When I say the candidate’s view is what is important—I mean it. I used to be very conservative but found that I am a leaning liberal…ON SOME THINGS. I like the middle of the road more than either side. I don’t like to oppose something without hearing what you have to say. If someone tells me one thing, I don’t jump on the wagon just because it sounds good or 10 million people have already done so. Just give me some facts and don’t give me some rose-colored glasses. I can determine what is important to me.
Now. Could everyone please turn it down a few notches? We all want to be heard but we need to be kind to others. 😀 And, please quit repeating the same thing. I get it. I understand… May your day be so very blessed and may you find peace–always. 😀
I write about love, friends and family, romance and such because these things are important to me. Family is essential but so is your mate. People have wondered if I would be able to withstand some of the things that have come my way lately—sometimes I do too 🙂 but the following is about the women in my family.
My paternal grandmother died at 60 years of age. She had been divorced from when she was about 34 years of age—never remarried. She loved my granddaddy until the day she died but when they were married, he liked going out carousing and drinking a bit too much.
My maternal grandmother also was divorced but not until she was about 54 years of age. He ran off with a woman, yada, yada… I know how that goes (eye roll). She lived to be 88 years of age and never remarried.
My mother died at 60 years of age and was widowed when she was 48. She never remarried.
Then there was my great-grandmother on my mom’s side. I remember her quite well. She died at 84 but was widowed at 39. She also did not remarry.
My mom, me, maternal g-ma and her mother. As usual, there is a story 😀 .
These women withstood all types of hardships and heartache, and they made huge sacrifices. They were strong. They never remarried and I am told they never fell in love or had a relationship with another man again. Very sad but romance isn’t everything. When I was young I wanted to be just like my maternal grandmother – the part where she was strong and independent. I later learned she was vengeful toward all men and I did not want any part of that. I still try to be strong and independent but I don’t want to lose the hope of falling in love again. 😀 The odds are not on my side. Someone said the other day I was too old–what? Hmm… I guess maybe that could be true but I don’t like it when people tell me I can’t do something.
Each woman had problems along the way and had very little help to get through. As for both of my grandmothers…what do I say? The girls and I are all there is to keep their legacy going. It is really tough being an only child of two only children but as women of my family on both sides of the tree, we are strong and we keep going. 🙂
When one becomes a dad, that person is a dad for life. It doesn’t matter how old the child becomes. I hope all who read this had a great dad and that he was a positive influence on your life. I know we all make mistakes but we must deal with the consequences of those choices we make.
My oldest right before her dad left for Desert Storm
Several couples I know were not able to have children. That pains me because so many take parenting for granted. Some have lost babies and children–lost to death. My parents could only have me so they appreciated their responsibility especially with the babies they lost. Becoming a parent is a blessed thing and we should treat it that way. On the other hand, I know fathers who should not be allowed—in my opinion—to be called “father.” Even today, my girls cannot call the man who is biologically their father…”Daddy.” To them, still, they feel they do not have a father and honestly, he isn’t a father to them any more. There are other people in their lives who fulfill that role better and it hurts my heart so much that the man who is their father will not reach out to them.
Please never take being a dad for granted and always reach out to your children even if you think they do not want to talk to you or whatever. When you let go, they feel you do not care. They feel that you do not love. Please… You are not going to be perfect, but perfect does not matter, does it? 😉 And, always take relationships—the girl, gal, lady, woman, etc. you are with—very seriously. Children should never be a product of a consequence that was not thought out ahead of time. Don’t just love your children from afar. Please… It matters. It isn’t about us as parents. It is about our children—even men and women who do not have children 🙂 . We are all parents in some way. There is no shame in having no children. The shame is when parents act as though they do not have children.
Happy Father’s Day!
Amy (me) helps her dad plant flowers
Daddy, thank you! You taught me well because you were a great father and I will never forget it. You were not just a father to me but to so many! Thank you again! I love you!
Garden2day 