Archive for the ‘One person can make a difference’ Category

The Great Depression

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009

Coming home from work today, with more bad news lingering in the air, I wondered how the media can compare what is going on now to “The Great Depression.” If the unemployment rate never got higher than a certain percentage and we are coming nearer to that number — big deal! There are more of us now! Why are we looking at percentages instead of numbers?

The recession is coming to an end? Where – - – I don’t see the prices going down – - I don’t see more money in my paycheck — actually I see less people coming to work and more work being expected out of the few of us that are left. So are the people that we layed off on recess — Is that the recession? They are supposed to be finding new work so the recession is ending? Hmmm, I haven’t seen any new jobs created out there — have you? Actually I hear they are talking about extending unemployment benefits for another 13 weeks. Sounds like 13 more weeks of recess.

I still have a family to feed and no matter how tight I cut the corners at the end of the day I still owe more than I make. I still have more bills than income, I still can’t stop and buy that occasional ice cream cone, just because I feel like it — unless I don’t want to have milk this week. And that makes me depressed, and I know that I am not alone in that boat. Look around, there are a whole lot of percent of depressed people. So maybe this is the Great Depression – or the Greater Depression.

Don’t you think Great Depression is an oxymoron and should go right next to jumbo shrimp and pretty ugly?

Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve

Sunday, July 5th, 2009

Yesterday is gone and tomorrow never comes. But who really enjoys today? We are in such a rush to get things done that we seldom sit back and enjoy what we have sitting right in front of us. That is until it’s too late and it’s gone. Then we lament about all the things we would have done, or could have done, or should have done. That’s the would’ve, could’ve, should’ve talk. I dated a guy (about 15 years ago) that said that all the time. Mind you he was cheating on his wife at the time, so I’m thinking he knew a thing about regrets.

It’s funny this ‘would’ve, could’ve, should’ve,’ thing. When you stop and think about all of them and wonder what would have turned out differently you’d be in such a different place that you might not even recognize yourself. Maybe that’s not such a bad thing? Me? I kind of finally like myself – it’s only taken about half a century to get there, but now that I’ve found it I think I’ll stay here for a while.

I received an email from a man I’ve never met, but that I do business with. He had some harsh words for me, but I took them to heart, and I realized that you get much further in this world by playing by the rules than by being the bull in the china shop. I’ve also come to realize that I have an older brother that has always been here and I haven’t relied on him as much as I should have. (there it is – that old should’ve).

Time is like the wind, once its blown past you, you don’t get it back. Enjoy it while it’s here. There are no ‘do-overs’ in the real world, and most people don’t give you a chance for a fresh start.

Are you finished yet?

Thursday, June 11th, 2009

I recently took a trip to the east coast…I know some of you are saying..”That’s a trip?” Well, if you follow my blogs you would know that I am born and raised in Southern California, so “Yes! That’s a trip!” Beside the fact that I was, and still am, amazed how the roads are SO different than the freeways of Los Angeles, and the fact that people actually live in houses without fences – I’m still wondering how dogs know where to stop. Or better yet, how do kids know which yard to play in? (But that could be a topic for a totally different blog.) There are many differences between life in LA and life in the wooded area of Maryland or New York. But the reason for this rant today is something that has actually been gnawing at me since I left.

I went back east to see my eldest nephew graduate from West Point – see blog from May 23 – but then I went to Maryland to stay with an old college friend. She said something to me that I cannot get out of my head. She told me that she would be okay if her life ended right now. She’s done everything she’s wanted do and there’s nothing she feels that she’s missed. Her kids are 20, 16 and 11. I can’t help but wonder what that feeling must be like as I sit and look at the pictures of my kids, 20, 19 and 17 and can’t help but look forward to seeing them get married and have children. I’m so looking forward to being a grandmother – (NOT right away )if you’re reading this! I still have so many things I haven’t done or seen. At the time she said that to me I didn’t know how to respond, but now I think my response would have to be, “How sad.”

Feeding Frenzy

Tuesday, June 9th, 2009

Please — someone tell me that there is not a blog and a twitter going around following the President of the United States of America cataloging everything he eats! Get a grip people!! Does anyone else realize how absolutely absurd this is, or am I in the minority here? So the man likes his pizza – we fly a guy in from St. Louis to Washington D.C. to make pizza? One simple little, itty bitty question here: who’s paying for this? Are we or are we not hurting for money? OH….I forgot, he’s the President, what we do, doesn’t apply to him anymore. He’s not Joe Average American. I’m sorry…please forgive me. I just thought for one simple minute that maybe the man who ran for President claiming to know what it was like to be an average citizen would still remember it once he crossed that threshold. Guess not!

I guess we should be glad he didn’t want that special treat from Hawaii!

How is this even justifiable when thousands of people do not have enough money to put food on their tables every day???? Parents are going hungry so their children can eat and this is what we read about —- What’s next?

Blog Radio

Sunday, May 10th, 2009

Yesterday -May 8, 2009 – I had the most amazing experience. I talked to someone over the phone and thousands (well maybe hundreds) ((okay tens) of people listened to us via the internet.
Isn’t technology amazing!
But, the coolest thing was this — I sent a message to my mom during the broadcast AND I had sent out an email to certain people letting them know that I was going to be on at the time and a friend of mine that I have known since Kindergarten (yep I was 5!) listened in as well.

But really the most important part of the whole experience was getting the message out to more people about what the whole fiction with a purpose – one person can make a difference idea is all about. I do truly believe that if one person can be helped by a book that is all that matters.

NOW I hope all you mothers out there had a REALLY GREAT MOTHER’S DAY!

BY

The eyes have it

Saturday, April 18th, 2009

When you see someone who is in need, do you walk by them as if they were invisible, or do you try to make eye contact and give them hope?
You know who I’m talking about, the woman on the street corner with the sign “Homeless and hungry, God Bless You.” Or the guy who is wearing tattered clothes and carrying around the black bags full of who knows what and digging through the trash cans. Or even the people who are asleep on the park benches where you take your kids to play. “Those people”
So again, the question comes up, do you look right through them like they are invisible, turn your head and pretend you don’t see them, or try to make eye contact? There is this woman that stands outside the post office where I live and she has one of those signs. I have gotten in the habit of saying hello to her every time I go. I also bring her a bottle of water when I see her. She is extremely grateful. Now, I’m not saying that all of you should start giving out water bottles to everyone you see, but imagine what a better place we’d all be in if everyone of “us” that weren’t in those dire situations went just that one extra step for everyone of “them” that we see — and all I’m talking about is — make eye contact, say hello, let them know that they’re not invisible; that they do have validity as a human being. You might be surprised how much better it makes You feel; not to mention what it does for them.
They do say that the eyes are the window to your soul. Try to reach out and open someone’s window.