This has happened to me so much lately I do believe it might become my new mantra. 

Is the training of athletes so important that they live like this?

Wu's life seems to reinforce all our worst stereotypes about the Chinese Olympic program. Now 26, Wu began attending daily diving camp at six years old. At 16, she left home to live in a government-sponsored training facility, where she rarely saw her family, didn't attend school—didn't do anything but dive, all day, over and over again for this last decade. Her parents only kept up with her life by following her Weibo account, the Chinese equivalent of Twitter.

Happy Monday

Are we ready for another fantastic week?

I do so much like this quote from +pio dal cin in his article.

I like to think of G+ like I would of a city that is being built. A new frontier’s outpost where we are the pioneers of a new generation, a new era in communications. Google provides us with a place to stay, (our profiles) and a few tools (hangouts, unlimited posts, ability to create pages). It is up to me now, to build my interactions, my relationships, my groups of trustworthy friends, or just acquaintances like I would in any new City. That is how I feel about Google Plus now, almost one year after it went public.

Happiness Is...

Happy Monday my G+ family!

Quote of the Day

Super busy week once again but had to share this. Have a wonderful Monday my G+ friends.

Quote of the Day

Wise words or utter nonsense? What say you.

Words of Wisdom

One of my favorite quotes of all time

Good Morning Googleverse

Got me coffee, ready to tackle the world.

What's up in your life today?

One Person, One Question

With all the new circling going on within G+ the past couple of days it kind of reminds me of speed dating, bouncing from table to table trying to connect with someone quickly. That got me to thinking (yes scary thing that but blame it on too much caffeine).

If you could ask one person in the world one question, who is the person and what is the question?

Ready? Go!

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Let's Talk About It

What say you? Am I right to think people need to get off the Google Plus hate train and open their mind to something new or should I just realize I’m backing a horse that’ll never finish the race.

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Tweeters Want Facebook And Reject Google Plus: Oh The Irony

While checking in on Twitter the other day something in the stream caught my eye. I know, I know, noticing anything in a Twitter stream can be hit or miss since it all runs by so quickly but since the subject was Google Plus it set off curiosity bells in my subconscious.

As always, continue reading at the link.

Question of the day:

If you could work from home, would you? Why or why not.

Quote of the Day

If this is true then I'd have to be one of the wisest women in the world ;)

According to the dictionary, truth is: conformity with fact or reality. Truth is not a perception of reality and unfortunately too many people take opinions and ideas and call it truth.

Why do so many issues have to have a right side and a wrong side? Opinions are no longer simply opinions they have become the truth instead and whoa be it to those who do not agree.

Someone thought to degrade me by flinging supposed insults my way when I did not agree with his stand. I was labeled and flicked away like an irritating insect settling on his oh so perfect arm. What he failed to realize is that I do not care if you think I am a paranoid Libertarian conspiracy theorist with bigoted religious sentiment (I'm still laughing over that one). As I had pointed out to him earlier in the discussion, I agreed with him that the subject was actually a non-issue. Where we disagreed was when he became irate because he did not like the point of view from "the other side" and felt they did not have the right to speak up. I did.

Can we not simply agree to disagree?

There is a dire lack of seriousness on G+ today people. Therefore it's time to talk about a subject that has had a definite lack of conversation lately, which in my opinion is simply not acceptable.

Where do you stand on this?

“You have to be crazy enough to believe in yourself….” says +pio dal cin along with other words of wisdom as he recounts being a first generation G+ user and why he wants to help others.

Being Eco-Friendly Is A Pain In the Arse And Why I Am Revolting Against It

I don't mind recycling those items I can. Doesn't even matter that my air temp is set on 65 in the winter and 75 in the summer. Appliances are as energy efficient as I can make them, we never let dishes heat dry in the dishwasher and our washing machine is a front-loader for optimum friendliness.

BUT... I draw the line when it comes to my showers. No water savers will be allowed in my stream. If I want a hot shower beating down on me with 6 sprayers and a rain head, then that's what I'm going to have!

Am I the only one who feels this way? What do you do (or don't do) to be eco-friendly?

Friday Inspiration

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Oh so true!

I want! It's even in my favorite color.

Christmas is coming honey. I've been a good girl :)

Question of the Day

With the terrible weather hitting the Mid-Atlantic region in the US the past couple of days and more coming, I look out my office window and look at the darkening skies not looking forward to the next round of tornadoes later today.

All this had me thinking this morning. If you could get rid of one of the following, which one would it be and why: hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, tornadoes.

photo from myfavoriteblank.com

What do you think the #1 threat to social media security is? You might be surprised.

Excellent advice to follow

Question of the Day

Many job applicants report feeling pressured into giving up their passwords; considering the current job market that’s not a surprise. Food and shelter are forcing people to make hard choices than just a decade ago they never would’ve considered making. Standing on your principles is a wonderful thing until you look at your children going without basic necessities.

I'm curious, after reading the article what are you thoughts about all this?

Question of the Day

As teenagers we always think we're 'all grown up' and know everything there is to know about life. However, once we actually do become adults there is usually a defining moment when we step back and think: wow I'm an adult now.

Mine was when I signed the lease on my first apartment.

What was yours?

At +Media Tapper we are now launching a major campaign against SOPA and its supporters. We kick off the campaign with an article by +Tim Southernwood who explains why those living outside the U.S. should fight this bill, and how they can do it: aim for the corporations behind it.

If you share this goal, please re-share this post and let the corporations know what you think of their support for it.

Curiosity Strikes Again

I'm on a roll today with my curiosity :)

Let's talk about it....

Question of the Day

Curious minds want to know...

Life Is How You Take It


Law of the Garbage Truck

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport.
We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us.
My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us.
My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly.
So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!' This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you.. Don't take it personally.

Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets. The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day.

Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so ....

Love the people who treat you right.
Pray for the ones who don't.

Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!

*My Christmas Wish For All Of You

He sat there in the drafty room staring at nothing. Another holiday season passes and he doesn't even notice. There are no twinkling lights on the roof. Glittering bulbs and handmade decorations sit in dust covered boxes. The fireplace is cold and unadorned with pine boughs and holly. No child will awake Christmas morning to see overstuffed stockings and a gaily decorated tree. Those years are long gone.

His wife passed away so long ago he had almost forgotten what she looked like. Their children moved across the country and only called when guilt pressured them to. There wasn't anyone around to care if he stayed up all night and slept all day. No longer did he have to eat full meals or dust if he didn't want to. After all it was only him in the house.

Ashley looked up the sidewalk to the imposing house. Multi gabled and long overdue for a fresh coat of paint, the other kids in the neighborhood called it the spooky house and the man inside a Scrooge. Never once in all her 8 years did she him plant any flowers. Flowers would make the porch so inviting. He never cleaned his windows. Sparkling windows would make the house look happy and Ashley liked happy things. Without any pretty red bows or candles, the house looked sad and forlorn.

Taking a deep breath she headed up the walk, leaving little footprints in the un-shoveled snow. Heart pounding loudly in her undeveloped chest, she reaches up and rings the bell. She begins to wonder if he is at home when the door creaks slowly open. With dim light at his back she looks way up to see his scraggly unshaven face looking down at her with a frown.

"What do you want!"

"Um I came to wish you a Merry Christmas and give you a present Mr. Brown."

"A Christmas present? Bah, I don't want any Christmas present, especially from the likes of you. You kids have been told before to stay away from here, now scat!"

Undaunted, Ashley hands him the box. Her mother wanted to help her wrap it, but she was a big girl now and could do it herself. The smiling reindeer paper wasn't quite even and the silver ribbon sat askew. But the big red bow sat smartly in the middle just where it should be.

"You don't have to take it if don't want to, but I really want you to. I thought a lot about what you could use. I couldn't get you a sweater to replace the one you wear cuz I don't know your size. So I thought and thought and thought. Then I remembered something my mama gave to me when I was a little girl. The best part is that it won't ever be too small and won't ever be too big. Mama says it's one size fits all."

He looked down at the little girl shaking the box in front of him. Why couldn't she see he did not want her silly gift? He only wanted to be left alone. Grabbing the thing from her mitten covered hand he grumbled and mumbled and told her to go home.

Inside he threw the box on the table next to the chair. Ignoring it like he ignores everything else in life he headed to the kitchen to open a can of something for his dinner. Flicking on the tv for noise, he methodically eats spoonful after spoonful, slyly glancing at the table top. It had been too many years since he had received a present. With a sneer and a snarl he put the bowl down and grabbed the box.

Dang little chit. Who does she think she is anyway? What kind of one size fits all gift could fit in this little box?

Popping off the bow, untying the ribbon and ripping open the love wrapped paper, he lifts the lid. Digging through mounds of shredded paper he finds this:

This coupon entitles the bearer to one free hug. Merry Christmas. Ashley.

He sits there staring. Such a little thing she was, but she has a huge heart. He couldn't remember the last time he had an honest to God hug. Suddenly a flurry of memories assaulted him. The times he walked up behind his wife as she cooked the family meal, holding her close. The times they danced in the living room after the kids were in bed, swaying to music only they could hear. The sight of his babies, rushing out the door to greet him after a long day at work. Giving his daughter away at her wedding to the man who would take her away from him to another land. Congratulating his son on his promotion to Sergeant.

Standing he heads up the stairs. He had work to do.

The next day the house in the middle of the street no longer looked so forlorn. Every window sparkled. The walks were clear. Pine boughs and twinkle lights were wrapped around the porch. On the door was a big, big wreath topped with a big red bow.

As people opened their doors they found a present, gaily wrapped and glittering in the sunlight. Inside was a pile of shredded paper. And if they looked at the bottom, each one received a note from Mr. Brown saying

Open House Today

No need to call

Presents to be given

One size fits all

To all of you who stop by to read: BIG HUGS and Happy Holidays.

Have you given a hug yet today?

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I will not start a Pinterest account...
I will not start a Pinterest account...
I will not...

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You can now also follow +Media Tapper on Pinterest, the new (and extremely popular) social network. The link to our page:
http://pinterest.com/mediatapper/

If you want to see the pins themselves, rather than just the categories, you can go here:
http://pinterest.com/mediatapper/pins/

We are using Pinterest to not only link to our own stories, but also to interesting social media and tech articles at other websites. We hope you'll enjoy this side of our continuously expanding efforts to bring social media (news) to you.

Each of Us Has Our Own Unique Flaw


An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole, which she carried across her neck.
One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do. After 2 years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream.

“I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.”
The old woman smiled, “Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot’s side?
That’s because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them.”

“For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.”

Each of us has our own unique flaw…

But it’s the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You’ve just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.

Found at webring.wordpress.com.

THINGS LIFE HAS TAUGHT ME

"or how I managed to live 40+ years and still not be incarcerated"

Life is not always greener on the other side. Sometimes people use spray paint to cover up all the crabgrass that grows on their end. Don't want what other's have. Appreciate what you have and quit worrying about what you do not. If you are able to wake up today, you are one step ahead of those who cannnot.

Being a social liberal and fiscal conservative is not an oxymoron. It is possible to be both. You just have to be creative.

When life gives you lemons, screw the lemonade. Throw the suckers back.

Do not be a victim of your own success. Adulation is great, but you are not any better than Joe Schmo at the local car wash. You just have sycophantic groupies telling you otherwise.

The higher up the ladder you go, the farther you can fall. And people will make sure to remind you of that once you are lying on the ground, flat on your back.

Everyone has a talent. Some are just hidden and need prodding to come out. But that does not mean pooping green and taking a photo of it is really art. Try flushing that particular one instead.

Sometimes being the squeaky wheel does not mean people will listen. It can just mean you need to learn volume control.

Rap is not music. Music is like pornography and the Supreme Court: I cannot define it, but I know what it is when I hear it.

You are not going to please everybody, so don't even try. However, if you want to displease everyone, do what makes you happy.

Spandex is a privilege, not a right.

Aspirations are a good thing. Aspiring to look like the next candidate for Hooker of the Year? Not so much.

Saying no does not make you mean. It makes you smart. Unless someone offers you a million dollars, tax free, and you say it.

(Fill in the blank)-ism is just another way of saying narrow-minded. Taking off the blinders of ignorance opens up a whole new world, ready for exploration.

Death and taxes are no longer the only two things certain in life. Have an opinion on sex, religion or politics and you are certain to hear how wrong you are.

Life is not like a box of chocolates: it is not sweet, gooey and luscious. It is more like an artichoke: tough getting started, needs something added to make it easier to swallow and worth the effort in the end.

Abuse, of any kind, is intolerable. Become a member of P.E.T.A.H. (People for the Ethical Treatment of All Humans)

Children are precious: even the horrid ones. Love and cherish them with all that you have. They will give it back, 100 times over.

Life is not fair. Love will hurt, jobs will be lost, you will not get everything you want and not everyone will like you. To bad. Quit whining, grow a set and move on.

Laughter IS the best medicine. It's free, easy to take and never loses its potency.

Fitness Plan

Now this is MY kind of fitness plan! Who wants to join me?

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Oh boy can I relate! How about you?

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Can u relate?

I Miss My Google Plus!

Because of certain people, who shall remain anonymous, I can't be on G+ very much recently. Because of them I have decided to print this out and hand it out as necessary.

+J.C. Kendall Is at it again!

In today's article on Media Tapper he questions Mashable once again. In his own words: "Mashable likes to make claims that they cannot support, but are sure to bring Geeks running in from all over, to view those pages and earn Mashable the ad revenue that sustains them."

Uh oh.

I'm Curious

There seems to be a pill to take for every malady today. Here's my question: do you think that all the new medical conditions they now label have been around for a long time and science advancements are just now letting us find out about them, or do you think with all the chemicals we've been putting into our diets for the last few generations are taking their toll and creating even more problems...

Quote of the Day

Let's get out there today and DO something we've been putting off!

Happy Hump Day!

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Curious

What do you think?

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Question of the Day: If you click +1 on a Google+ post, is that acknowledgement, agreement, or engagement?

After 24 hrs this thread will lock and we move on.

Question of the Day:

Your 16 year old child comes home one day and states he/she wants a tattoo.

What do you say?

Repeal of don't ask, don't tell in the US Military? Please, Mr. Santorum, let's not go backwards. Gays are not the boogey-men and women you want to make them out to be. They don't care what you do behind closed doors, don't be sticking your nose into what goes on behind theirs. I can't believe in this day and age there are still people like you around who believe that straights/gays showering together could make some uncomfortable and "it could hurt our ability to retain and recruit and to put the best fighting force in place." Seriously???

Why Credit Will Destroy Us

Paying cash for something doesn't have the cache it used to have. As a young woman I remember when you could walk into a car dealership with cash and they'd salivate. Forget what the price was on the sticker. Salesmen would be happy to knock the price down for you. Now the only way to get a discount on a vehicle is if you finance the purchase.

Financial institutions, along with their marketing companies, have done an excellent job on changing how we spend our money. If we don't put ourselves into debt, we aren't "credit worthy". Anyone try and get a home mortgage without having credit card debt? Ain't gonna happen. If you live a clean life free of debt your 'credit score' remains low and therefore you're considered 'risky'. If you get the loan your interest rate is absurd.

People will tell you to get a credit card or two and pay it off every month. Yeah, right. Something else always comes up and you think "this month I'll only make a partial payment, I can catch up next month". Before you know it your card is maxed out and you're making minimum payments covering the interest but not the principle. So you get another card... and maybe another.

If something happens and you can't work, or your income suddenly reduces, most of us will put food on the table before making a credit payment. Eventually we could be looking at bankruptcy. This kind of attitude has taken hold of our governments too. It's okay to 'borrow' and 'charge' today: we'll worry about repayment tomorrow.

What do you think about this? Do you ever pay cash for larger purchases (excluding homes) or do you buy on credit?

Today is a Good Day

Because I am smiling today, I wish you all the same.

Have a fantabulous Friday! 

Good morning world!

Hope you have a fantabulous day!

Question of the Day

Will you be watching the hangout with President Obama today?

Question of the day

Many of us don't like housework of any kind, but now and then there is something that has to be done we actually don't mind too much.

Mine is ironing. Love the action and the smell created by the steam ( yes I'm strange).

Do you have a home chore that you don't mind or actually enjoy?

Hubby and I have been having a discussion lately. He says it is almost impossible to be friends with a member of the opposite sex. Eventually there will be more intimate thoughts. I say it IS possible for a woman to be friends with a guy and ONLY friends.

What do you guys think?

Seriously?

Guy Adams, a foreign correspondent for the Independent, was suspended without warning from Twitter after posting a series of critical tweets about NBC’s coverage of the Olympics.

Okay, I'll play along too!   #azfaves  

For each letter of the alphabet, in order, type + and then the letter.  Chose the FIRST person that G+ suggests.  Except, if that person has already been listed, then choose the first new person in your list for that letter.

+Alex Grossman 
+James Barraford 
+pio dal cin 
+Michael van der Galien 
+Mike Elgan 
+James Fierce 
+Giselle Minoli 
+Gary S. Hart 
+Lisa I. Smith 
+James Johnson 
+Ayoub Khote 
+Laurie M 
+Chris McGovern 
+Barbara Nelsen 
+Dan O'Shea 
+Rodney Pike 
+Michael Q Todd 
+Miguel Rodriguez 
+bish s 
+Tonja Kilby 
+Ulrike Singer-Bayrle 
+Vago Damitio 
+Colin Walker 
+Xavier Ruiz Canadell 
+Yifat Cohen 
+Jeff Zimmerman 

Don't Get Me Started

Yep, I read another "ghost town" article and it got me riled up. Take a read at what I found, why I think pundits think this place is dead and let me know your thoughts.

Word of the day:

bloviate

To speak pompously.

Have you ever noticed how those who are self-acclaimed experts tend to bloviate the most?

Question of the Day
Once, long ago in a time far, far away, products were built to last. Where did such days disappear to? And just why did they evaporate into thin air?

Have you noticed how many of the items we buy now are made of plastic? When is the last time you saw a new piece of furniture made of solid wood stained and lacquered to perfection instead of veneer covered pressboard? We’ve become a society of throwaways. It doesn’t help that our products are not built to last, but we have become so used to this we are no longer bothered when it is time to replace our household items, our vehicles, our computers, our electronics, our furniture and clothes.

Am I the only one who find this horrendously wrong somehow?

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Am I wrong or am I right? Let’s talk about it. Discussion encouraged.

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Link This Article At Your Own Risk

Be careful what you link to.

It's Simple

When did life and living become so complicated? How did we end up putting so much pressure on ourselves to have more, that we forgot what it is to see life as it should be? 

As children most of us live in insular little pockets. The world is a big place we can only see through television and movies. We know what our neighborhood is like. We see how our friends live. Through the magic that is media we become inundated with commercials of this toy and that toy being THE thing to have. The mantra of gimme, gimme, gimme resonates throughout the house.

Growing into puberty we become more social creatures. The peer pressure of not being "different" assails us at every turn. Therefore we just HAVE to have the latest (fill in the blank) because so-and-so does and you don't want me to be "different" do you? The mantra of I want, I want, I want becomes our motto. 

Adulthood comes right around the corner. What shall we do with our lives? Everyone says that in order to be a success you have to get the right job, buy the right house, drive the right car and date the right people. Instead of finding our own joy in life, or pursuing dreams for the simple fact that they are "our" dreams, we have turned into a society in which we feel that in order to be successful, we have to fit in with our neighbors. We are no longer concerned with our own little pleasures as individuals, but with what makes those around us happy. The mantra of gotta have, gotta have, gotta have is now our battle cry!

You put yourself into debt by attending the right college. Then work your butt off the next 10 years so you can buy that house, drive that car, marry that person. Along the way you find that wasn't enough. You also just HAD to have that boat, that Jet Ski and that RV for those 2 weeks every summer your family takes a break. And don't forget that awesome 54" Flat screen TV calling your name. It would look good on that family room wall. The mantra of more!, more!, more! assails even our subconscious mind. 

Of course since you now have so much stuff in your 1800 square foot home and the kids are growing, it is time to sell this place and buy a bigger one. More hours at work: less time with family. During your down time you play a sport, join a club, or go out with friends partying the night away. Back at home the kids are watching TV and movies and being inundated with all those commercials. 

The cycle begins again. 

When does it stop? When do we say we have it all and we are content? To be happy, are these "things" truly required? Must our lives be filled with an abundance of gadgets in order to finally be at peace with our existence? 

Gone are the days in which we pursued our dreams, no matter how tiny they might be. Rather than marrying the love of our lives, we instead marry for the sake of convenience. "So-and-so can bring this to the table, which is an area I'm lacking in, so it's a good fit." We no longer view our significant others as being able to compliment who we are as individuals, or as being able to bring out the very best in us. Having children is no longer a joy, but a tax write-off. Nor are we even raising our own children any longer because we are far too busy working and acquiring more money to be spent on the gadgets which we have to own in order to be happy with our lot in life. 

What happened to the simple pleasures in life? Spending time together as a family? Living a life where all that is needed is a roof over our heads, food in our bellies, a comfortable bed to sleep on, the laughter of our children as we chase them through the house, and the quiet joy of curling up together and reveling in those moments that bring a smile to our faces? The little things are no longer important, as the bigger and better "things" in life have taken over. Gone are the days when taking a walk in the park, or watching the children laugh and play as their imaginations run wild, or simply taking the time to "smell the roses" with our loved ones are considered fun, or times of relaxation. Instead, we have let our material possessions rule us. 

Happiness can be found in the little things. A fruitful life doesn't have to be shown by how much we can accrue. Contentment isn't bought at the big box chain store. All of it can be found in your heart. You just have to look. 

It really is that simple.

You know it's hot when...

the dog sleeps on the air vent!

That would explain a heck of a lot!

I never was very good at this but I miss seeing kids play with them.

What toys from childhood do you remember fondly? 

Question of the Day

If you had unlimited choice, where would you be right now and what would you be doing?

Zealotry or Passion?

In life we all have an ability or belief we express with passion. Left to ourselves we plod along making small differences here and there. At times we mesh with another who has a passion too and joined together the result is a bit of magic. Imagine now a community of passionate people uniting their talents and desires as one. They would be unstoppable.

Pondering more, I have often wondered how the mind of a zealot develops. Somewhere inside them is a passion too but one of discord. Joined with others who contribute similar passions it grows and grows and grows until the fervor is almost an entity by itself.

Every zealot born has a passion setting them on a road seeking others of a similar ilk. This zealotry can demean, maim, kill and destroy.

Thinking of oneself as a zealot is not an easy pill to swallow. We relegate that term to others. Zealots are not solely relegated to bombers and anarchists however. Zealots are, by definition, also those who are so single-minded about a subject, person or lifestyle that they must depose those who disagree, no matter what.

Every day in the news, on the internet and around the water cooler at work, you can hear talk about hating this person, hating that situation, wanting to wipe out all the (fill-in-the blank). Hate, hate, hate. It seems that a passion of goodness is now a distant second and the zealotry of hate has taken its place.

It is up to each of us as individuals to decide which type of passion we will express. Personally, I'll take the passion of goodness instead of the zealotry of hate. It won't be easy. There will be times lashing back at those who verbally demean me or mine will be foremost in my mind. With patience and a bit of understanding that will change.

Is your passion one of acceptance? Or is it one where you refuse to tolerate those who are different.

The choice is yours.

Quote of the Day

I don't know about you, but there are times it's easier not to start something than to wonder if by doing so, I'll give up part way through. This one I tacked on my office wall to remind me not to give up when I don't even want to start.

Thought of the Day

Don't forget to take a moment today to encourage someone instead of tearing them down. You'll both feel better for having done it.

ARGH

This is what I feel like today!

How is your day going?

Word of the day:

sisyphean: an endless task

For me it's housecleaning that is sisyphean in my life. What is something sisyphean in yours?

Question of the Day

Not having time to hand wash our breakfast dishes this morning (yes, I still do that) I added them to the dishwasher for later cleaning. I mentally thanked the inventor of said device for making my morning a bit easier. That got me thinking...

Other than the internet and cell phones, what invention of the last 100 years could you not live without?

From the You Must Be Kidding Me Department

I'm a bit behind in my news lately so just saw this. Talk about being in shock! What are your reactions to this? 

Question of the Day

There is something about not feeling well or having a bad time where having a bowl, dish or plate of a particular food is so comforting. Growing up whenever it was an exceptionally cold day and I was stuck indoors I was always given tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich for lunch. To this day when the weather turns chilly it's still my favorite mid-day meal.

Do you have a comfort food?

Thought of The Day


It often crosses my mind that in today's society there are very few people we know (including ourselves) that have not been diagnosed with one condition or another. Whether it be a physical or mental malady or both, many doctors are treating people for problems that 50, 40 or even 10 years ago no one had ever heard of.

Granted, we now have more scientific research going on than we did in 1950, but it brings up the question were these problems around in 1950 and we just didn't know what they were, or are all these diagnosed issues new? The average life expectancy in 1950 was 67.3 years. Now it is 77.3 years. Has science helped us live longer?

Over the last half century we as a nation have begun adding more and more chemicals and additives to the growing and production of our food stuffs. From the fertilizers used to boost the growing capacity to the preservatives used to lengthen shelf life and everything in between, unnatural supplements have taken over the food industry. Our animals are injected with growth hormones, our vegetables and fruits coated with pest retardants, and our pre-packaged meals loaded down with enough inorganic materials to make you wonder if there is actually any food in the container. To make foodstuffs more affordable and there be less waste, preservation processes were introduced. Now you could grow the corn in Iowa, ship it to the processing plant in Tennessee and have it canned and on your table in Arizona without ever having to worry.

Or should we worry?

Could it be that the addition of chemicals to our drinks and foodstuffs has actually begun to alter the way our body performs? It would be grand if we could all grow our own consumables and drink fresh, naturally clean water, but we cannot. We have come to rely on super stores to provide what we need to sustain our existence because too few of us have the time, energy, ability or land to do that. Have you ever noticed the taste difference between an apple you buy at the grocery store and one picked fresh off the tree? It is amazing. Your taste buds tingle, your mouth waters and there is a fireworks display of joy going on between your lips.

Time and time again we are warned not to eat this or drink that because it could be harmful to us. Scientists have tested the results of consuming these products over the course of time and realize that if you DON'T eat/drink them, you will be better off. These are the same scientists that developed the additives/preservatives to supposedly help us live better/longer lives. If we take away all the natural things that are supposedly harmful to us, all we will have left is chemicals to consume. If these items are so harmful, why did nature provide them to begin with?

I know I have gone off track of how I began, but there is a reason for that. What if by adding all these chemicals to our diet, we are actually causing more problems? Is it possible? Probable? Once we are diagnosed with a disease/problem/issue we are given even more chemicals in the form of prescription drugs to control whatever it is we have. And as with all medications, there are side effects. Some become so severe we then develop more and more problems and must be given more and more drugs to counter the side effects. And those drugs have side effects, and on and on and on. It is a never ending cycle.

Twenty years from now I wonder if we will even need to embalm someone when they die.

What say you? Let’s talk about it.

Wish I had known all this when I had a blog. Do you have one? If so please link, I'd love to read it.

What a glorious performance...

HELP!

My circles were accidently deleted. I don't suppose there is any way to recover them?

Thanks to some great people here on G+ I have found them again!

Two of my favorite things in life in one item: chocolate and shoes.

Can life get any better than this?

Question of the day:

Could you forgive someone who murdered your child and shows no remorse for doing so?

RESHARE:
For all you word lovers out there can you come up with an A-Z list off the top of your head? Thanks +kelly lieberman for making my brain work this morning...

apple, brain, candy, dog, elephant, frightening, glad, happy, incredible, joke, kelp, lame, men, nice, opinion, pure, quality, result, share, time, uncle, viable, welcome, xylophone, yours, zip

Reshared text:
A-Z

aim, blow bubbles, celebrate the little things, dance, enchant, free yourself, give, have hope, innocence (see the light in everyone’s soul), jump, kind over matter, listen, listen, listen, magic- believe it, nibble, optimism, playfulness, quiet, randomness, smile, take part in, ubiquitous, vitality, wonder, eXhilarate, yip, zig-zag

I'll share mine if you share yours

There are a few things that I do that others find quirky. One is that I enjoy my coffee in a take-out cup. Even at home. I've tried using other kinds of cups and for some reason it's just not the same for me.

What kind of things do you do that others might find quirky?

Question of the Day

I needed to know how to spell a particular word and hubby said to look it up in the dictionary. I opened up my computer to find it. He laughed and said "whatever happened to the paper dictionaries of our youth?"

Do you still use reference books for anything or have you switched to digital?

Just paid $2.57 a gallon for gas... Life is good!