On some idle Tuesday…

This popped on the radio during my morning commute, just ‘some idle Tuesday’ ride.

 

I was a member of the “Class of ’99″…which just won’t disclose from what level of school . I remember this song/poetry rap so well, so even at that young age, many of my friends and I understood the advice.

Maybe these sentiments are threadbare from wear and tear, or musty from years of being kicked farther under the bed for you. Either way, take a listen and find some truth. A few that made my smile and recommit myself to their principles are:

Don’t worry about the future, or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum.

Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life.  The most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives; some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don’t.

Whatever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself, either.  Your choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s.

So friends…remember the sunscreen.

Remembering the call: A National Plan

I know. I’m supposed to be ‘plan-less’. But my call today is not a plan for me, it’s for millions.

As I’ve shared, Alzheimer’s is the only disease among the top 10 most prevalent in the US without a way to cure, prevent or even slow its progression.  For my family, it also hits very close to home.

This disease also has huge fiscal implications for our country. Estimates for taking caring of patients this year will cost the U.S. $200 billion this year alone. By 2050, the cost of caring for those with Alzheimer’s could be as high as $1 trillion.

Back in January, I asked you to support a movement for a National Plan. Today, there is a National Alzheimer’s Plan, backed by a funding request from the President. However, in order to make sure this plan is effective, we need to ask our Representatives for a strong, enforced plan.

As the Alzheimer’s Association letter to senators states:

 I ask that you support an effective National Alzheimer’s Plan, which accelerates and prioritizes the government’s efforts on Alzheimer’s disease and commits the resources necessary to change the trajectory of the disease. I respectfully request that you provide $100 million in FY 2013 for Alzheimer’s research, education, outreach, and support activities. Alzheimer’s is a crisis that is simply too big to ignore.

Months ago, a wise friend named Lisa said to me, “Take care of yourself. That is your job. You need to be the best for yourself first, so you can figure out how to be there for your mom”.  How right she is, and the message hidden in those words is that it takes a village to care for us all.

TAKE ACTION: Please, please sign.

****

For a visual on what Alzheimer’s does to the brain, see here.

Previous post on a National Plan.

The Good (Clean) Days

In all our work of sustainability, of innovation, of progress, we sometimes overlook the gems that already exist. I love this recent post that addresses environmental pollutants, health problems, plus a basic science lesson.

How does she do it? By introducing the easiest cleaning fix, personal care product, and wonder agent: baking soda! Now, I’ve used this to deodorize my fridge…might have even made my own deodorant, tried using it in my hair and even used it as a gentle scrub but there are additional brilliant uses listed.

Heck, given the news as of late, I think we ALL know of a few organizations that could learn a lesson from going back to the basics as well as a good cleanse!

I choose (for) me.

I’m a big believer in knowing what I put into my body. It is not just that I want a choice, or my belief that I have right to make such a decision: it is spiritual.

Say what?

Yup, spiritual.  This body, I’ve got just one. It won’t last forever.  Therefore, I want the assurance of what I choose to eat, consume, or slather on- is safe.

What do I mean by safe? A strong assurance that it is not detrimental to my health, that I am protected & not at risk and best of all, has been proven to not be harmful. I believe in the precautionary principle:

“When an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically.”

As our news is filled with safety: in our supply chain, in our foods, as well as what are rights at stakeholders are, here are tangential causes to be aware of:

1. Just Label it campaign to label genetically modified food. Ask the Food and Drug Administration to allow (or mandate) labeling of any genetically altered food.

2. Campaign for Safe Cosmetics: I’ve written about this before, in ‘Safety in Your (personal) stuff‘. We consumers put plenty of products on and into our bodies.  Campaign for Safe Cosmetics says it best when they say “We don’t want mercury in our lotions, formaldehyde in hair products and baby shampoos, or lead in our lipstick“.

Regardless, I want to be able to choose what is right FOR me. That begins with having knowledge about my products.

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom” ~ Victor Frankl

Unity not Uniformity.

“We are never going to have unity based on uniformity…”.

My Dad sent me a recording entitled Future Church. A lazy Saturday, already running ‘late’ to cross things off the endless to-do list. But, as I carried my laptop around my apartment, scrubbing my bathroom, mopping my floors, getting ready, I couldn’t stop listening. In fact, I sat down in midst of my spring cleaning, and felt myself listen to faith, connecting more than I have in weeks. Maybe even months.

Why does this message of the future church and the wisdom that ”We are never going to have unity based on uniformity…”, speak so vibrantly to me?

Maybe its my calling to work in an interfaith group. Regardless of age, gender, orientation, religion, we come together each day to work for the greater good, as called to by our faiths. I so appreciate those I work with, and recognize that their gifts and talents are so needed. By our coming together, we bring forth greater achievements than we would if we operated alone.

Maybe too its my time spent with people on the street in Syracuse. Remembering Baby Mariah who would run to me and give me the biggest bear hug with her toothless grin. Or Wade, who opened my eyes to the silent struggle of so many and the vast loneliness that can exist in this world.

Confirmed by these experiences, I know that all people are worthy. All people have spiritual dimensions and are invited to connect with the divine.

Admittedly, my life is vastly different than others across the globe. But there is one thing that unites us: We are all humans.

So can’t we come together in a place, in a mindset, in way that uplifts us all, bringing us closer to God? I think so. And I happen to agree with Fr. Vincent’s words: ” We are never going to have unity based on uniformity…”.

Uniformity seeks out what is different, ugly, sinful, disdainful, and asks for us to be the same. To be perfect. To be what we cannot be, but could strive to be. Unity seeks an acceptance that we are all God’s children, that each of us is a welcome sheep into the fold. Uniformity seeks certain habits, where unity seeks communion.

As my soul was scrubbed, my mind cleansed of some anger from recent actions, I felt God. Fr. Vincent’s preaching reminded me that indeed, I am WELCOMED in my HOME of the Church.

I can continue. Today I was renewed. Today I was called to listen. Today I was reminded that I’m loved, welcomed, and needed in my Church. Of course I know I’ll struggle in the future. But on a day that I awoke with a quiet sadness, my soul felt the spark of joy.  Today, I felt the hand of my God.

***
As I’ve mentioned before, Sisters are some of my heroines. This piece below illuminates their great work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALx-eolC1FI 

The simple life: the best life

August 2011

Who would have thunk that a ‘trapped’ weekend could be so good? Not I- Ms. Cabin fever extraordinaire, also know as Kate from Kate Says Yes, and co-author at Sharing the Table of Plenty.

This weekend, like most of the Northeast, we were walloped with Ms. Irene. I am an active gal. So the idea of a state of emergency across the whole  Mid-Atlantic region, no mass transit, no driving, and no potable water means no fun.

Or so I thought. As much as I would have love to travel to the shore as my calendar rudely reminded me of, I stayed completely in the confines of my area. I slept in. I made French Toast. I learned first hand at lunch that the batter of beer waffles is gross.

So, maybe 2 of my three meals required syrup today, maybe I sat and stared at the wind. But I also had ample time to walk with my sister and talk about her new adventure of moving to Florida. I enjoyed chatting with my Dad about financial opportunities. I liked my Mom’s free hugs in exchange for some freshly brewed coffee. I even enjoyed cleaning out part of my basement and attic.

I reveled in ‘me’ time, too. I blogged about my recent decision to go vegetarian, some struggles with spirituality, deep decisions, and light hearted humor. A passion of mine is working towards a more just and equitable food system, one that would eradicate hunger, which we explore at Sharing the Table of Plenty.

All of these experiences, so simple, so omnipresent to me. So representative of my everyday, yet ‘best’ life.

This intense weekend was a forceful reminder that plans can be changed…sometimes even for the better. Dare I say that my stubbornness sometimes needs such a shaking? Irene’s Lesson: It is good to leave and experience other things, but it is also divine to love what you have: be it home, health, safety, family, or the like.

How to Be Alone: Be Fearless

Keep on being fearless….

While my friend Katie did not utter these exact words, her message did. Our recent convo went a little like this:

Me: Got a hot second? if not no worries- so not an emergency.

K: Of course!

Me: [Enter latest stress]

K: I know exactly what you’re going through. It is hard to not want to bend over backward for others.

Me: Yeah….

K: Just remember that you’re awesome. Find yourself a distraction. Dance, have fun. You’re allowed to feel whatever emotions you feel and  do whatever you need. BUT keep on being AWESOME KATE!

Out of context this may not make the best sense. Regardless, Katie’s advice is universal.  Be kind to ourselves , feel the emotions as they come, and make sure to keep moving forward.

Later, I saw another friend’s posting on Facebook. She’s dealing with depression, and publicly- for that I give her a major kudos. And as it often does in the most ‘normal’ of moments, revelation struck. I realized that when my life was super challenging (hello, 2011), fear was often a cornerstone. When I was stuck, fear kept me from moving forward. When I was sad, fear stopped me from realizing the future could be even brighter. When I was heartbroken,  fear wouldn’t let me let go of the life I had loved.

And so what does this make me want to do? Go be fearless, live with abandon. Dance with a free heart, laugh with glee. And sure if I come home tonight and need a moment to myself, I will kindly take it- no questions (of myself) will be asked. And in all these moments, I’ll strive to live my life, placing the fear down, and saying yes to the unknown future ahead.

*** Personal note: As I’ve shared, I have a monthly video call with 2 very dear friends, one being Katie. We live in 3 time zones with very divergent schedules, but we make it work. And each time, we are amazed at how good it is to connect with each other, and what powerful motivators we are for each other. I urge you to do the same! Pick up the phone, use FaceTime, Oovoo, Skype, or even better travel to see a good friend. You won’t be sorry!

Confirmed

A crisis of faith.

                   An emergency confirmation.

                                             Plenty of faithful struggling.

Two weeks ago, I happily agreed to be my godson’s confirmation sponsor. Due to circumstances, this needed to occur immediately. While I remain honored that he asked me to stand with him and guide him in this sacrament, I worried. Right now, my heart is breaking over faith.

***

After our traditional prayers and liturgy of the word was celebrated, we were asked to restate our baptismal promises with our confirmandi.

Do you reject Satan,  all of his works and empty promises?

I do.

Do you believe in God, the Father almighty,  creator of heaven and earth?

I do. 

Do you believe in Jesus Christ,
his only Son, our Lord,
who was born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered death and was buried,
rose again from the dead,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father?

I do. 

Do you believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Holy Catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting?

…I …do. 

I paused. This question of the Church arouses my sadness in certain actions. Do I believe in this?

Words so simple: I do believe.

Uttered from my heart, I realized that I believe in the church that I see every day as I go to work; in each moment that my young adult group and I conduct a service event or share our faith journeys. I see it in my friend’s new role as father, as he invites me to pray with his baby before putting him to bed, using words said for thousands of years, and ones we grew up professing together. I see it in my Father’s patient position as a caregiver, each day living out the Gospel message. I see it in my friend’s role as a loving, supportive wife. I believe in the goodness of our church, of the opportunity it has to become even more beautiful, diverse, holy, welcoming and honoring of all of God’s people.

 

 

Today was about my wonderful godson. I put my questions aside, and asked him what his were. As we waited over an hour for the service to start, we found ourselves in a great discussion. He has questions and certainly feels that God has not answered all of his prayers. I told him as hard as it is, God’s timing is not always ours. Even more deeply, I found myself saying “Keep praying…I think it is a way to find answers to your questions”.

And so it is. On this day of my godson’s confirmation, I pray that he finds his faith, his peace, and his  connection to the divine. I also ask for the grace and guidance to support him. I pray that he, and all others, know how dearly loved they are, no matter what this world may tell them. Furthermore, I pray that we find answers to our questions, hope in our struggles, and acceptance too.

***

As my godson showed me one of his gifts after the ceremony, I asked “Do you know what this stands for?” Glancing down at the cross with a dove in the center, ”Yes, peace.”  he said.  ”Oh and love. It stands for peace and love”.

For peace and for love: my faith stands.

How to Be Alone: Be a VIP

“Ladies, where are you headed tonight?”, “Excuse me, could we please put you on the guest list for tonight?”, “Ladies would you like special access to the grand opening ?”

Recently, a friend and I took a long awaited trip. While wanting to relive our time in Europe, we realized work schedules and other commitments wouldn’t make it possible. We settled for a domestic, yet still exotic place to us: a trip across the country!

Every day of our mini-vaca, we were approached with free entrances, guest list spots, and fantastic offers. Hands down, we were living the high life. Sure, this is part of the glitz of this town, but we loved it! How fun to be a ‘hot commodity’. One night we had 4 offers from different venues to be VIPs!

We knew when we came home the offers would stop. Trust me, we realized too that for women in this town this is the typical treatment. And it was more than fun to skip every line, cut straight to the bar, and have special attention given to us.  Clearly, we could see the draw in this lifestyle.

Yet, the most important thing that was reinforced: treat ourselves as worthy. We don’t need to wait for others to do that for us. You don’t need to go on a vacation, to the latest hot spot, or even walk the way of the rich & famous to be a VIP. Treat yourself as one.

I don’t mean fight to cut the line at the grocery store, rather cut yourself a break. Don’t demand ‘wonder woman’ status of yourself. Call on your “Phenomenal Woman” mindset and remember you are one. Respecting others and respecting yourself speaks volumes. You are a very important person. Treat yourself as one.