curiosity and questioning

I believe that curiosity and questioning should be encouraged. The more interests we pursue, the more knowledge we gain, make us better able to make decisions and participate in society.

We should pursue knowledge from many sources and explore many points of view. We need to listen to one another. We need to find ways to be respectful and kind to people who see the world differently than we do. 

If we ignore opposing points of view, we are limiting our own experience and chances for ourselves and the world around us to grow and change.

Wishing you patience and an open mind!

“Dear Evan Hansen” & mental health awareness

Mental health awareness is so important, especially during this time of isolation due to the pandemic.

I just finished listening to the audio book based on the Broadway musical “Dear Evan Hansen.” It is a story about High school students living with isolation, anxiety and a peer who committed suicide.

Here are some resources that they suggested:

https://childmind.org

https://crisistextline.org text 741741 to text with a trained counselor

https://thetrevorproject.org dedicated to LGBTQ youth

With more to be found at https://dearevanhansen.com/

Your library might have the novel or even the sound recording of the musical. 

Wishing you and your loved ones the opportunity to discuss difficult topics that might make a world of difference.

What the world needs now

What the world needs now

Is love, sweet love

It’s the one thing that there's just too little of

-Burt Bacharach

From one side to the other, let's listen to one another and share love. We don’t need to be alike. Differences make the world better. Let’s accept each other and agree to disagree.

Wishing you love and acceptance!

"This Land Is Their Land" by David J Silverman

So glad that we have a holiday to commemorate gratitude. I am so very grateful for the friends and family in my life. Grateful for Facebook friends and family as well.

But take a few minutes to make sure that the people you know understand the Thanksgiving Myth. I was taught that the pilgrims and Indians sat down for a great meal to celebrate the harvest and the friendship between the two groups.

Native Americans who met the Europeans from the Mayflower were not happy to see them. For at least a century prior, other Europeans had been wreaking havoc during exploratory missions. By the time colonization began, damage had been done to prevent friendships. And the havoc continued.

Please be grateful for your loved ones and your safety, shelter and healthy food. But do a quick history lesson for a dose of reality. I have been reading "This Land Is Their Land" by David J Silverman. It is quite a lengthy lesson but worthwhile.

May we learn from the past, be grateful and look to a happier future.

past meets present

On a TV show a character asked, "If your 10-year-old self met you today, what would they think?"

How would you answer?

I think my 10-year-old self would be shocked by my 50-year-old self. I don't think I knew anyone who used a wheelchair much less thought of myself as ever needing one.

I think I would be pleased as well. I always thought I'd like teaching. And I'm especially proud of the wonderful friends and family with whom I keep in touch. So grateful for my husband and others who bring me joy.

Wishing you a life that makes you happy!

the other person

I was feeling some self-pity (I try not to do so very often). I thought of the Tom Petty lyric, "You don't know what it's like to be me."

Then I realized, none of us know what it's like to be the other person. We all have our unique strengths and weaknesses, hopes and fears. So let's be kind to one another. No one knows what struggles someone else is experiencing. Smiles can cover any number of woes.

Wishing you patience in your struggle. May we all have patience for people we don't know who might act negatively during their time of struggle.

Say it out loud. Say it with actions.

Just finished season two of Sex Education from Netflix. Love the characters and the scenery. The last episode had a nice message.

First, not everyone understands you. When you find the ones who do, don't let them go.

Second, it's important to tell people that you love them.

Love for others is not always obvious. Say it out loud. Say it with actions if you prefer. It feels good to say it and show it. It feels really good to hear it. It is one of the things that will help you keep the ones who understand you in your life.

I love you for the human being that you are, whether or not I know you. I really appreciate you taking the time to read what I have to say.