Found this quote today: "Being a role model is the most powerful form of educating. Youngsters need good models more than they need critics. It's one of a parent's greatest responsibilities and opportunities." - John Wooden
Something that amazes me is when I see parents doing things in front of their kids that I can't imagine they would want their kids to do. Yelling at their kids is a good example lol. Seriously though I think we all can take some time and reflect on what behaviours we want our kids to model and then try to do more of them. Surely we can't aspire to have our children cut people off in traffic, be rude to strangers, cut in line at stores or amusement parks etc. etc. etc. I think a good thought moving forward for the New Year would be to try and consider that the little people are always watching and ultimately they will learn how to behave as adults from watching the adults they are around the most: us.
I
think sometimes businesses etc. lose their way when they start catering
outside their target audience. I think it happened when the NHL tried
the glowing puck etc. to try and get people who didn't care about the
game to care about the game. I think it happens in baseball when they
try to find ways to speed up the game. The true baseball fan is sitting
in the stands in the sun with a beer (or several) and isn't complaining
about the speed of the game.
It seems like the same thing is
happening on Facebook. I like Facebook. Always have. I like that it
helps me keep up with what friends are doing, thinking etc. It seems
like now people are being chastised for doing what made Facebook what it
is. I see lots of posts (and may be guilty of jokingly sharing a few)
saying: don't share your political views, or I don't care if you went to
the gym or what you had for dinner.
Personally I say update it. I want
to see it. I like knowing what is going on in my friends lives. If
someone posts too much stuff you don't want to see and you can't just
ignore it then hide their updates or change which ones you see. I like
the original way people used Facebook and I hope people continue to do
it.
"We have a duty to another very special group of patriots: our veterans. Do we
really understand the sacrifices they have made, that they fight for our right
to be free? Voting is a fundamental demonstration of gratitude to those who have
risked and even given their lives for us." Harvey Mackay
I actually don't agree with the word duty in this context. To me the people who fought for our freedom gave us freedom that allows us the maximum amount of choice possible without infringing on the rights of others. This includes not voting if that is what you wish. However that being said I think voting is incredibly important and is a great gesture of respect to our veterans.
"Impress upon children the truth that the elective franchise is a social duty of
as solemn a nature as man can be called to perform; that a man may not
incorrectly trifle with his vote; that every elector is a trustee as well for
others as himself and that every measure he supports has an important bearing in
the interests of others as well as on his own." Daniel Webster
First
of all I'm most thankful for the safety we enjoy living where we live.
It constantly gives me pause for thought when I read stories of people
being blown up at the market etc. in other countries. I'm also thankful
that living in Canada we're free to think and say whatever we want. It's
hard to imagine in this day and age there are countries where people
get thrown in jail for speaking against the government or where things
like Google results are censored.
I'm thankful for the health
of my family. We all are constantly inundated with friends,
acquaintances, stories etc. of health problems taking people too young
or negatively impacting the quality of life. I'm thankful that this year
our health system fixed my wife's back problems so she can live
normally again.
I'm thankful for my family. My beautiful wife
who after eighteen years together still so obviously loves me and
supports me. She is the most caring, nicest woman I know. It's so
amusing to see her at bedtime one by one being asked to lie in
everyone's bed and cuddle them to sleep. My wonderful daughter who is
interested in everything and has the same heart as my wife. Always
wanting to do nice things for others. My son whose life revolves around
sports already at seven. The pure joy I get to watch him experience when
he makes a catch or hits a ball a long way.
I'm thankful for
friends. I lost one particular one this year that gave me a lot of
reason to think. I'm glad that because of that I have made more of an
effort to have important conversations with friends and to work on
building a circle I can confide real feelings to.
I'm thankful
for my job and the company I work for. I look around at the life I live
with the nice house on the quiet, tree-lined street and all the things I
am able to do for my children and I know that a lot of my success was
just the dumb luck of getting hired where I work. The less obvious thing
that I am grateful to my work for is teaching me a way of thinking. As a
lot of those who work there will tell you there is a real logical,
methodical way of thinking that is ingrained into the culture. Learning
to think this way has really helped me succeed in other areas of my
life.
I'm thankful for whatever it is that attracts me to do
the things I do to help others and for the skill set I have that allows
me to help them. It's really wonderful to have the opportunities that I
do to make a difference in the lives of others and I am grateful that
people and organizations trust me to do those things on their behalf.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
How
is it possible that a politician in the USA can suggest that anyone
should: "inhibit such expressions"? Democrat, Republican, pro or anti
gay marriage the suggestion from a member of the government that this
person's employer should attempt to control what they say is disturbing.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/ravens/story/2012-09-07/brendan-ayanbadejo-gay-marriage/57680822/1
Saw
something the other day that I think captured the spirit of Canada. I
wish I could have taken a picture but I think it would have been
inappropriate. We were at the Toronto Zoo and they had a really nice
splash pad. Sitting there while my kids played I noticed a couple also
sitting there and the woman was covered except her face as is
traditional in some religions. I then looked where they were looking and
saw what I assume was their daughter dressed the same way but fully
enjoying the splash pad. Fully covered but soaked and enjoying it the
same as the kids in bathing suits etc. Very cool.
I often feel bad and sometimes defend politicians and other famous people when an off the cuff comment they make turns into a media firestorm. I think it has to be difficult having every word you say scrutinized and people just waiting for you to say the wrong thing so they can use it to attack you. However there is a point where what you said wasn't a mistake and you're just a complete idiot. Todd Akin is a great example of that.
