Take A Second Thought

A major news story today is the apparent suicide of a young Rutgers University freshman. Reportedly, thanks to his roommate, he was broadcast via a webcam having a sexual encounter with another male. This "outing" was unexpected and proved to be devastating. The young man is reported to have jumped off the George Washington Bridge.
My point here is not about 2 single people having sex. Nor is it about "gay" sex. The Bible is clear about both of these topics. My point is about how we treat each other.
Years ago, I attended Rutgers University as an undergraduate. So did several of my friends. My, how things have changed with technology! Yet, the standards for how we should treat each other remain the same:
"So, in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." (NIV) Matthew 7:12
A young man is dead. Two young people face legal charges. The male sexual partner may be "outed" in the coming days. Parents are broken-hearted.
Sometimes, we'd all do well to take a second thought before we act.
Take care,
Sylvia

Back Again!

Six hours back into the real world after a marvelous cruise to Nassau and the Bahamas! What a joy to get "off the clock" for awhile.
Great beaches, great weather, great company and activities were in abundance! Such pampering! Still, it is always good to return home to one's own space: you know where everything is, you see your "familiars" (plants, pets, stuff).
One of the first things I did after returning home and offering a prayer of thanks was sit in my favorite recliner and stare into space...
We in this country have so much to be appreciative of, especially when compared to many of the staff on the cruise ship. Some of these workers toil for 6 to 8 months away from home, on a ship. On our cruise, the workers had to cater to more than 2,500 guests! Pleasantly! I enjoyed interacting with them; they were from Honduras, India, Poland, Philippines, Africa, Chile, and many other countries.
The food was outstanding in frequency, quality, visual enticement, and abundance! I am guilty of 3 to 5 pounds of weight gain. I plan to have those pounds off in a week. For real.
TTYS,
Sylvia

Blessed Sweet Rest

Recently, our minister reminded us of God's power and care for His children.
"Do you know the exact moment you went to sleep last night and the exact moment you woke up this morning? God's grace put you to sleep last night and His grace woke you up this morning."
The minister's remarks reminded me of verse 8 in Psalm 4. "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." (NIV)
This is both marvelous and comforting.
Sweet dreams tonight!
TTYL,
Sylvia

Regular or Maxi

I saw something refreshing!
I turned into an aisle at Shoprite and saw a young man in front of the feminine products. He was about 25 to 30 years old. He was on his cell phone, appearing to get directions from a female voice about whether to get "Regular" or "Maxi" pads. He also asked if he had his hand on the correct brand. At first, I turned my head away, because I didn't want him to be embarrassed by my viewing his purchase. He looked right at me, smiled, and continued talking on his cell phone to his lady! It was like he was proud to be helping out. Wow! Back in the day, many males wouldn't be caught dead picking up feminine products. Also, media advertisements acted all "hush, hush" about these matters, like something was wrong with something natural. I never could see the sense in that.
Congrats to you, young man!
TTYS,
Sylvia

A Double Standard

Today I heard a man and a woman talk about a show called "The Jersey Shore". (I don't watch the show, but I know a little about it.) The man in this conversation was supportive of a young male on the show who is allegedly becoming more promiscuous. By contrast, he was disapproving of one of the young females on the show who is allegedly promiscuous. The term "double standard" was used by the woman in this conversation.
This made me think about how things were when I was growing up. Sometimes young men were excused for being with lots of young ladies, as long as they didn't get "caught". But "fast" girls were frowned upon by just about everyone, including the boys who were "with" them.
It is a good thing when we teach our girls as well as our boys to honor their bodies.
Peace be,
Sylvia

Baby Boomers with Heavy Purses

By most definitions, I am included in the Baby Boomer category. That doesn't mean I don't have a lot of "pep in my step", (something my dear father used to say). I still have the pep, but I notice I now make sounds as I move in certain positions. Sometimes the sounds come from my mouth, sometimes they come from my joints.
I used to jump up quickly out of bed in the morning. Now, I sit up slowly, put my feet on the floor, and figure out just what parts of me I want to move next. I am blessed and thankful that all my parts still move. I am simply more aware of them than I was in my twenties.
One of the "I-know-better-than-this" things I do is shoulder a large purse with too much stuff in it. I keep thinking I will need this or that item, so it goes into the purse. I am right-handed, so I favor my right shoulder, with which I carry the heavy purse. Recently, my shoulder went into protest mode, reminding me that I am a Baby Boomer.
I plan to do the right things to make peace wih my shoulder. This Baby Boomer wants to feel great for as long as she can.
Take care,
Sylvia

Dollar Menu Fast Food

I was listening to a radio host as I drove to the gym this week. I didn't catch all of this topic, but it went something like this: a fast food restaurant chain in some state is reported to be getting rid of the dollar menu in order to deter the homeless customers. The dollar menu was referred to as the "Homeless Menu", because the homeless supposedly beg for money to buy from this menu because they can afford it. The restaurant allegedly is upping the prices from a dollar in order to handle this situation. I wonder about this...
This news item caught my attention for another reason. This week, for the first time in at least two years, I bought a cheeseburger and small order of fries from a local restaurant's dollar store menu. I was running errands, got hungry, had a healthy meal at home, but I was on the road. So I stopped, purchased those two items for takeout, and continued my errands.
Of course, I paid the price later on that evening. My body is no longer used to fast food, whether it costs a dollar or more than a dollar.
TTYL,
Sylvia

A Moving Memorial

I saw an SUV with a memorial message custom-printed on the rear window. There were the words, "In loving remembrance of my son, (the name was written), 1986-2008." The months of birth and death were there also.
My breath caught in my throat, because I realized this deceased son was only about 22 years old!
There is an old saying that parents should not have to bury their children; it should be the other way around. I do not know this young man or what happened to him. It could have been sickness, violence, an accident, a war casualty. My heart goes out to his parents, who see his name whenever they look at their vehicle. Maybe it helps them in their healing process.
I pray that God will continue to bless with healing and comfort all of us who have had to say goodbye (for now) to our loved ones.
Peace be,
Sylvia

A Lesson in the book of Job

My daily Bible devotional today was from the book of Job, beginning with chapter 38. So far, God let Job and his friends say what they felt they must. Then God speaks.
As the young people say, "He got them straight!" There is a lesson in these passages for us all.
Verse 2:"Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?"
Verse 3: "Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me."
Verse 4: "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand."
Verse 12: "Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place,..."(NIV)
What powerful chapters-38-41!
Sometimes we created beings need to be reminded of who the Creator is!
Peace be,
Sylvia

She Wants to be Where I Am

My teeenager likes to watch suspense shows with me, but when the background music suggests that something dangerous or scary is about to happen, she closes her eyes. She wants me to tell her what is on the screen.
When I offer to change the program so she won't be afraid, she responds, "No, I want to watch it with you! It's good!"
How does she know if the show is good when she actually views only half of it? The other half of the show is my version to her of what's on the screen. Maybe she simply enjoys my presence and my story-explaining skills.
I know what I enjoy: the fact that my teenager likes to be where I am. I plan to appreciate this as long as I can; she'll be an adult before I know it!
TTYS,
Sylvia

Labor Day 2010

What a marvelous Labor Day celebration! So much love! So much delicious food! Most importantly, it was a major blessing to have "down time" with a lot of my family members: Mom, sis, 2 of my brothers, husband, sister-in-law, sister friend J.
Family is precious.
We should enjoy family while we have the opportunity to do so.
Peace be,
Sylvia

Thank You, Stacy!

One of my "guilty pleasures" is a "Chick Filet" sandwich. I can resist the waffle fries, but the delicious chicken filet sandwich with the pickle slices calls my name every time I ride by the franchise.
This week, as I use the drive in window, a young lady worker asks, "Are you Miss Brown?" (My maiden name)
"Yes, dear, I am. Why?"
"I'm asking for Stacy. She said you were her third grade teacher."
I look behind my server and see a grown-up Stacy. She waves and smiles excitedly. She still has that sweet face and gentle spirit she had in third grade.
"Hello Stacy! It's good to see you, Sweetheart!"
After I get my sandwich, all the young servers wave and shout, "See you later, Stacy's teacher Miss Brown!"
It's a blessing when former students are glad to see you and proud for their associates to meet you.
I am thankful.
TTYS,
Sylvia

Enjoy Your Moments

Now and then, I have to remind myself to slow down and enjoy my moments. Like many of us, I multi-task, even when it's not necessary...
The phone rings. I answer it. I immediately go into the kitchen and slice the loaves of bread I bought earlier. I bag them for freezing. All the while, I continue my phone conversation.
While waiting for my computer to load, I run water in the kitchen sink. If the computer takes too long, I wash a few dishes while I wait.
I sometimes ask someone a question and then anticipate the answer, which means I may not fully comprehend the answer at first, because I was not fully focused on the speaker. I was in my own head.
I may have the television or the radio on while I am reading the newspaper or a book. I try to pay attention to both.
The thing is, I take a sense of accomplishment from getting more than one thing done simultaneously. What I have to remember is that I may be missing some things in my quest to get a lot of things done: smells, sounds, ideas, expressions, thoughts, and more.
When I catch myself overdoing the multi-tasking thing, I say out loud, "Sylvia, slow down and be IN this moment!"
Wishing you all the best,
Sylvia

A Prayer and my Earrings

I was having a great time running my errands and chatting with folks I know. Then, I reached up to touch my earrings and realized I had left the house without them! Suddenly, I felt like my face was naked! I am not one to put on a full face of makeup when I dash out, but I always comb my hair and put on a pair of pierced earrings before meeting the outside world.
I had my ears pierced as a young teen after begging my mother and father for years. I had them pierced the old-fashioned way: with ice to numb the lobes, a needle sterilized at the tip with a match flame, and a piece of thread. This was the norm back in the day.
Anyway, I felt better when I returned home and put my earrings in my earlobes: a simple pair of hoops.
I always feel better when I leave home with my earrings, and also my daily departing home prayer: "Our Father who art in heaven, holy is thy name. Please guide me and go with me and keep me today. In Jesus' name. Amen."
Peace,
Sylvia