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