I have been noticing lately how easily influenced I am. If there is any subject that I have not thought about personally, I will adopt the first opinion that comes my way as my own.
For example, my friend Mia had a baby 4 months before Filip was born. She remarked that all the unisex baby clothes always have ducks on them. She said she's trying to find something different for the baby to wear.
After she made that comment, I thought "I'm sick of ducks."
I had never even seen ducks when I was baby shopping! Filip had never worn any clothes with ducks on them. Yet, now I'm sick of ducks, because of a comment from Mia.
Every once in a while I get into listening to Dr. Laura's radio program. I agree personally with about 90% of what she says. Whenever something calls for an opinion based on that 90%, I totally parrot Dr. Laura's words. I had to stop listening to it. I sound exactly like her whenever I express an opinion about family life or relationships. I might as well be reading a passage out of her book.
I think this is why I am so particular about what movies and television I watch. For me, it's not just eliminating things that are too violent or immoral. I can't watch things that form an opinion that I would not want to adopt.
Actually, my opinion about a movie itself will completely change after I read a few reviews of the movie, even after I have seen the movie.
So don't take it personally when I say I hate some form of entertainment that you love. I'm just protecting my brain.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
End of Year
Since it's December 31, I guess I'll follow my fellow bloggers' examples and sum up what 2008 meant to me:
AAAAARRRRRRrrrrrrrghhh!!! And it's not over! It's being carried over into the next year! Aaaaahh!!!
In 2009, I plan to have a set FS schedule, finish reading the bible, save my home, go to Mohonk, pay off my debt, teach piano at the new piano store, be in a new congregation, and read some books.
Maybe I'll take a trip down to Cheryl's and go out in service the whole time. I need to pretend that I'm 19 again, except I'll have a husband and a baby.
AAAAARRRRRRrrrrrrrghhh!!! And it's not over! It's being carried over into the next year! Aaaaahh!!!
In 2009, I plan to have a set FS schedule, finish reading the bible, save my home, go to Mohonk, pay off my debt, teach piano at the new piano store, be in a new congregation, and read some books.
Maybe I'll take a trip down to Cheryl's and go out in service the whole time. I need to pretend that I'm 19 again, except I'll have a husband and a baby.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Friday, December 26, 2008
I Know Her!
I was listening to a life story in the study edition of the Watchtower on my Podcast. I tend to only be half interested in these anyway. This one, I was even less interested, because it was about a pioneer in Ireland who got sent back to Ireland after Gilead. I had SO heard this story before. The article went on to relate different experiences, that seemed familiar to me. I figured it was because I worked where the need was great in Ireland, so I'm sure someone told me similar stories. After a few minutes listening, it sounded really familiar, and then she mentioned her husband's name, Eric. Then I realized: "I know this person!"
Christabel Connell was telling her life story. She had told me her life story before. It was over the 2 weeks that Angie and I spent with her in service 9 years ago. That's why it was all familiar.
I treasured all that time I spent with them, listening to all their stories of endurance in the ministry, and the blessings that came along with it. There is nothing more valuable than spending your precious time serving Jehovah.
Oh, what would I give to be in the FT ministry again!
Christabel Connell was telling her life story. She had told me her life story before. It was over the 2 weeks that Angie and I spent with her in service 9 years ago. That's why it was all familiar.
I treasured all that time I spent with them, listening to all their stories of endurance in the ministry, and the blessings that came along with it. There is nothing more valuable than spending your precious time serving Jehovah.
Oh, what would I give to be in the FT ministry again!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Sick Season: It doesn't have to be!
Many of you know I'm all into the 'natural' stuff. You don't have to be a total hippie to do some things to prevent getting sick without medicine. Just get into a habit of adding something good to your diet.
A friend of mine says her kids never get sick. She's not all into natural health and nutrition. She just always gives them Echinecea a couple times a week. I know this is just anecdotal, but it can't hurt to do something good consistently.
The FDA severely limits a natural food product from stating the benefits of taking them. As an example, stevia is a natural substance that is much sweeter than sugar. However, distributors are not allowed to state on their packaging that this powder is a 'sweetener'. That name can only go to a patented product like Equal, Splenda or Sweet n Low.
The same thing goes for natural products that prevent illness. It is rare to see claims to that effect on the packaging of these products. There is not much profit in people preventing illness with increasing their nutrition intake. However, alot of money can be made when people get sick, go to the doctor, and purchase the patented drugs prescribed to them.
Thankfully, the FDA has not yet been able to pull all natural products off the shelves to force us into taking medicine instead.
Here's some things you can pick up at a health food store (or a distributor) to increase the amount of nutrition your body receives to heal itself.
Bee Pollen: This contains almost every known nutrient that the human diet needs. It's also full of amino acids, minerals and vitamins and many enzymes. Because of this, it is considered a 'Super Food'. My husband takes this and it has helped his allergies.
Apple Cider Vinegar: You need to get the unfiltered kind (called 'with the mother). This contains so many minerals that it keeps your system from becoming acidic. When you keep your body in a slightly alkaline state, viruses are not interested in staying. Same goes for cancer cells.
Wheat Grass Juice: Of course, this has the most benefits fresh. However, you can get this in a powdered form as well. Wheat Grass is a complete food. It has all the vitamins and minerals we know about, and I'm sure many more we don't know about. Just think, cows live off of grass, and all the nutritive needs are met.
Fresh Baby Sprouts: I like the 'garden blend' of these, and they go great in sandwiches, salads, or by themselves. This is the only vegetable I eat for a balanced diet. I grow them myself using tools and seeds from www.sproutman.org . They say you're supposed to eat 5-7 fruits and veggies a day. I figure the stuff you buy normally doesn't have the nutrients anymore, so why bother? In contrast, a variety of organic baby sprouts are going to take care of all your nutritive needs.
Stuff Your Friends Distribute: If you're going to spend money on health food anyway, you should see if you have a friend who distributes wellness products. The competition in the wellness industry, requires the distribution companies to have excellant products. Otherwise, distributors will not be interested in selling them. As a result, an enthusiastic distributor is going to have some personal experience that the product works.
Of course I'm mentioning this, because I'm an Herbalife distributor. I have personal experience that our products work. I have a good amount of friends and acquaintances who distribute for other companies. They know from personal experience that their products work. Just ask around, and you'll hear plenty of testimonials for a bunch of good products.
Whatever thing you choose to help out your health, the key is to do it consistantly. So make sure it's something you enjoy, so you look forward to taking it every day.
A friend of mine says her kids never get sick. She's not all into natural health and nutrition. She just always gives them Echinecea a couple times a week. I know this is just anecdotal, but it can't hurt to do something good consistently.
The FDA severely limits a natural food product from stating the benefits of taking them. As an example, stevia is a natural substance that is much sweeter than sugar. However, distributors are not allowed to state on their packaging that this powder is a 'sweetener'. That name can only go to a patented product like Equal, Splenda or Sweet n Low.
The same thing goes for natural products that prevent illness. It is rare to see claims to that effect on the packaging of these products. There is not much profit in people preventing illness with increasing their nutrition intake. However, alot of money can be made when people get sick, go to the doctor, and purchase the patented drugs prescribed to them.
Thankfully, the FDA has not yet been able to pull all natural products off the shelves to force us into taking medicine instead.
Here's some things you can pick up at a health food store (or a distributor) to increase the amount of nutrition your body receives to heal itself.
Bee Pollen: This contains almost every known nutrient that the human diet needs. It's also full of amino acids, minerals and vitamins and many enzymes. Because of this, it is considered a 'Super Food'. My husband takes this and it has helped his allergies.
Apple Cider Vinegar: You need to get the unfiltered kind (called 'with the mother). This contains so many minerals that it keeps your system from becoming acidic. When you keep your body in a slightly alkaline state, viruses are not interested in staying. Same goes for cancer cells.
Wheat Grass Juice: Of course, this has the most benefits fresh. However, you can get this in a powdered form as well. Wheat Grass is a complete food. It has all the vitamins and minerals we know about, and I'm sure many more we don't know about. Just think, cows live off of grass, and all the nutritive needs are met.
Fresh Baby Sprouts: I like the 'garden blend' of these, and they go great in sandwiches, salads, or by themselves. This is the only vegetable I eat for a balanced diet. I grow them myself using tools and seeds from www.sproutman.org . They say you're supposed to eat 5-7 fruits and veggies a day. I figure the stuff you buy normally doesn't have the nutrients anymore, so why bother? In contrast, a variety of organic baby sprouts are going to take care of all your nutritive needs.
Stuff Your Friends Distribute: If you're going to spend money on health food anyway, you should see if you have a friend who distributes wellness products. The competition in the wellness industry, requires the distribution companies to have excellant products. Otherwise, distributors will not be interested in selling them. As a result, an enthusiastic distributor is going to have some personal experience that the product works.
Of course I'm mentioning this, because I'm an Herbalife distributor. I have personal experience that our products work. I have a good amount of friends and acquaintances who distribute for other companies. They know from personal experience that their products work. Just ask around, and you'll hear plenty of testimonials for a bunch of good products.
Whatever thing you choose to help out your health, the key is to do it consistantly. So make sure it's something you enjoy, so you look forward to taking it every day.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Bail Us Out Instead!
According to the story at this link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7791999.stm,
Carmakers will get $13.4bn in short-term financing from the $700bn Wall Street bail-out, and another $4bn will be provided later.
Phase 2 of this 'solution' is to excite the American people to start buying cars.
Now, what would excite an American to make a large purchase more than giving them the money to do this?
If all this bail-out money went to the American people, wouldn't we buy cars? Americans would invest, and would also go shopping. I bet you we also would save our homes from going into foreclosure as well. Does not American industry depend on the prosperity of the American people?
I know I'm no expert in modern money mechanics, but wouldn't it be better for everyone if the goal was to make the people prosperous, instead of increasing the government's leverage over industry?
Carmakers will get $13.4bn in short-term financing from the $700bn Wall Street bail-out, and another $4bn will be provided later.
Phase 2 of this 'solution' is to excite the American people to start buying cars.
Now, what would excite an American to make a large purchase more than giving them the money to do this?
If all this bail-out money went to the American people, wouldn't we buy cars? Americans would invest, and would also go shopping. I bet you we also would save our homes from going into foreclosure as well. Does not American industry depend on the prosperity of the American people?
I know I'm no expert in modern money mechanics, but wouldn't it be better for everyone if the goal was to make the people prosperous, instead of increasing the government's leverage over industry?
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Creativity Stifling
You ever meet one of those "artsy" people? Their house decor is considered 'eclectic', and has a striking resemblance to another person's house that you know who is also considered 'artsy'?
Many 'free spirits' reject rules, or restrictions because supposedly, it stifles their creativity.
A person may be a free spirit in just one, several, or many aspects of their life. It's not necessarily a bad thing.
However, I believe that rejecting a rule, outline, or just a suggestion for the sole purpose of eliminating all things that stifle creativity, defeats its purpose. The elimination of these 'undesirable' elements, creates a new barrier: the creator's own personality.
We can only design what's within us. The less disciplined and educated an individual is, the more his personality resembles 'the masses'. Sure, we're all individuals, but you can't eliminate the influence society has on your personality. You also can't take away human traits. So without training and discipline, a person will most likely create something that resembles the art of many others with no training and discipline.
Take creating a painting for example. I decide I'm going to paint the colors of my mood, because no one can stifle how I feel. So I create a swirly image of colors.
Now, what if someone painted a brick on a canvas. Then, they told me to finish the painting, and make it a painting of something tangible? I would never in my life have chosen to start off with a brick. Now, I'm forced to paint something that is not what I chose, and the beginning of it does not reflect my personality. This barrier, forces me to break the barrier of my personality and grow.
Our personalities should not be set in stone, and rules bend to accommodate them. If that were true, the value of truly creative art would be lost. It would be a bunch of 'swirly colors' designed by the masses. Personalities, as well as skill in art, would not grow.
Rules, are not 'made to be broken'. However, rules themselves are not our authority. They're simply tools used by authorities. You follow the rules of the authority you want to be most like. That is how we express ourselves with skill, not with just ourselves.
Many 'free spirits' reject rules, or restrictions because supposedly, it stifles their creativity.
A person may be a free spirit in just one, several, or many aspects of their life. It's not necessarily a bad thing.
However, I believe that rejecting a rule, outline, or just a suggestion for the sole purpose of eliminating all things that stifle creativity, defeats its purpose. The elimination of these 'undesirable' elements, creates a new barrier: the creator's own personality.
We can only design what's within us. The less disciplined and educated an individual is, the more his personality resembles 'the masses'. Sure, we're all individuals, but you can't eliminate the influence society has on your personality. You also can't take away human traits. So without training and discipline, a person will most likely create something that resembles the art of many others with no training and discipline.
Take creating a painting for example. I decide I'm going to paint the colors of my mood, because no one can stifle how I feel. So I create a swirly image of colors.
Now, what if someone painted a brick on a canvas. Then, they told me to finish the painting, and make it a painting of something tangible? I would never in my life have chosen to start off with a brick. Now, I'm forced to paint something that is not what I chose, and the beginning of it does not reflect my personality. This barrier, forces me to break the barrier of my personality and grow.
Our personalities should not be set in stone, and rules bend to accommodate them. If that were true, the value of truly creative art would be lost. It would be a bunch of 'swirly colors' designed by the masses. Personalities, as well as skill in art, would not grow.
Rules, are not 'made to be broken'. However, rules themselves are not our authority. They're simply tools used by authorities. You follow the rules of the authority you want to be most like. That is how we express ourselves with skill, not with just ourselves.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Now that's good bread.
...‘Man must live, not on bread alone, but on every utterance coming forth through Jehovah’s mouth.’' Matthew 4:4
With the above words, Jesus made it clear that humans need nutritious physical food, as well as spiritual food in order to live.
Today, we live in times where both kinds of food have been tainted, and robbed of its nutritional value. Many people consume meals today, that contain ingredients that didn't even exist when Jesus walked the earth. The accumulative effect of non-nutritive food, and poor eating choices has been disasterous to the health of many.
As for spiritual food, the world's religions have been the cause of most warfare. They teach doctrines such as hell-fire, and the trinity. Both of which are not taught in the bible, and dishonor God. The consequences of believing in things like these are a tearing down of member's personal relationship with God. People don't know if they're worshiping Jesus or God, and they're afraid he will send them into eternal torment if they sin 'too much'. False religions are hardly teaching 'every utterance coming forth through Jehovah's mouth', as Jesus did.
Happily, nutritious spiritual and physical food is available to those who search for it. One must take personal responsibility for their own physical and spiritual health. You do this by continually taking in healthful knowledge from pure sources. Jehovah's Witnesses are happy to help you gain true knowledge from the bible.
If you're looking for some nutritious bread, your search is over! Check out my recipe blog at http://joellynskitchenonline.blogspot.com
You can learn how to sprout your own wheat berries, so you don't lose the nutrients with processed flour, and use a great bread recipe with beer.
With the above words, Jesus made it clear that humans need nutritious physical food, as well as spiritual food in order to live.
Today, we live in times where both kinds of food have been tainted, and robbed of its nutritional value. Many people consume meals today, that contain ingredients that didn't even exist when Jesus walked the earth. The accumulative effect of non-nutritive food, and poor eating choices has been disasterous to the health of many.
As for spiritual food, the world's religions have been the cause of most warfare. They teach doctrines such as hell-fire, and the trinity. Both of which are not taught in the bible, and dishonor God. The consequences of believing in things like these are a tearing down of member's personal relationship with God. People don't know if they're worshiping Jesus or God, and they're afraid he will send them into eternal torment if they sin 'too much'. False religions are hardly teaching 'every utterance coming forth through Jehovah's mouth', as Jesus did.
Happily, nutritious spiritual and physical food is available to those who search for it. One must take personal responsibility for their own physical and spiritual health. You do this by continually taking in healthful knowledge from pure sources. Jehovah's Witnesses are happy to help you gain true knowledge from the bible.
If you're looking for some nutritious bread, your search is over! Check out my recipe blog at http://joellynskitchenonline.blogspot.com
You can learn how to sprout your own wheat berries, so you don't lose the nutrients with processed flour, and use a great bread recipe with beer.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Newt
I checked out a site that tells you Pixar's upcoming movies. Here's what they have to say about a movie they'll be releasing in 2012:
Newt and Brooke live in a community college science lab and don't care for each other, yet as the last remaining blue-footed newts on the planet they are forced to mate and save the species.
Writer and Director Gary Rydstrom explained "Newt is smart but he's never had to think for himself and is pampered. Brooke on the other hand is streetwise and not to be messed with."[2]
Doesn't that sound hilarious?Saturday, December 6, 2008
I'm really nice, really!
You ever have one of those conversations where you and the other person are both trying to prove just how gracious and understanding you each are?
This happens to me all the time!
For example, a friend of mine saw a business card in my house saying "Fire Your Boss, Order Our FREE video now" It has an 800 number and no name on it. She said "Oh, it's probably just a scam."
I told her that it was actually my own business card. Of course, she felt bad, and started saying how she didn't look at it completely and didn't know it was mine.
Personally, I would think the same exact thing about the card if I was in her place. It DOES look like a scam. I didn't personally design the business card, it's just one of those stock things I was supposed to order with my business.
So here I am trying to explain to her that I agree, while she's trying to explain how she didn't really mean it. We're both so set on proving that we're nice people, we don't even listen to what the other one is saying.
My sister will ask if I'm coming over for dinner. I tell her I'll let her know.
Then, she goes on to explain that she dosen't mind us coming over, but just wants to know how much to cook. I say I'll hurry up and ask JR so she'll know, because I don't want her hanging around wondering if we're coming over.
She sounds concerned about sounding inhospitable, and I'm concerned about being too vague for her. Neither of us seem to care about the other's concern anyway.
I have a similar conversation with my Mom regularly. Only Mom prefaces it with "I don't want you thinking I'm trying to boss you around but [then a dinner invitation]" Then I have to assure her that I don't feel that way, but I will hurry up with getting back to her so she doesn't have to think that.
Being yielding to another is usually a positive quality. However, when all the parties yield, no one moves forward. It's like that awkward time when you're deciding who should go through the door next.
So my goal is to receive other people's graciousness when they offer it. It's really the same principle as receiving gifts. Declining gifts for no other reason than to be nice, is not actually that nice to the giver. If there is no reason to reject it, you accept the gift and say 'Thank You'. In the same way, I can forget about proving how nice I am, and receive another person's graciousness.
A person who feels good about himself, is going to feel good about the people around him anyway.
This happens to me all the time!
For example, a friend of mine saw a business card in my house saying "Fire Your Boss, Order Our FREE video now" It has an 800 number and no name on it. She said "Oh, it's probably just a scam."
I told her that it was actually my own business card. Of course, she felt bad, and started saying how she didn't look at it completely and didn't know it was mine.
Personally, I would think the same exact thing about the card if I was in her place. It DOES look like a scam. I didn't personally design the business card, it's just one of those stock things I was supposed to order with my business.
So here I am trying to explain to her that I agree, while she's trying to explain how she didn't really mean it. We're both so set on proving that we're nice people, we don't even listen to what the other one is saying.
My sister will ask if I'm coming over for dinner. I tell her I'll let her know.
Then, she goes on to explain that she dosen't mind us coming over, but just wants to know how much to cook. I say I'll hurry up and ask JR so she'll know, because I don't want her hanging around wondering if we're coming over.
She sounds concerned about sounding inhospitable, and I'm concerned about being too vague for her. Neither of us seem to care about the other's concern anyway.
I have a similar conversation with my Mom regularly. Only Mom prefaces it with "I don't want you thinking I'm trying to boss you around but [then a dinner invitation]" Then I have to assure her that I don't feel that way, but I will hurry up with getting back to her so she doesn't have to think that.
Being yielding to another is usually a positive quality. However, when all the parties yield, no one moves forward. It's like that awkward time when you're deciding who should go through the door next.
So my goal is to receive other people's graciousness when they offer it. It's really the same principle as receiving gifts. Declining gifts for no other reason than to be nice, is not actually that nice to the giver. If there is no reason to reject it, you accept the gift and say 'Thank You'. In the same way, I can forget about proving how nice I am, and receive another person's graciousness.
A person who feels good about himself, is going to feel good about the people around him anyway.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Wall-E
This is the first movie JR and I saw in a theater as a married couple. It was Filip's first theater movie ever! Such a big moment.
Anyway, it was a good movie. The robot was left behind on earth 700 years in the future to clean up all the trash by crushing it into cubes and building skyscrapers out of the cubes. The humans left the trashed earth in order to continue to live a wasteful life filled with convenience, high tech entertainment and obesity aboard a resort-starship outside the galaxy.
Given the heavy implications about earth's future, this movie was surprisingly positive. There was hardly any dialogue the whole time, yet the characters are lively, cute, and engaging.
There were so many ironies about this movie. Like how the robots in it had more personalities than the humans. Also, the movie resembled an old fashioned silent movie due to the lack of dialogue, but it's based 700 years into the future. Wall-E watched TV alot, but used it as something to emulate. For the humans, TV was what kept them in idleness.
Who else saw this? What did you think?
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