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Cross Generational Learning Never Ends..

Jehardy — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 08:28:15 -0400

Ryan,

Great Blog! For a young man I'm an inspired and refreshed by your life insight and lessons learned, and where they will take you. What you will become, you are now becoming. This never ends, and changes with each season of our lives.

I remember being 18-19 and thinking I was so darn smart. My father said to me, "Judy, what is so important to you now probably won't even mean anything in a few years." I floored him when I was 24 and reminded him of that conversation, and told him he was right!

We're all learning lessons from people we meet every day, people who left small ripples on our lives, those we will never forget. I've been somewhat floored this year to realize a person I first met 30 years ago, and only spent a very short amount of time with, has taught me much, and still is. I am in awe of his example and who he has become. A solid foundation, a community leader. The real beauty, is he doesn't even know it.

Actually, as I looked back at my unassuming and most generous German teacher Frau Crocker, who drove me around to colleges to check them out in my senior year - I look back at so many friends, teachers, collegues, many people who were in my life for a short time yet they had a profound effect on my ilfe and it's direction.

Any CHS class of 81er's on the blog? Where is Frau Crocker now? Is she still with us? I'd like to thank her. She took extra time with me, just an average, partially misguided youth.

Ahh.. and to tie this in to Terri's Beauty and Ripples blogs, which I've shamefully been unable to respond too due to lack of time this week: I'm reminded of a special and most favorite writeup that's been around a while..

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.

        When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a
          need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you
          with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or
          spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient
time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die. Sometimes they just walk away.

        Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
        What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire
           fulfilled, their work is done.

The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has
come to share, grow or learn.

They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon
in order to have a solid emotional foundation.

Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.

It is
said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Thank you for being a part of my life, whether for a reason, a
season or a lifetime. (Unknown)

-------------------------------------------

I'll finish by saying beauty, love, lessons and learning are everywhere - every day. As I get older, I really enjoy the surprise of remembering those little lessons and realizing how much impact they have on who we all are.

Life is just a big circle, and I always enjoy the pleasant surprise of having another chance, coming full circle, ending up right back where I started, and finding myself enormously pleased to be there.

"Pain never makes me cry, but happiness does
It's so strange to watch your life walk by
Wishing it was
Wishing it was more like a fantasy
Every day surprises me
Wishing it was.."

Santana - Supernatural

I always drink water through

jason — Tue, 13 May 2008 14:09:11 -0400

I always drink water through out the day i have a 20Oz bottle always full and with me no matter where i am on the computer watching tv in the car etc. I think it helps curve my appetite but i still over eat which is my problem portion control. I eat healthy just to much. So i just bought some discount vitamins online and herbs especially high in fiber to take along with my daily multi vitamins. It keeps you fuller longer since the body takes longer to digest it. Usually i'll take it before or after a meal.

The Funny Thing Is

Bill Bunker — Thu, 8 May 2008 11:50:50 -0400

The funny thing about the present fuel crisis is the following.

Clinton and McCain want to roll back the gas tax which would be about 45 cents on fuel for the three months of the Summer.

Opponents argue that this would save the "average" person about $75.

When fuel was $3.12, no one was complaining or calling it a crisis. Over the last two months, it has climbed in price to $3.55-$3.60, which is by all measures the same amount the roll back of the gas tax would be...45 cents.

Now if you do the math, that means that over two months the gas increase has cost the "average" person $50.

Over 8 weeks that is an increase of $6.25 in their weekly gasoline bill. Heavy commuters aside, it seems to me that is not alot of money. Anyone who is anxious about the increase should be able to find a way to shift the burden and save $6.25 elsewhere.

Long commuters are the ones that would be most affected.

The second half of that story is that some politicians are saying that we would ONLY save $75. That tells me that those same politicians can not care much that we have ONLY spent $50 more over the last two months if we were an "average" person.

Americans feel entitled to certain things and I am not sure why. Fuel and health care are front and center.

Terri is correct that we do not need to drive monster vehicles. The ones that give me the biggest anxiety are the four wheel drive Dodge RAM trucks that many of the contractors and their employees drive 100 miles an hour on the interstate. These guys drive like they are shielded like a tank and as if they are invincible. There sitting on the back is strapped a ladder and nothing else in the truck and most of the time no passengers.

The speed and offensive driving aside, they are flushing fuel down the toilet!

American way of life

Terri Oberg — Wed, 7 May 2008 09:07:09 -0400

....that is essentially what it boils down to. We are a country made up of spoiled children. We have become a nation of people who like the freedom of just hopping in our cars and driving where ever we wish to go, from around the block to the pizza joint to cross country to visit friends or explore some wondrous place.

I am as guilty as the next guy. Until gas prices started sky rocketing, I thought nothing of making more then one trip into Concord in one day (a 15 + mile round trip each time). Trains went the way of the dinosaurs because they weren't as convenient as hopping in the car. There are schedules to keep, one would have to plan their trip to Boston around the train schedule. How much more convenient is it to just come and go when you want and/or need? Who wants to share a ride with strangers when we can go in the solitude and comfort of our own cars? New Hampshire is growing by leaps and bounds from the influx of people wanting to experience that solitude and comfort.

This is the mentality of the country we live in. I mean, seriously, do we really need to drive a vehicle that is nearly the size of a small house? Until I start using a bicycle to get around, walk to the pizza joint to get dinner and sell my S.O.'s big truck and boat I won't be complaining about the rising gas prices.

I remember the gas shortages in the 70's. That's when car companies started producing smaller, "compact" cars. I remember my Dad getting a Vega and calling it "the bug" because it was so much smaller than any other car they'd ever owned. Now it would be considered a mid-size car by today's standards. We are a nation that waits until there is a crisis that effects our way of life before we demand changes be made. This spike in gas prices is no different.

Also, those countries that have been around for so much longer then us, have an infrastructure that won't accomodate our big, gas guzzling vehicles. There is more then one reason they drive minis and find other modes of transport. There are plenty of times I think simpler is better. There are even times I think some of God's other creatures are smater then we are because they aren't raping and mutilating Earth; they just take what they need and leave the rest alone.

eating

audrey — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 15:13:47 -0500

As a nutritionist I can say that the low fat diet craze for the past twenty years has really done a number on our heart health and waist line. It is great to see people going for the whole foods again, no matter how it is packaged, packaged foods have been altered and our bodies don't know what to do with it, so they store it as fat. You are on the right track!

how you see yourself

audrey — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 15:10:28 -0500

Just remember that the most important thing is to be healthy, not skinny. Your best revenge is to live a long and happy life. Go for it!

Thanks for the ideas

Linda Odum — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 19:31:04 -0400

Tracy,

Thanks for all of the great suggestions. I bought some healthy snacks today that I plan to keep in the car for when hunger strikes, which is much better than going through the drive-thru.

Linda

On The Go

Tracy Merriman — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 15:58:53 -0400

Hi Linda,

I know how hard it can be to make the right food choices when keeping a busy schedule. Some of the things that I do to keep myself on track is to do all of my cooking on Sunday. For example I'll make a turkey chili, and freeze it in portions for grab and go convenience. Anything that can be easily thrown in a microwave when in a hurry is good to have on hand. I try to make a variety of well thought out meals, because eating the same things everyday can become so boring that a binge is inevitable.

I also keep what I call a survival bag in the car. I will always have on hand the 100 calorie snack packs, portioned out Melba snacks, energy bars, pretzels, etc. That alone keeps me on track and when I am feeling hungry I know I can dip into my healthy snacks and avoid the drive-thrus.

In my refrigerator I always have a bowl of hard boiled eggs at the ready. It's a real great protein packed thing to grab in the morning when running out the door. Fruit is another one of those wonderful healthy choices we can make when we are in a hurry. I often eat apples and drive at the same time.

Oh and back to the freezer again...I buy pineapples, peaches, bananas and berries which I keep cut up in freezer bags. Having them ready like that is a quick way to throw together a smoothie for your travel mug when you leave the house.

I hope I was able to offer you some good tips, and good luck with your busy schedule! Your weight-loss journey is inspiring:)

Tracy Merriman

Yeah!

Sarah Colombo — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 10:06:38 -0400

I just read your article in todays' Monitor, you are an inspiration. Keep blogging, keep moving towards your goal(s) and --- hey, talk more about your feelings. I know that song. ---- hug and a big grin for you.

Congrats!

Justin Drake — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 19:15:41 -0400

Hi Linda,

Congrats on your progress! I think it's good that you put it all in perspective with the blog post you wrote last year. Although it may seem that things haven't changed that much, having physical evidence that they have can be a huge boost. I've been trying to trim down for years now, and haven't quite gotten to where I want to be. I'm still working at it, though.

I'm also glad to hear you'll also be continuing your blog here on BlogsNH. I look forward to continuing to read!

~Justin

Not sure if there's a key...

Justin Drake — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 23:34:45 -0400

But when I think of what brings the most happiness to me in life, I think of the people I love. My friends, family, and boyfriend make me happier than anything else. I don't think money can bring happiness. Like you mentioned, I don't think weight loss alone can bring happiness either. In the end, many things in life fade, but love and friendships will endure.

my answer

Dan Meeks — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 17:34:26 -0400

I have certain things that I do that help me from being down on myself.

I never look in a mirror that shows more than my face, and that is only so I can shave. I try hard not to stand on a weight scale. I don't look at pictures of myself either from the past, or the present. I try not to associate with people who are judging me on account of my size. I try to remember that I didn't get this way overnight. you know, if it took me 36 years to get this way, it is gonna take a long time to return. There are no easy fixes. Keep pushing forward. I want to have friends who love me for me, and not for any other reason. Only in America is small considered desirable. There are billions of people in the world who wish they had enough to eat to be my size. Given the choice... I'd rather be happy and large, than thin and miserable. The ideal would be to be thin and happy. I have a difficult time achieving that goal. Lastly, Let go and let God. I think that is the most important one.

So, I hope some of this helps.

New perspective

Linda Odum — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 11:49:36 -0400

Your burden sure puts the burden of being overweight into perspective. You are so right that we can never truly know how we will deal with something like what you are going through until faced with the reality. I'm sorry you have to go through this. Try to take care of yourself in other areas so you feel as strong as possible to deal with this. My thoughts are with you.

Judging the future by the past

Dan Meeks — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 20:17:19 -0400

First of all, I have no idea what our society will look like in the next five to ten years. However, it has changed a lot in the last forty years in some ways. We don't even "wink" at things on television, the Internet, and video games today that would have horrified our society in my teenage years. People used to evaluate what a person meant by the words that were spoken. Nowadays, what a person says is evaluated by the thought police. It is not what a person says, it is what other folks "think" that person meant. The truth used to be just that... the truth. Nowadays "truthiness" is in vogue. Someone doesn't have to be actually truthful, they just have to be truthy about what they say. You know sort of the truth. When I was much younger, curves used to be in fashion. The "hourglass" figure. Nowadays, the skinnier the better in every aspect of our society. Will this change? Will heavier folks become vogue? Will we grace the magazine covers on the newsstands? Will someone be judged beautiful because they weigh 200 to 250lbs., as opposed to 80-120 lbs? If I had to lean one way or the other, I would say no. Overweight people suffer the unspoken character trait as being without self-discipline. It seems that whether a person is job searching or just walking on the beach, if you are heavy that works against you. I think that is what I see everyday. I know people who have done everything they can to lose weight. They succeed. They get a lot of compliments. They feel great about themselves. Then... they regain the weight plus more weight. No more compliments and no more feeling great. I just don't see this revolution in perception of beauty happening. I hope that I am wrong. I hope peole look at me and think to themselves "Gosh, Dan is good looking, I want to look just like him." I am not holding my breath on that one. I am far to used to the look that says "What a slob." I don't have anything to blame except myself and my love for fattening foods. I will say one thing though. I am generally a very happy person when I eat the foods I like. I am miserable when I eat the thing that are good for me.

In the Majority

Linda Odum — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 12:27:25 -0400

Dan,

I think it is safe to say that you are in the majority, both with your weight issues and with your idea of beauty. If most of us didn't think skinny was beautiful, there wouldn't be the ultra thin models and the taunt, muscular men on our magazine pages and television screens. I wonder though if that idea of beauty will change over the next decade or so since most of us weigh more than the "experts" say we should. Since overweight people still have romances, get married, explore the world, etc, perhaps we are slowly learning to accept each other for who we are and to see the beauty instead of the waist size.