say what you need to say...pretty please

do yourself a favor (om...my dad is always saying that!) and say what you need to say. why is this even a issue, folks? shouldn't speaking what is on your mind be obvious and automatic? in my opinion, yes it should be a given, but there is more to it than just telling someone how you really feel or explaining to someone (who doesn't even care) why something they did or said bothers you. in fact, many psychologists would say that we are protecting ourselves from further harm by avoiding confrontation and failing to express our innermost thoughts & emotions. enough already! are you worried about being hurt because of the beliefs, values and ideals that you h0ld dear or are you scared of embarrassing yourself in front of your peers (many of who will never be more than a passerby)? i mean really. what is it going to take for you to let your spouse, lover, friend, parent, sibling, neighbor know exactly how you are doing (when he or she inevitably asks you that conversation starter)? don't get me wrong, this sort of trust and security is not easy; it actually is quite difficult to attain. but in order to reach this stage, you MUST start somewhere at sometime with someone, so you might as well begin NOW. so let's get practical. next time you are in a situation where someone asks you how are you, would you please treat your own well-being with the respect that you deserve? is that too much to ask? i do not think so. chin up, look 'em straight in the eyes and let 'em know. you'll be better for it.

we remember...we celebrate...we believe

"nine eleven." we have heard those two words repeated thousands of times over the past seven years and every time that date stirs up a number of emotions (fear, anger, sadness, hope) inside me. we have seen the pictures and heard the stories and tried to remember where we were and what we were doing at that moment on that infamous day. isn't it interesting how this event in human history has become a fulcrum by which we measure and refer and trace seemingly almost ever other event? what was a heinous and devastating attack on our nation (in which the precious lives of children, women and men were lost) has become a rallying point by which every American can interlock arms with his or her fellow neighbor and say in unison "never again." for some, september eleventh has become another fourth of july, as we are reminded and celebrate all the freedoms and liberties that our country has granted to its people. a reminder of the formidable and resilient American spirit that will respond to such a tragedy with nationalistic pride and action. for others though (least we forget), it is a reminder of the pain and anguish that they endure each day because their spouse, sibling, colleague or child is no longer with them. whatever your reason is for remembering and honoring those who lost their lives on september 11, 2001, please see to it that you say a special prayer for them and the us of a today. god bless humanity...