"When is Too Much, Too Much?" Weekly Wisdom

 

When is too much, too much?

I about fell out of my chair when I saw a commercial for the doggie DNA kit. On one hand, I think it is great we have access to so many great things. The new discoveries, technology, science - it all fascinates me. On the other hand, I feel some of what is out there and also being developed is bananas. And the price tags on everything, even more bananas. 

There is not a day that goes by where something doesn't shock me. I might be a little ultra sensitive, like many of us are right now. Maybe it is my age, where I actually give thought to what I do and say. Maybe it is my values and how I was raised. Maybe I have just come to terms with how our world is right now, living life on demand of wanting more.

The more the better. The American dream. Money can buy anything. 

And I am just as guilty. I was talking with a co-worker of mine who is from Jamaica. He always asks me how my cat is and he just laughs and laughs. He knows she runs like house like she owns it, has a kitty fountain and a heated pad she sleeps on. He tells me how the cats in Jamaica live outside on the streets and fight the dogs for the scraps of food that MAY possibly be laying around or given to them. He reminds me my cat would never make it in Jamaica and I agree with him. She wouldn't make it on the streets of suburban Des Moines. I am part of living that "extra" life. 

It doesn't mean, I will be taking away any of her luxuries or any of mine but I know there is much in this world I do not need. I do not need a kitty DNA kit, ever. I hope I never see that commercial. And when I think I "want" something, I am just going to think about conversations with my co-worker and the kitties living on the streets in Jamaica. 

#embracethehellyeah

~AE

"Find the Good in 2020" Weekly Wisdom

 

What is one good thing that has happened for you in 2020?

I know, I know, 2020 has been pretty bonkers. But I am getting pretty exhausted with hearing all the negativity and "wish this year was over" talk. If you are able to talk, walk and breathe - I am going to put this our there and say, there is something good happening for you in 2020. 

I also am not diminishing everything that is happening or what everyone is going through. I know there is a level of difficulty, stress and sadness being experienced all around us. I also know there is goodness happening everywhere too. 

People are talking more, connecting, finding commonalities, eating dinner together, baking, gardening and finding tiny joys in life we have been too busy to pay attention to but have always wanted to. People are pulling back their "on demand" desires of I want it now and I am going to get it or do it. People giving of themselves, of their time, resources and financially. People are waking up to injustices in our society and not subscribing to the "if it's not broke, don't fix it" mentality. If 2020 wouldn't have happened and currently is happening, none of this would have occurred. 

I ask of you, stop contributing to the 2020 bashing with memes, complaints, eye rolls and wishes of the year to be over. I ask you to find the good in each day and celebrate it. Share the good, start the positive talk and stop the negative talk. Positivity looks good on you. 

There is good happening all around us everyday, even in 2020. 

#embracethehellyeah

~AE

"We're The Same" Weekly Wisdom

What similarities do you share with the people you love?

I share the same blue eyes as my Dad.  I share hints of red hair with my Mom and Gramma Alice. I share utter and complete goofiness with my friend Carlena. I share being tall with my Grandma Josie. I share my love for onions with my Grandpa Herbie. I share a love for the beach with my friend Brenda. 

I share the desire to have fun, be with friends, giggle, watch Bugs Bunny, my love of Life cereal, playing golf (sometimes), eating taco salads and making nachos, Reese's peanut butter cups and many other things with my sister Kate - because we are more alike than different. 

While it is good to be unique and be your own person, it is even more important to recognize everyone has similarities. We all want to be loved by family and friends. We all want to feel important by the life we live through the work we do and the things we accomplish. We all want to be treated equally in the place we live. We want to be given opportunities based on our skills and abilities. We want to be paid equally and fairly. We want no problems with activities of daily living. 

But these wants are not fulfilled for everyone. 

The reason I shared about disabilities this past month is my frustration with the discrimination in the population. One that hits close to home with my sister.  My sister had an intellectual disability and struggled her whole life to find those similarities with everyone, including me. I loved my sister sooo much but still had times of frustration and sister-like differences. But, I still could have been a better sister.  

 We were more alike than different and I struggled to understand, especially when we were young. The way she felt, the things she wanted in life, how she loved, how she was sad, how she was frustrated, how she was having fun, how our parents and family loved us - we were the same. We will always be the same. There were few other things that made us different like how we learned to read and write. Nothing that would ever change my view of her or how capable she was, which is untrue of what society thinks of the people deemed "disabled."  There is nothing disabled about them. They want what we want in life and they deserve all the things in life. They deserve to share their passions, purpose and abilities with the world we live in - whatever they may be. They deserve this opportunity. 

The next time you see someone who you feel is "different" than you, in any way, change your thoughts and look at how you're the same. 

#embracethehellyeah

~AE