Thursday, March 28, 2013
Peanut butter & Waffles: My two cents: Marriage Equality
Peanut butter & Waffles: My two cents: Marriage Equality: So it's been awhile again. I have been so smitten with my little and quickly growing munchkin that writing a blog has been my last prior...
My two cents: Marriage Equality
So it's been awhile again. I have been so smitten with my little and quickly growing munchkin that writing a blog has been my last priority. I have a few minutes today, and feel that I want to weigh in on how I view our current civil right fight for marriage equality. First off, I am pretty sure everyone reading this knows where I stand, but if for some reason you don't let me just say the I am a great advocate for equal rights across the board. With that said, here are my two cents:
Here we are talking about people, like REAL human beings. My heart is broken at the lack of acceptance toward the LGBT community. We are all equal in God's eyes contrary to the beliefs of many. I have heard so many different angles on this subject, and none of which hold much weight for me. Everything I hear, though it may be intelligently delivered and articulated, summarizes itself to " we don't want the government involved in our affairs, BUT WAIT government do something about this because I don't agree with it!" I think the bottom line is that we live in a country full of greed and personal agendas. That's what makes us free, but how about using some logic when "picking your battles". More so, what do you really care? Your church doesn't have to marry same sex couples, isn't that the basis of your argument? That marriage is between a man and a woman? How does it affect you if another church, or the courthouse, or someone who jumped online to get ordained marries a same sex couple? Really, why are you even making this your business? Why do you care? I wish people would just ask themselves that question and then give me an answer that has depth and weight and coincides with separation of church and state by the way. Not that I will be swayed, because I do truly believe that God loves us all and created us in his image. Not one of us are the same.
Additionally, for those who think that being gay is a choice. I am going to assume you don't have relationships with homosexuals. Well let me not assume as you very well may. You may have grown up with a family member just as I did. However, if you do have the experience of a brother/sister/etc. being gay, and were with them your whole life how could you not believe that they are born that way? Or to say that they can choose to act on it? Would you chose to be with someone who you had absolutely 0 feelings or attraction for, and honestly think that this is what God wants for you? To be miserable and not experience true love as many of us do when we find our true love? Is t not obvious to children when there is no love in their home? They pick up on this. Just as they pick up on love being present. Parents are the first teachers when children are learning HOW to love. They don't teach you WHO to love (well not a good parent at least).
I do feel peace in all of this as I know when my daughter is old enough to understand, that this will all be history-- maybe she will even be the flower girl in her Uncles wedding, but sadly it's probably safer to say she will be a bridesmaid. Either way, her home and sanctuary will be one that teaches true love of all mankind. That she does not have to agree with everyone and the only decisions that she needs to be concerned with are the ones that concern her own personal character.
I just need to give a quick "shout out" to my parents. They raised all 5 of us to follow our hearts and to be independent-- not to be followers. They are parents of a homosexual son, and they are his greatest supporter regardless of their faith, maybe even because of their faith. They are true examples of the religion they practice as they reflect the true spirit of loving everyone as God's children and they take seriously the fact that we do not judge one another, that is between the individual and God (Heavenly Father). My brothers, the grandkids, and myself are so fortunate to have such great teachers and guides.
One more thing that I thought was cool. A true feminist is not one who stands for only women's rights, but for equal rights for everyone. My friend Erin shared that with me and I love it!
So that is SOME of my take. I am not going to proofread since I need to get my workout in while little one is napping. Sorry in advance for typos and grammatical errors!!
One love.
Here we are talking about people, like REAL human beings. My heart is broken at the lack of acceptance toward the LGBT community. We are all equal in God's eyes contrary to the beliefs of many. I have heard so many different angles on this subject, and none of which hold much weight for me. Everything I hear, though it may be intelligently delivered and articulated, summarizes itself to " we don't want the government involved in our affairs, BUT WAIT government do something about this because I don't agree with it!" I think the bottom line is that we live in a country full of greed and personal agendas. That's what makes us free, but how about using some logic when "picking your battles". More so, what do you really care? Your church doesn't have to marry same sex couples, isn't that the basis of your argument? That marriage is between a man and a woman? How does it affect you if another church, or the courthouse, or someone who jumped online to get ordained marries a same sex couple? Really, why are you even making this your business? Why do you care? I wish people would just ask themselves that question and then give me an answer that has depth and weight and coincides with separation of church and state by the way. Not that I will be swayed, because I do truly believe that God loves us all and created us in his image. Not one of us are the same.
Additionally, for those who think that being gay is a choice. I am going to assume you don't have relationships with homosexuals. Well let me not assume as you very well may. You may have grown up with a family member just as I did. However, if you do have the experience of a brother/sister/etc. being gay, and were with them your whole life how could you not believe that they are born that way? Or to say that they can choose to act on it? Would you chose to be with someone who you had absolutely 0 feelings or attraction for, and honestly think that this is what God wants for you? To be miserable and not experience true love as many of us do when we find our true love? Is t not obvious to children when there is no love in their home? They pick up on this. Just as they pick up on love being present. Parents are the first teachers when children are learning HOW to love. They don't teach you WHO to love (well not a good parent at least).
I do feel peace in all of this as I know when my daughter is old enough to understand, that this will all be history-- maybe she will even be the flower girl in her Uncles wedding, but sadly it's probably safer to say she will be a bridesmaid. Either way, her home and sanctuary will be one that teaches true love of all mankind. That she does not have to agree with everyone and the only decisions that she needs to be concerned with are the ones that concern her own personal character.
I just need to give a quick "shout out" to my parents. They raised all 5 of us to follow our hearts and to be independent-- not to be followers. They are parents of a homosexual son, and they are his greatest supporter regardless of their faith, maybe even because of their faith. They are true examples of the religion they practice as they reflect the true spirit of loving everyone as God's children and they take seriously the fact that we do not judge one another, that is between the individual and God (Heavenly Father). My brothers, the grandkids, and myself are so fortunate to have such great teachers and guides.
One more thing that I thought was cool. A true feminist is not one who stands for only women's rights, but for equal rights for everyone. My friend Erin shared that with me and I love it!
So that is SOME of my take. I am not going to proofread since I need to get my workout in while little one is napping. Sorry in advance for typos and grammatical errors!!
One love.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
New Years Resowhaaa?!
Wow, I cant believe it is January 2, 2013!!! I haven't posted a thing in awhile-- partly because I haven't been inspired and partly because I have been so consumed with my little ball of energy, Quinn. I guess this post will just be a "lets see what happens" post as I still am not all too inspired. I need something to make me feel real passionate...someone piss me off please!! Just kidding, please don't. I would like to say that I am going to start the New Year off right, and try to have a better attitude, healthier lifestyle, yada yada yada; Truth is I don't buy into New Years resolutions. I don't need a day to excuse my laziness and procrastination while I am waiting for that day to approach so I can change. If something that I am doing is dragging me down, I change it ASAP. I'm not necessarily graceful in the change, but I guess the action and willingness to be honest about where I stand with that "needed"change is far better than telling myself the lie that sets us all up to fail "I will NEVER do that again." Saying "never" for me is just an invitation to binge on whatever it is that I am trying to swear off, whether its bad behavior, or chocolate cake.
On the flip side of that if I say "I am going to run 5 miles a day every day this week", I'll probably run 15 and get defiant at myself, rebelling at the standard I just tried to set. My everyday resolution is to just be realistic, and be willing to tell myself the truth--not make up excuses for why I just went back on my "commitment to a new life." As I have mentioned before (I think), I am a personal trainer. Between my clients, and my own personal endeavors with fitness, and healthy lifestyles, I have seen only LONG TERM success with those who kept a realistic attitude, and became a partner with themselves instead of an enemy to themselves. I see people become their own enemies everyday...hell, I do it sometimes! They beat themselves up because they ate a piece of cake, or didn't go to the gym, whatever whatever. Guilt and self hatred always become the victors in this battle. When you are in a partnership with yourself, you have a much better chance at following through with good behavior and action. If you pay attention to yourself, you will know when to push yourself and when to take it easy on yourself.
I recently read a book called "Intuitive Eating"http://www.intuitiveeating.org/. One of the focuses of the book is to come to a place where you view "bad food" in the same light as "good food". Meaning, an average person wouldn't feel guilty about eating a peach, or broccoli, etc. Yet when we eat a "bad food" like cake, pizza, CAKE etc. we go into a mode of guilt and self hatred. Most of this is a mental solution...allow yourself the cake and in turn you wont obsess about it. Easier said than done, and there is much more clinical information regarding this that I am definitely not qualified to talk about. Read the book, or talk to a dietitian.
Let me get back to my point since I always need to go off on a tangent. Bring it back sister! OK, I tried this exercise of allowing myself cake (cake is/was my guilty, bad, no no food). It took a few months, and I swear to you I made a new cake every week. The exercise was a success thus far. Allowing myself to have cake whenever I want, has made it a non-delicacy for me. I can honestly tell you that I can take it or leave it. I know it will be there if I want it, so the NEED has been removed and replaced with WANT (when and if). What a freedom. The big thing that happened for me was that my greatest fear attached to eating cake did not come true! I did not gain a pound. I actually lost weight. My exercise did not increase in intensity on the days I ate cake (everyday I will have you know.) My exercises are intense to begin with on most days, but that is only because that is the type of workout I like to do. I don't like to waste time. I don't have a lot of it to begin with. So whats the point of all this mumbo jumbo? I am going to sound like a cheeseball for a minute, but I cant help it sometimes....become your #1 nurturer and buddy!! Get rid of the devil sitting on your shoulder, and squash him all kinds of up. The only thing that attitude gets you is failure. Be realistic with yourself and you may actually find success in areas that have been stunting you for so long.
So I guess I was passionate about something after all....
This is probably a good post to put a plug in of my new business endeavor. My good friend and now business partner and I are starting a "Healthy Living" program/business. Erica (my friend and partner) is a Registered Dietitian and I am as mentioned a Certified Personal Trainer. We are still hammering out details, but are accepting clients currently. We offer nutritional counseling services, and fitness plans. It should be very exciting as we hammer though. Erica is the sweetest and most genuine person that I know, and I am absolutely thrilled and honored that she wants to team up with me. She is so awesome.
Happy New Year!!!
On the flip side of that if I say "I am going to run 5 miles a day every day this week", I'll probably run 15 and get defiant at myself, rebelling at the standard I just tried to set. My everyday resolution is to just be realistic, and be willing to tell myself the truth--not make up excuses for why I just went back on my "commitment to a new life." As I have mentioned before (I think), I am a personal trainer. Between my clients, and my own personal endeavors with fitness, and healthy lifestyles, I have seen only LONG TERM success with those who kept a realistic attitude, and became a partner with themselves instead of an enemy to themselves. I see people become their own enemies everyday...hell, I do it sometimes! They beat themselves up because they ate a piece of cake, or didn't go to the gym, whatever whatever. Guilt and self hatred always become the victors in this battle. When you are in a partnership with yourself, you have a much better chance at following through with good behavior and action. If you pay attention to yourself, you will know when to push yourself and when to take it easy on yourself.
I recently read a book called "Intuitive Eating"http://www.intuitiveeating.org/. One of the focuses of the book is to come to a place where you view "bad food" in the same light as "good food". Meaning, an average person wouldn't feel guilty about eating a peach, or broccoli, etc. Yet when we eat a "bad food" like cake, pizza, CAKE etc. we go into a mode of guilt and self hatred. Most of this is a mental solution...allow yourself the cake and in turn you wont obsess about it. Easier said than done, and there is much more clinical information regarding this that I am definitely not qualified to talk about. Read the book, or talk to a dietitian.
Let me get back to my point since I always need to go off on a tangent. Bring it back sister! OK, I tried this exercise of allowing myself cake (cake is/was my guilty, bad, no no food). It took a few months, and I swear to you I made a new cake every week. The exercise was a success thus far. Allowing myself to have cake whenever I want, has made it a non-delicacy for me. I can honestly tell you that I can take it or leave it. I know it will be there if I want it, so the NEED has been removed and replaced with WANT (when and if). What a freedom. The big thing that happened for me was that my greatest fear attached to eating cake did not come true! I did not gain a pound. I actually lost weight. My exercise did not increase in intensity on the days I ate cake (everyday I will have you know.) My exercises are intense to begin with on most days, but that is only because that is the type of workout I like to do. I don't like to waste time. I don't have a lot of it to begin with. So whats the point of all this mumbo jumbo? I am going to sound like a cheeseball for a minute, but I cant help it sometimes....become your #1 nurturer and buddy!! Get rid of the devil sitting on your shoulder, and squash him all kinds of up. The only thing that attitude gets you is failure. Be realistic with yourself and you may actually find success in areas that have been stunting you for so long.
So I guess I was passionate about something after all....
This is probably a good post to put a plug in of my new business endeavor. My good friend and now business partner and I are starting a "Healthy Living" program/business. Erica (my friend and partner) is a Registered Dietitian and I am as mentioned a Certified Personal Trainer. We are still hammering out details, but are accepting clients currently. We offer nutritional counseling services, and fitness plans. It should be very exciting as we hammer though. Erica is the sweetest and most genuine person that I know, and I am absolutely thrilled and honored that she wants to team up with me. She is so awesome.
Happy New Year!!!
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