Story Library

Life on Fast Forward

Whoa! Just like that, another season has rushed by. Where did it go? Who put our world on fast forward?

Everywhere you turn, someone is marveling at how quickly the time goes by. You wake up and barely get going, when it’s lunchtime and the afternoon is here. Blink and the day is over. There is even a magazine called Fast Forward.

What is this new warp speed getting us? No doubt, we are accomplishing more . . . producing more . . . adding more to our pocketbook. But if we’re not . . . does it make any sense for time to move this fast? We don’t seem to have the ability to slow it down, so I guess we’ll just go with it.

Just be sure that your fast day includes kind words . . . gestures of love . . . hugs and smiles. Even if you have to give them as you dash past in your virtual running shoes. And when you go to measure how you made the world a better place today, don’t put the tape around your middle . . . or your pocketbook.

Put it around your heart. If it’s full and you’ve had laughter and joy today, if you have shared with someone and made them feel good, you’re doing just fine in your fast forward world.

[Show #323]

Counting Calories

So we have to lose some pounds; about 20 or so. Which way to turn to get serious about this?

We already cut out ice cream, cake, bread, butter and cheese grits. We have cut down portions. No, really. Have not seen a slice of pizza in a month.

Then we find out that 2% milk has more calories than whole milk: that strawberries and blueberries have a bunch of carbs; that it’s a myth that there are no calories in cookies that are broken. We could quickly get back to ground zero in this quest for a healthy, slim future.

Eating out seems out of the question, what with super sizing and lattes and the smell of fresh rolls and butter. Eating in should work – until you’ve found out you made a mistake. Like – who knew that corn is a grain!

So we sit here munching on celery sticks, dreaming of fried chicken and banana splits and remembering the good ole days when you were only concerned with whether you could afford it, not how many carbs it had.

OK, so we obviously need an attitude adjustment . . . or maybe a program that delivers only legal food. . . or someplace where we’d get gold stars for every pound lost. . . or a personal trainer who will work us sweaty.

We will decide very shortly . . . and stick to it this time! Meanwhile, has anyone seen the Frosted Flakes?

[Show #304]

Salute To Young Mothers

It’s so difficult to be a young mother today. There are so many restraints on young mothers that require concern and worry. The media’s emphasis on negative happenings can convince you there is a boogey man around every corner! How do you teach children to be open and sociable – and yet wary of strangers, at the same time? Outside forces are influencing your children and they seem to get exposed to less gentle things so very early.

Yet in most families here in the country, there is a loving young mother doing her best to counteract the downsides: to make life safe and sweet and secure; to assure that her children know they are loved and the benefits of being good, obedient and respectful. It’s hard to know how much of an impression you are making. But you know what? Don’t stop!

Kids learn the lessons you are teaching. They learn from the examples you set by what you do and say. It will serve them well in the years ahead when they have hard choices to make. You are setting their moral compass and that’s never easy.

To those young mothers, accept this salute for the fine job you are doing as you juggle home, job, volunteering and most of all, caring for your children and helping them to grow and prosper, meeting each day’s challenges.

Thanks for all you do, young moms. Never give up. We’re counting on you!

[Show #292]

Books for Christmas

I’ve been thinking about Christmas gifts. Books used to be a favorite gift of mine. The placement of ideas into the mind of another is an awesome gift.

And books become more beautiful with time. The treasured, hundred-year- old family bible, now worn and threadbare, could not be more beautiful. The children’s story book with its finger prints and jelly smears, with stories read so many times that a parent has them memorized; far more beautiful than the leather-bound, gold in-scripted book sitting on a shelf that looks like it has never been opened.

Of course we see the transmittal of words moving to other media now. My Christmas gift list this year might include a Kindle or other electronic reading device. I might bring up a book on my iphone or read it on line. But somehow it’s still captivating to curl up with a good book.

Yes, I think books will remain on my Christmas gift list. That and CDs of books for listening in the car or CDs of, say, this radio show. (Blatant hint.)

Consider This IS now on CD and ready for Christmas gift giving. But only if you too are into sharing wisdom, ideas, humor and mirth.

[Show #391]

Returning Warriors

I was thinking of veterans, coming back from the horror they have experienced in combat and trying to reconstruct their lives, and this poem came together . . .

There’s a man emerging without the adornment of position, entourage or credentials. How daunting to stand tall, naked of the uniform that defined you for years. What courage it takes to make the declaration of emergence, knowing that people will watch and judge.

The man sees the valley beyond and it has people who offer to make him feel welcome and comfortable and there is a hand outstretched. He stands tentatively, having climbed to his present spot of unsure footing and wonders what is next.

He sees himself in the clear mountain stream. He is whole, sturdy, ready for the rest of the trip. He is not undefiled. He has dents and welts and scars, but he is strong and able.

He looks up at what it will take to get to the next step. The valley looks so inviting, bathed in warmth and the light of friendship, solace and understanding. It represent the rest of his life . . . and it provides the opportunity to reach out and touch the face of God.

Welcome home, soldier.

[Show #501]

Sharing Something of Value

The Chinese have a saying – “When someone shares with you something of value, you have an obligation to share it with others.” You could apply that to many things – knowledge, money, gratitude, even smiles.

Imagine considering it an obligation to smile at someone else, every time someone smiles at you. The question is whether a smile is something of value. What do you think?

I remember hearing that a smile is an instant face lift. And indeed, a smiling face is so much more attractive than one with a frown drawn on it.

Watch attractive elderly women. They know the secret of the face-lifting smile. You will rarely see them without a smile on their lips. And you can’t help thinking how lovely they are.

What else do you receive of value that should be shared?

We Americans are generous with sharing our wealth; from donations to the Red Cross and Salvation Army, to funding of Wounded Warrior to individual help provided anonymously when we hear there is a need. To those who receive much, much is expected.

We seem to have learned the Chinese lesson well, although it never hurts to be reminded.

[Show #450]

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