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Song from the 80’s – Make Things Better

Backstory – Song from the 80’s – Make Things Better

We were listening to the songs from half a century ago, played by Craig Orndorff on Old Time Radio. Then songs from the 1980s came on. There seemed to be a thread through much of the music. Artists sang about the troubles of the time and how they needed to be fixed. Here we were, 30, 40 or 50 years later. Were those things fixed? Are we able to sing of the joy and sweetness of conquering the challenges? Asking those questions led to the story featured this week. Please listen in.

Consider This Show – Song from the 80’s – Make Things Better

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A song from the 1980s came out of the radio today; one of those oldies but goodies where you know every word and sing along. The lyrics were about how we simply HAVE to make things change for the better.

The words of the song applied today as eloquently as they did thirty years ago. How sad! Have we learned nothing from our experience?

Our values and preferences contain so many opposing views. Whatever suits one group infuriates another. We can’t seem to come together. Compromise seems out of the question.

We need leadership to bring us all back to a place where there is hope, because our current actions are tearing us apart.

What a challenge. Are we up to the task? Who will step in to take the lead? Will it fall into place after the next election? Or will it take someone somewhere speaking up to go viral and give a wakeup call that is heard around the globe?

Of course, our fear is that the wakeup will be a tragic event that could have been prevented if we had only heeded the words of the songs of the 1980s . . . or 90s . . or those that were sung at the turn of the century.

Or will the songs we sing today be the mantra of the next generation, and will they wonder why the words were never heeded?

[Show #616]

Hearing God

The man whispered, “God, speak to me: and a meadowlark sang. But, the man did not hear.

So the man yelled, “God, speak to me” and the thunder rolled across the sky. But, the man did not listen.

The man looked around and said, “God, let me see you.” And a star shone brightly. But the man did not see.

And the man shouted, “God, show me a miracle.” And a baby was born. But, the man did not notice.

So, the man cried out in despair, “Touch me God, and let me know you are here.” Whereupon, God reached down and touched the man. But, the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on.

I found this to be a great reminder that God is always around us in the little and simple things that we take for granted… even in our electronic age.

So, I would like to add one more:
The man cried, “God, I need your help!” And an e-mail arrived reaching out with good news and encouragement. But, the man deleted it and continued crying.

That email that just lifted your heart with its loving sentiments – – Did it just occur out of the blue? Or was it the act of a power larger than we, a power that shows us miracles daily, if we just watch and listen and believe.

[#439]

Conflicting Advice

There are so many experts out there; people who think they know better than you, what is best for you. Listening to them all can seem like a cacophony of conflicting advice.

You follow the rules for overcoming this bad habit this week, and the next week, the rules are the reverse of what you’ve been doing. Today the advice is to turn left; tomorrow, you’re told to turn right.

Seems to me, the key is knowing your own mind, spirit and body and making your own decisions about what’s best for you.

I saw a news report recently about how Facebook is bad for your health because it is addictive. Of course we’ve all heard stories about people getting sucked into online chat rooms or dark places or social media to the exclusion of all else – job, family, friends. But we don’t shut down a tool that facilitates billions of communications because of the few who get lost.

One third of seniors will fall this year. But we don’t put old folks in football helmets to save them from this fate.

Maybe what’s needed is a large dose of caution and a little common sense, added to the advice of experts. Get more than one opinion. Check the accuracy of the facts. Consider the pros and the cons. Set up your own filters before following advice blindly.

That even applies to the advice just provided.

[#523]

Can Girls Win?

I grew up in a time when women had a different place in life. We were expected to be the wife, home maker and mother. And when it came to competitions with boys, it was not wise to win if you were a girl. The boys . . . and later, the men . . . didn’t like the girls who won.

But there were women who disagreed. They said we should have the same options as men. We should be able to work if we want and also be a home body. We should be allowed to use our gifts and our talents.

Even as we were liberated to join in games and sports, it was somehow expected that when you played with other girls, you could do your best. But when you played with boys, it was so much wiser to let them win, with eyelash batting innocence when they topped us – yet again.

Today the very idea makes me laugh. Somewhere along the way, we figured out that it was OK to win.

With that allowance, we learned the thrill of victory, and never looked back. We can be the top analyst, the team leader as well as the soccer mom – or the soccer player.

I hope we show enough appreciation to those who led the way to this delicious freedom. It was not easy to buck the tide. But they did and they won for us, this freedom – The freedom to WIN, even when you are a girl.

Show #300

Photo credit: Co-ed Soccer by Michael Ireland via DollarPhotoClub

I Had To Sell My House

I had to sell my house! I loved that house. It’s on the river, with views of the mountains, in a wonderful community where people care about each other and help each other.

I lived there for more than a decade and had set down roots. But things changed, and it was time to live elsewhere.

I moved everything out and looked at the bare walls. They looked good and had fared well.

One year, I decided to turn the rest room into a stunning oasis. I built in lighted glass shelves to spotlight treasures that I could change every month or so. Wallpaper set the theme, enhanced by crown molding and pewter side lamps. I added a beautiful antique mirror. The floor was laid with marble tiles and a furniture quality vanity was installed, with granite top. It all blended beautifully. I so enjoyed the feeling of that small, lovely space.

Sliding doors to the deck were replaced with romantic French doors. Shelves were added for displaying my teapot collection. I could see myself in every nook and cranny of the house. I had made it my own. And now, it was passing into new hands. How would it be treated?

Would the next family know joy and happiness here? Would they replace my version of beauty with themes of their own? Of course they will. And I am so happy for them.

[Show #530]

No Christmas Tree This Year

This year is the first time we are going to have no Christmas tree.

We planned to leave our home up north just before Christmas to spend the winter in Florida. So why bother dragging out all those ornaments and lights and stuff. So much easier this way.

Of course I did love looking at the sparkling angel that topped the tree. A gift one year long ago from a dear friend no longer with us.

After the holiday last year, I packed the Christmas ornaments into boxes, labeled with the names of each of my kids and grandkids. I included in each, a list of who made each ornament, or why it was purchased or who had gifted it…even how it was found at a yard sale or a craft sale. Opening each of those boxes this year would have brought back so many happy, sometimes distant memories.

Well, I can just remember it all this year without all the fuss. No tree. No trouble. Make sense. Who needs it.

The lights flickering different colors on the branches…The tree skirt made by my sister surrounding the base and then barely visible, for the gaily wrapped gifts that cover it.

On the other hand, it IS only once a year. And we WILL be here for most of December. Ah shucks, we can do without a tree NEXT year. For this year, bring it on.

Christmas, I am yours!

[Show #469]

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