(This post is a response I wrote to a cartoon editorial by the two-time Pulitzer Prize winning editorialist, David Horsey. This particular commentary focused on how Thanksgiving has become overshadowed by the hysteria surrounding Black Friday, and the obvious lust for deals on all the cool stuff that is to be had. The cartoon is on seattlepi.com.)
Another editorial that is Bang On the truth!
I have yet to read anything online about Thanksgiving. The Holiday is instead replaced by rumors and speculations about where the best Black Friday deals will be, and whose ad was "leaked" prematurely.
Thanksgiving is about celebrating the abundance in our lives, and in sharing that with those we love and care about the most. In this time of economic recession, we should all stop and remember what we are thankful for; because even when we have less, abundance is all around us. We just have take the time to recognize it in whatever form it exists.
I for one am out of work and have very advanced stage 4 kidney disease. But I am surrounded by friends and family who abundantly love and care about me. For these things, I am truly thankful. Thanksgiving could never be sweeter.
Thank You, David, for this editorial; and for trying to help us remember what is most important.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Children's Obesity--A Response
(I read an article today on the growing childhood obesity problem in America. The following was my written response to that article)
Everyone out there is incessantly pointing fingers to lay blame for the obesity problem in the United States. The fast food industry is causing it!; the genetic modification of seeds is the cause!; The processed foods so abundant in grocery stores is the problem!, etc, etc, etc.
Well, here's a novel approach...Instead of placing blame on this industry or that, how about taking personal responsibility for the health and well-being of your children? Are they active for two or three hours a day? Do they go outside to play? or do they sit around playing video games, or watching hours of TV? What are you, as a parent, doing on a daily basis to ensure that your children aren't growing fat due to inactivity?
The children of this country were healthy for generations, no matter what they ate. Obesity was extremely uncommon. Somewhere during the past twenty years, it became OK in American society to lead a sedentary lifestyle. Kids are playing less, running less and are generally less active.
What happened? Why the shift? What suddenly made it OK to allow our children to sit for hours doing very little, all while feeding them bigger portions, and consuming sugars in such mind-boggling quantities?
I suggest we all look at what we have done within our own families that has precipitated the obesity and subsequent health issues before pointing fingers. After all, no one is making you buy those fatty, sugary, empty foods for your family. No one is telling you that your kids must sit on their butts for mindless hours. How have you justified the decreasing health you have placed your kids in?
Think about it.
Everyone out there is incessantly pointing fingers to lay blame for the obesity problem in the United States. The fast food industry is causing it!; the genetic modification of seeds is the cause!; The processed foods so abundant in grocery stores is the problem!, etc, etc, etc.
Well, here's a novel approach...Instead of placing blame on this industry or that, how about taking personal responsibility for the health and well-being of your children? Are they active for two or three hours a day? Do they go outside to play? or do they sit around playing video games, or watching hours of TV? What are you, as a parent, doing on a daily basis to ensure that your children aren't growing fat due to inactivity?
The children of this country were healthy for generations, no matter what they ate. Obesity was extremely uncommon. Somewhere during the past twenty years, it became OK in American society to lead a sedentary lifestyle. Kids are playing less, running less and are generally less active.
What happened? Why the shift? What suddenly made it OK to allow our children to sit for hours doing very little, all while feeding them bigger portions, and consuming sugars in such mind-boggling quantities?
I suggest we all look at what we have done within our own families that has precipitated the obesity and subsequent health issues before pointing fingers. After all, no one is making you buy those fatty, sugary, empty foods for your family. No one is telling you that your kids must sit on their butts for mindless hours. How have you justified the decreasing health you have placed your kids in?
Think about it.
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