The Right to Die!

In Britain, Dr. Sikora tells the world that in his many (30+) years of practice no patient has ever asked to practice the "Right to Die" approach. The doctor is against this practice. He is referring to our desire to continue until the bitter end and to the hundreds of rest homes for the elderly, where people "prefer" clinging to life. He thinks that is what most, if not all elderly people want.

Really? I bet Dr. Sikora is a skilled oncologist - he is famous for his intervention in that field, but may I question what he truly knows and understands of what it feels like to sit in a wheelchair and being pushed around incapable of brushing one's own teeth, let alone eat.

Not that I know, but I refuse to believe that anyone can judge for another. We all have strong or not so strong feelings about our "Right to Die".

Does Dr. Sikora have pets? We don't know, but if he has, and the pet gets hopelessly sick, does he continue to let the animal suffer? Farmers put their cattle to sleep, when life is slipping away and so do most of us with our dogs and cats. I go to the vet and request euthanasia for my beloved pet out of respect and love for the animal. Is their life less sacred than ours?

When Dr. Sikora, now strong and vibrant, is getting feeble, let's check in with him again, and ask him whether the disgraceful pain and suffering then is to his liking. I wouldn't be surprised if he has changed his mind. "And doctor, don't speak for me!"

The workings of our universe.

I stretch out on the couch with an extra pillow in the back, a wool blanket warming my knees and turn on the TV for the evening news. While watching the "latest", out of the corner of my eyes I see my calico cat peek at me with an expression in her large eyes: "Can I join you?" She jumps up and curls up somewhere at arms length between the pillows and my upper legs.

In the mean time, the news is dire - as usual. The live reports from Haiti show death and devastation, and ...

my cat is calm and comfortable.

Civilians and soldiers have died in Afghanistan and Iraq, and plots to kill have been uncovered, and ...

the cat "is" in a different world.

Unnamed financial CEOs, insurance and other corporate leaders have again managed to pay themselves exorbitant bonuses, while the unemployment rate keeps on going up, and ...

the cat? What is going on in her mind, in her world?

Politicians do waste time, moneys and effort in Washington, DC, continuing the legislative stalemate, while we are all sinking deeper into a marsh of economic misery, and ...

the cat seems quite content and happy.

In life, all seems relative. In the scheme of our universe, how important are our actions, really!

Appreciating the basic things in life.

Every Tuesday morning, I visit an organization named Friendship Trays to pick
up the dinner trays for distribution to "the disadvantaged" among us
in an assigned area in the city. After I have completed my route, I return
to drop off the empty bag at the kitchen/office location. At that time, almost
always without fail, there are a number of seriously "challenged" men and women
hanging around enjoying the cheer and hubbub. They are munching on
the provided cookies, coffee cake, muffins or doughnuts. In one corner stands a
dispenser of coffee for all the guests passing through.
This time I noticed one of the challenged women moving to the dispenser, while
she was mumbling inaudible statements. She picked up a paper cup, pushed
the lever, and while the coffee poured into the cup, I heard her say in her sweet
and gentle voice: "Good morning coffee!"
THAT brought a royal smile to my face. Guess what I plan to say to the water to-morrow morning when I open the shower faucet in the early morning?

In every day life, I expect these kind of observations and statements from the
very young, but we adults have "outgrown" these thoughts. This happening
was a nice reminder of what we can be thankful for every day!

Celebrating creatively!

For The Young At Heart!

Aren’t you ready for something new?

Something fun few other people do?

The time for celebration is coming near.

Thanks Giving is soon, December almost here.

You are getting ready to spend your savings

On good food and special cravings.

But all, especially Christmas costs you yearly

A fortune with presents big and dearly.

So what about a new plan of action?

This plan costs your family a fraction.

Write a rhyme, no need for poetry,

In which you can speak of wizardry,

Of cheer and make fun of friend and foe.

But don’t exaggerate by doing so.

Each present has to have such rhyme.

That’s a basic rule. Not doing so - a crime.

Place these words in simple wrappings

With a present ($10 max.) with the trappings

Of surprise causing laughter and commotion

Coming to you by mail or other loco-motion.

This way of celebrating a celebratory season

Gives, especially the young of heart, a reason

To get into giving NOT by spending with a bow,

No, they’ll use their imagination by doing so.

The economy is down, so’s your wallet.

So, let’s change the trend, at least stall it,

And join the few, start something new.

Money isn’t all it is made out to be for me and you.

The world is craving for a bright new view.

I am trying, so should you.

These days are to emphasize creation,

Focusing on a kid’s imagination.

Let them build, draw and write rhymes.

It’s not about us. Let them spend their hard earned dimes.

Shake loose of the old, the expensive way.

It is about the kids, make their day.

Save your budget. Have the nerve

To break the American way, we used to serve.

Pick a day, the 25th or any other.

Assemble your family or if you rather

Have your neighbors and your friends

Gathered around, those you can stand.

Again, stop the just-giving,

There is more to celebrating with the living.

Don’t say: “Sorry, not this year,

Maybe next!” The time is now, the moment here!

Saint Nick*

Spain, EU

___________________________________A helpful sample way to give differently:

Among the many presents under the tree or just in the corner:

A wrapped box filled with crumpled-up old newspaper and a tiny note in the cardboard lining: “Look in the oven for a clue,

for the next step you have to do!”

Subject scampers to the kitchen:

“Your bed, more precisely your very own pillow,

may give you the way you need to follow.”

No present yet! Under pillow a string’s end:

“Roll up this string into a ball.

Take your time, avoid a fall.”

Then: At string’s end, a tiny package with ... How about a new, fresh tooth brush (or more appealing gift < $10). Do not forget the rhyme inside. The rhyme needs to be read in the company of everyone - not in isolation.

P.S.: don’t tell anyone what you are up to. It all needs to remain a surprise!

Let your imagination go wild! For any additional hints/ideas, feel free and call Saint Nick! His agent can be reached at 704-376-1203.

*He’s coming in December!

Men and women!

Men need women. Women lead men;

Women need men for a brief period in life. Men need women perpetually;

Men THINK they are in charge. Women should know better;

Women have a sense for social network. Men wish they had one, especially later on in life.

Men are insecure. Women may become insecure through a man's physical strength.

Women are excellent manipulators. Men use brute force ;

If  the reader does not agree, well then, why are women generally under paid, why are women hidden from "view" in most cultures, why was there a need for a women's lib movement (never completed), why are there religions where the women cannot rise to high ranks?

Is this a generalization? Maybe.

Is there a solution?

Sure! Education. Use the strength of each. Don't see it as a power struggle.

Social interaction.

Life without women seems unthinkable. Do women think the same about men?

I don't really know what or how women think. Sure, they tell me stories and they have opinions when I pose the question, but I wonder what would happen if we would meet in groups of 8 - four women and four men. I have experience with men's groups, but I would really like to start a mixed weekly conversation group.

Not that I expect to then understand "women." Far from it, but some questions may then be answered. Though men may not want to, but emotional and insecurity issues may then be addressed more honestly, improving communications. If we would try this on a one-to-one basis, many defense mechanisms will come to the fore, masking the real feelings. With a large group(6 - 8), there is support in place.

So, do you agree, and if so, how do we start?

What control? What choice?

This morning after some real-body-floor exercises, my nose started bleeding. So suddenly and without warning. This event reminded me of recent conversations I have had with friends and acquaintances about “control.” This “nose-bleed”-event was a clear example that I do not control my life. On the contrary, Life has control over me.

Subsequently, with a tiny piece of cotton up my nostril, I proceeded to take my slightly delayed early morning walk and while striding up and down the hill in the neighborhood I felt surrounded by “life” and felt immersed in it, as if on the crest of a giant wave, pushing forward.

The words “control” and “choice” are very satisfactory type terms, used to give a sense of power, and a feel that I may have a “say” over my actions. After my retirement, I have been pondering the value of these two words, and slowly but surely, I have come to the conclusion that they are nonsensical. I haven’t come to the point that I have alternative terms for my day-to-day conversation, but it is crazy to think that, we, microscopic specks in the universe, can control our lives and that we have a choice in the matter.

Your thoughts?