Random Thought: Quit Being Mean

Lately, I have been hearing negative stories about people mistreating each other. Why? The irony of this whole activity is that people forget that life is not permanent, but temporary. Is it necessary to be rude to some one and then regret it later?

Self-control and discipline are key here. People need to learn or practice in self-controlling and self-disciplining themselves. Society doesn't make it any easier because of its heavily pro-stance on instant gratification. Quick fixes and impulses are not the way to live a happy and well-balanced life with our fellow humans. Sometimes, the old fashion is the best way.

Start one step at a time. Become consciously aware of your thoughts and actions. Do it.

There is hope for humanity, after all...

About one week ago, my son and I left the supermarket with our cart full of groceries and put them in our car. My son and I walked to return our cart to the cart area, when we observed an older gentleman was reorganizing the carts into neater rows. I stood there, unsure if he was a supermarket employee, such as a manager because he was professionally dressed. He turned around and looked at me, and saying "It's alright. You may leave your cart here. I will get it."

I told him that is OK. Then, I asked him, "Do you work here?" He replied no. I then looked at him still confused. He told me that he wants to do something nice for people. "These messy carts may hurt people or damage cars," he told me. "Why do we always have to be careless or in a hurry? We should take the time and think of others." I looked at him, and I said, "True, imagine if we all did one thing from the goodness of our hearts? This would be a perfect world, wouldn't it?" He nodded and replied, "Yes, a perfect world."

The gentleman was finishing stacking the carts. He then looked at my son, and told him "Listen to your parents, young man." He then told us, "Have a good day." I replied, "You, too."

I was touched by this man's intentions and actions. I even got goose bumps! Not many people would take the time to do something for strangers and not get major publicity for doing it. I truly felt the world a place of goodness. I honestly felt good. I thought to myself, "There is hope for humanity, after all..."

Don't forget to say please and thank you!

Remember this. Life is not easy for you and for others as well. You and others have to deal with what life gives you--happiness, dreams, frustrations, obstacles,and challenges, to name a few. Human interaction on the social level is crucial for humanity's existence, so we have to be careful of how we treat each other.

I have a few rules that I try to follow. I write try because after all I make mistakes just like everyone else. It takes a conscious effort to pay attention to your attitude and personality. That takes practice.

Here are some rules that I live by:

1. I always smile when I greet someone because I like to see people smile. At first, this was started as an unconscious act until a friend told another friend that she has never seen me not smile as I walk into a room full of people. That made me pay more attention because I realize that anything we do can influence others.

2. I always ask how have they been doing? I always want to know the latest happenings with them.

3. I like to help people in any way I can. When a fellow human succeeds, you succeed as well. When a fellow human tumbles and fall, you tumble and fall as well. Whether you like it or not, we are all in this together.

These are the top three that came to my mind right now. So, the next time you hang out with some one or some people, just remember to treat them kindly or if you are feeling stressed out, tell them. Don't snap at them because you don't know what they have been or gone through.

Something to think about...

How should we look at Islam?

Islam has been a fascinating issue that many people really did not know much about until the tragic of 9/11. What people found out about Islam, surprised many. They realized that Islam was a religion of peace. However, many people still do not know much about Islam. To truly understand this subject or any "unknown" subject, you have to study this with a critical eye, yet an open mind.

Ignorance is ugly. Ignorance can cause hate. Hate can hurt those who are victims of ignorance.

I found this article about two Harvard professors trying to teach educators what they should know about Islam.

Rethinking Islam from Pakistan to Texas
Scholars emphasize viewing Islam in historical, political context
By Ryan Z. Cortazar
FAS Communications


Two Harvard professors are spearheading a new initiative aimed at defeating "a clash of ignorances," a clash, they affirm, that perpetuates misunderstanding, prejudice, and fear between Muslim and Western societies. Fueled by widespread global illiteracy about the nature of Islam and Muslim civilizations, this clash has dangerous implications for nations that are increasingly becoming multireligious and multicultural in character.

For rest of the story, click here: http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2007/03.01/03-islam.html

How far should we go to get the naked truth?

I saw this article piece on Slate.com. The government now wants to check airplane passengers naked before getting on board. Yup, naked. Doesn't that seem like some kind of movie. Too weird to be true. It seems like the mass is getting punished for the few. How far you willing to go in fighting "terrorism" (whatever that is)? Is this infringing on our rights?

Do you really want your under age kids to experience someone looking at them nude? Even if they "brush" up the pictures. We tell kids that their body is their body, and no one has a right to see it or touch it. Right?

Below is an excerpt from the article that you should read, and pass along. I would be interested in your comments.

Digital Penetration Invasion of the naked body scanners.

By William Saletan

Posted Saturday, March 3, 2007, at 7:32 AM ET
Psssst. Want to see Susan Hallowell naked? Look at the Feb. 24 New York Times. She's on Page A10.
Hallowell runs the Transportation Security Administration's research lab. Four years ago, she volunteered to be scanned by a backscatter X-ray machine, which sees through clothing. She was wearing a skirt and blazer. But in the picture, she's as good as nude.
Now it's your turn.

Click on the link for more of the story. http://www.slate.com/id/2160977?GT1=9231

Are you a walking-talking television?

I have a question for you. Are you a walking-talking CNN? Or a walking talking NBC? You can just replace CNN or NBC with whatever media you listen to or watch faithfully. Seriously, think about. Do you really repeat everything those news stations report? I know people who do. If CNN or some other news stations says something positive or negative, that is what those people repeat. Gone are the days when critical discussions and debates were exercised? Hope not. That is one way to kill democracy.

How does one become a walking-talking TV? I get surprised and disgusted when I meet people who think that just because it was on the media, it must be accurate. Forget about the other side or the other point of view. Come on, people wake up. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of different points of views on issues that you and your neighbor are concerned with. Read or listen to what others are saying. Ask questions. Do research. Reignite your curiosity. This is one way to keep democracy alive and well, is when we are thinking critically and not afraid to discuss or debate civilly.

That is our democratic duty.

Afraid of the Unknown

The unknown scares many people, probably most people. We as humans like to know things about the past, present and future. Once we know things, we are not afraid towards those things. However, once an unknown thing arrives, humans tend to get defensive and behave ignorantly. Maybe it is a survival technique, survival of the fittest mentality.

This should stop because life is a never ending process, until Day of Judgement arrives or whatever you may believe in. We are of different cultures, races, and ethnicities. There is no way we are going to know everything about each other. I like to tell my family and friends, that "it will take the rest of my life to know you." A person changes due to experiences, maturity level, or circumstantial. We are constantly changing and growing, hopefully for the better.

Many people around the world have faced some type of persecution. Why is that? Is it because we don't respect them as humans? Or "they" are not like "us"? Their culture is less valuable?

I honestly think that people are afraid of the unknown, and would prefer to not know because their foundations of life may crumble and have to be rebuilt. I challenge you to tackle the unknown, and learn about what you do not know.

This is not going to happen overnight. It is a lifetime challenging process.

Kind acts do exist

Good old fashioned neighborly acts still exist today. It was observed that a young, male adult used his snow blower to clean up his parents' driveway, then their neighbor's driveway, and cleaned up sidewalks that ran along with four homes. No one had asked him to do this, his mother said. He just did it from the goodness of his heart, for humanity.

It is awesome when a kind human does some random act of kindness. Way to go. There is still good in this world.