ALL Lives Matter

Somewhere in the world, a baby is born. It could have been in a hospital, at home,  in the seat of a car barreling down the highway, along a journey trying to make it to a new life. A cry is heard from the infant, then quiet as this child snuggles close their mother. The mother looks at her child in awe, this new life that she helped create. A tear escapes as she wonders, what does the world hold for this precious life. How will this child be treated, because this child matters.

 No matter the race, no matter the nationality, no matter the gender, no matter all the many things that make us individuals, as humans we are the same and we matter. what of this child?

Will this child, grow up to be a teacher who will educate others? Who will strengthen the minds of those hungry for learning? Will this child as an adult shows the wonders of the world through learning to a new generation making them stronger and better intellectually? Will they help  the next great scientists, doctors, Nobel Prize winners?

Will this child be that doctor who saves lives? Who holds compassion and strength within to see the medical needs and do what is necessary to make the lives of others better. Will this child as a doctor use their gifts and talents in places where most doctors do not go, into the places where medical help is rare but so desperately needed. Will they give to others without worry of compensation?

Will this child, as a lawyer help the innocent? Will they protect the rights of the individual?

Will this child as a first responder save lives? As an officer of the law, will they serve and protect? Will they be there first in times of emergency? As paramedics, will they be there to take care of the sick or injured and get them to help immediately? Will they go into frightening situations, just to do what they know, to save someone? Will they as firefighters, go into burning buildings to rescue a life, valuable, just because they are? Will they rush into buildings, forests, approach burning cars, because that is what flows through their veins, the desire to help, to rescue, to save?

Will this child follow a calling and be a leader, a teacher, a servant in the faith? Will they in truth and understanding share the Gospel and share salvation's plan?

 This child deserves the chance, deserves the opportunity to live, to grow and to become what ever is their desire and hope.

 This child as a youth, deserves to be able to walk anywhere, to grow in all manners, to learn day by day the lessons life brings, without fear, without bullying, without worry of what the next moment may bring.

This child as an adult deserves to be able to carry out their day to day safely. No matter what their career, they deserve to be able to do all their job requires without fear, without the need for someone to have their back.

This child, this youth, this adult, deserves respect simply for their being human- right up until __the individual__does something to lose that respect. Then the individual should pay the cost of their mistake not an entire race or profession.

 ALL lives matter. We are ALL important in our own ways. We are here for a reason, a purpose that we may or may not know. But it is real, we are worthy, we matter..ALL of us matter. No matter the race, no matter the nationality, no matter the gender, no matter all of the many things that make us individuals, as human we are the same and we ALL matter.

Southern Battle Flag; fly it or hide it? What say you?

 There is currently a massive removal going on of the southern battle flag. I have thought about this all day and I'm still pondering my final decision on how I feel about the whole mess.

  The debate on the purpose of the flag will go on forever. It will go on because no matter what, people will find  a way to get that flag and comments will be made by those who see it. There are those who say it is part of southern history, it is that yes. There are those who will say that brave men fought under that flag, true.

 Was that flag though, a part of a war that was due to one part of the country encroaching on and trying to tell another part what, when and how to do what they've done for years, or was it to protect that right to keep slaves?  Was that flag a symbol of courage or a symbol of racism and hate?

  There are many voices crying out over this issue, from both sides. Both are right, both are wrong.

 The flag is a symbol of southern history, but it was never meant to be a symbol of hatred. Like other items in the past it has been taken by groups and individuals who thrive on hate, thrive on violence, thrive on the very things that tear apart a neighborhood, a region or a country.  The fact, and it is fact, that groups such as the klan took this flag and turned it into a symbol of something ugly has tarnished its meaning. I read that the swastika was a symbol of good luck until Hitler used it. Now no matter what its past was, it will forever be tied to Hitler and his movements. Now when one sees the swastika they immediately think one thing, and it isn't good luck. It has been used over and over for racist, hate filled reasons, and those are what people will always see.

 Sadly, it is the same with the Southern Battle Flag. It will be seen as someone meant to divide and destroy. It will not be seen as a part of history but a part of pain.  With each hate filled group or individual that uses the flag to promote their own agenda it only gets worse.

 My personal opinion is that the flag does not need to fly on government property. Its presence may bring a feel good moment to some, but to others who see the flag it brings pain and distress. But there is a problem with removing this flag, what precedent will that set? Are we not already so deep into political correctness that soon we may drown in it? It is impossible to not offend someone. No matter what you do, what you say, how you dress or act or what flag you fly, someone is going to be offended. If you try to remove or stop all activities that offend, we will be able to do nothing. We would be trapped in our own homes because our clothing offends, but then we can't run around naked because that offends...Muslims are offended by the Christian faith while  Christians are offended by the word that schools are going to begin teaching children about anal sex and masturbation. Blacks believe they are profiled by police and middle class whites think they are being forgotten and abused...

Where, do you draw the line?

 At what point do we turn around and say, while I realize my ___________ offends you, as long as my ______ is not illegal, immoral or indecent, I have a right to do, say, wear this and you have a right to not look. As long as my words and actions are not hurting others physically or emotionally, do I not have the right to speak? Which brings me back to the flag........our country has a lot of history, good, bad, ugly, history of strength and of heart. In that history there are a lot of symbols, removing them from sight, won't change that.

Maybe, its time we grew up a bit and realized that our strength, our heart, our spirit really can't be damaged by the sight of a flag, and move on to more important things. 

What is your reaction to the words............

health of body and mind- seeking a disease free life

What does one do, how are you supposed to feel, when they tell you, 'you have cancer'? Of course there is no one answer to that question as we are all different and going to have different reactions.

Me?

I already suspected when I sat down in that examining room that is what I was going to be told so when the words came I wasn't surprised. I wasn't afraid. I wasn't angry. Maybe I was in some form of denial or ignorance as to what was to come. Either way, once the words were spoken I looked at the surgeon and told her, "you know what it is. You know where it is. Take care of it."

And so my journey began. My journey to get rid of the cancer in my body and to regain my health.

 What ever you may wish to call it, my journey, my battle, my adventure, it was mild compared to what others have gone through. I had my surgery, then once healed enough I began radiation treatments. Six weeks later, I'm done with those and simply taking a daily dose of medicine. I did not require chemotherapy treatments. Something that I am still thankful for. The radiation was bad enough as it left me dragging and barely able to put one foot in front of the other and still remain upright. I had to change my diet because the wrong foods made the side effects of the radiation even worse.

 The one thing I was determined of though was that I was going to get my daily walk in. the only thing that stopped me was stormy weather. Otherwise I was out there walking and enjoying the land and sights around me. In the peace of those walks in the woods I saw flowers I had never noticed before, I saw insects that I didn't even know existed. I listened to the birds, watched the deer, rabbit and raccoon wandering in the woods. It eased my wounded and tired soul and lifted a weary spirit. No matter how tired I was, this was my medicine.

 I also worked on improving my diet. I didn't eat a lot, but what I was eating I wanted to be as healthy as possible. I went from eating junk food to fruits and vegetables. I went from sodas and highly sweetened coffee to water and almost black coffee. During the treatments I could only handle one cup of coffee a day, the rest was water. I'm now back to my constant cup of coffee but I refrained from returning to a daily diet of sweets.

  Being told that you have cancer, will bring about change. It can be voluntary or involuntary but there will be change. In how we act. In how we feel. In how we face the fight and how we face the  future. We can make it a change for the better. We can change the things that put us at risk, and work toward a healthier, longer life or we can ignore it and watch as our health deteriorates and changes things for us. I wanted to be around for my family, my changes I think were for the better even as I do need to exercise even more because the exercises aren't just for the body, they help the mind as well.

 How do you feel, how do you react when you are told you have cancer? I hope that you never are. I hope that through education there is prevention. I hope through research there is a cure. I hope, that we finish this fight and there is no more cancer.

 So I participate in Relay for Life. I fundraise and I help raise awareness and I work toward getting people to join and help. Through their time, through their talents, through their dollars. Together we can beat this. together we can win. together, we can see to it that no one else has to wonder how they would react should they be told.............

Learning- an exercise in the fight

One can read all of the books, all of the articles and watch all of the videos that can be found on the topic, but still the best lessons and understanding comes from personal experience. You tend to learn more, when you do it yourself. You remember better when you have first hand experience with what ever it is you are trying to understand.

 When learning to drive a stick shift?  Get behind the wheel of a car,  in a safe place, and with some one with a ton of patience, start driving. Want do learn photography? Get a camera and start taking photographs. Want to learn to cook? Grab a cookbook and the needed ingredients and begin. Yes, there are some things that one needs extended education for, as I really wouldn't want to go into surgery and hear the doctor tell an attending nurse this was his first time but "Hey, you gotta start somewhere".

 But what about cancer? Yes, you can read, and view and listen, but all of that is cold and static. I would never, ever wish anyone to go through cancer. I would never wish anyone to have to take care of one with cancer. And yet, because cancer does eventually touch us all- we need to know. We need to know how to take care of ourselves and we need to know how to take care of those we love. More importantly, we need to learn ways to try to prevent cancer to begin with.

  We have become a much more static society. We work, then we go home and sit down somewhere, rising only to go to bed. Many have office jobs that mean sitting for long stretches of time. There is a tendency to not play sports, to not ride bikes, to not get out and enjoy the great outdoors like there once was. Exercise is one of the keys to being more healthy and preventing some cancers.

  We have become a people who love fast food. Whether this food comes from a so called, fast food restaurant or some processed something or other that we can pop into the microwave and have in minutes. Products loaded with sugars, sodium and an unknown listing of chemical additives. We no longer know what all we are putting into our systems. That needs to change. We need to know exactly what we are eating and how much. When we consume the proper amount of the right foods-real foods- then our body can function much better and with a lot greater risk of cancer.

 We are tense. We are stressed out to the maximum amounts without knowing how to combat it effectively. The pressure of our jobs, or the stress of not having a job. The way traffic is on the roads. The relationships that we have with others. All of these and more contribute to the stress in our lives. We need to know what can be done to ease the problem of stress which does help to prevent come cancers.

  No two people are alike, which means that not every good thing works for every one. We can do all of this that we possibly can and it still not prevent cancer. Or we can do this, and we're fine. We have to learn as many ways as possible, for our own good and the good of those we love.

  What do we do, where do we go, who do we talk with, if we have been diagnosed?

  What if someone we know has been diagnosed? What do we do? How do we help? What about those we don't personally know, but we know are out there and we want to help.. how?

    Where do we go to learn what we need to know? Who can we talk with? Where are the answers?

     Again, each person is different, so the answers are all different. I believe that is one thing that is making curing cancer difficult. But there are researchers out there who are searching and finding that nest step forward. Medicines are being created, treatments honed, people cared for.

  But- everything takes money. When you are doing research, when you are driving a vehicle taking a warrior to appointments, when you are doing all you can to educate through videos, pamphlets or appearances, it takes money. To print, for materials, for fuel, for any of the many number of items that care for those in need.

 That is one of the reasons I relay, that is why I have been a part of this for so long. That and the fact that I am a survivor and I want to see a sea of purple shirts at Relay and know that they too have made it. So I write, and I ask, and I beg, and I continue on doing what I can to help the many who are determined to finish the fight and see an end to cancer.

http://main.acsevents.org/goto/rebeccarevels

    

 

words and actions of compassion

If you know me in any way, you know how I feel about being compassionate toward others. There are times when I read or see things, that I fear compassion should be on the endangered list. It has become too easy to become and remain angry. It has become and remains too easy to see and still walk away, thinking that is not our problem, let someone else take care of it. With the mindset of many people, there is also the fear that, should one try to help and something go wrong, there could be a lawsuit against them. It is important that we move away from these concerns and back to caring about others. That is the only way we can be a difference for those around us.

 Not all of us have grown cold and indifferent. There are still those who have hearts big enough to ignore the possibilities of backlash and reach out to assist those in need. I know of a person who, along with a couple others, tried to rescue two people from a burning car. They ignored the risks and dangers to themselves to try to save those people. They were unable to and carry the memories to this day.

 I know of another, who watched as a young person approached people ahead of them asking for money for food. Everyone passed him by without giving him anything, some commenting, others not saying a word. When we got to where he was standing he began asking us. The person I was with told him that they would not give him any money, but they would buy him a meal. Many times people fear that the money given is going to something other than what it is asked for. This young person very gratefully accepted the offer and could not say thank you often enough. A couple of dollars spent, an entire day and attitude was changed.

It doesn't always take great and grand actions to show compassion. It doesn't always take a bankroll of money to show one cares.

Locally, there is a weekend (sometimes two) once a year called Inasmuch, where churches have activities that are all about compassion, reaching out and helping those in need. They've done everything from holding car washes to raise money for others, to clearing yards, to sorting clothes in a shelter, to rebuilding a house. These are just a few examples among the many varied activities that have taken place. Each and every one making a difference somewhere to some degree.

Words are fine, words draw attention to the needs that are around us. Words alone though will accomplish nothing unless they are matched with action.

You tell someone that you saw the homeless person looking very cold. Now they know there is a cold homeless person out there, but that person is still cold. You could, see the homeless, share a good coat that you no longer use- or bought just for them- then go out and tell others there is a need for coats for those who are cold. You can collect coats for the children going to school who have no outer wear fit for the temperatures we are suffering through currently.

 You could see a person whose home is in need of repair or yard work done. You can write a letter to the paper in complaint, you can call the city to complain. Now it is known, but unless this person is simply not doing the work, there may be a reason these needs are there. One could check to see if the inhabitant is unable physically to accomplish the needs. If that is the case, others can gather and acting as one, do the necessary work.

Words are good, they inform and notify. But words are useless unless they are backed by actions. While most of us cannot do much for those who are suffering under the horrors of war, and terrorism,  we can find ways to let those who can, know that we are appalled by what we are hearing about. To remain silent is to accept and condone. In this, words are our tools, our weapons, our actions. Many as one, getting things accomplished, in a way of peace. In a way of hope. In ways of education. In a way of determination.

When the roof starts leaking at work

What should you do when the roof suddenly starts leaking at where you work?

Here are some things to consider.

Do--find buckets or other containers to catch the water.

Don't -- use the water to take a shower.

Do--report the leak.

Don't-- make paper boats and have sailing competitions.

Do--find a mop and clean up the water.

Don't--start a sing-a-long of dancing in the rain.

Do--make sure that there are "wet floor" signs in place.

Don't--tie a string to a pencil and go fishing.

Do--make sure that there is nothing electrical at risk.

Don't--step in the water just so you can make footprints across the floor.

Do-- move anything that shouldn't get wet.

Don't-- climb into a cardboard box and shout "I'm going over the falls!!"

What other suggestions- do or don't- can you come up with?

On Educating Ourselves on Cancer Causes

I read this article moments ago, http://radio.foxnews.com/2015/01/02/23-of-cancer-cases-just-bad-luck/ . This article states that 2/3 of cancer is just bad luck. A random mutation of genes. I was disappointed in reading this as this article is a destroyer of hope.

I am not a scientist, nor am I a doctor. I am one who reads extensively, however about cancer and ways to fight it due to being a survivor myself. The best way to fight an enemy, is to learn about your enemy. When you learn the causes, the risk that you as an individual face, and ways to prevent and fight, half of your battle is won.

Yes, cancer is a mutation of cells, but there are many causes for this mutation. To lump it largely under bad luck is presumptuous and wrong. The American Cancer Society has a web page filled with information. This is a link to their page on causes of cancer: http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/index

The Mayo Clinic discussing gene mutation and cancer risks: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/basics/causes/con-20032378

The National Cancer Institute has this list of informational topics: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/causes

To inform and arm oneself is important and vital. To do otherwise is to walk around in a state of denial and risk.  Our lives have changed immensely over the years. We have created many different things and ways with the purpose of  making our life better, but there are dangers in those very things.

What are they putting in those processed foods?

What are they injecting and feeding livestock?

What are they spraying on fruits and vegetables?

How are they mutating those same vegetables?

How many different ways is sugar hidden in our foods?

What dangers reside in plastics that we use every day for storing, eating and drinking from?

What chemicals do we come into contact with every day in our day to day living?

Are we eating junk, or are we eating a diet that will sustain good health?

Are we exercising or do we have an affair going on with our couch and television?

These are only a few of the question and thoughts to consider.

Yes, genetics can and does play a part in our risk of having cancer, but that is a small risk compared to the many other factors. Bad luck not even being considered.

When we educate ourselves, we equip ourselves for battle. We can work to prevent it, we can work to fight it, and we can work to win. But we have to know what and how to fight.

In there, we also need to support those who are working hard toward finding more and better ways to fight. To not support the doctors, scientist and lay person working diligently, is as much a state of denial as is the risks faced personally.