Freedom of Speech or Lack of Respect?

My mother taught me that our freedom ends where someone else freedom starts. Therefore, I believe that we cannot exercise our "freedom" in the way we are subtracting, diminishing, or violating someone else freedom or rights.

It was ludicrous when Dr. Laura Schlessinger tried to justify her rampant use of the "N" word to one of her loyal listeners saying that her 'freedom of speech rights' "have been usurped by angry, hateful groups who don't want to debate -- they want to eliminate." (published online on CNN -8/20/10).

It is pretty hard to understand how is justifiable that, in order to preserve my right of speech, I can go on and offend other people including that very one you supposed to support or at least sympathize with (because it is your loyal listener). How a mass media speaker, like Dr. Laura, can use the means that she possess to public offend not only an individual, but a whole segment of our society. She was rude (as usual) not only to her listener that called her for a advice, but also innocent people who did not ask anything but respect.

This was not about the "n" word. It was about to take advantage of her position and totally disrespect other people. It is offensive because it is a derogative way to refer to certain group of people, and as such should not be broadcasting, specially in the offensive way she said. It seemed that she was just expelling her own feelings towards this segment of our society, and not as a point that she was trying to make.

Should we allow or ignore other media communicators to go on air and use the "b" word to refer to other women?

Animal Farm is Real

One of the best books that I ever read is Animal Farm, writen by George Orwell more than 50 years ago. In fact, Orwell was a communist in his youth, but as we read this tiny but fascinating book we will find a strong criticism to authoritarianism. No matter its shape or color, authoritarianism is always evil. Besides, it seems that the message of Animal Farm reinforces the idea that, "All power corrupts".

Therefore, any form of unjust dominion cannot be justified, no matter if it is from left wing or right wing, liberals or conservationists of any color or flag.

I used to think that things were white or black, but I found so many shades of grays, that it is almost impossible to distinguish if some thing is more black or more white. I believe that is unsafe to put all our energy in defense of a single political group (unfortunately). Politicians are very prone to compromise their believes in return of some thing that has nothing to do with the common good.

It is not that I do not believe that there is some good and well intentioned politicians out there, but I believe that we cannot blindly just trust them. As the brazilian poeta Mario Quintana once said, "Nobody is totally good or totally evil..."

Let It Go....Move On!

Today I got a post from a dear friend that made me realize how keep looking to the past disapointments is so destructive. He cannot get over about whatever happened in his life, or better, for what he thinks is to blame for some damage he suffered in his past.

Of course, I am not on his shoes to feel his pain, and at some extent I simpatize with him.

However, as he blames all those who does not even know who he is, he lives in this living hell. Tormented by a past that will be way in the past and by a hate for people that may have been guilt for the damage he suffered, but are probably dead. In the process, not only he destrois his chances of happyness, or to enjoy life, but also he blames and hates those who also does not know what happened to him and cannot change whatever happened. He is tied to something that does not exist anymore and cannot be changed.

It is very sad, and reminds me a story that a friend told me long ago; it goes something like this,"Long ago this merchand was going from town to town selling his stuff. One day he stoped at this coffee chop to have some food and rest. Then, the merchant notice that there was a very ugly looking dog outside the coffee shop hauling very loud. As time went by the dog wont stop hauling, which was very disturbing. After while, the merchant asked the owner what was going on. The guy then told the merchant that the dog was hauling because he was sat over a big nail. The merchant asked why the dog just do not get up and free itself from the nail. The owner then said that dog decided do not to do it, the dog became used to stay on that situation."

Some of us like to complain about the life's hardship, but does not move, does not try to change the future. We cannot change the past, but we certainly can make our future better in many ways. It would mean carry on our wounds, our losses, but in any instance it will be always better to get up and move on than "hauling and blaming".

Say What You Need to Say...

This blogging thing is very addictive, because people in general like to share their views and thoughts. It is pretty funny the way it goes... once you start to write it is hard to stop. Ideas, feelings, and emotions just flows as the water in the river.
Honestly, I enjoy to read some blogs. It seems that other people always have more to say, and they do it in a more imaginative way than me. It is probably the main reason that I am not writing as much as my daughters-in-law for example. Their blogs are a big hit, and I truly enjoy spending time reading their postings.
Renato, my son number 3, on the other hand is also awesome to comment someone else posting. He always has something creative and uplifting to say about others' postings. Even on the dumiest, sad, or depressing posting, Renato will find something nice to comment. A good example is what he comments on my postings.
Rodrigo, Marcio and Fernando like to write on something deep, thoughtful, or otherwise poetical. Ruth and Ginger are always posting something new and very interesting that make you think. Maybe one day I will be as good at this thing. For now thought I will just keep trying express whatever comes to my mind.

Not All That Wonder Are Lost

Did anyone feel like wondering on a grocery store thinking, "what am I forgetting?", but keep walking and thinking about what is missing on the list?

Sometimes, I think that in other things in life we catch ourselves thinking about, "what is missing", and we keep searching and moving forward after "something".

I never thought it is a bad thing. Like the quote says we might not be lost, but lost in the search for happiness, satisfaction, fulfillment, you can name it.

I always enjoyed a lot of things, and took a couple years to find my professional vocation. In the path to find it, I also found a lot of things that I enjoy to do as well. Maybe it is the reason that I kept studying. I cannot recall a time that I spent out of school. Even after I finished law school in Brazil, I went back to teach grammar to middle school kids.

I think that it is not just by chance that my current husband is finishing his 2nd master degree. We certainly share the same craziness. After all we are passing our 1/2 century age, so why we keep challenging our minds or ourselves?

I believe that it is the sense of fulfillment. Stretching myself to limits I did not know I could do it.
Well, all this bla-bla-bla above was motivated by the fact that I received a letter this weekend from LDSBC, where I am currently studying, telling me that I made to the "Dean's List".

I could not believe that, I was and am astonished. It is the type of feel good thing. After all, it was a 3 days a week, four hours each class after my full time job in the winter time deal package.

Bottom line: If I could, I believe anyone can do it as best or much better than I did. It is all about will power (or craziness, pick one).

New President, Old Dreams.

I would compare the victory of Obama to the victory of Lula when he first won the election for president in Brazil back in 2002. The least probable candidate for the office - the one who represents the large body of the society and yet the "less privileged" class. In both occasions the most heard comment was how each candidate would realize the dreams of thousands of citizens. Lula represents the lower income, working class. Obama the American black. Two candidates totally out of chart of the traditional candidates.

When Lula won for the first time, Brazil was swept during the election campaign with economical pressure from the dominant classes and ill informed assumptions. The dollar jumped from $1.73 to $3.76 in relation to the local currency - real -. The central and right wings were spreading this fear that if he won, the worse outcome for the economy would lead the country to a complete collapse. Lula was called a socialist, and the opposition was saying that after elected he would take everyone's possessions and redistribute among the homeless. Also, they said, as a "commy" he would eat the children - this one was simply hilarious. Anyway, Lula won. No body's possession was redistribute, no children was eaten - as far as we know-. The Brazilian's economy experienced surprisingly growth. In fact, after one year from the election, international media was recognizing the effectiveness of Lula's internal and external policies. Even more surprisingly was the head-line at Wall Street Journal around that same time,"Brazil made Wall Street learn to dance Samba", meaning that US investors were returning to invest in Brazil.

The only hope now is that Obama would do the same and contradict the pessimists and help to restore the troubled national economy. I, particularly hope that he does not keep many of his promises made during his campaign. Some groups estimates that if he keeps all his promises the actual national budget deficit would go from millions of dollars to trillions of the green stuff. It would be not good. However, would those pessimistic political prospections be based on solid facts? or it was, like in the Lula's example, just a panic wide spread during the election by the opponents to impinge some fears on those prone to vote on him. Only time will tell us. But contrary to Lula, Obama never denied that he is not a socialist, or that he does not have ties with extremists. And this is scary. So we might be better off hoping for the best...

Breath... just Breath....

While ago I came across with this article about the words we keep playing in the back of our minds. In fact, according to the author and some studies, those words or phrases can be "killers" or the "motivation" we need to stay alive - like the one in the title. Some times all we have and must do it's stay afloat until the save line come in our rescue.
So, some things that we repeat to ourselves such,"I am such a looser", or "I knew I could not do it", or " I am an idiot" are definitely K I L L E R S. Sadly, it seems that we find it easier to blame ourselves and make it dictate our destinies, since we sentenced ourselves as unable to change.
This is not true. WE ALL CAN CHANGE. In fact, what I like most about this article is that it's fall in what we already know through the gospel. Perfection is a eternal matter, and we can perform better over the time. We were not born to be losers.
Another aspect is that, we should change those mantras for something more positive. If we keep repeating that we CAN DO IT. The attitude alone will exercise a positive influence in our lives, and in the way we face and work our challenges.
I love some of those mantras - quotes that we repeat to ourselves - in that article such as:

"The fear is the mind killer" - this one was what the main character in the book, "Dunne" repeat to himself as he is forced to put his hand inside a box (where nobody knew what was inside) and maybe was to experience unbearable pain. However, as he keep repeating to himself the mantra, he faced the challenge to find out that there was nothing.

"Onward ever, backward never" - this one is so motivating. It was used by this explorer that for some reason I can't find his name right now. But, anyway, he was one of the few explores to cross the dangerous Congo River all the way long, and all by himself. Another reason that I can't forget this quote is because I had just read this article when I left for my dear Ginger's baby shower. It was Caio's baby shower, and Ginger had this cute baby shower where the invitees should give her a bead to make a bracelet that she would use during the deliver. Also, along with the bead, each invitee should share a motivational/inspirational thoughts. So, during the deliver she would look to the bracelet and remember the inspirational thoughts, and feel more courage to bear that hard moment. Unfortunately, I was caught by surprise, and the only thing I could think about was this quote. In fact, when you are in that moment, you can't back-up afterwards. The only way to go is forward. Well, at that moment in my mind it sounded perfect. Of course, not everyone may have share my awkward enlightenment.

"I can do better" - there is no special estory behind, but it's selfexplanatory anyway.

"We are all trying our best" - This one is so helpful to be more understanding with other's shortcommings. It is important to remember that we all are trying, and sometimes, even using the best of our habilities we terribly fail. Like the old say, " The way to hell is paved with good intentions". But instead see things from our own perspective, trying to see through the disaster, someone's real intention to try, would avoid a lot of hard feelings. Years ago in Brazil, one norte american sister was required to bring "mayonese" for 10 people as assignment for a Relief Societe dinner. Everyone became so upset when she brought a huge jar of "mayonese". She could not figure whay everyone was trading looks. Well, in Brazil we call "potato salad" mayonese. Poor sister Anderson did not understand, neither the other brazilian sisters way she brought just the "salad dressing". If they were able to see that she, a mother of 8, was trying to do her very best within her knowledge and habilities.

"Oh God give understand to see the things that I can change and strengh to do it; give me patient to understand and accept the thing that I cannot change, and wisdon to distinguish both." - Completly self explanatory, don't you think?

So, there are many mantras that we can put in our "TOOL KIT". It is very important that we change the things we repeat to ourselves in order to turn the table around. To prove ourselves that we CAN do whatever we want, and we are not LOSERS. Of course, we will make mistakes, but we can learn from them and change our methods, our aprouch. So, if you have some mantras that you would like to share, I would love to hear about:)