Why do we as a people insist on seeing things as black or white? To do so ignores the shades of grey that surround everything and everybody. To view things and people in black and white causes a loss of subtlety and nuance. It takes away the thrill of seeking to know people as individuals and issues as complex.
When are we going to learn the value of debate and discourse? In my opinion, the person who goes right for the inflammatory aspects of an issue, is an example of someone who has not taken the time, or does not have the interest in trying to understand the issue from a 360' perspective. To examine an issue from all sides and from top to bottom can strengthen your own beliefs and opinions or it could change your mind.
It seems to me that the existence of the art of compromise is tenuous. It's all or nothing. It's black or white. Yet, in reality, all or nothing does not work. Our democracy was built on the debate of people with differing views of the way a new country should be built and who understood that to come to agreement together - compromise - would make for a stronger foundation on which the new country could grow.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Chicago or Bust - Looks LIke Bust
So, I had to finally make a very tough decision. I am not in race shape for the Chicago Marathon. It sucks. No other way to say it. This summer has been plagued by small injury after small injury and everytime I would try to catch up on mileage, I couldn't do it. I am super bummed.
However, since one of the tennents of my Abundnant Healthy Living group is to choose the Bright Train, I am going to look at the positive side to all of this.
I can allow my feet to heal over the next month or two and get back on a training schedule for a late spring early summer marathon. I think this experience has taught me that I need a longer training window than I did ten years ago when I ran my first marathon. Face it, 42 is a different than 32. Training for Chicago has brought my weight down, lifted my spirits and brought running back into my life. All amazing things.
So, while Chicago in 2009 is a bust. A spring run in 2010 is definitely on the agenda. And I'll be healthier and faster for that race because I took care of myself now.
Peace.
However, since one of the tennents of my Abundnant Healthy Living group is to choose the Bright Train, I am going to look at the positive side to all of this.
I can allow my feet to heal over the next month or two and get back on a training schedule for a late spring early summer marathon. I think this experience has taught me that I need a longer training window than I did ten years ago when I ran my first marathon. Face it, 42 is a different than 32. Training for Chicago has brought my weight down, lifted my spirits and brought running back into my life. All amazing things.
So, while Chicago in 2009 is a bust. A spring run in 2010 is definitely on the agenda. And I'll be healthier and faster for that race because I took care of myself now.
Peace.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Just Listen
The whole uproar around the remarks President Obama will deliver to our children tomorrow has been stewing in my mind and in my heart for the last week. I understand and respect that not everyone agrees with my point-of-view. I don't expect them to and -in fact- I love a spirited debate with folks from opposing views. I think it keeps me sharp and I believe we can always learn from each other.
I have heard the phrase "I don't want my children indoctrinated." This is stunning to me. I heard this before the White House even released the content of the speech. I would argue that the smart person looks at the content of something before dismissing it out of hand. The content of the speech is something we all need to be reminded of - the value of hard work, the opportunity available to anyone who works hard and believes in the power of their dreams. If you are going to "indoctrinate" someone I would hope it would be into that mindset. This isn't a democrat or republican ideal. No one school of thought owns this way of thinking. We all do. It's a key element to being human and a cornerstone of American culture.
Here's an idea. How about engaging your child(ren) in a debate after the speech? Watch it together. Read it together. If the President says something that is contrary to what your family believes, point it out. Explain why you feel the way you do. Ask for your kids opinions. Let them test the waters of expressing themselves to you. I believe that the fair thing is to expose children to all sides of an issue in a way that is appropriate to age and understanding. This sharpens their critical thinking ability. A person with a 360 view is better able to engage in discussion and seek common ground. The ability to facilitate opposing viewpoints to reach agreement is a valuable skill.
I get so angry at people who go right to partisanship. Listening to the President is not a signal that you agree with him or his policies. It is however, a sign of respect for the office. I happen to be a liberal democrat. I wanted to pull my hair out every time George W. Bush opened his mouth. But, he was the President and I listened - anyone who shoulders the problems of a whole country deserves that. I believe that doing so made me smarter, more aware, and better able to engage in conversation. It did not make me a republican.
President Bush delivered a similar address during his tenure in office. I remember hardly any uproar. And those kids were not "indoctrinated" (at least to my knowledge). I think the difference here is that our ability to communicate effectively via electronic methods has grown so dramatically. It's easier and cheaper to reach out to anyone and everyone - and our kids are the savviest of all.
Tomorrow is an opportunity. For discussion. For inspiration. For the reinforcement of the message of our value system. Plug in.
Peace.
I have heard the phrase "I don't want my children indoctrinated." This is stunning to me. I heard this before the White House even released the content of the speech. I would argue that the smart person looks at the content of something before dismissing it out of hand. The content of the speech is something we all need to be reminded of - the value of hard work, the opportunity available to anyone who works hard and believes in the power of their dreams. If you are going to "indoctrinate" someone I would hope it would be into that mindset. This isn't a democrat or republican ideal. No one school of thought owns this way of thinking. We all do. It's a key element to being human and a cornerstone of American culture.
Here's an idea. How about engaging your child(ren) in a debate after the speech? Watch it together. Read it together. If the President says something that is contrary to what your family believes, point it out. Explain why you feel the way you do. Ask for your kids opinions. Let them test the waters of expressing themselves to you. I believe that the fair thing is to expose children to all sides of an issue in a way that is appropriate to age and understanding. This sharpens their critical thinking ability. A person with a 360 view is better able to engage in discussion and seek common ground. The ability to facilitate opposing viewpoints to reach agreement is a valuable skill.
I get so angry at people who go right to partisanship. Listening to the President is not a signal that you agree with him or his policies. It is however, a sign of respect for the office. I happen to be a liberal democrat. I wanted to pull my hair out every time George W. Bush opened his mouth. But, he was the President and I listened - anyone who shoulders the problems of a whole country deserves that. I believe that doing so made me smarter, more aware, and better able to engage in conversation. It did not make me a republican.
President Bush delivered a similar address during his tenure in office. I remember hardly any uproar. And those kids were not "indoctrinated" (at least to my knowledge). I think the difference here is that our ability to communicate effectively via electronic methods has grown so dramatically. It's easier and cheaper to reach out to anyone and everyone - and our kids are the savviest of all.
Tomorrow is an opportunity. For discussion. For inspiration. For the reinforcement of the message of our value system. Plug in.
Peace.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Training Update
My training for Chicago this last month can be summarized by one word - Ugh!. I have been battling the most random, small injuries that seem to derail me for a few days of RICE. But then the trick becomes when do I make up the lost mileage? Sheesh. I have had groin pulls, stress fractures, back tweeks, and bad attitude days. I should be hitting the 20 mile mark this weekend and that is not looking likely.
So what is going on? Was it too much to think I could train for 26.2 over five months? At 42 do I need a longer training window? Apparantly my body thinks so. Am I just not mentally tough enough right now to push through? Probably. It's funny - when I started running 20 years ago, pushing through an injury in the name of a race was no big deal. Now, I feel like pushing through will lead to a broken hip or something equally associated with being old.
There are three US and one international marathons I have always wanted to do - Marine Corp, Chicago, Boston, and Dublin. So, I am not happy at the prospect of delaying Chicago for a year, but more and more, it looks like that is the decision I will have to make. (insert big sigh)
I am heading out for a run tonight. We'll see how it goes.
Peace.
So what is going on? Was it too much to think I could train for 26.2 over five months? At 42 do I need a longer training window? Apparantly my body thinks so. Am I just not mentally tough enough right now to push through? Probably. It's funny - when I started running 20 years ago, pushing through an injury in the name of a race was no big deal. Now, I feel like pushing through will lead to a broken hip or something equally associated with being old.
There are three US and one international marathons I have always wanted to do - Marine Corp, Chicago, Boston, and Dublin. So, I am not happy at the prospect of delaying Chicago for a year, but more and more, it looks like that is the decision I will have to make. (insert big sigh)
I am heading out for a run tonight. We'll see how it goes.
Peace.
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