There is something I've learned from having a blog. There are stories I cannot tell. There are life lessons I've learned that I simply cannot write about.
It's not because I don't want to. I desperately want to tell people about a couple of specific things I have learned about myself - why I have acted certain ways - why I am who I am. But I can't tell the stories because I would hurt other people's feelings.
I want to tell my truth. But the sad fact is that in telling my truth, I am telling someone else's truth that they don't yet want to face, and certainly don't want me telling. And in doing that I would hurt people's feelings. And I don't want to do that.
As a matter of fact, I question whether I should publish this post - for fear that someone might think it's them that I'm talking about.
So the truth that I want to share, that might help some other people (maybe, but it sounds egocentric!), must stay with me until such a time as it can be shared.
I find it frustrating, but I can't force other peoples' journeys. Well, I could, but then I would have to deal with the repercussions.
Just reflections on my world. Things I'm learning, doing, creating.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Cat vs. Skunk
As I mentioned on my personal Facebook page last night, our almost 7-year-old cat got sprayed by a skunk for the first time last night.
It was also my first time in dealing with an animal that had been sprayed. It was, to say the very least ... unpleasant. Not so much for us, but really painful for the poor cat. I was honestly just glad I was there to help.
The smell of skunk has never bothered me - when we drive by on the road and get a whiff of a dead one, I actually kind of like the smell. It's a whole lot worse close up, but it still didn't bother me too much last night. It was the rest of it that was so bad for the cat.
If anyone is upset by hearing about bodily functions, you might not want to continue reading. I didn't want to post any of this to Facebook because it is rather distressing, but I didn't know how a cat would react to being sprayed in the face by a skunk, so I'm going to share in case any of you ever have to deal with the same situation.
First off, she was completely immobilized. She literally couldn't move more than a few feet. She immediately vomited to get the acrid spray out of her throat. She couldn't open her eyes, and she was frothing at the mouth. I got her into the nearest sink, which happened to be the kitchen and washed her face off with water and a cloth - once I had done as much as I could with that, I passed her off to the hubby, who had obtained a towel and wrapped her in it. And that's when I ran to the iPad and looked up what the hell to do.
Interestingly, a few weeks ago I had either overheard someone or seen on T.V. that tomato juice really isn't a great remedy to skunk spray. Besides, we don't keep tomato juice in the house (but as a lot of you will know, I do have a few jars of canned tomatoes that would have done in a pinch - although that didn't cross my mind in the heat of the moment last night). Instead, I came across an recipe to use:
http://home.earthlink.net/~skunkremedy/home/sk00001.htm
Same recipe is on several sites, and we used it last night, because although we don't keep tomato juice, we do have hydrogen peroxide and baking soda in the house.
Okay - so mixed up the H.P. that we had with some baking soda and a drop or two of soap to get the worst of it off. Although skunks can spray up to 10 feet, apparently they have very good aim, and when in close proximity will spray right for a face. There is absolutely no smell left in the backyard where the spraying happened, so I think the skunk unloaded it all in Jack's face. Poor thing.
Up to the tub and a good washdown with soap and water, and then another mix of the H.P. solution with the stuff we borrowed from our friends across the street (at 11:30 - we have good friends). We also used some human eye drops for her right eye, which she still couldn't open after about an hour. They do say that if the eyes are still irritated to get them to the vet, but by 12:30 or 1 it seemed okay and it's fine this morning.
There were no scratches or blood visible, but rabies is always a concern. Fortunately, I took kitty to the vet this week and she is totally up to date on vaccinations.
Hubby wanted to lock her in the kitchen for the night, which worked for about 1/2 an hour until she was banging so hard it was noisy upstairs. So I went down and got her and snuggled with a slightly smelly cat until she went to sleep.
It was very traumatic, but I'm so glad she didn't have to suffer through that alone with no help. She was happy to stay in last night, by the way.
I did notice this morning that I have a couple of good scratches on my stomach. Not at all a surprise, I'd say.
As an after thought - maybe this is some karma from all the torment she gives the neighbourhood wildlife ....
It was also my first time in dealing with an animal that had been sprayed. It was, to say the very least ... unpleasant. Not so much for us, but really painful for the poor cat. I was honestly just glad I was there to help.
The smell of skunk has never bothered me - when we drive by on the road and get a whiff of a dead one, I actually kind of like the smell. It's a whole lot worse close up, but it still didn't bother me too much last night. It was the rest of it that was so bad for the cat.
If anyone is upset by hearing about bodily functions, you might not want to continue reading. I didn't want to post any of this to Facebook because it is rather distressing, but I didn't know how a cat would react to being sprayed in the face by a skunk, so I'm going to share in case any of you ever have to deal with the same situation.
First off, she was completely immobilized. She literally couldn't move more than a few feet. She immediately vomited to get the acrid spray out of her throat. She couldn't open her eyes, and she was frothing at the mouth. I got her into the nearest sink, which happened to be the kitchen and washed her face off with water and a cloth - once I had done as much as I could with that, I passed her off to the hubby, who had obtained a towel and wrapped her in it. And that's when I ran to the iPad and looked up what the hell to do.
Interestingly, a few weeks ago I had either overheard someone or seen on T.V. that tomato juice really isn't a great remedy to skunk spray. Besides, we don't keep tomato juice in the house (but as a lot of you will know, I do have a few jars of canned tomatoes that would have done in a pinch - although that didn't cross my mind in the heat of the moment last night). Instead, I came across an recipe to use:
http://home.earthlink.net/~skunkremedy/home/sk00001.htm
Same recipe is on several sites, and we used it last night, because although we don't keep tomato juice, we do have hydrogen peroxide and baking soda in the house.
Okay - so mixed up the H.P. that we had with some baking soda and a drop or two of soap to get the worst of it off. Although skunks can spray up to 10 feet, apparently they have very good aim, and when in close proximity will spray right for a face. There is absolutely no smell left in the backyard where the spraying happened, so I think the skunk unloaded it all in Jack's face. Poor thing.
Up to the tub and a good washdown with soap and water, and then another mix of the H.P. solution with the stuff we borrowed from our friends across the street (at 11:30 - we have good friends). We also used some human eye drops for her right eye, which she still couldn't open after about an hour. They do say that if the eyes are still irritated to get them to the vet, but by 12:30 or 1 it seemed okay and it's fine this morning.
There were no scratches or blood visible, but rabies is always a concern. Fortunately, I took kitty to the vet this week and she is totally up to date on vaccinations.
Hubby wanted to lock her in the kitchen for the night, which worked for about 1/2 an hour until she was banging so hard it was noisy upstairs. So I went down and got her and snuggled with a slightly smelly cat until she went to sleep.
It was very traumatic, but I'm so glad she didn't have to suffer through that alone with no help. She was happy to stay in last night, by the way.
I did notice this morning that I have a couple of good scratches on my stomach. Not at all a surprise, I'd say.
As an after thought - maybe this is some karma from all the torment she gives the neighbourhood wildlife ....
Friday, May 31, 2013
Environmental Solution
It just struck me. The ONLY solution to CO2 emissions and the advance of global warming is not a pretty one.
Let's face it, ALL of us (even the rather environmentally-minded of us) will continue to consume (even the ones who are semi-conscious of what we are consuming). We will continue to consume as long as we are able. Because that's who we are. We are not driven by the need to conserve, we have been taught to consume, and that's what we do. Does that sound hopeless? Perhaps.
But here's the nasty solution to it: Poverty. Economic collapse. That is pretty much the only way to get people en masse, especially in the western world, to slow down their absurd consumption.
I read something this morning that said that for people to continue living in anything close to the conditions we currently enjoy, we'll have to keep CO2 emissions to under 350 ppm. Well, we hit 400 ppm this year quite recently. Only the uber-concerned heard about it. The "news" didn't report it. Because the "news" is based on ratings and the environment doesn't raise them.
What people don't realize is that with global warming continuing like it is, life is going to change drastically. Not just for people living near the ocean with rising sea levels. But for EVERYONE. We are so complacent. So stuck in our ways. So used to being taken care of (really, if you don't get that sentence, you probably will never understand any of this - we are COMPLETELY taken care of - our government and economic structure takes care of all of our needs. All we do is earn money to pay for their services - think about it. What happens if there's no food at the grocery store? If the transportation system can no longer get food to your area? What then? What happens if the Hospital has no supplies? - we have put our entire lives into the hands of our government. Think about that). Life will not ever be as good as it is right now. And because we are complacent and enjoying it, we won't make our lives a little less comfortable for the future. Not because we're assholes, but because we're human. And, in reality, it's the wealthy humans who are probably causing the most trouble. I am one of them. And I am human. And I am aware, but I also do not do everything I could to solve the problem. Not even close.
The same pattern can be seen over and over again in human history. But never before have we had 7 billion people on the planet so inter-connected. Before we've seen cultural/economic/environmental collapse on smaller scales - a country, an island, a small continent. But not globally. We really are in trouble. And simply by writing this post I might be pissing off readers .... because we really don't want to face it. The human race, as a whole, is in denial.
Fortunately, there are groups out there fighting the fight. I share information, but in reality, I don't walk the walk. I should do far more than I do. But I'm not forced to. So I don't. That's the truth of it. And I do more than most people I know.
In actuality, it is indeed a very "interesting" time to be living in. The ancient Chinese curse is upon us ("may you live in interesting times").
If you want to know where the CO2 is coming from, read this article - it is worth noting.
Let's face it, ALL of us (even the rather environmentally-minded of us) will continue to consume (even the ones who are semi-conscious of what we are consuming). We will continue to consume as long as we are able. Because that's who we are. We are not driven by the need to conserve, we have been taught to consume, and that's what we do. Does that sound hopeless? Perhaps.
But here's the nasty solution to it: Poverty. Economic collapse. That is pretty much the only way to get people en masse, especially in the western world, to slow down their absurd consumption.
I read something this morning that said that for people to continue living in anything close to the conditions we currently enjoy, we'll have to keep CO2 emissions to under 350 ppm. Well, we hit 400 ppm this year quite recently. Only the uber-concerned heard about it. The "news" didn't report it. Because the "news" is based on ratings and the environment doesn't raise them.
What people don't realize is that with global warming continuing like it is, life is going to change drastically. Not just for people living near the ocean with rising sea levels. But for EVERYONE. We are so complacent. So stuck in our ways. So used to being taken care of (really, if you don't get that sentence, you probably will never understand any of this - we are COMPLETELY taken care of - our government and economic structure takes care of all of our needs. All we do is earn money to pay for their services - think about it. What happens if there's no food at the grocery store? If the transportation system can no longer get food to your area? What then? What happens if the Hospital has no supplies? - we have put our entire lives into the hands of our government. Think about that). Life will not ever be as good as it is right now. And because we are complacent and enjoying it, we won't make our lives a little less comfortable for the future. Not because we're assholes, but because we're human. And, in reality, it's the wealthy humans who are probably causing the most trouble. I am one of them. And I am human. And I am aware, but I also do not do everything I could to solve the problem. Not even close.
The same pattern can be seen over and over again in human history. But never before have we had 7 billion people on the planet so inter-connected. Before we've seen cultural/economic/environmental collapse on smaller scales - a country, an island, a small continent. But not globally. We really are in trouble. And simply by writing this post I might be pissing off readers .... because we really don't want to face it. The human race, as a whole, is in denial.
Fortunately, there are groups out there fighting the fight. I share information, but in reality, I don't walk the walk. I should do far more than I do. But I'm not forced to. So I don't. That's the truth of it. And I do more than most people I know.
In actuality, it is indeed a very "interesting" time to be living in. The ancient Chinese curse is upon us ("may you live in interesting times").
If you want to know where the CO2 is coming from, read this article - it is worth noting.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
10 pounds!!
Well, as of this morning I stepped on the scale and I had hit 136.6 pounds. Since September, I have lost 10 pounds .... since September!! When I embarked on this journey, I thought it would be a breeze to drop 7 pounds before heading to California for Halloween.
Well, nothing about this journey has been a breeze. I had heard that after you hit 40 years old your metabolism changes drastically and it is harder to lose weight - but I wasn't sure I believed it. I do now. Plus, when you get older, you need fewer calories, but it is really hard to re-train your brain to eat less.
I also learned that I am most definitely an emotional eater. Recognizing that has been a revelation. And although I'm not sure I've conquered it, being aware is the first step, right? Knowing that there is a non-life-supporting reason for my eating is important.
I don't think I am the healthiest eater that I could be. There is still a chocolate addiction I need to face up to. But I managed to lose the weight even with chocolate pretty much every day.
As I mentioned before, I signed up for an account on www.myfitnesspal.com - and it has been a great tool.
I really do understand that I am not currently overweight. And I know a lot of people struggle far more than I do with food (to the point of addiction, which I am not at), with emotional eating and with weight loss, but each of us has our own personal journey and experience. For me, 147 was the number beyond which I was not willing to go. Because I never want to be THIS heavy again (taken when I was probably 155 or 160lbs several years ago - around 2004 or 2005):
Well, nothing about this journey has been a breeze. I had heard that after you hit 40 years old your metabolism changes drastically and it is harder to lose weight - but I wasn't sure I believed it. I do now. Plus, when you get older, you need fewer calories, but it is really hard to re-train your brain to eat less.
I also learned that I am most definitely an emotional eater. Recognizing that has been a revelation. And although I'm not sure I've conquered it, being aware is the first step, right? Knowing that there is a non-life-supporting reason for my eating is important.
I don't think I am the healthiest eater that I could be. There is still a chocolate addiction I need to face up to. But I managed to lose the weight even with chocolate pretty much every day.
As I mentioned before, I signed up for an account on www.myfitnesspal.com - and it has been a great tool.
I really do understand that I am not currently overweight. And I know a lot of people struggle far more than I do with food (to the point of addiction, which I am not at), with emotional eating and with weight loss, but each of us has our own personal journey and experience. For me, 147 was the number beyond which I was not willing to go. Because I never want to be THIS heavy again (taken when I was probably 155 or 160lbs several years ago - around 2004 or 2005):
But I would like to be closer to THIS weight (taken in 2007 when I was probably 130 or just under):
Amazing the difference 25 or 30 pounds makes to how you look - but more amazing is the difference in how you feel. I much prefer to look and feel like that skinny chick in the bottom picture - although I'd have to lose another 10 pounds to get there.
What it really comes down to, though, is that I still feel like me, no matter how much I weigh. And fortunately I have a husband who loves me no matter what. So it's not like my lifestyle, relationship or quality of life is greatly affected by an extra few pounds. But a little bit of extra weight can really affect self esteem, and it can cause health problems, too - even an extra 15 or 20 pounds.
Not sure where I'll go from here - but I'm hoping to not go UP!! Not sure if I'll aim to lose a few more pounds - maybe get to 135 again. But I've taken a step in the right direction, even if it took a long time, and I know how my body has changed. It just took a really long time.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Blah days
Emotional night last night. Worked through some issues that have been going around in my head for 40+ years. But it was draining. And today has just been, well, BLAH. It shouldn't be. Life is grand. But the day is blah. I suspect it is just emotional exhaustion - a hangover, if you will. And it's a necessary part of the process. What process?? Well, the process of getting to know myself and my world - which is, I believe, the reason for being here on this plane at all.
Everyone experiences blah days - for whatever reasons. I'm not unique, I'm not special. But because of the anxiety issues that I recognize in myself, I sometimes wander into the realm of wondering how much worse my issues are than other peoples. And that's where I pull myself up short.
Because my problems aren't worse than other people. They may be different than some people's issues, but they are certainly not as challenging as what some other people deal with (I haven't spent 10 years dying from brain tumours, for instance). And they definitely don't make me special (because everyone, to some degree or another, goes through pretty much the same things ... but in different ways). I go through what I go through. I don't feel sorry for myself. I just deal with it the best way I know how.
My issues don't make me special. They make me me. The way I deal with them might make me happier than I would be otherwise, but as soon as you start to compare your problems with someone else's, that's when the ego wins out ... and you lose.
So today .... Blah. But this blah - this emotional rest - is probably just the proof of a letting go - and the promise of yet another piece of my puzzle being put into place. The promise of more better days in the future.
That's what we're here for, people. To get to know who we are. To understand ourselves in the reflection of the world. To learn. As soon as you start to grasp that (which I'm beginning to), the sooner you can start working toward true happiness.
So today, blah could easily equal future happiness.
Yay!
Everyone experiences blah days - for whatever reasons. I'm not unique, I'm not special. But because of the anxiety issues that I recognize in myself, I sometimes wander into the realm of wondering how much worse my issues are than other peoples. And that's where I pull myself up short.
Because my problems aren't worse than other people. They may be different than some people's issues, but they are certainly not as challenging as what some other people deal with (I haven't spent 10 years dying from brain tumours, for instance). And they definitely don't make me special (because everyone, to some degree or another, goes through pretty much the same things ... but in different ways). I go through what I go through. I don't feel sorry for myself. I just deal with it the best way I know how.
My issues don't make me special. They make me me. The way I deal with them might make me happier than I would be otherwise, but as soon as you start to compare your problems with someone else's, that's when the ego wins out ... and you lose.
So today .... Blah. But this blah - this emotional rest - is probably just the proof of a letting go - and the promise of yet another piece of my puzzle being put into place. The promise of more better days in the future.
That's what we're here for, people. To get to know who we are. To understand ourselves in the reflection of the world. To learn. As soon as you start to grasp that (which I'm beginning to), the sooner you can start working toward true happiness.
So today, blah could easily equal future happiness.
Yay!
Friday, May 17, 2013
Cars and climate change
Our car is 10 years old. We own a Toyota Corolla. At the time, it had very good emissions compared with other vehicles. It's been a good car. It's still going strong.
But because it is a decade old, we have been keeping an eye on other cars and considering which one will replace this one when the time comes. The other day we got a great offer in the mail from Toyota to replace this one - cash incentives and 0% interest. Sounds good - and we were tempted. But the truth of the matter is that the least expensive option is still our current car.
When we do get a new car, we'd like it to be a hybrid. And the one we would like is a Toyota Prius (one of the 3 styles, anyhow). And they are expensive. I think it was going to be $215 every 2 weeks (or maybe it was more). A new Corolla is a lot cheaper. It would cost us less. And it is tempting.
If you've been following my blog for any length of time, you'll know that I am a bit of an environmentalist. But over the past year or so, my convictions have weakened. I've actually allowed over-packaged granola bars and Babybel cheeses back into the house. I've not been bombarded with news about climate change - partly because I unsubscribed to many of the Facebook pages that I used to read regularly. It was just too depressing.
And then an article comes along like this one: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/11/us-climate-carbon-idUSBRE9490YD20130511
And another like this one: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/may/17/global-warming-not-stalled-climate#start-of-commentshttp://bit.ly/14s0XSE
And I realize that the cost of our vehicle to us, in dollars, every two weeks, is maybe not as important as reducing our carbon emissions. And if we CAN afford to do it, maybe we should.
But, I still feel that using the old vehicle is better - maybe not for emissions, but for the use of metals and plastics and new materials. So we'll use it until it is no longer viable. Then we will likely take the dive and spend a little more on a vehicle that puts out fewer emissions. It feels like a responsibility that we shouldn't be slack on simply because of money (that we have but might rather put into a vacation or dinners out).
But because it is a decade old, we have been keeping an eye on other cars and considering which one will replace this one when the time comes. The other day we got a great offer in the mail from Toyota to replace this one - cash incentives and 0% interest. Sounds good - and we were tempted. But the truth of the matter is that the least expensive option is still our current car.
When we do get a new car, we'd like it to be a hybrid. And the one we would like is a Toyota Prius (one of the 3 styles, anyhow). And they are expensive. I think it was going to be $215 every 2 weeks (or maybe it was more). A new Corolla is a lot cheaper. It would cost us less. And it is tempting.
If you've been following my blog for any length of time, you'll know that I am a bit of an environmentalist. But over the past year or so, my convictions have weakened. I've actually allowed over-packaged granola bars and Babybel cheeses back into the house. I've not been bombarded with news about climate change - partly because I unsubscribed to many of the Facebook pages that I used to read regularly. It was just too depressing.
And then an article comes along like this one: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/11/us-climate-carbon-idUSBRE9490YD20130511
And another like this one: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/may/17/global-warming-not-stalled-climate#start-of-commentshttp://bit.ly/14s0XSE
And I realize that the cost of our vehicle to us, in dollars, every two weeks, is maybe not as important as reducing our carbon emissions. And if we CAN afford to do it, maybe we should.
But, I still feel that using the old vehicle is better - maybe not for emissions, but for the use of metals and plastics and new materials. So we'll use it until it is no longer viable. Then we will likely take the dive and spend a little more on a vehicle that puts out fewer emissions. It feels like a responsibility that we shouldn't be slack on simply because of money (that we have but might rather put into a vacation or dinners out).
Boobs and Gay Marriage - why I'm bothered at all
Okay, so it happened. A couple of things came across FB in the past couple of days that pointed out a major human flaw to me yet again. And so I am back to the blog and posting on it.
Let me first point out the two things.
So Angelina Jolie had a double mastectomy - unless you live under a rock, you probably heard about it this week. Her mother died at 56 from breast cancer. She has the gene that means that she has an 87% chance of getting breast cancer. This was probably the hardest decision of her life. Because she is a public figure, she has to tell people in a way she feels comfortable with and after the fact. She chose the New York Times, apparently.
I have no problem with any of it, it's her life. However, the very next day, a FB page called "Farmacology" (okay, I thought it was called that, but now I can't find it, it might have been another one, but now I can't find the post at all. Maybe they removed it), which I used to like, posted an article (either exactly this article, or one just like it) that was criticizing Jolie for being a patsy to Western Medicine and getting an operation which wasn't necessary. And that she was apparently talked into it by money-grubbing surgeons who only wanted to make a profit. Well, I commented on their post saying that it was none of their business what choices she made for her body and that unless they were her and had gone through what she had, they shouldn't criticize. My comment was blocked and I wasn't allowed to comment again.
"Unlike" Farmacology (or whatever it was). If they can't handle an honest critique, I want nothing to do with them (says the woman who wouldn't take comments on her blog because she couldn't handle harassment ... but that's a different story ... in this case, I wasn't harassing. I was commenting).
The other thing that came across this morning was George Takei's response to young Christian kids putting down gay marriage. Here it is if you missed it. As always, George took a hate situation and put a humourous spin on it. Love George.
So how are these two things tied together? And what human flaw is pointed out to me yet again?
Here it is: there are over 7 billion of us on this planet now, right? Each one of us has our own life experience, our own belief system and our own point of view, right? So what makes any of us think that our point of view and belief system can make up the rules for the other 7 billion+?? And what makes us think we have the right to criticize people just because they have a different opinion and/or way of living.
That guy who wrote the op/ed about Jolie being duped - well, he wasn't Angelina Jolie watching her mother die at the age of 56. He isn't a famous, beautiful actress with 6 children married to Brad Pitt. He doesn't have her life, her experiences or even BREASTS. So who the hell's business is it of his if she wants to live her life contrary to what he believes?
And I know there are a lot of people out there who do not understand homosexuality. I have adorable, loving friends who don't believe that people should be homosexual. But just because you don't understand it does not mean you need to fear it. Just because you believe it is a sin to be a homosexual, does not make it so for everyone else. Just because it's not how YOU live your life, does not mean it isn't how someone else is most comfortable living theirs.
I personally don't believe that God created anyone in any way that is contrary to nature. God uses nature to create. God uses us to create. We are all part of nature. So anything that exists on this planet that does not directly hurt anyone else .... well, it's none of your business. If, in your opinion, these men and women are going to hell .... why does it matter? It's not you. Let them be happy. (Just to clarify, the God I believe in wouldn't send anyone to hell for loving someone else ... ever!)
Believe me ... I am not perfect. I'm still working on letting other people (especially family) live their lives without inserting my opinions. But I AM working on it. I fail. We all do. But I strive toward open-mindedness and allowing others to live the best way for them.
There is a line, however. If someone is doing something that harms another, then I'll take offence. For instance - you really shouldn't kill other people. It's not a good thing. It's really, really bad. So just don't kill anyone, okay.
Joe Biden won my life-long respect when he voiced it as well as anyone could while talking about abortion:
Your personal beliefs do not give you a right to impose limits on others. And they do not give you the right to criticize.
I learn from many different sources. Christianity is one - and they have some good rules to live by. But Wicca puts it most succinctly: "an ye harm none, do what ye will." (still leaves some things open to interpretation, but covers most things pretty well).
Let me first point out the two things.
So Angelina Jolie had a double mastectomy - unless you live under a rock, you probably heard about it this week. Her mother died at 56 from breast cancer. She has the gene that means that she has an 87% chance of getting breast cancer. This was probably the hardest decision of her life. Because she is a public figure, she has to tell people in a way she feels comfortable with and after the fact. She chose the New York Times, apparently.
I have no problem with any of it, it's her life. However, the very next day, a FB page called "Farmacology" (okay, I thought it was called that, but now I can't find it, it might have been another one, but now I can't find the post at all. Maybe they removed it), which I used to like, posted an article (either exactly this article, or one just like it) that was criticizing Jolie for being a patsy to Western Medicine and getting an operation which wasn't necessary. And that she was apparently talked into it by money-grubbing surgeons who only wanted to make a profit. Well, I commented on their post saying that it was none of their business what choices she made for her body and that unless they were her and had gone through what she had, they shouldn't criticize. My comment was blocked and I wasn't allowed to comment again.
"Unlike" Farmacology (or whatever it was). If they can't handle an honest critique, I want nothing to do with them (says the woman who wouldn't take comments on her blog because she couldn't handle harassment ... but that's a different story ... in this case, I wasn't harassing. I was commenting).
The other thing that came across this morning was George Takei's response to young Christian kids putting down gay marriage. Here it is if you missed it. As always, George took a hate situation and put a humourous spin on it. Love George.
So how are these two things tied together? And what human flaw is pointed out to me yet again?
Here it is: there are over 7 billion of us on this planet now, right? Each one of us has our own life experience, our own belief system and our own point of view, right? So what makes any of us think that our point of view and belief system can make up the rules for the other 7 billion+?? And what makes us think we have the right to criticize people just because they have a different opinion and/or way of living.
That guy who wrote the op/ed about Jolie being duped - well, he wasn't Angelina Jolie watching her mother die at the age of 56. He isn't a famous, beautiful actress with 6 children married to Brad Pitt. He doesn't have her life, her experiences or even BREASTS. So who the hell's business is it of his if she wants to live her life contrary to what he believes?
And I know there are a lot of people out there who do not understand homosexuality. I have adorable, loving friends who don't believe that people should be homosexual. But just because you don't understand it does not mean you need to fear it. Just because you believe it is a sin to be a homosexual, does not make it so for everyone else. Just because it's not how YOU live your life, does not mean it isn't how someone else is most comfortable living theirs.
I personally don't believe that God created anyone in any way that is contrary to nature. God uses nature to create. God uses us to create. We are all part of nature. So anything that exists on this planet that does not directly hurt anyone else .... well, it's none of your business. If, in your opinion, these men and women are going to hell .... why does it matter? It's not you. Let them be happy. (Just to clarify, the God I believe in wouldn't send anyone to hell for loving someone else ... ever!)
Believe me ... I am not perfect. I'm still working on letting other people (especially family) live their lives without inserting my opinions. But I AM working on it. I fail. We all do. But I strive toward open-mindedness and allowing others to live the best way for them.
There is a line, however. If someone is doing something that harms another, then I'll take offence. For instance - you really shouldn't kill other people. It's not a good thing. It's really, really bad. So just don't kill anyone, okay.
Joe Biden won my life-long respect when he voiced it as well as anyone could while talking about abortion:
Your personal beliefs do not give you a right to impose limits on others. And they do not give you the right to criticize.
I learn from many different sources. Christianity is one - and they have some good rules to live by. But Wicca puts it most succinctly: "an ye harm none, do what ye will." (still leaves some things open to interpretation, but covers most things pretty well).
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