Change begins with Ourselves

Often times, we have more advice on what other people need to change than ourselves. That is because we do not see ourselves the same way as others do. But when told how we can better ourselves, what do we do with this information? Do we shrug it off as a mere 'judgment', or do we take heed and become more aware of our actions? Sometimes it is bigger than our actions, which makes some things harder to change than others. It is easy to say "I've always been this way" or "This is how I am." The challenge is to take that part of yourself and see what you can do to change it to become a better person. To do this, there are 3 things you should understand:
1. Personal change begins at the level of thought.
2. Personal change is produced at the level of action.
3. Personal change is maintained at the level of habit. If you know these key points, you will be more aware of yourself and your behavior. Remember: Everything changes. Some we have control over, some we don't. But one thing we can control, is how much we can change OURSELVES.

Today's Education

Parents of students that attend Prince George's County public schools are angry right now, including myself. At the school board's budget meeting yesterday, it was announced that the Governor has approved over 1000 positions be cut throughout our school system. These cuts include everything from teachers to guidance counselors, and even librarians. what kind of impact will that have on our kids' education. And be mindful that this is NOT the first time this has happened in the past decade. I guess when you have children involved, it becomes more of a reality to you than when you don't. But even if you do not have children, you must know that these are the children of our future. This is the next generation. The children who will one day be adults and have to help shape American to keep it going once we pass. We can not and should not allow things like this to continue to happen. if our money is not going to education, where is it going? That is one of the biggest questions a lot of concerned parents have. Even Obama himself said in the State of the Union address last week, that "education is the country's #1 priority." Oh yeah?? How can we tell? We are so far behind other countries as far as our level of education goes--attendance, curriculum, # of students in secondary school, etc. you have to be poor to even give your children a head start in school, and you can live across the street from someone who goes to school in a different county with much higher expectations and more support to help them achieve excellence. There is no reason that we should have to cut expenses for anything that will better help us toward a better future. And our children and their education IS THE FUTURE.

Is Teen Pregnancy glorified in America?

I'm sick of TV showing these teen pregnancy shows. Even if they aren't glorifying it, teens may see if that way. They don't understand that judgment is the last thing we develop. So is the topic a taboo one? Well, just last week I heard in the news that 90 teenage girls were reported to be pregnant in a high school in Tennessee. Apparently these girls made a pact to become pregnant at the same time. How does this happen? Coincidently, the LifeTime channel had a movie sometime last year called "Pregnancy Pact", which was said to be based on a true story. I will never understand how 90 teenage girls can disregard their futures and any possible consequences and commit to becoming pregnant at such a young age. This has to stop. When will we start paying closer attention to our teens? What can be the cause of this? how do we stop things like this from happening? And to take a closer look at the root of the problem, what is causing these girls to WANT to be a mother at such a young age? In my opinion, there is simply not enough for them to do. The less there is to do, the more opportunities they have to mess up. The other factor would be a lack of attention/self-esteem. Maybe if there were more two parent or blended households, we could save more of these teens from the likely struggle that is to come from being a teen parent. It takes a villiage to raise a child.

Open Relationships vs. Cheating

Why does it seem like more people look down on open relationships than cheating. I believe I can say this because of my personal experiences.
Now I do understand that certain religions and religious beliefs do not allow for or condone extramarital relationships. But let's take out the factor of religion for just a minute. Is it safe to say that people will cheat before they will openly discuss being with other people with their partner? I would say so. My husband and I did a non-intrusive survey and asked people would they ever be in an open relationship. 8 out of 10 said no. I'm going to guess that at least half of those people have cheated in a prior or current relationship. People are quicker to break up because of infidelity, but sometimes that is the only issue they have. Just like you cannot help what sex you're attracted to, you cannot help how many of them you're attracted to whether it be physically, mentally, or intellectually. Now of course that doesn't excuse ANY type of behavior.
All I'm saying is if more people were open to the idea of being in an open relationship a lot of relationships could be salvaged. I think there would also be less problems that are caused by one cheating:
pregnancy, STD's, drama, jealousy, insecurity, lack of trust, lack of communication, rage, etc. These are just a few issues that come from cheating. I think it's time that we stop ignoring these issues and start trying to come up with an alternative or 'solution' to this epidemic called CHEATING!!!

Loyalty

Ever feel bad for not being there for someone but when you think about it they're never there for you? I don't know why but it seems like I am always there for people but when I need them, they are nowhere to be found. And when in the moment, you don't even think about it but looking back they don't even ask you how you are doing or could care less. I have a friend that only calls me when she needs something. When I am in a tough situation, you can count on her not to answer her phone, or to say she'll call me 'right back' (we've all heard that one before). And yeah maybe that's my fault because I don't say anything. But genuinely, I want her to know she can depend on me. Why isn't that reciprocated? I mean I know we all have busy lives but how many of us can truly say we have a friend that no matter how long you go without talking will always be there when you need them? Not many. I know I can't say that. So when you do, make sure you don't take them for granted because you never know how much they depend on your loyalty as much as you depend on theirs.