Odd and Misunderstood

Everyone I know listens to music and loves at least one genre. There are also many people who hate certain types of music (some examples of people I know are country and heavy metal haters). But that doesn’t mean that any certain type of music is “bad”. And, for popular artists (ie Nickelback, Celine Dion) I always find it interesting when people say that they hate them because they’re “bad”. Or that all of Nickelback’s songs sound the same. Or that other people don’t know good music.

Well, I think those people are foolish and silly.  Who can really say if a band as big as Nickelback is bad? They’re not. Millions of people love them (myself included). There aren’t any bands that I “hate”. Rarely can you find a band/type of music who I won’t listen to. I appreciate them for what they are – artists. They are doing what they love to do and there are many of them who are really good at what they do.

I give props to anyone who writes music, performs in front of thousands of people, produces an album, etc. They exist as they do because they entertain us and some of them do it so well that they are very very rich. Who wouldn’t want to do what they love and make a lot of money from it? I certainly wouldn’t complain.

I just find it really tiring, annoying and a waste for when people have so much hatred for something. If you really don’t like something that much, don’t waste energy “hating” them/it. Use that energy in a positive way and direct it towards doing something good or spending your time doing something you love.

Just a suggestion for all you “haters”.

It’s much more fun loving something than hating something.

And much more rewarding.

Popularity: 95% [?]

So I have an issue with the problem of charities, causes and companies who make a difference yet their success depends on their ability to market.

If you’ve read Freakonomics, you can get a bit of a sense for what I’m talking about. For example, people are more afraid of guns killing children than children drowning yet way more kids drown in swimming pools than are killed by guns.

In a similar (but much less morbid) way, a company like the Canadian Red Cross’s success for blood donations doesn’t depend on the actual impact it has on our lives but rather on the Red Cross’s ability to inform the public about donating blood. However, their tagline “Blood – it’s in you to give” is such an accurate line that I wish more people would realize just how important it is to donate and go on a regular basis; not simply when they feel compelled after seeing a commercial.

As well, when the earthquake hit Haiti, the world came together in a huge way and sent a ton of aid to those in need; however, what about all the people in our own country and cities who need our help? Why don’t we help them out instead/as well as?

I’m all for helping causes that matter but I think instead of being influenced by marketing and being told that “for less than a dollar a day…” etc, we should instead really think about what we care about and support those causes – either with our time or our money. There are so many reports about how organizations don’t allocate the money they receive very evenly (ie too much goes to administration costs) or how a lot of the money never reaches the intended target due to legal issues so instead I think we should think more locally where we can be sure that our help will have a real impact.

We see so many commercials but if everyone wants our money perhaps don’t give it to anyone; instead why not give them our time? Just a thought.

Popularity: 55% [?]

When you want to do something, whether it’s apply for a job, try out for a sports team or set a goal, who do you listen to?

Do you let your friends tell you what you can or cannot do?

Do you let your parents?

Your boss?

Or yourself?

Of everyone, shouldn’t you listen to yourself?

So why is it that so often we let what others say dictate our decisions? Why don’t we instead know what we want, believe in ourself and go for it? By not doing something we fail. By doing it, the worst case is fail; best case is success. So there is no do not; there is only do. Think about that. And go for it.

Popularity: 48% [?]

I’ve read a few articles now which deal with this issue. The first was from Reader’s Digest and an interview with President Obama. They were asking him a lot of religious questions and one in particular, they asked him about abortion. He spoke about unplanned pregnancies and how instead of focusing on the actual fact that they are pregnant and what we should do about that, we should instead focus on why they’re becoming pregnant in the first place. Prevention versus treatment of the issue. (not to say treatment isn’t important…but it doesn’t solve the core problem)

The second article I read was from Seth Godin’s blog and it was titled “Bear Shaving“. Seth is a leader in market thinking and has some great perceptions into how things are done, how they should be done, and why they end up being done the way they are. He used several examples but the one about bears spoke to shaving a bear so it could deal with global warming instead of actually dealing with the global warming issue.

There exist many examples of “bear shaving” and the way to fix this approach is two-fold. Find a way to treat the issue, but more importantly, find a prevention to the issue. We tend to focus on the treatment because it’s in our face. It’s a short term solution and so we feel as though something is being done when in reality it’s not at all. We need to shift out thinking and realize that we need to educate people about things that are happening to cause the issue in the end.

A great example of this is the obesity problem. There are so many drug companies developing all these “miracle” cures and pills and drinks and diets and it’s all Bullshit. What we need to do (and watch The Biggest Loser for proof) is to 1) Eat well and 2) Exercise. This needs to start with our children. When I was a kid I played sports, my mom/dad would cook for us and we never had to worry about weight. But, as our kids grow up and have kids of their own, the problem only gets worse. Families who don’t know about proper nutrition and exercise need to be educated. Our kids need to get back into sports and eat less junk. This will lead to a larger prevention of obesity. Diets and drugs only work so long. There needs to be a shift in our thinking. And healthier people equals happier people equals a better world.

The next time you encounter a problem, ask yourself “am I about to shave a bear?”

Popularity: 15% [?]

I’d like to introduce this post with an excerpt from Martin Luther King Jr’s speech titled “Love Your Enemies” on November 17, 1957.

Now, I’m aware of the fact that some people will not like you, not because of something you have done to them, but they just won’t like you. I’m quite aware of that. Some people aren’t going to like the way you walk; some people aren’t going to like the way you talk. Some people aren’t going to like you because you can do your job better than they can do theirs. Some people aren’t going to like you because other people like you, and because you’re popular, and because you’re well-liked, they aren’t going to like you. Some people aren’t going to like you because your hair is a little shorter than theirs or your hair is a little longer than theirs. Some people aren’t going to like you because your skin is a little brighter than theirs; and others aren’t going to like you because your skin is a little darker than theirs.

But after looking at these things and admitting these things, we must face the fact that an individual might dislike us because of something that we’ve done deep down in the past, some personality attribute that we possess, something that we’ve done deep down in the past and we’ve forgotten about it; but it was that something that aroused the hate response within the individual. That is why I say, begin with yourself. There might be something within you that arouses the tragic hate response in the other individual.

What do we do when we encounter someone who doesn’t like us?

There are 2 things we can do.

The first is to not worry about it. Life is too short to worry what someone else thinks of us. If they can’t like us for who we are then that’s their problem; not ours.

And the second, as Dr. King alludes to, is that perhaps there is something within us which has evoked the emotion of dislike from the other person. If that exists, explore that. If it doesn’t, then see scenario number 1 above.

Popularity: 5% [?]

We all know someone like this.

• You say how you read that something wasn’t great – but they say that the person who wrote that is an idiot.
• You say how you’re loving a song by a band – and they say how terrible that band is
• You give your opinion about something – and they say that your opinion is stupid.

Why do these people behave this way? Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. That’s the great thing about everyone being different. But what compels them to shoot down someone else’s opinion? In the grand scheme of things, noone is really ever “right”. When someone says a movie is bad…that’s their opinion. There’s no way to determine if it’s bad or not; it’s all subjective. So why do people insist on trying to be that? I think the best thing you can do is appreciate everyone for being an individual and having their own opinion and cherish everyone for being their own person. And for those people who choose to knock other people; they’re not worth the time.

Popularity: 3% [?]

When you’re in a rush, would you stop to help someone else out?

When you’re stuck in traffic late for work, would you stop and help someone change a flat tire?

When you’re late for an appointment and someone gets stuck, do you help push them out?

Why not? Because it’s not your fault that they need help?
Because your appointment is more important than helping them out?

What if they are on their way to an important surgery?

What if the situation was reversed?

Case in point:

In September 2005, I was jogging before I had to leave to teach skating lessons. My plan was to finish my run around 4, jump on the bus and be at skating for 5. However, as I was nearing the end of my run, I passed by an older woman who was having a hard time walking. I passed by her, but turned around and started walking backwards to see if she would be ok. She ended up grabbing ahold of a lamp post and slumped down. I ran back to see if she was ok. I didn’t have my phone on me, but went to a construction site across the street, borrowed their phone and after getting her number, called her house; no answer. Luckily another woman was walking by and told me there was a fire station close by, so we took the older woman there so they could help her out. They took my information and called me the next day. Apparently she had gone for a walk but had gotten disoriented, walked something like 30 blocks away from her house and had gotten lost. They took her home, her husband had been very worried about her and they sent me a certificate in the mail thanking me for helping her out. I was a bit late for work, but I understood that helping her out was more important than getting to work on time.

I encourage you that the next time you’re in a rush and see someone needing help, take a few seconds to think about giving them a hand. You never know when you might need help from someone else.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Do you ever get down and it seems to perpetuate and you wonder what’s going on with you, and then other people start to notice as well? Does it happen to correspond with a lack of exercise/eating properly? Funny how they seem to go hand in hand.

Now, I’m no expert on the psychology or nutrition but I’ve talked to several people who are and it seems to be a simple formula to me.

Exercise + healthy eating = Your body and mind working better

Our bodies are the most elaborate machine ever created. If you think about how much we take care of our cars and our houses and other things we’ve bought, doesn’t it seem odd that we don’t put the same care into the maintenance of our bodies and minds? Sure we haven’t purchased those, but our bodies and minds make life possible and without those, we don’t have anything else.

At times it’s easy to lose track of what we’re doing because we get caught in all the bullshit of our daily lives, but if we take the time everyday to do something good for our bodies and minds you will definitely notice your “machine” running much more efficiently.

Even 30 mins per day of something. Go for a run. Read a good book. Go to bed 30 minutes early. Take the time to make time for yourself.

Popularity: 2% [?]

I watched The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, for the 2nd time, tonight. And wow. Although I knew the story line and what to expect, it still moved me. There are many levels to this movie and many things I could talk about, but I also don’t want to give the movie away for those who haven’t watched it.

I want to talk about what is right. And for whom. The Germans thought that it was right to capture Jews and kill them. We obviously know that it’s wrong to persecute someone based on their beliefs (well at least we should). I’ve talked to people about this and there is a fine line between what people define as religion and a belief system. A religion doesn’t (IMHO) allow for interpretation. Whatever is written is what you have to believe and follow. A belief system allows you to pick and choose what you believe in for every situation. I believe in the latter. And I believe that religion has caused more harm to man (err human)kind than anything else. Why? Because people get very angry when someone doesn’t share their belief.

But let’s take this a step further.

What is the right job to have?
What are the right clothes to wear?
What is the right car to buy?

We are so concerned about what is right and what matters to other people instead of doing something for us and because that is what we believe in. Ok sure, people can believe they should have a Coach purse because by having one, that means you are in style. However, why do we believe this? Were it not for marketing (the whole goal of which is to attempt to tell us what we WANT to have). Not that we should make a decision. But that we “want” a particular type of purse or car or watch.

Why won’t we ignore all the noise and bullshit which we’re exposed to on a daily basis and make our own decisions based on what we truly WANT to have. Think about growing up. What did you have. What made you happy? I can guarantee that growing up I didn’t have a lot of possessions or eat out a lot, but I’m not going to give my kids all that I “didn’t have”. I had more than most could ever dream of; a loving family, all the opportunity in the world to play sports and best of all, parents who cared enough to teach me about being a good person. For that, I will be forever grateful.

All I’m saying is that you shouldn’t believe something because someone says so. If a kid is bullying someone, step in and stop them. Let’s start caring more about what matters instead of the extra crap that we spend so much time and money worrying about.

If we did this, our world would be a much more aware place to live in and people would care so much more about each other.

How great would that be?

Popularity: 1% [?]

Tuesday, November 11 is Remembrance Day in Canada. In case you forget why we take 2 minutes of silence to remember those who have died, watch this video and read the lyrics. The video/song is called A Pittance of Time, by Terry Kelly.

A Pittance Of Time 4:43
Written by Terry Kelly © Jefter Publishing – SOCAN

They fought and some died for their homeland.
They fought and some died, now it’s our land.
Look at his little child; there’s no fear in her eyes.
Could he not show respect for other dads who have died?

Take two minutes, would you mind?
It’s a pittance of time,
For the boys and the girls who went over.
In peace may they rest, may we never
forget why they died.
It’s a pittance of time.

God forgive me for wanting to strike him.
Give me strength so as not to be like him.
My heart pounds in my breast, fingers pressed to my lips,
My throat wants to bawl out, my tongue barely resists.

But two minutes I will bide.
It’s a pittance of time,
For the boys and the girls who went over.
In peace may they rest.
May we never forget why they died.
It’s a pittance of time.

Read the letters and poems of the heroes at home.
They have casualties, battles, and fears of their own.
There’s a price to be paid if you go, if you stay.
Freedom’s fought for and won in numerous ways.

Take two minutes, would you mind?
It’s a pittance of time,
For the boys and the girls all over.
May we never forget, our young become vets.
At the end of the line,
It’s a pittance of time.

It takes courage to fight in your own war.
It takes courage to fight someone else’s war.
Our peacekeepers tell of their own living hell.
They bring hope to foreign lands that hate mongers can’t kill.

Take two minutes, would you mind?
It’s a pittance of time,
For the boys and the girls who go over.
In peacetime our best still don battle dress
And lay their lives on the line.
It’s a pittance of time

In peace may they rest,
Lest we forget why they died.
Take a pittance of time.

Popularity: 4% [?]