Gone fishing

Every few weeks, I disappear for a bit to do some work. This time I have some training to do, too. But I’ll be back soon…Peace.

Good Fences

In Texas, good fences are our neighbors. (Tongue twister.) In the north east, where I grew up, we didn’t have fences. We had lots of trees that acted as a buffer.

Here, the land is prosaic and without character. It is exacerbated by all these fences. But fences do add privacy when you’re in the pool. And it’s a good place to throw your darts.

Here is my fence and my kid:

This Texas Sun

Sunscreen is a prophylactic for my skin. If it’s too thin or if it’s got holes, it’s no good.

Teaching Intention

If your intentions are good or bad, it doesn’t matter so much. What matters is that you know your intentions. Then, you can understand and deal with the good or bad.

This is something I try to teach my kids, something a lot of adults never learn to examine in their lives. Some folks stay stuck in the same old patterns of denial.

An unexamined life is not worth living. Socrates was right. For if I don’t understand my actions, then I’m not being true. I say one thing, but am meaning another. People know. And I spend a lot of time and energy in denial.

When my kids complain, I ask, “Why are you telling me this? What do you hope to accomplish?” Oftentimes, they will eventually come to the “truth”–their truth. The one that matters.

I learned to be aware of my intention through one of my BFF, who owns a yoga studio and is the guru of self-aware. She’s helped me learn to examine my choices and actions, to be my most real self, to pause for a minute and reflect inward. Sometimes, I must face something about myself that I don’t like. But I come to a more true understanding of myself and others in this way.

I try to teach my kids: What are your intentions in criticizing a friend? Does it stem from anger? Hurt? Insecurity? Jealousy? The desire to control something? Why do you fight? What are your reasons for wanting _____ (for example, a new skateboard)? Is it a need or a want? Do you want to be more like a friend?

The same applies to religion. What is religion a mask for? What need is being met by believing in something that cannot be proven (or for that matter, disproven)? Why does one need religion or another belief system?

If we teach our children to understand their intentions, they will be more true and honest. They won’t have to hide behind excuses or made-up stories. They won’t have to lie to themselves or others. They will gain insight into other people’s intentions, too. Maybe their world will be a little better. It will definitely be more transparent.

First Hispanic on Supreme Court?

Ironically, we’ve been having a heated debate on another post here about minorities in America. Now, Obama has announced his choice for supreme court: Sonia Sotomayor. She’d be the first Hispanic to sit on the court, and the third female.

It is appropriate given the number of Hispanic Americans in the U.S. Sotomayor is considered a “moderate-liberal,” which would bring balance to the court. It is unlikely that Republicans would block her nomination and risk alienating their Hispanic onstituents.

Sotomayor could be confirmed before the end of the summer.

Boy with cancer comes home

On an earlier post, we had a heated debate about Daniel and his mom, Collen Hauser. After reading this article, it seems that Daniel’s mom was just scared. Her initial reaction was one of fear, and she was trying to do what was best for her son.

You and I may not agree with her, but one thing is clear: she was not being abusive. There are parents who neglect their kids, who emotionally and physically abuse them. Those are the parents we need to follow. They should be in the media, so that society can watch them. Daniel Hauser’s mother? She’s not a bad parent. She’s just a scared mother. I’m a mother. I can relate.

This case also shows us that, when it comes to our kids, we do not have the exclusive right to decide for them in certain aspects (medical treatment, school). Yet we never have. We never have had the exclusive right to parent in any way we want–we are limited by what society deems right. For instance, we can’t allow our five-year-olds to drink beer or our ten-year-olds to work at McDonald’s. This is just another application of that same idea: a minor child with a serious illness must receive the best, most appropriate care available.

Daniel will remain in the home as long as the parents agree to the court-ordered treatment for their son.

Building Social Capital

I love this page, sponsored by Harvard’s school of gov’t.

It lists 150 easy ways to build social capital and make the world a better place. It has some great ideas for kids, too.

Practice peace.

Summer Fun

MD Weekend. It’s the start of the summer jet skiing ’round here.
c u

Death penalty

If you’re on the fence about the death penalty, you should read this column about Troy Davis.

I’m personally against the death penalty. But I understand our government allows it. Yet it seems wrong for America to murder a man when there is doubt of his guilt.