Those Were the Days--Or Were They?

"Last night, my friend and I were sitting in the living room and I said to her, 'I never want to live in a vegetative state, dependent on some machine and fluids from a bottle. If that ever happens, just pull the plug.' So she got up, unplugged the TV, and threw out my wine. She's such a *@^&#....."

You know, this is often true of all of us. We as Americans, in general, spend way too much time in front of the TV and we eat and drink way too much! But we have been raised that way. Can you remember when you spent most of the day OUTSIDE playing? Can you remember when a big box was as much fun (if not more) than the toy that was in the box? Can you remember when cowboys and indians was a game instead of two football teams? Can you remember when playing cops and robbers didn't involve someone getting hurt or worse? Can you remember that if you wanted to go somewhere you walked or rode your bike? Can you remember when the only TV channels only went from 2-13 and the only stations were ABC, NBC, or CBS? Do you remember when the TV series families always included a mom AND dad? Do you remember when the mom and dad NEVER slept in the same bed in those shows? Do you remember when getting a jar of jelly required you to go downstairs to the basement and get a jar that mom or grandma had canned last fall? Do you remember when the Mickey Mouse Club was a show that didn't include microphones, bass guitars, fancy clothes, etc.? Do you remember when Saturday morning was the only time you could watch cartoons--and they were all G rated? Do you remember when Johnny Quest was the most adventurous show on Saturday mornings?

What has happened to those days? What has happened to the active little kids in the neighborhood going from house to house? Drinking from garden hoses in the summer? Going to the store with mom or dad was a big deal? Going to church every Sunday was not an option? Buying anything but groceries or medicine on Sundays was forbidden--and the other stores weren't open anyway? Getting together on Sunday night in front of the television to watch The Wonderful World of Disney and Sing Along with Mitch was a family routine that most all families did?

Unfortunately, those days are gone. We have grown into a world that only prays when everything else has been tried and nothing has worked. Our jobs are often more important than our families. Our communication now entails a vast computer network instead of paper, envelopes and a trip to the mailbox or post office. Our phones are now seemingly attached to our heads and nothing keeps the phone from ringing--or answering, even funeral services, weddings, baptisms, dinner with your sweetheart, etc.

We have become an instant society. We want everything NOW!!!! We want it with all the bells and whistles. It's amazing how teachers are able to get children to stay still and learn anything without putting on a show. If it is on TV or a video game, is it real? Ask many children and they will tell you, "I saw it on TV so it must be true." How about all the spoofs and spam you receive? Junk mail in your snail mail box is bad enough--but now we have to wade through tons of it in our email boxes as well.

Who of you remembers writing a diary that was sacred and private? Diaries are now called journals and blogs--to which this would be included! Nothing is private anymore--we put all of our thoughts out into cyberspace where anyone can read them. We've become a society where knowing your neighbors is a rarity instead of the the norm. How many of you can say that you not only recognize your neighbors when they are "out in public" but can call them by name as well? I've lived in the same neighborhood for almost 16 years and I only know the ones directly next to me or those that my children played with when they were little. I'm sure that my neighbors would be appalled if I had one of the kids go next door to borrow an egg because I was one short.

Society today is not trusting--when was the last time you had car trouble and everyone drove on by and you were glad they didn't stop? Or you saw someone that needed help on the side of the road and you were afraid to stop? Has the reporting of kidnappings, shootings, rape, etc. gotten so out of hand that you can't trust anyone today? Did the same kind of things happen when we were young--but we never knew because it wasn't reported on the TV every 30 minutes or the newspaper in glaring headlines? What ever happened to reporting GOOD news? Is there good news anymore? Do good things happen anymore? I know they do--and the media down plays those acts of kindness, goodness and instead harps on all the bad.

See if you can find some goodness today. See if you can find something kind or good to write about in your blog today. I know that there is something out there that is worth writing about! So, no matter how much you hate having to do the blah, blah, blah of everyday life take a moment to look for the good things happening around you. Find something that is miraculous or spectacular. You know, it doesn't have to be something earth shattering; it might just be something as cute as a kitten.

My good thing today: My daughter brought home a stray kitten last night--he's probably just barely 6 weeks old. The first reaction I should have had was, "Oh no, not another critter! What are you going to do with it? You can't keep it in the dorm with you." Instead I asked, "Where'd he come from and where are you going to keep him?" She told me he was an abandoned kitty on her campus--there is no sign of Momma cat anywhere. One of her suite mates got him (scared and hungry) and brought him to the dorm. They fed him and gave him some much needed love and comfort. The suite mate who would take him home or she'd have to send him to the humane society. Well, my girl immediately said she'd bring him home. And now this loving, very cute black & white bobbed tailed kitten has a new home with 5 other cats amd 2 dogs. Did we need another four legged mouth to feed? No. But he needed us. He needed someone that would love him and keep him safe (even though he'd make a bite size snack for my dogs).

So, I challenge you, find at least one good thing today that you can write about! Have a great Saturday--and enjoy the love of your children, spouse, significant other and/or friends and animals! And I want to share a little "happy" with Jewels--the rest can just enjoy the smile! You can find this photo at http://www.angelsrotary.org/images/FIREMAN-FROG-WELCOMEPAGE.jpg