I had the opportunity of sharing in one of my favorite childhood past-times this weekend several years later- The Muppets. Like many others, in my turkey induced coma after our Thanksgiving feast, we hit the theater to see my furry little idols come to life. My husband, who wasn't really a fan growing up, asked me for several days prior what makes the Muppet franchise so special? My answer of, "They just are," somehow didn't seem to appease him.
So in honor of Joe who always causes me to think a little harder about what I say, I have spent some time reflecting on why the Muppets are so special in the lives of many of us. I think it has a lot to to with the way they choose to live. So living vicariously through the Muppets, here's a preliminary list (as the full list would be way too long to post) of some Muppet mottos which make the Muppets way cooler than most humans:
1. They stick together- Like any good family, the Muppets find a way to come together and unconditionally care for each other no matter what the situation.
2. They know how to laugh- Through every wrong turn, they know how to laugh about the situation and they can always take a minute to pause for a good laugh.
3. They travel with a Swedish chef- They will never go hungry and it seems they are always eating gourmet. Need I say more?
4. They are always up for an adventure- They are presented with constant challenges which they accept with grace and humility. They never pull the 'woe-is-me' card and they always give every challenge their best efforts, as outlandish as it seems.
5. They are not afraid to be themselves- The Muppets are comfortable enough in their own skin, or should I say fur, that they randomly break into musical song and dance numbers describing who they are or who they wish they were. They aren't concerned of how others might react to the ways that they are feeling.
6. They know how to live it up- The Muppets travel all around the world, they dine at the best restaurants, attend the most exclusive parties and even make cameo appearances in the most unexpected places.
During the movie, Jason Segal breaks into song singing the "Am I a Man or Am I a Muppet?" ballot and I couldn't help but identify. For years, I've wondered the same thing. I find that there are a lot of striking similarities between me and my puppet friends sans the lavish lifestyle. My husband has also described me as Muppet-like to others, which probably most spouses might take offense to, but it makes me incredibly happy. If I have learned any lessons from the Muppets, it's that they have a lot more figured out than we humans do. So my challenge to all of you is to start this week off being less like a man and more like a Muppet ;p.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Saturday, November 26, 2011
A call from Stella*...
I've written many times about Stella*, a woman who I met a few years ago through Get On The Bus. Just to refresh your memory, she and I met totally by chance as she called the GOTB offices and I just happened to answer. Her boyfriend was and still is incarcerated at a California state prison. During that first call, she had shared that he had not seen his boys, who were very young (now 14 and 12) in several years. In addition to the boys struggling to see their father, they had also very recently and suddenly lost their mom to cancer and were whisked away from the life that they knew in LA to live with an elderly relative in the middle of the desert.
Stella reminds me of many matriarchs that I know. She is the rock of the family when it seems everything, and I mean everything, starts to crumble. Her compassionate nature, reliance on her faith and perseverance seem to somehow get her through all the hardships. She is the woman wearing many hats as a provider for the family, a compassionate ear to anyone and everyone who needs it, a fixer who takes any problems that arise along the life's journey. Although when you ask Stella how she is she never complains and she answers with a simple, "I'm blessed."
Stella is infamous for her bubbly personality coupled with her ability to deliver some really fantastic one liners. The best thing about the one liners is they come without much warning and can either put you into a boisterous fit of laughter or leave you thinking for days to come. Although I love the humorous side of Stella, I have grown to equally love the philosophizer within.
Today as we were talking she throw out this thought, "...I tell my boyfriend all the time that just as he is incarcerated so am I, I just have my freedom... Because of all the constraints and responsibilities it takes to have him as part of my life, I used to just be existing. I anchored my life around what it was that he and others needed from me. Maria, I tell you, I've finally started to live."
Wow! This was a big revelation. Too often when we look at our justice system, we look at what is happening unjustly to the people inside and more recently because of organizations like GOTB, the children affected. But what about the Stellas in this world? How do we address their issues? Who is reaching out to them?
Stella and many others are the unsung heroes of their families. They are the people who unselfishly sacrifice their lives for their loved ones. Just as Stella has finally realized, everyone deserves a chance to live not just to exist. I invite you to do something nice for yourself today because you deserve it!!!
* Names have been changed in the story.
Stella reminds me of many matriarchs that I know. She is the rock of the family when it seems everything, and I mean everything, starts to crumble. Her compassionate nature, reliance on her faith and perseverance seem to somehow get her through all the hardships. She is the woman wearing many hats as a provider for the family, a compassionate ear to anyone and everyone who needs it, a fixer who takes any problems that arise along the life's journey. Although when you ask Stella how she is she never complains and she answers with a simple, "I'm blessed."
Stella is infamous for her bubbly personality coupled with her ability to deliver some really fantastic one liners. The best thing about the one liners is they come without much warning and can either put you into a boisterous fit of laughter or leave you thinking for days to come. Although I love the humorous side of Stella, I have grown to equally love the philosophizer within.
Today as we were talking she throw out this thought, "...I tell my boyfriend all the time that just as he is incarcerated so am I, I just have my freedom... Because of all the constraints and responsibilities it takes to have him as part of my life, I used to just be existing. I anchored my life around what it was that he and others needed from me. Maria, I tell you, I've finally started to live."
Wow! This was a big revelation. Too often when we look at our justice system, we look at what is happening unjustly to the people inside and more recently because of organizations like GOTB, the children affected. But what about the Stellas in this world? How do we address their issues? Who is reaching out to them?
Stella and many others are the unsung heroes of their families. They are the people who unselfishly sacrifice their lives for their loved ones. Just as Stella has finally realized, everyone deserves a chance to live not just to exist. I invite you to do something nice for yourself today because you deserve it!!!
* Names have been changed in the story.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
And the word is NO....
A disciplined runner knows just how to push his/her limits, but in life sometimes it is just as difficult to know your limits. One of the many things I am thankful for is that my 30 year old self has finally learned how to get out of a situation when a something good has gone bad or more often than not, when something that has been fishy from the start tips over the deep end.
Although I can't write the book yet, I feel confident enough that I can at least offer a little advice to others who may be struggling with this very situation. Over the course of our lives, the word "no" has been part of our learning of what is right and wrong, childhood punishments, and rejections from (insert important life moments).
However, as easily as this word comes out of the mouths of our parents and in the form rejection letters that we get in the mail, this word is really hard for us to use in our everyday lives. We are constantly trying to find ways to shield other peoples' feelings so much so that we begin to harm ourselves. Why are people (including me) so afraid to use the word "no" to protect themselves? It is part of the English language for a reason, right?
During this past year, I've gotten to practice using the word "no" more frequently than I ever had before. Now, I'm not saying that this is a good thing, to be honest, it is quite the contrary. It never is a good thing to be in a situation that warrants you to bring out the fighting gloves. However, the good part of it all is that I've been handed or shall I say drenched by a perfect storm of circumstances where saying "no" was the only feasible option. Although it was hard at first, I've learned that I feel empowered when I am able to take control of my situation and I encourage you all to do the same.
By the way, if I paid a little more attention to television as a child, I may have acquired this skill. As you will see from this video Big Bird, Elmo and even Maria got it down. And the word is NO!!
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!!!
Although I can't write the book yet, I feel confident enough that I can at least offer a little advice to others who may be struggling with this very situation. Over the course of our lives, the word "no" has been part of our learning of what is right and wrong, childhood punishments, and rejections from (insert important life moments).
However, as easily as this word comes out of the mouths of our parents and in the form rejection letters that we get in the mail, this word is really hard for us to use in our everyday lives. We are constantly trying to find ways to shield other peoples' feelings so much so that we begin to harm ourselves. Why are people (including me) so afraid to use the word "no" to protect themselves? It is part of the English language for a reason, right?
During this past year, I've gotten to practice using the word "no" more frequently than I ever had before. Now, I'm not saying that this is a good thing, to be honest, it is quite the contrary. It never is a good thing to be in a situation that warrants you to bring out the fighting gloves. However, the good part of it all is that I've been handed or shall I say drenched by a perfect storm of circumstances where saying "no" was the only feasible option. Although it was hard at first, I've learned that I feel empowered when I am able to take control of my situation and I encourage you all to do the same.
By the way, if I paid a little more attention to television as a child, I may have acquired this skill. As you will see from this video Big Bird, Elmo and even Maria got it down. And the word is NO!!
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!!!
Monday, November 21, 2011
A reflection from Allison Nicholas...
As you all know, I have a lot to say, but every once in a while I find stories that others write or pass my way that deserve the spotlight. Such is true with a story I came across via my friend and old colleague Jessica Nicholas. Not only is Jessica a beautiful young woman, but she also has a passion for criminal justice issues and a heart of gold. It seems that her sister Allison is following closely in Jessica's footsteps. Now to think about it, I've also met their mother and I think it is safe to say that awesomeness must be a genetic trait of the family.
Allison, GOTB volunteer extraordinaire, participated in this past Father's Day GOTB event. Please take some time to read the letter she wrote to the dads in response to her observations. Especially with all the budget cutbacks, we must never lose sight of how important it is for children to have access to their parents no matter where they are. Allison- thank you again for allowing me to showcase your heartfelt letter to the masses!
Allison, GOTB volunteer extraordinaire, participated in this past Father's Day GOTB event. Please take some time to read the letter she wrote to the dads in response to her observations. Especially with all the budget cutbacks, we must never lose sight of how important it is for children to have access to their parents no matter where they are. Allison- thank you again for allowing me to showcase your heartfelt letter to the masses!
Friday, November 18, 2011
The love a family...
Not only did I take a trip to Pittsburgh two weeks ago for two joyous occasions celebrating a wedding and a baby shower of two of my childhood friends, but I had the pleasure to spend the past 10 days with my family. As many of you know, together my extended family probably makes up at least 20% of the population of Pittsburgh, PA or, at least, that is the way it feels.
What is even more amazing to me is that even though I spent my entire childhood growing up in Pittsburgh and have also spent significant time there as an adult, I am still meeting new relatives or finding out ways that I am related to folks who I never thought I was related to. In a way, it is the perfect script for a Judd Apatow comedy- The woman whose family tree keeps getting wider and wider to include many unlikely suspects of all shapes and sizes. However, just as I'm about to sit down and write my real life comedy, I am cognizant of our geographic proximity to the backwoods country and think that maybe it's best to keep my family tree under wraps as it may share too many intertwined branches. J/K.
In all seriousness though, as we rapidly approach the Thanksgiving season, I have been reflecting of all the ways I've been blessed and the love of my family is my number one blessing. Coming from an Italian family where the dinner conversations include a playbill of boisterous conversation, arguing and making up all over oversized portions of homemade pasta, I'm not doubting that there can be challenges to overcome when spending time with your family. However, at the end of the day, these very same people who you've contemplated throwing a meatball at during a heated conversation are the ones who would drop anything and everything for you. They will defend you 'til the end and they will love you unconditionally even if they don't agree with your current condition, which they are also not shy about telling you. This is why I love them. We may be a little modern day Motley Crue and things aren't perfect, but I'll take them any day over the Trumps! Love to everyone this Thanksgiving season. :)
What is even more amazing to me is that even though I spent my entire childhood growing up in Pittsburgh and have also spent significant time there as an adult, I am still meeting new relatives or finding out ways that I am related to folks who I never thought I was related to. In a way, it is the perfect script for a Judd Apatow comedy- The woman whose family tree keeps getting wider and wider to include many unlikely suspects of all shapes and sizes. However, just as I'm about to sit down and write my real life comedy, I am cognizant of our geographic proximity to the backwoods country and think that maybe it's best to keep my family tree under wraps as it may share too many intertwined branches. J/K.
In all seriousness though, as we rapidly approach the Thanksgiving season, I have been reflecting of all the ways I've been blessed and the love of my family is my number one blessing. Coming from an Italian family where the dinner conversations include a playbill of boisterous conversation, arguing and making up all over oversized portions of homemade pasta, I'm not doubting that there can be challenges to overcome when spending time with your family. However, at the end of the day, these very same people who you've contemplated throwing a meatball at during a heated conversation are the ones who would drop anything and everything for you. They will defend you 'til the end and they will love you unconditionally even if they don't agree with your current condition, which they are also not shy about telling you. This is why I love them. We may be a little modern day Motley Crue and things aren't perfect, but I'll take them any day over the Trumps! Love to everyone this Thanksgiving season. :)
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