Self Expression. Obviously it is how you want others to see you. Marking up your body with tattoos and piercings is one way to show yourself to people. I have several tattoos myself, I love each and every one of them. I can also hide each and every one of them with normal clothing.
My tattoos are a way for me to express myself. They are permanent, that is important to remember. I will never have to worry about not liking them someday, I chose them carefully. Except one. I had my ex's name put on myself. We fell apart and the tattoo stayed. So I covered it up with a better one! I will never put a name on my body again! I can see putting your children's names in a tattoo, most likely you will never stop loving them! But I draw the line there.
Now as I said, I can cover my tattoos and nobody would know I have them. Many people see someone with tattoos and they have a preconceived notion of what kind of person they are inside. I'm not sure if this is what draws people to get tattoos or not, maybe so people will think they are something they are not actually. Maybe those people aren't happy with who they really are inside.With tattoos covered up people can see what I'm really like by how I act and treat others. I try to be kind, helpful, and generally friendly. Traits I find to be pleasant in a person. So imagine the shock I feel when someone who knows me, finds out I have tattoos, and says "I never would have guessed." Like only bad people or people who want to be seen as bad have them.
I say express yourself any way YOU feel is best but be aware of what others will think. If you are doing it for attention ask if it is negative or positive attention you will get. If it is negative attention, maybe you should rethink it. Or think about why you are seeking that sort of attention. Negative attention is easy to get and hard to forget. I can also damage your reputation. Which many don't care if it gets tarnished or not, yet can affect your life adversely. So be aware.
So express yourself, put out there who you are and what you are about, just try to do it in a positive manner. Trust me, you won't regret it.
Thanks for stopping by,
Steven
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Stand Up and Do Something
Today I talked about participation. It is said that, "The meek shall inherit the Earth." and I said while the meek are waiting to inherit the Earth the Bold are going out and taking what they want. I don't mean go out and knock over a liquor store if you want some booze or rob a bank if you need money. What I'm saying is this, If you want changes in your life then YOU have to make those changes.
Nothing ever gets done if there isn't someone to do it. As obvious as that seems, many people miss this key point in life.Sometimes we don't want to change but are affected by outside forces. This is the easy kind of changes. There is an external motivator. The hard changes are the ones where the driving force must come from within.
Example: If a doctor says you have heart disease and have to quit smoking or you will die in six months.That change can come pretty easy. But for someone to say to themselves, I have to quit smoking or I may develop heart disease, the change is difficult. Because they don't have heart disease now, they feel the odds are in their favor when, in fact, they are not.
This is one example, there are thousands of other examples. I don't think I need to go on with a list. Everyone knows what changes they want and what changes they need, they just don't get up and make the change. This is my point, become active. If you don't like things change them, now. Don't wait.Get a self help book if you need one to find motivation. Whatever it takes, do it.
Thanks for your time,
Steven
Nothing ever gets done if there isn't someone to do it. As obvious as that seems, many people miss this key point in life.Sometimes we don't want to change but are affected by outside forces. This is the easy kind of changes. There is an external motivator. The hard changes are the ones where the driving force must come from within.
Example: If a doctor says you have heart disease and have to quit smoking or you will die in six months.That change can come pretty easy. But for someone to say to themselves, I have to quit smoking or I may develop heart disease, the change is difficult. Because they don't have heart disease now, they feel the odds are in their favor when, in fact, they are not.
This is one example, there are thousands of other examples. I don't think I need to go on with a list. Everyone knows what changes they want and what changes they need, they just don't get up and make the change. This is my point, become active. If you don't like things change them, now. Don't wait.Get a self help book if you need one to find motivation. Whatever it takes, do it.
Thanks for your time,
Steven
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Oh No, No Tomato!
Well the rhyme scheme in the title is about the funniest thing I can offer today. It is sad but I only have one remaining tomato sprout. The last man standing is spindly, weak, and not growing too fast! It seems that the directions I followed on how to plant the seeds was rather inaccurate, The directions said to plant the seed 1/4 inch below the surface on the soil. The seeds sprouted rather quick. The sprouts were up in 3 days. But they stalks are thin and weak.
It has come to my attention that it is better to plant them deeper, more like half way down the pot or more. Being as the pots I am using are 2 1/2 inches deep, I could have put them 1/2 inch off the bottom. Now the seeds would still germinate just fine at this depth. It does however give a chance to send out more roots before the sprout breaks the upper surface and shoots for the sun! The stronger root system gives the plant better capabilities in water and nutrient gathering, thus making it possible to grow stronger. If I had only thought about it!
The same is with bamboo. Bamboo is planted 6 feet under the surface of the ground. It is then watered and fed for two or three years, without a sprout ever being seen! Then once the chutes break the surface and climb toward the sun, there is already a solid root system! The bamboo can grow as much as 60 feet in a month!
The roots are important. Not just in plants but in the family too. So remember your roots, it's the strong roots the make a strong family (or plant)! Plan for your future, keep your roots strong and they will keep you strong!
Take care and talk to you on soon,
Steven
It has come to my attention that it is better to plant them deeper, more like half way down the pot or more. Being as the pots I am using are 2 1/2 inches deep, I could have put them 1/2 inch off the bottom. Now the seeds would still germinate just fine at this depth. It does however give a chance to send out more roots before the sprout breaks the upper surface and shoots for the sun! The stronger root system gives the plant better capabilities in water and nutrient gathering, thus making it possible to grow stronger. If I had only thought about it!
The same is with bamboo. Bamboo is planted 6 feet under the surface of the ground. It is then watered and fed for two or three years, without a sprout ever being seen! Then once the chutes break the surface and climb toward the sun, there is already a solid root system! The bamboo can grow as much as 60 feet in a month!
The roots are important. Not just in plants but in the family too. So remember your roots, it's the strong roots the make a strong family (or plant)! Plan for your future, keep your roots strong and they will keep you strong!
Take care and talk to you on soon,
Steven
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Movie Rating Madness
Today movies are rated by the MPAA. The rating is to let people know the movies content and use as a guideline (stressing guideline) for what they allow their children to see. I feel that for the most part these guidelines are accurate to the ages, but any way you look at it Parental Guidance is Suggested! It is the job of the parents to judge whether or not their children should view the content.
Along with the ratings, in my house we also look at other factors, like the actors involved. For instance Jack Black. Jack has done some kid movies. Kung Fu Panda I &II, and Gullivers Travels. These are pretty good films, wasn't impressed with Gulliver but that I think is my own opinion. School of Rock had a lot of kids in it, however, I don't know that it is appropriate for all kids. The movie studio that produces and distributes the film is also another factor. I trust Pixar and Disney. They both have good reputations. Since parents are using the television as a babysitter nowadays, they should be cautious of who they leave their kids in the care of!
Video Games and television shows are also rated in the same manner. This is another area that I feel parents need to pay close attention. Kids spend a lot of time with these two mediums and are influenced by them. How many kids have jumped off the roof to fly like Superman? How many kids have shot their siblings playing with guns like in video games? (That is a whole different cans of worms right there). Where were the parents when these kids were watching this stuff and coming up with these ideas? I'm not saying a rating will stop all this but I'm saying if they don't see it, they are less likely to come up with these ideas. That may not be true. Maybe though if they didn't see so much violence they wouldn't be so numb to it. It is my belief parents should spend more time reviewing what is viewed.
YouTube is another problem area. Now don't get me wrong, I love YouTube! I have a fistful of subscriptions that I view whenever a new video is posted. The Shaytards is a favorite I watch with the seven year old every morning. Never has there been a video that I thought, maybe she shouldn't see this. we also watch ReallyAnnoyingOrange a lot. Most of the videos end up with fruit getting cut by a knife at the end but it is fruit and not a human being. There have been in the past some channels we watched that changed their content. I had to watch them first to see if it was okay for a seven year old to watch. Over time, the videos she could watch got rarer and rarer until eventually I just unsubscribed so she wouldn't ask to see them anymore. There are some that I watch like sxephil- (Philip Defranco) that I enjoy. when asked if she could watch it I simply said, "That's not okay for you to watch, you're too young." End of story, never asked again.
I don't see how YouTube could ever come up with a ratings program and I wouldn't even try to imagine the logistics it would take. there is like 48 hours of video uploaded every minute, come on, how can you keep track of all that. Parents need to watch it first!
I love movies. I love watching them with the family. I love that we are responsible adults and care what are kids view. Kids are smart and learn fast so teach them the right things is all I suggest.
Nice talikng to You,
Steven
Along with the ratings, in my house we also look at other factors, like the actors involved. For instance Jack Black. Jack has done some kid movies. Kung Fu Panda I &II, and Gullivers Travels. These are pretty good films, wasn't impressed with Gulliver but that I think is my own opinion. School of Rock had a lot of kids in it, however, I don't know that it is appropriate for all kids. The movie studio that produces and distributes the film is also another factor. I trust Pixar and Disney. They both have good reputations. Since parents are using the television as a babysitter nowadays, they should be cautious of who they leave their kids in the care of!
Video Games and television shows are also rated in the same manner. This is another area that I feel parents need to pay close attention. Kids spend a lot of time with these two mediums and are influenced by them. How many kids have jumped off the roof to fly like Superman? How many kids have shot their siblings playing with guns like in video games? (That is a whole different cans of worms right there). Where were the parents when these kids were watching this stuff and coming up with these ideas? I'm not saying a rating will stop all this but I'm saying if they don't see it, they are less likely to come up with these ideas. That may not be true. Maybe though if they didn't see so much violence they wouldn't be so numb to it. It is my belief parents should spend more time reviewing what is viewed.
YouTube is another problem area. Now don't get me wrong, I love YouTube! I have a fistful of subscriptions that I view whenever a new video is posted. The Shaytards is a favorite I watch with the seven year old every morning. Never has there been a video that I thought, maybe she shouldn't see this. we also watch ReallyAnnoyingOrange a lot. Most of the videos end up with fruit getting cut by a knife at the end but it is fruit and not a human being. There have been in the past some channels we watched that changed their content. I had to watch them first to see if it was okay for a seven year old to watch. Over time, the videos she could watch got rarer and rarer until eventually I just unsubscribed so she wouldn't ask to see them anymore. There are some that I watch like sxephil- (Philip Defranco) that I enjoy. when asked if she could watch it I simply said, "That's not okay for you to watch, you're too young." End of story, never asked again.
I don't see how YouTube could ever come up with a ratings program and I wouldn't even try to imagine the logistics it would take. there is like 48 hours of video uploaded every minute, come on, how can you keep track of all that. Parents need to watch it first!
I love movies. I love watching them with the family. I love that we are responsible adults and care what are kids view. Kids are smart and learn fast so teach them the right things is all I suggest.
Nice talikng to You,
Steven
Friday, June 3, 2011
He Said What?
Today's video was a story about a man I work with, who doesn't listen. This is a problem, even though I joke about it. Today people don't REALLY listen to one another. Many times it's not that people don't care what someone is saying to them, the problem is they are too caught up in what is going on in their lives to be able to focus on another person.
Listening is an art. It has to be practiced to be good. Like an artist has to paint daily or a musician has to play for hours a day to be good, the same goes for listening. Some have the natural ability to listen to others and then be able to respond with advice, guidance, empathy, or perhaps sympathy. Everyone knows a good listener. That is the person you talk to when you have something important to talk about. You know that person will be there to listen and help you through whatever. Why wouldn't you want to be that person?
By listening to others, it is possible to help yourself too. As an example, a friend tells you that they have a problem with their children. They may have a problem you haven't encountered with your own children. It would be wise of you to listen and find out how they are handling it, in the event you must do the same. Not that you will handle it the same but at least you have time to come up with a plan. Maybe you have had the same problem with your children, you can tell them how you handled it. This may be a help for them to come up with a plan. It's a chance to improve yourself as well as help them.
Now I don't recommend eavesdropping as a method to improving your listening skills! It's just rude for starters and usually you don't get the whole story. I'm not saying that once in a while you won't pick up some good information, but how do you feel when you have to say "I didn't mean to overhear you but...". I feel terrible. Almost like I broke into their home and looked around while they were out! The conversation I was listening to was private and I broke in! Not exactly the same but I think you can see the parallels.
So I say if you are a good listener: Keep up the Good Work! If you're not a good listener: Keep trying! Due diligence will pay off in the end, because you will be a friend. I have never heard anyone say "I have too many good friends!"
Take care all,
Steven
Listening is an art. It has to be practiced to be good. Like an artist has to paint daily or a musician has to play for hours a day to be good, the same goes for listening. Some have the natural ability to listen to others and then be able to respond with advice, guidance, empathy, or perhaps sympathy. Everyone knows a good listener. That is the person you talk to when you have something important to talk about. You know that person will be there to listen and help you through whatever. Why wouldn't you want to be that person?
By listening to others, it is possible to help yourself too. As an example, a friend tells you that they have a problem with their children. They may have a problem you haven't encountered with your own children. It would be wise of you to listen and find out how they are handling it, in the event you must do the same. Not that you will handle it the same but at least you have time to come up with a plan. Maybe you have had the same problem with your children, you can tell them how you handled it. This may be a help for them to come up with a plan. It's a chance to improve yourself as well as help them.
Now I don't recommend eavesdropping as a method to improving your listening skills! It's just rude for starters and usually you don't get the whole story. I'm not saying that once in a while you won't pick up some good information, but how do you feel when you have to say "I didn't mean to overhear you but...". I feel terrible. Almost like I broke into their home and looked around while they were out! The conversation I was listening to was private and I broke in! Not exactly the same but I think you can see the parallels.
So I say if you are a good listener: Keep up the Good Work! If you're not a good listener: Keep trying! Due diligence will pay off in the end, because you will be a friend. I have never heard anyone say "I have too many good friends!"
Take care all,
Steven
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)