What’s in a year? 365 days. Or in this year’s case, 366. But who really counts leap year? 12 months. 52 weeks. 365 days. 8.760 hours. 525,600 minutes. 31,536,000 seconds. Looking at the big picture of life, that isn’t very long. What can you do in a year? You can do a little, or a lot, depending on your level of motivation.

You have a lot of things on your “to-do” list, a lot of things on your “bucket” list. What are the things you want to do and/or accomplish in your lifetime? Imagine you were told you were going to die in 356 days. You have 356 days to do whatever you want and accomplish all you can. Would you waste a single day? I sure wouldn’t. I’d be running around like a chicken with my head cut off, doing what I needed and wanted to get done.

According to some, the world is going to end in 356 days. I don’t believe this, because I believe the words of Matthew 24:36:

No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

But for some, this is a very serious concept. They have probably made lists of things to do before the end of the world.

I live on to-do lists. Though I always thought bucket lists were silly and I don’t believe the world is ending in December, I have made a physical bucket list. Unless I have a physical list (or digital, in this age,) I don’t even know what I want to accomplish before I die. This list is going to change over time. I will cross things off, add things, and I have no doubt that my bucket list will be a very long one the day I die.

It’s 2012. I don’t make resolutions. To me, a new year is nothing but a lot of scribbling on the date on our checks. But after having all of my 2011 “did” and “did not” regrets go through my head, I have finally made a resolution of my own. This year, I will not waste a second of my day. I will be bettering myself each day. I will accomplish the things on my list that say 2012. Some even say, “January 2012.” This won’t be easy, but it will be worth it. At the end of the year, I hope to not regret anything I have done, or left undone.

I urge you to do the same. There are things you should have done in 2011. There are things you shouldn’t have done in 2011. As much as I am not for “It’s a new year, new me” … This is something I need, and you do too. Looking back regretfully will do nothing but hold you back from moving forward. Turn your head around. Look ahead. You have things to accomplish. Let’s face it, someday your life will end. Why wait? 

“We gotta start lookin’ at the hands of the time we’ve been given, if this is all we got, then we gotta start thinkin’, if every second counts on the clock that’s tickin’, gotta live like we’re dyin’… we only got 86-400 seconds in a day to turn it all around or to throw it all away…”

This year, I am taking this seriously. There is no excuse. Not a second wasted.

<3.

A good list of songs for a new start and encouragement:

• Kris Allen – Live Like We’re Dying
• 10th Avenue North – You Are More
• Hyland – Jumping the Gun
• Delta Goodrem – God Laughs
• Five For Fighting – 100 Years
• Toby Mac – Get Back Up
• Mandisa – Stronger

If you have any suggestions for this list, please let me know. I’d like to add them.

1. I have never been to IKEA.

2. I love green. Anything green.

3. I remember names, faces and birthdays of people I haven’t talked to in 15 years.

4. I do not feel old enough to have a 6 year old.

5. I have had an idea for a novel in my head for over a decade. It has yet to make it to paper. But now I have most of it outlined. I am proud of that.

6. I teach Sunday School, and I love it.

7. If I was a school teacher, I would teach middle school. I never thought I’d want to, but there’s something about the mind of a middle school kid that fascinates me.

8. Speaking of fascinations, I am fascinated by true crimes. I could watch documentaries on serial killers, kidnappings and murders every day. I don’t think that makes me a bad person. It’s the psychology of it.

9. My aunt used to sit on me and tickle me until I peed my pants. I am still terrified of being tickled.

10. I have a cross hanging in my kitchen that my grandma made. She passed away years ago, and that is the last thing she gave me. It will be in my kitchen until the day I die. Love you, grandma.

11. I like every genre of music. True talent is true talent, no matter the genre.

12. I am driven by my emotions.

13. I’ve honestly forgotten and have to concentrate when I have to spell munkies the “correct” way.

14. I love feet pajamas. Correction: LOVED. I don’t have any right now.

15. I love fire. I used to sit out in the tree grove and watch our garbage burn. It’s amazing that fire can turn a plastic bottle into bubbly goo.

16. I have OCD when playing Plants vs. Zombies. Each column needs to have the same kind of plants. If it doesn’t, I get frustrated.

17. I have OCD in pretty much every area of my life.

18. I believe in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost.

19. I pray that everyone I know does, too.

20. I am giggly. Very, very giggly.

21. I cry easily at emotional moments on TV. That is the single reason I have never seen The Notebook.

22. I am one of the most social shy people on the face of this planet. Yes, I am shy.

23. My son knows and will remember his great great grandmother. Grandma turned 105 in November, and she’s one of the most wonderful people to have ever walked this earth.

24. I like to think about people who lived a long time ago … I wonder what kind of people they were, what their ideas were, and what they wanted out of life.

25. If you haven’t figured it out yet, I am incredibly interested in the human mind.

26. The mere thought of eating water chestnuts makes me cringe. They are worse than beets.

27. I think beets taste like tires.

28. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee.

29. I don’t mind doing laundry. It’s the folding that I despise.

30. If, when I am writing, I don’t like my handwriting, I will start over.

31. It is so easy to make me laugh.

32. I look for the slightest bit of good in everyone.

33. I love museums, of every kind. I saw a Titanic exhibit. I could have looked through that all day.

34. There isn’t a single person I haven’t forgiven. There’s a difference between “forgiving” and “forgiving and forgetting.”

35. I am on a constant road to bettering myself.

36. I call myself “Southern Canadian,” because I sound more Canadian than American.

37. Australia amazes me. The accent, the kangaroos… I want to live there just so I can pick up the accent and stand “upside down.”

38. I dislike yellow post-its.

39. At work, I print my calendar on bright paper, to help boost my mood each day.

40. I am a people person.

41. I love food, and love trying new food.

42. I fear a lot of things. I am working on getting over them.

43. I hate writing the letter F.

44. I have lived in 25 different houses.

45. Because of the movie, “IT,” which I haven’t seen in years, I am afraid of and will walk around street gutters.

46. I still wish on falling stars…

47. I believe in goals and dreams.

48. I will never know what I want to be when I grow up.

49. I don’t like Twilight for one simple reasons: Real vampires don’t sparkle.

50. I have neither read nor seen anything Harry Potter. I’m told I’m missing out.

51. I tried to watch Lord of the Rings. I failed. SQUIRREL!

52. What comes out of my mouth often sounded much more hilarious in my head.

53. I have a pair of shoes that I’ve worn for years. I doubt I will ever get rid of them. They are so comfy.

54. I used to wear a necklace made out of safety pins.

55. There was a time when I cut things out of magazines and hung things like Natalie’s straw on my wall.

56. I always look at a person’s eyes before anything else.

57. I hate snow. Hate cold. I live in the wrong part of the country.

58. I dislike ordinary, common names.

59. I was pulled out of gym class in second grade because I had a heart murmur.

60. I once got into a fight with my best friend over a quarter machine ring that we found in the grocery store bathroom.

61. I have always wanted to go to Antarctica just so I can cuddle with a polar bear. Yes, I realize there are no polar bears in Antarctica. I was 5 when I made this one of my goals.

62. I have always wanted to own a coffee shop.

63. My hair is longer right now than it’s ever been.

64. I never spend my change. There are probably hundreds of dollars in change in my couch cushions.

65. I have never fired a gun. That will change. Especially if you try to rob my couch cushions.

66. I never paid attention in history class. Now, I watch documentaries for fun.

67. Most often, I read young adult books.

68. I rolled my car when I was 17. I was not injured. I believe there were angels in the car with me.

69. I love to climb trees, and I love sitting in trees. It’s the getting down part that scares me.

70. I don’t have a million pairs of shoes.

71. I dislike December. It’s the month of the zombies.

72. I’ve been debating going back to school to be a dietician.

73. While playing truth or dare when I was 15, my friend made me a drink with everything she could find in her fridge. She made me take 3 drinks of it. I still remember what it tasted like. *gag*

74. I know names of celebrities and I know faces of celebrities. I cannot put them together to save my life.

75. I get excited over the smallest things.

76. I love road trips. I think nothing of driving 3 hours and back in one day.

77. I have never seen the Atlantic ocean.

78. I love movies that are for kids. Sometimes I am more excited than my son to see a kids’ movie.

79. I trust too easily.

80. I look like I am much younger than I am. Every year, I like this a little more.

81. It’s hard for me to drink water without ice.

82. I tend to give an extended back story just to say one thing. I’m sure it gets irritating.

83. I used to be a germaphobe. I used to refuse to touch door handles. I’ve gotten better, but I still dislike touching public ones.

84. I could eat salsa and guacamole every day.

85. I used to have a party every Friday night. A sober party. There were always between 10 and 30 high school kids in my basement. I miss that.

86. I have never done an illegal drug. Nor will I ever.

87. My dad is a pastor. I know I am a writer because I mentally edit his sermons as he speaks.

88. I am a giver. No, not THE giver. AAAA giver. Props to those who “got” that.

89. Go to Youtube. Search Yakko’s World. Watch it. I used to be able to say all of that.

90. I can do the McDonald’s rap.

91. I have an awesome long term memory. But I can’t tell you what I ate yesterday.

92. I have never been to Las Vegas.

93. I’ve done mission work, and loved it.

94. I hate writing in pencil. Always have.

95. I am creative.

96. I love doing crossword puzzles. In pen.

97. Hoodies. Best. Clothing. Item. Ever.

98. Whenever someone I love has a problem, my mind immediately jumps to, “how can I fix this?”

99. I have an unnatural love for walnuts.

100. I have no tail, therefore I cannot really be a munkie. “If it doesn’t have a tail, it’s not a munkie, it’s an ape!” … Apes are ugly. And “Ape Babble” just doesn’t sound like much fun.

There you have it… 100 things about me. Did you learn anything?

<3.

Today is the ultimate wishing day. And I am sure there will be thousands of people watching the clock for it to be 11:11 a.m. and then again being 11:11 p.m., ready to make their ultimate wish. A lot of people make wishes at 11:11 every day. I don’t make wishes anymore — my wishing time used to be 12:34. But this being the “ultimate” wishing day, I have decided to make a wish.

Today is not only 11/11/11, it is also Veteran’s Day. Instead of obsessing over how “cool” this day is, I wish that everyone on my timeline would take the time to thank a veteran for what he or she has done for this country. We all know one. At least one. I have many friends and relatives that have served. My grandpa is a veteran; I am proud of what he did for the US when he was younger. And for that, I thank him. I also wish to thank the vets I don’t know. Past, present and future. There is nothing more honorable in my mind, than to be willing to give up time with one’s family and friends, and if needed, one’s life, so that I can rest peacefully at night.

We, as Americans, think we are entitled to our freedom. If we suddenly lost it, we would whine about how we “deserve” it. NEWS FLASH: Freedom isn’t free.  It may be free to you, but someone… several someones… paid an ultimate price for it. And I can’t think of anything better to wish for on this day.

“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” -John 15:13

We all know what it’s like to feel forgotten. To feel pushed to the side and left there. It’s natural and common. The worst is being in a room full of people and feeling so alone. I hate that anyone in the world ever feels this way, and do my best to make sure the people around me know I care.

I have a lot of friends, family and acquaintances. It is absolutely impossible to keep up with all of them. But I care about each and every one of them, and want nothing but the best for each of them. I have been both blessed and cursed with caring for every person I come into contact with… I naturally look for the good in all people, and give the benefit of the doubt to those who have hurt me. Does this get me hurt more? Sure does. But I do believe that behind hurtful words and actions is someone who wants to be loved.

Once in a while, I send out a mass text message wishing my friends and family a good day. Yesterday, I felt something telling me to send one out, so I did. It said, “Hey! I hope something in your day makes you smile — have a great day! <3″ I got replies from a lot of people, most simply saying, “Thanks, you too!” But I got a few that said things like, “Thanks, I really needed that, I’ve had a tough week.” and “You just made my day brighter.” I believe that a simple text can help someone’s day, knowing someone thought of them. I do care about my friends and want them to know it, even if it’s telling them all at the same time, with the same message.

Let me tell you about one of the replies I got yesterday. It said, “Thanks, that did it. Please pray for me.” I said, “Done.” I always have time to pray for a friend. I had no idea what he needed prayers for, but I prayed that God would help him in whatever he is struggling to get through. Half an hour later, I got a text back from him thanking me for the prayers, telling me that he is trying to turn his life around and get back to a faith walk with Jesus.

I’ve known this friend for a very long time. I’ve seen him on a very straight and narrow faith walk, I’ve seen him walking the “faith fence,” and I’ve seen him walking very far off the path. We don’t talk much anymore, but even now, I care about him as much as I did when we saw each other daily. When I read his text about what God did for him right after I prayed, I started to tear up. I am so proud of him for wanting to get back to the straight and narrow… I’ve personally seen how he is capable of sharing his faith and using his talents to bring people to know Christ. I offered my help and encouragement when he needs it, because it’s going to be a long and bumpy ride, and he needs that support from as many people as possible, so he sticks with it.

Will I continue to send out my mass texts? Definitely. I had no idea that a mass “have a good day” text would lead to prayer and a friend asking for help to get back on the right track again. Why don’t you try sending out a text, letting your friends know you care and are there for them? You never know how it may help, or what God might be doing through you.

And, if you are one of my friends, know that I am here to support and help you through any struggle. Friends truly are friends forever.

<3.

Couple Fined For Holding Bible Study In Home

It got me thinking. Anyone that knows me, knows this bothers me. More than bothers me. I have seen first hand, not just on websites, the punishment for being a Christian. You and I both have seen the ridicule teens in the United States endure for being a “Jesus Freak.” We’ve all been in high school. Maybe you were that kid. I was, sometimes. Now, I don’t mind. But it sure did hurt then.

It appears that what happens in our homes is now our city’s business. The city stated that parking was the problem, and they need to obtain the proper permit to hold a Bible study. Let’s look at this. A permit is literally nothing but a piece of paper stating permission. How is this piece of paper going to create more parking on their street? If paper in California can create more space, I need to have some of that in my office. Back to my point.

The many ways Christianity is being “snuffed out” in the United States:

I grew up saying the Pledge of Allegiance every single morning. WITH “One nation, UNDER GOD,“ included in it. I’ve heard that many schools just don’t say the pledge anymore, for fear of offending someone.

Kids are suspended in public schools for praying silently to themselves in the hallway… because it might offend someone.

High school world religion classes — they can study every religion… except Christianity… they might offend someone.

The one that probably bothers me the most: Christmas. Saying Merry Christmas! to someone is offensive.

You won’t find anything about Christianity in textbooks… we might offend someone.

You get the point. I am sick and tired of everyone in this country making sure everyone else is comfortable, all the while compromising the beliefs they grew up on.  Little by little, Christianity is truly being taken out of this country. The guidance a child receives in school, in a lot of cases, is the only kind of guidance they get. Parents aren’t around to guide their children nearly as much as they used to be. The young generation is likely going to be a mix of atheists and agnostics. If they do choose a religion, it won’t be Christianity, because it was hidden from them while they learned the beliefs of every other religion. Pretty sad, but the point-blank truth.

I love this song – Christmas With a Capital C – In it, Go Fish and Brad Stine make every point I’ve made in this post.

I get that not everyone is a Christian. A sad, but true statement. But the whole “Freedom of Religion” thing, at this point, may as well be called “Cutting Christianity.” And the Christians? We hide out of fear of ridicule and punishment. Isn’t it about time we “man up” and defend what we believe? I’m sick of compromising, aren’t you?

A little forward, and I know I am going to lose a couple friends over this, but at least I am standing for what I believe, and I know that’s the right thing to do.

“Don’t ever trust anyone, and don’t do anything for anyone. They will stab you in the back.”

I was tempted to say something directly to that person, but decided that they weren’t the only one who could use the words I am going to share. Maybe you are the one who posted that tweet, maybe you aren’t. Maybe you will see my point, maybe you won’t. But either way, I have something to say, and it’s your choice as to whether or not you read it.

I put a lot of thought into how I want to say this, and I decided to divide the tweet into two parts.

First, let’s take the first part: Don’t ever trust anyone, they will stab you in the back.

I wrote a blog about trust, called “I Think He’s Cheating.” You can read that one, if you click on the text. That blog applies to relationships and not trusting your significant other. But not trusting anyone at all is a very dangerous thing. You need someone to share your worries, hurts, and experiences. I know that everyone is “backstabbed” in their lifetime. I understand how much it hurts to have your secrets told to others. I don’t think you need to not trust anyone at all… I think you just need to be very careful about what you tell, and to whom you are saying it.

Second, the part that bothered me more than the first: Don’t do anything for anyone, they will stab you in the back.

I am all about doing things for other people. Helping when you can. If you go through my blogs, my tweets, my posts on Munkie Babble on Facebook, you will see one constant: SERVING OTHERS. I am not saying you need to forget about yourself, but not doing things for others is something that is unacceptable to me. There is one simple reason as to why I feel serving others is very important. The words of John 13, verses 12-26 are perfect for this part of the tweet that was posted:

¹² When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. ¹³ “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. ¹⁴ Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ¹⁶ Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷ Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Jesus Predicts His Betrayal

¹⁸ “I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: ‘He who shared my bread has turned^[a] against me.’^[b]

¹⁹ “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am. ²⁰ Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”

²¹ After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.”

²² His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. ²³ One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. ²⁴ Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.”

²⁵ Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?”

²⁶ Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.

Jesus washed the feet of the disciples, even though He was their Master, their Teacher. He served, when one would think they would be serving Him. Makes sense, doesn’t it? So many hold their mentors and teachers in high regard. To set an example, He washed their feet out of love for them, so that they may go out and serve others.

Beyond that, He served them, knowing He would be backstabbed. He could have said, “You are going to betray Me, I am not washing your feet.” But He didn’t. If Jesus did it, who are you to put yourself above Him?

Again, I understand that you’ve been hurt. I understand that you aren’t appreciated 100% of the time. I’m not appreciated 100% of the time, but that doesn’t stop me from continuing to serve others. Recognition is not why Jesus served. It was purely to set an example, so that we would serve one another out of love. If my Savior took the time to serve others, I am going to do the same. Why should I hold myself higher than the one who died to save me? I am no where near better than Him, and neither are you. We are merely humans, stuck here together. Let’s take care of one another out of love, regardless of whether or not it is appreciated.

<3.

My opinion on “not friending” parents is this: I understand not wanting parents “too involved” in your life. But if it is only because you would be embarrassed if they did read it, you should probably reconsider what you are posting. I’m not saying “shame on you!” or saying you are a bad person — Just something to think about.

I didn’t come here to lecture you on what you post on Facebook. I came here for something exciting that I somehow have overlooked sharing on Munkie Babble. Most of my readers already know this, but if you are a frequent reader and don’t already know, then I guess this post is for you! There is a Munkie Babble Facebook page. It’s a place for everything, really. I don’t just post on it when there’s a new post up… I post random thoughts and quotes… Always something positive. I try to post at least once, but no more than 2 or 3 times a day.

It’s a place for you to give me feedback on this site in general, ask questions and get answers. I am going to start uploading pictures of the fun stuff I see in my day-to-day life, and get away from just “twit-pic-ing” stuff. I think Munkie Babble on Facebook is a better way to keep all of that in one place. I try to start every day by posting something on Munkie Babble on Facebook that will start my -and your- day off right.

If you actually like Munkie Babble, why don’t you head over to Facebook and “like” it there, too. Just go to the Search bar at the top of your Facebook page and type in Munkie Babble… Click, and it will magically appear on your screen.

Or, for the lazy bunch who read my stuff, click this link:

Munkie Babble on Facebook

Feel free to share the page with your Facebook friends… My entire mission is to make this world a more positive place… and what better way to do that than to show my positive attitude in the best way I know how — social networking!

Have an excellent day, everyone!

<3.

Friends are such a blessing. They are there to listen, give advice, watch your back, laugh with you and cry with you. But they aren’t always the friends they should be. Everyone possesses the “one-upper” trait. We, as humans, all want to be better than the rest. But the one-upper stories aren’t always good ones. Why is “having it worse” a good thing? Simple. Because each person also possesses the crave for compassion trait. And we all need compassion from others at low times in our lives. The good news, everyone possesses the ability to be compassionate. No matter how cold-hearted a person may be, their compassion falls on someone at some point.

Though we all have the “one-upper” trait in us, some people use it all too frequently. Their experience is either better or worse than yours, depending on the situation. They are constantly looking for compassion or praise. They dismiss your misfortune or success, and go directly to how good or bad their life is at the moment.

When it comes to one-upping a good story, why can’t you be happy for someone when something good happens to them? Be there to celebrate with them, whether they are a good friend or a stranger. Especially if it’s something they have worked hard to achieve. Don’t immediately start talking about how hard you had to work for something… Congratulate them and wish them well. I have found that the stories of one-uppers are irrelevant to the original story, and often aren’t full truth. Be happy for others without stealing the spotlight. It’s rude.

When it comes to one-upping a misfortune or loss… do I care that you are having a bad day? Absolutely. I’m sorry to hear that. But you have to realize when to talk, and when to listen. Like I said, we all have bad things happen to us. A constant flow of how bad your life is can be overwhelming to those around you. Each person has enough problems in their own life, and your life’s problems coming at them at a rapid speed is likely to push them away. They can’t handle worrying about your issues along with their own. You’re likely to lose that friend, because there’s only so much listening that each person can do if you never let them vent their misfortunes.

Do I think it’s healthy to keep your problems to yourself? Not at all. Talk with your friends about the bad things going on in your life. But like the quote says, “God gave you one mouth and two ears. Listen twice as much as you talk.” You may be hurting, but guess what? Those around you are, too. This world is full of problems… and you never know when a friend might need you to stop talking and listen.

<3.

That’s probably why we require so much sleep. Though our brains never stop working, they at least rest a bit. Well, all but my imagination. I wish I could explain in full detail what my brain comes up with in my dreams… In most of them, I am either flying on my own, swimming at full speed like a fish, rounding corners like crazy… Or on a bungee cord, zooming down a huge roller coaster type thing that is actually a highway … SQUIRREL! … My point is that we all have a mind, and we have the ability to function on our own.

Excuse. Reason. Two words, two definitions, too often confused.

What is a reason? In my own dictionary: a legitimate argument, for doing (or not doing) something.

What is an excuse? In my own dictionary: an argument for doing (or not doing) something when one doesn’t want to reveal the truth.

Why do humans automatically look to point fingers at others when their faults are shown? The answer is easy, but hard to swallow. It is simply this: it hurts. No one likes to be told that what they do is wrong, even if they are fully aware of the lengths of how wrong their actions are. So they naturally look to a scape goat. (Why and when did goats become the guilty ones?) They point fingers and say, “This isn’t my fault.”

The particular excuse I have in mind today: It’s all I’ve ever known. People use this in a variety of situations, but the one I see most often is when someone is following in their parents footsteps. Whether it be drugs, excessive drinking or some other kind of addiction, many will say that it’s all they’ve ever known. If you grew up in a household filled with drugs and drunk parents, I am truly sorry for that. No child should have to watch their parents live a life of alcoholism or drug addiction. Sadly, this is so often the case.

There are so many children living this hidden life. I’ve heard friends say that they’ve had to cover for their parents. Some, it was a drug problem, others it was alcohol. Still others, it was a gambling issue. It is most sad to me because parents are supposed to protect their children. There are so many children dealing with this, having to play the part of the parent, while their parents play the child.

I have actually heard someone say, “I know it’s bad… but it’s all I’ve ever known.” People who use this excuse get /eyerolls from me. I’m sorry, but I don’t buy the “it’s all I’ve ever known” line. If you are aware of the effects of a particular lifestyle, it is not all you’ve ever known. You are fully aware of what you are doing to yourself and those around you.

No matter what sort of life your parents have lived, you do not need to follow in their footsteps and/or lifestyle. There is no such thing as “it’s all I’ve ever known.” This is not a reason to live a dangerous life. It doesn’t matter if you come from a family filled with alcoholism, drug addiction, gambling addiction, prostitution – whatever it is, it was ultimately at one time their choice to choose that lifestyle. “But it started at a very low point in their life.” I am aware that this is most often the case. Unfortunately, Satan doesn’t ever play fair, and will do anything to pull you down. He takes advantage of these times, and provides an “easy escape.” This escape often comes with years of pain for all involved.

I know of so many people who live the same life their parents lived, just because they don’t think they deserve any better. You deserve what you put your effort toward. You are born with the capability to achieve anything! As cheesy as that sounds, it’s so true. If you are determined and put forth the effort to learn what you need to achieve your goals, you will reach them.

No matter what kind of living situation you came from, you have a chance to choose for yourself. You can live a successful and happy life, if you choose to work hard to make it that way. Don’t ever take the easy road because you feel it’s your only choice. It may look like an attractive way out, but in the end, any sort of addiction creates pain and sorrow for not just the person doing it, but those who love them as well.

If you work hard and hold your head high, fill your heart with determination and your mind with skill, you can reach the stars.

<3.

We walked in, and there were stuffed animals everywhere! I noted the munkie hanging from the ceiling. There were several animals looking down from above. The waiting room was colorful and filled with toys – It was so inviting! I’m not really surprised, but it was fun to see that. Mini-Munkie was excited, too. I walked to the desk, he ran for the toys.

When I sat down, he was playing with a little boy. They were playing with a small table with sand and toys inside, glass over them, and magnets on strings. He soon figured out he needed to run the magnet along the bottom to move the toys. This is such a simple concept, but amazes people of all ages, no doubt.

The boy wasn’t much older than my son. He brought out a toy of his own, and Mini-Munkie asked if he could play with that toy, as well. The boy’s reply made me raise an eyebrow, a little. He said, “If you use hand sanitizer first. It’s over there.” – and pointed to the automatic dispenser.

At first, I was just shocked that such words came out of a 6 year old’s mouth. Then, a little impressed. It was a doctor’s office. Only sick people go to the doctor’s office. Unless they have some sick fascination with being checked out by the doctor. I suppose that probably exists. I thought, “he probably just wants to make sure not to get whatever it is my son has.” But then I realized that this was a 6 year old. 6 year olds don’t care about germs and diseases.

The more likely answer is that this child was raised in a bubble. A bubble? Yeah. Remember the movie, Bubble Boy? The guy who grew up living in a bubble so he didn’t get exposed to germs? Okay so maybe you’ve never seen it. I remember it, and sitting in the doctor’s office reminded me of it.

Most kids these days are put in bubbles – “Wash your hands.” “Use hand sanitizer.” “Don’t touch that, it has germs all over it.”

I know what you’re thinking. “Wait, wait, wait. YOU are saying this?” For those who don’t know this already – I put myself in a bubble when I was about 8 years old. I was a complete germ-a-phob. I washed my hands so often, they started to crack and bleed. The doctors chalked it up to my being allergic to the soap they used at school… But I knew that wasn’t it. I wouldn’t touch door handles with my hand – out of habit, I still don’t, most of the time. What was this a result of? I believe it was one of those “wash your hands” videos they showed in school.

Don’t get me wrong. I make my son wash his hands after using the bathroom, I do make him use hand sanitizer before eating – but usually just at restaurants. But in general, I let my kid get dirty. Like my grandpa said to me once, “A little dirt won’t hurt anyone.” I spent the majority of my childhood covered in dirt. Having little brothers and being somewhat of a tom-boy does that.

But things have changed. When I was a young kid, we went in from playing outside, and only washed our hands if there was visible dirt on them. We ate a snack and ran back outside to play. I never heard anyone say, “use hand sanitizer first.” There was no such thing as hand sanitizer in the purse of every mom.

I remember one time licking my finger only to find there was sand on it. The texture was awful, and full of God knows what kind of germs. But, whatever was 0n it, I fought it, and am still alive today. We didn’t worry so much about the germs then… And built up an immune system that could knock out a horse. Okay, probably not, horses are big and heavy. I am little. I’d be on my butt instantly. But you know what I mean… I was never sick as a kid or a teenager. Now, kids are always sick.

I know that illnesses have mutated and changed and there are more strings of diseases now. So I’m not completely blaming the “clean hands” for this. But I know that keeping germs out of kids doesn’t give them an opportunity to build up an immunity to things a little at a time. My kid doesn’t live in a complete bubble, and I am completely okay with that.

Just a thought, from a comment I didn’t see coming. Have a great day, everyone!

<3.