Thoughts About Life…

♦Articles

◊The Forgotten “Ly”
◊Buy Less To Gain More
◊Book: If I Get To Five: What Children Can Teach Us About Courage and Character
◊Reverse SAP
◊”Jane Bond”
◊Star Trek: Ideas
◊Some Books That I Like

♦♦The Forgotten “LY”

When I was in College, at the University of Pennsylvania,  I took a class on the Psychology of Language. The professor, an expert in her field, and might I add a fine teacher and a kind person, mentioned  that the “ly” ending for an adverb might be lost someday due to lack of use. (I walk slow. versus I walk slowly.) 

These days,  I have found that this is happening. Many people do drop the “ly” ending when saying a word that should be an adverb;  And, people don’t seem to realize that the word should have an “ly” at the end of it.  Even professional speakers are doing this.

Now, I am not writing this to criticize or judge others. Languages do change and I make plenty of  linguistic mistakes.  But,  I have to  keep reminding myself to use the “ly,” so I won’t begin to unconsciously start dropping the “ly,”  given the widespread usage of the dropped “ly.” 

And, I would like to continue to keep using the “ly” and not lose it in my speech and in my writing.

-Glenn

 

♦♦Buy Less To Gain More

I am buying spending, gifts for others this time of year. And it lead me to think about my own spending throughout the year.   What if  I bought a bit  less? What if I bought clothing that was certified sweatshop free?  Yes, it would cost more. Yes, I would be able to buy less. I would have fewer things.  But, since I don’t use all the stuff that I have, would that be a problem? And maybe, if I bought even less than just a little less,  I could give a bit more or do a bit more or save a bit more.

If I bought, for example, a T-shirt that was made of organic cotton and produced in a sweatshop free environment where fair wages were paid to the workers, might that not be better than buying cheaper t-shirts that were made of cotton that wasn’t organic and where the labor practices were suspect. Additionally, by supporting companies (here and abroad) that have fair practices and pay fair wages, it sends a message to other companies.

Additionally, what if a portion of the clothing I bought was made in the USA and what if some other goods were made in the USA? Sure, my USA made TV might be more expensive, and maybe I could buy only a moderate sized TV, instead of a large one, but might this not put more people to work here? Might it also lead to more balanced trade with foreign countries?   

I think the key for me is in the term, ”balance.”  To balance my needs with my values. To understand that the cost of an item, isn’t its “true” cost. I do understand that the issues are far more complex than my brief statements surmise. But, I think that I need to apply more of this to my life, and to buy a bit less to, perhaps, gain a bit more.

 -Glenn  

As I continue reading the book, I am finding Dr. Epstein’s story to be truly remarkable, but the most touching sections of the book, are when he discusses his patients, including young children hoping to get to the age of five, and what the children taught Dr. Epstein about life. The young children savored the moments of their short lives and lived with tremendous courage.  

As I continue to read this book,  the stories of these amazing children are helping me to appreciate life more and to hopefully live more fully. To be grateful for what I have and how to overcome past disappointments.

I hope that no children have to go through what these brave children went through.

Here is an article with more information about Dr. Fred Epstein and his life and his work.

http://www.nysun.com/obituaries/fred-epstein-68-leading-pediatric-neurosurgeon/35920/

-Glenn
  

♦♦“Jane Bond”

Over the years, when watching the James Bond Movies, I thought they should make a movie with a women agent, as the lead character. 

They should make her out to be Jame Bond’s Sister.

I would call her,  Jane Bond.  She would be a karate expert.  And James Bond could make a cameo.  

Yes, I might consider being in it or even writing it. I like Broccoli.

I don’t they they ever discussed a mother or a father or brothers and sisters in the James Bond Movies.

-Glenn  

♦♦Star Trek: Ideas

♦♦Some Books That I Like:
.
The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook  by Martha Davis et al.
Small Miracles by Yitta Halberstam and Judith Leventhal (SERIES)
Kitchen Table Wisdom/My Grandfathers Blessings by Rachel Naomi Remen, MD
Sam’s Letters to Jennifer/Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas/Sunday at Tiffany’s  by James Patterson
And G-d Cried, Too: A Kid’s Book of Healing and Hope by Rabbi M Gellman and H Bliss
Jewish Literacy by Rabbi J Telushkin
Books by Rabbi David Aaron www.Isralight.org
Books by Robert Fulgham
Books by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, MD, such as Life Lessons (with David Kessler)
Radical Healing by Rudolph Ballentine, MD
Books by Mehmet Oz and Michael Roizen, MD’s, such as the You on a Diet, etc.
Who Moved My Cheese by Specer Johnson, MD. (Also Versions for Teens and Kids)
Peaks and Valleys by Spencer Johnson
Shift Happens by Robert Holden, phD.
Managing Your Mind by Gillian Butler, PhD and Tony Hope, MD.
Books by Richard Carlson, PhD.
Guided Imagery for Healing Children and Teens, Ellen Curren, RN
Books bt Herbert Benson, MD (ex. The Relaxation Response)