Stealing Youth

First, I want to start by wishing you all a happy new year! I have a good feeling about this year. I don't know what it is, but even at the very stroke of midnight, as 2010 vanished into 2011, I felt the heaviness lift. Let's enjoy this moment of hope while we can.

Second: it's time again to get down to business...and a new post, eh?

OK. So...recently, I was shopping in an "upscale" department store for a gift for a young child. A 4-year-old girl to be exact. Now, I'm not a mother yet, but I know a few children and still have a sense for what kids wear. Or do I?

Sure, there were the quintessential long-sleeve shirt with a kitty and rainbow on it, footy pajamas, ruffled sweaters. But there were also colorful tu-tus seemingly from the Lady Gaga children's fashion line; sequenced pants for that aspiring Solid Gold dancer in the family; a faux black leather jacket complete with a hoodie for the littlest biker chick; and the military-inspired jacket and newsboy cap that would do either Che Guevara or any coffee-house regular proud.

I understand that parents want their kids to look cool...maybe even to reflect the parents' own styles. But, when I saw those clothes, it made me realize that we keep pushing our children to be little adults - not children. And it seems to me that it's not just fashion, but also other products. A few months ago, I went to a restaurant to see a child around 7 years old playing with an iPad like a toy. An iPad. Really? Very few adults I know have one, let alone a child using it as a plaything. Music, TV, movies, the list goes on.

I guess I shouldn't be so judgmental. I mean, when I become a parent, maybe I will be sucked right along with these trends all in the name of making my child happy. Then again, I can blame all of these external sources for stealing the youth from our children, but isn't it the responsibility of the parent to guide and make the decisions for a child until he or she is old enough to make his/her own decisions?

What do you think? If you're a parent, what is your opinion on what is being offered for kids today?

My Christmas Wish

Oh, 2010. What a long, strange trip it's been. I can't say that I'll be sorry to see you go.

This year, more than any others in recent memory, has brought personal tragedy to people I know and love, has brought drastic changes that should never have been, has piled on the stress, insecurity and instability to almost every one I talk to. But...as the saying goes, that which does not kill us, makes us stronger. And strong we are.

This time of year always fills me with hope and faith: Faith in the people of the world to love each other a little deeper. Hope that we have learned something from the previous year to find it within ourselves to carry on and make the world - or our little corner of it - a little bit better. Faith that the new year will bring a fresh start and better things for all. Hope that we realize the gifts that we have been given and not to waste them.

So, whether you celebrate Christmas or not, here is my wish for all of us:
Peace in our hearts, minds and souls. Love that will wrap us in its warmth always. Faith that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel and we will bask in that light soon. Happiness in celebrating life's treasures that cannot be bought.

Here's to a wonderful 2011.

Soul Pancake: Question to Ponder

I haven't forgotten about you, dear little blog. Work has been hectic and hopefully after December 3, I will be able to breathe again and give you a little more attention. In the meantime...

So, my husband recently introduced me to Soul Pancake. What is Soul Pancake, you may ask? It's a quirky little Website, co-created by actor Rainn Wilson of "The Office" fame (US version) and it attempts to tackle "life's big questions." Or at least, totally random questions that you might discuss with your friends after several rounds of drinks. Either way, it's a lot of fun.

So...do you want to try it "Soul Pancake" style? Let's see how we do.

One of my favorite questions (so far) that I've seen on S.P. is "What do you wish you'd accepted about yourself sooner?"

For me, there is a lot, but I'll spare you the therapy session and say that I wish I had accepted my height earlier. I was always the tallest kid in my class and still am one of the tallest of my friends. I always wanted to be shorter, petite, cute, but instead felt like a hulking beast next to my girlfriends. It even got to the point where I would purposely slouch to look shorter...and in effect, looked even geekier than I already did. But now that I'm older, I certainly appreciate being tall. Somewhere along the way, I also accepted that I am, by nature, a quiet person - and that there is nothing wrong with that.

Now, it's your turn. What do you wish you'd accepted about yourself sooner?

Rock the Vote

REMINDER: Tomorrow is election day in the United States.

I can think of very few excuses that would prevent anyone from voting...and since so many of you managed to get out to vote two years ago for the presidential election, there's no reason why you shouldn't continue to exercise your right as a citizen to make your voice and opinions heard through the vote.

This seems like a strange political year. Mid-term elections usually do not raise eyebrows...not like this year. The mud slinging has morphed into an all-out ugly brawl with metaphorical fisticuffs, low blows, name calling, chair throwing, hair pulling...I'm just waiting for the choke slam. "In this corner, we have the disenchanted left. In the other corner, we have the radical right." And the rest of us seem to fall in between as helpless spectators. But we cannot afford to be spectators. We count, too. This is our country, our state, our town. We need someone who will represent us. Not happy with the way things have been going and want someone new? Tell them so. Think your representatives are just fine. Vote to keep them around. Election Day is our day to speak up.

So - whether you are red, blue, checkered, whatever - now is your time to stand up and take action. You think your vote doesn't matter? Think again. Every vote counts.

See you at the polls.