When I turned to CNN over the weekend I can't help that I wanted to see more. The devastation is incredible to see. So many stories of triumph and despair. It was also enlightening to learn more about the rich , but turbulent, history of Haiti. It is interesting to see what happens when a people are ripped from their own country, transplanted into a new land, revolt, and left to fend for themselves with little help. I guess this leaves a person or a people to choose. A choice between a positive road or negative road as a result of ones past.
Overall, what I have seen encourages me to be a better person. I will be a little different to that person I open the door for, assistance towards that stranger in need of help, or the least of us- the poor-person with their cup out. How much of a sacrifice will it take for me to give a nickel, quarter, or a dollar without judgement. The stories from CNN also reaffirms me teach my children to appreciate life and for them to live with responsibility to make this place a better world in their own way. I have also learned this weekend that it is not a matter of where you have been but it is a matter of where you are going.
My two cents. Have a great week.
Haiti History: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Haiti
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Friday, November 13, 2009
Quick to listen and slow to speak
Proverb's 18 13 He who answers before listening—
that is his folly and his shame
I truly believe that listening is a skill which will always leave room for improvement in my life. In the movie "White Man Can't Jump", Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes come together with unlikely and selfish intentions to achieve a common goal. However, one of the underlining messages in the movie stems from the communication struggles between two people. If you saw the movie you will remember throughout the movie Woody argues with Wesley about listening to Jimmy Hendrix. Sydnie Deane, played by Wesley Snipes struggles with Billy Hoyle played by Woody, "Look man, you can listen to Jimi but you can't hear him. There's a difference man. Just because you're listening to him doesn't mean you're hearing him". In the end, when both choose to try and listen to each other they develop a chemistry that allows the both of them to win a men's basketball tournament towards the end of the movie. Unfortunately, he listens to Wesley but not the love of his life that he looses in the end. However, I think he may have lost the girl but not the love of his life, which was basketball.
I guess I am asking the question: Are we really listening? The Proverb above really speaks to the core of conflict, assumptions, arguments, and prejudice. Listening can determine a job promotion, personal healing, whether you get a traffic ticket, asleep on the couch, or worse. How many times have we listened to someone and we are waiting for our turn to argue our point. Or, how about the thought, "I know what they are getting at." and the rest of what they are saying becomes Blah, Blah, blah. As a result we answer or come to conclusions before we truly work to listen and hear what the person is saying. I can easily become caught up at work, home, or with friends on this topic. So when I read this passage it spoke to my heart as a reminder that I am a work in progress. I like to consider myself a good listener. I don't believe to be quick to judge and close my ears to sound instruction, criticism, or plan ole' I'm pissed at you. However, when it comes to conflict I guess my listening gauge leans towards the yellow zone. As I observe the political criticism regarding Obama's troop deployment the proverb comes to mind. However, when he seeks counsel and debates with his security cabinet it is portrayed in the media as a sign of weakness or inexperience.
that is his folly and his shame
I truly believe that listening is a skill which will always leave room for improvement in my life. In the movie "White Man Can't Jump", Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes come together with unlikely and selfish intentions to achieve a common goal. However, one of the underlining messages in the movie stems from the communication struggles between two people. If you saw the movie you will remember throughout the movie Woody argues with Wesley about listening to Jimmy Hendrix. Sydnie Deane, played by Wesley Snipes struggles with Billy Hoyle played by Woody, "Look man, you can listen to Jimi but you can't hear him. There's a difference man. Just because you're listening to him doesn't mean you're hearing him". In the end, when both choose to try and listen to each other they develop a chemistry that allows the both of them to win a men's basketball tournament towards the end of the movie. Unfortunately, he listens to Wesley but not the love of his life that he looses in the end. However, I think he may have lost the girl but not the love of his life, which was basketball.
I guess I am asking the question: Are we really listening? The Proverb above really speaks to the core of conflict, assumptions, arguments, and prejudice. Listening can determine a job promotion, personal healing, whether you get a traffic ticket, asleep on the couch, or worse. How many times have we listened to someone and we are waiting for our turn to argue our point. Or, how about the thought, "I know what they are getting at." and the rest of what they are saying becomes Blah, Blah, blah. As a result we answer or come to conclusions before we truly work to listen and hear what the person is saying. I can easily become caught up at work, home, or with friends on this topic. So when I read this passage it spoke to my heart as a reminder that I am a work in progress. I like to consider myself a good listener. I don't believe to be quick to judge and close my ears to sound instruction, criticism, or plan ole' I'm pissed at you. However, when it comes to conflict I guess my listening gauge leans towards the yellow zone. As I observe the political criticism regarding Obama's troop deployment the proverb comes to mind. However, when he seeks counsel and debates with his security cabinet it is portrayed in the media as a sign of weakness or inexperience.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Veterans Day: Family Time
Yesterday my wife, son, and I spent the day together. It was veterans day. Since the three of us were off from school and work why not spend some quality time together as a family. Kennedy, my daughter, still had to go to school.
Our day started off with breakfast at Denney's. The plan for the day was to have breakfast and go to a movie. However. we purposefully planned not to tell Myles, our son. Why you ask? Myles, like most 6 year olds have plenty of interrogative questions when it comes to his relationship with the world. He is in a space where everything has to make sense to him. If not, prepare yourself for a thousand an one questions until he understands. By the time he understands you feel inside, "Who was in charge? Me or him?".
After we had breakfast we stopped by HomeGoods store. I think Daphne and I did not realize what we were headed for as we entered the store. It was Myles' first time at the store. Naturally, its nothing out of the ordinary. But for a parent of Myles D. Browne, it was a unique experience. As we walked through the store Myles saw a thousand items that would be interesting to him to decorate our home for Christmas. Fourty-five minutes later we finally made it out of the the store without buying any of his suggestions. To Daphne and I, that was an accomplishment. When we are on a recession budget staying focused is the key. As we drove off. Daphne and I looked at each other as we started to hear those words that make us cringe. "Mom? Dad? What are we going to do now?". We did everything we could to distract him and not spoil the surprise, plus we wanted avoid the thousand and one questions. Ah, that was a stupid idea. The questions still kept coming. As we turned into the movie parking lot. "Oh, I know where we are going now. The movies...."Myles says.
We watched This is it, the Michael Jackson movie. It was long but a good expereince. I guess I was a little sentimental about going. I loved listening to his music and many of us can agree that his songs we grew up with generated different moments and feelings in our lives. Well, this moment I think was an unsaid moment that both Daphne and I wanted to experience with Myles. Hopefully, years from now Myles could say, remember, and feel the moment of when he went to see "This is it" with his mom and dad.
Over all the movie generated feelings of family togetherness, inspiration, and some sadness. I felt sad because he was taken from us too soon. I felt inspired because of what our nation and world is dealing with these days, "Make a change" kind of hit home with me. Especially, with Veterans day and what happen at Fort Hood. Lastly, I felt good inside that we spent some quality time with each other. Since I have been working, more time with the family is shorten to quick moments. Weekends filled with sports, activities, and errands. On this day, it was someting I needed as a father and husband. It refueled my motivation to keep pushing to ensure my family can have moments like this again and again.
I guess my message of refection is, take a time out to seek out what is imporatant to your family. Quality time, no matter how short or long is imporatant to let eachother know in said and unsaid ways of how you feel about eachother. I posted a picture of my grandfather on the family website who was in the Navy, Donald Bryant. Known to some of us a "PoPo". Addtionally, I gave reference to my other grandfather Herman Browne, Army. These two men played an imporatant role in my life that made me who I am today. I am just a little better because of them. However, I give honor to all who served within our family for the known and unknown sacrifices.
Our day started off with breakfast at Denney's. The plan for the day was to have breakfast and go to a movie. However. we purposefully planned not to tell Myles, our son. Why you ask? Myles, like most 6 year olds have plenty of interrogative questions when it comes to his relationship with the world. He is in a space where everything has to make sense to him. If not, prepare yourself for a thousand an one questions until he understands. By the time he understands you feel inside, "Who was in charge? Me or him?".
After we had breakfast we stopped by HomeGoods store. I think Daphne and I did not realize what we were headed for as we entered the store. It was Myles' first time at the store. Naturally, its nothing out of the ordinary. But for a parent of Myles D. Browne, it was a unique experience. As we walked through the store Myles saw a thousand items that would be interesting to him to decorate our home for Christmas. Fourty-five minutes later we finally made it out of the the store without buying any of his suggestions. To Daphne and I, that was an accomplishment. When we are on a recession budget staying focused is the key. As we drove off. Daphne and I looked at each other as we started to hear those words that make us cringe. "Mom? Dad? What are we going to do now?". We did everything we could to distract him and not spoil the surprise, plus we wanted avoid the thousand and one questions. Ah, that was a stupid idea. The questions still kept coming. As we turned into the movie parking lot. "Oh, I know where we are going now. The movies...."Myles says.
We watched This is it, the Michael Jackson movie. It was long but a good expereince. I guess I was a little sentimental about going. I loved listening to his music and many of us can agree that his songs we grew up with generated different moments and feelings in our lives. Well, this moment I think was an unsaid moment that both Daphne and I wanted to experience with Myles. Hopefully, years from now Myles could say, remember, and feel the moment of when he went to see "This is it" with his mom and dad.
Over all the movie generated feelings of family togetherness, inspiration, and some sadness. I felt sad because he was taken from us too soon. I felt inspired because of what our nation and world is dealing with these days, "Make a change" kind of hit home with me. Especially, with Veterans day and what happen at Fort Hood. Lastly, I felt good inside that we spent some quality time with each other. Since I have been working, more time with the family is shorten to quick moments. Weekends filled with sports, activities, and errands. On this day, it was someting I needed as a father and husband. It refueled my motivation to keep pushing to ensure my family can have moments like this again and again.
I guess my message of refection is, take a time out to seek out what is imporatant to your family. Quality time, no matter how short or long is imporatant to let eachother know in said and unsaid ways of how you feel about eachother. I posted a picture of my grandfather on the family website who was in the Navy, Donald Bryant. Known to some of us a "PoPo". Addtionally, I gave reference to my other grandfather Herman Browne, Army. These two men played an imporatant role in my life that made me who I am today. I am just a little better because of them. However, I give honor to all who served within our family for the known and unknown sacrifices.
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