Wednesday, December 10, 2008
THE END
As I said recently, thank you so much to so many of you for inviting my thoughts into your homes and workplaces for so many years. Thanks for giving me a voice.
Over the course of the 7+ years this blog has been in existence, it has been both a blessing and a curse for me. Sometimes, it provided great discussion between different groups of people about the pertinent topics of the day. Other times, it became an obsession for me that forced me to use the computer even when there were other more important things to do.
So, after struggling with this for years now, I have finally decided that it’s the right time to call it quits and to say goodbye.
This is how the fairy tale ends …
As I said recently, thank you so much to so many of you for inviting my thoughts into your homes and workplaces for so many years. Thanks for giving me a voice.
Over the course of the 7+ years this blog has been in existence, it has been both a blessing and a curse for me. Sometimes, it provided great discussion between different groups of people about the pertinent topics of the day. Other times, it became an obsession for me that forced me to use the computer even when there were other more important things to do.
So, after struggling with this for years now, I have finally decided that it’s the right time to call it quits and to say goodbye.
This is how the fairy tale ends …
Monday, December 08, 2008
ASK ME
I know this song is actually about sexual abuse, but the message and the words ring so true. When Amy Grant's "Heart In Motion" album came out more than 15 years ago, everybody was up in arms about this being her first secular album and how she's turning her back on Christian music. Still, I remember the first time I heard this song "As Me" from that album. I thought it was one of the best Christian songs she'd ever done. This song's message always brings me peace and comfort:
I see her as a little girl hiding in her room
She takes another bath and she sprays her momma's perfume
To try and wipe away the sin he left behind
But it haunts her mind.
You see she's his little rag, nothing more than just a waif
And he's mopping up his need, she is tired and afraid
Maybe she'll find a way through these awful years to disappear.
Ask me if I think there's a God up in the heaven
Where did He go in the middle of her shame?
Ask me if I think there's a God up in the heaven
I see no mercy and no one down here's naming names
Nobody's naming names.
Now she's looking in the mirror at a lovely woman face
No more frightened little girl, like she's gone without a trace
Still she leaves the light burning in the hall
It's hard to sleep at all.
So she crawls up in her bed acting quiet as a mouse
Deep inside she's listening for a creeping in the house
But nothing's left to harm her, she's finally safe and sound
There's a peace she's found.
Ask her how she knows there's a God up in the heaven
Where did He go in the middle of her shame?
Ask her how she knows there's a God up in the heavens
She said His mercy is bringing her life again.
Ask me how I know there's a God up in the heaven(How do you know?)
Where did He go in the middle of her shame(Where did He go?)
Ask me how I know there's a God up in the heavens(How do you know?)
She said His mercy is bringing her life again
She's coming to life again.
He's in the middle of her pain
In the middle of her shame
Mercy brings life
He's in the middle
Mercy in the middle.
So ask me how I know
Ask me how I know, yeah
Ask me how I know there's a God up in the heaven(How do you know?)
Ask me how I know there's a God up in the heaven(How do you know?)
Yeah, ask me how I know(How do you know?)
Ask me
Ask me
Ask me how I know(How do you know?)
There's a God up in the heaven
Ask me how I know there's a God up in the heaven.
I know this song is actually about sexual abuse, but the message and the words ring so true. When Amy Grant's "Heart In Motion" album came out more than 15 years ago, everybody was up in arms about this being her first secular album and how she's turning her back on Christian music. Still, I remember the first time I heard this song "As Me" from that album. I thought it was one of the best Christian songs she'd ever done. This song's message always brings me peace and comfort:
I see her as a little girl hiding in her room
She takes another bath and she sprays her momma's perfume
To try and wipe away the sin he left behind
But it haunts her mind.
You see she's his little rag, nothing more than just a waif
And he's mopping up his need, she is tired and afraid
Maybe she'll find a way through these awful years to disappear.
Ask me if I think there's a God up in the heaven
Where did He go in the middle of her shame?
Ask me if I think there's a God up in the heaven
I see no mercy and no one down here's naming names
Nobody's naming names.
Now she's looking in the mirror at a lovely woman face
No more frightened little girl, like she's gone without a trace
Still she leaves the light burning in the hall
It's hard to sleep at all.
So she crawls up in her bed acting quiet as a mouse
Deep inside she's listening for a creeping in the house
But nothing's left to harm her, she's finally safe and sound
There's a peace she's found.
Ask her how she knows there's a God up in the heaven
Where did He go in the middle of her shame?
Ask her how she knows there's a God up in the heavens
She said His mercy is bringing her life again.
Ask me how I know there's a God up in the heaven(How do you know?)
Where did He go in the middle of her shame(Where did He go?)
Ask me how I know there's a God up in the heavens(How do you know?)
She said His mercy is bringing her life again
She's coming to life again.
He's in the middle of her pain
In the middle of her shame
Mercy brings life
He's in the middle
Mercy in the middle.
So ask me how I know
Ask me how I know, yeah
Ask me how I know there's a God up in the heaven(How do you know?)
Ask me how I know there's a God up in the heaven(How do you know?)
Yeah, ask me how I know(How do you know?)
Ask me
Ask me
Ask me how I know(How do you know?)
There's a God up in the heaven
Ask me how I know there's a God up in the heaven.
Saturday, December 06, 2008
WINNERS AND LOSERS
One of the most profound things I ever heard as a kid came from the TV show "Family Ties." In one of its episodes, Michael J. Fox's character describes his dad as, "He doesn't have to make you a loser for him to be a winner himself."
Having a winner, by definition, means there is a loser. But I always found it interesting and have strived to be a winner without making others out to be losers in the process.
And I know sports is just sports. And I know that my Bruins have been on the losing end of the football rivalry the last few years (including today's loss) so I'm really in no position to speak.
But I'm hoping the winning Trojan fans I know will be winners and enjoy their victory . . . without making me or other Bruin fans out to feel like losers. And I'd like to think if the roles were reversed, we'd do the same for them.
Friday, December 05, 2008
O.J. REVISITED
The earth stood still again today ... as the world glued their eyes to their TV sets to hear the sentencing of O.J. Simpson. I still remember running to a nearby TV on the UCLA campus more than a decade ago to listen to the "not guilty" verdict. And today, all of our patients stood in front of our waiting room television to hear that O.J. had been sentenced to at least 9 years in jail for his part in the robbery and kidnapping in Vegas last year.
Many felt like the sentencing would be retribution for the not guilty verdict in his infamous murder trial. Even Ron Goldman's parents were in the courtroom for the sentencing and gave a rather vengeful response to his sentence.
In fact, I started thinking a lot about O.J. this week and that murder trial since I drove by the murder site on Bundy on my way to my hip surgeon's office this week. Personally, even though I believe he was guilty of the murders, I agree with this judge in saying that this sentence should have nothing to do with that one. Likewise, I don't believe the Goldman family should have been present during today's sentencing.
Don't get me wrong, in no way am I condoning or supporting O.J. Simpson. He's obviously made many huge errors in judgement. But still, if we are to believe in our judicial system, then we ought to ensure that no sentence is based on retribution for previous crimes or previous trials.
The earth stood still again today ... as the world glued their eyes to their TV sets to hear the sentencing of O.J. Simpson. I still remember running to a nearby TV on the UCLA campus more than a decade ago to listen to the "not guilty" verdict. And today, all of our patients stood in front of our waiting room television to hear that O.J. had been sentenced to at least 9 years in jail for his part in the robbery and kidnapping in Vegas last year.
Many felt like the sentencing would be retribution for the not guilty verdict in his infamous murder trial. Even Ron Goldman's parents were in the courtroom for the sentencing and gave a rather vengeful response to his sentence.
In fact, I started thinking a lot about O.J. this week and that murder trial since I drove by the murder site on Bundy on my way to my hip surgeon's office this week. Personally, even though I believe he was guilty of the murders, I agree with this judge in saying that this sentence should have nothing to do with that one. Likewise, I don't believe the Goldman family should have been present during today's sentencing.
Don't get me wrong, in no way am I condoning or supporting O.J. Simpson. He's obviously made many huge errors in judgement. But still, if we are to believe in our judicial system, then we ought to ensure that no sentence is based on retribution for previous crimes or previous trials.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
THINGS I THOUGHT BUT DIDN'T SAY
I've noticed that I been thinking a lot of things recently, but since the sentiment wasn't very nice, I opted not to say them. I know some of them are very mean and I apologize for that. In no particular order, they are:
What's the matter with you?
I think you're being so selfish right now.
I wish you could step out of this situation and see how irrational you're being.
Why can't you just shut up and do your job?
Why can't you act your age? Grow up! (Oh wait, I DID say that one out loud. I apologize for being so short with you, if you're reading this).
I've noticed that I been thinking a lot of things recently, but since the sentiment wasn't very nice, I opted not to say them. I know some of them are very mean and I apologize for that. In no particular order, they are:
What's the matter with you?
I think you're being so selfish right now.
I wish you could step out of this situation and see how irrational you're being.
Why can't you just shut up and do your job?
Why can't you act your age? Grow up! (Oh wait, I DID say that one out loud. I apologize for being so short with you, if you're reading this).
Sunday, November 30, 2008
HMMM ... BRADLEY ...
A few years ago, I had a patient come in with Dodgers gear all over her wheelchair. She told me she used to go to almost every single home game for years and sit in the first few rows. I wondered aloud how big a Dodgers fan she must be to get season tickets year after year to sit so close.
She explained that she's been very fortunate in life -- having been given a kimono and samurai suit that both hang in her home as a gift from the Prime Minister of Japan, visited with countless Presidents and heads of state, etc.
I was amazed at all she had seen and done in her lifetime and again wondered aloud how that was possible. She said that being married to L.A's highest public servant for countless years afforded her great opportunities that she cherished.
I quickly took a look at her name -- Ethel Bradley.
I'm usually pretty quick with these things, but somehow, I couldn't peace it together -- Bradley, wife of LA's highest public servant, meeting Presidents and heads of state. Bradley, hmmm, Bradley.
It wasn't until she said, "Well, my husband's been gone several years now have his stroke but I still miss him."
That's when it finally hit me. She was the wife of LA Mayor Tom Bradley.
Ethel Bradley passed this past week and seeing her obituary in the paper made me recall this story. She truly was an amazing lady and made the most of her opportunities to better the lives of those she met -- whether they were homeless or world political figures.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
STILL SICK
Sunday will mark a full two weeks that I've been sick. The first week, my illness seeemed more like the flu -- body aches, fatigue, etc. But this week, the sickness has changed into a persistent violent cough, headache and occasional runny nose.
Karena suggested I go see the doctor yesterday since it still was not getting better. But I tend to be very stubborn about taking medication and seeing the doctor. I usually shy away from both. I really thought I was doing better yesterday so I didn't go see the doctor and just came home to go to bed.
But now, here I am, on my 14th day of sickness, and I'm still coughing up a storm.
Karena was right.
Sunday will mark a full two weeks that I've been sick. The first week, my illness seeemed more like the flu -- body aches, fatigue, etc. But this week, the sickness has changed into a persistent violent cough, headache and occasional runny nose.
Karena suggested I go see the doctor yesterday since it still was not getting better. But I tend to be very stubborn about taking medication and seeing the doctor. I usually shy away from both. I really thought I was doing better yesterday so I didn't go see the doctor and just came home to go to bed.
But now, here I am, on my 14th day of sickness, and I'm still coughing up a storm.
Karena was right.
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