Category Archives: Opinions

Gossip and Rumors

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judge

I was reminded today of a misunderstanding-turned-quarrel I had with a friend a few years back. Seems that I am still the target of mean-spirited gossip just because the other party had her feelings hurt. The person who reminded me of this was a good friend who told me what had been said about me. How petty and small-minded some people must be to continue to spread rumors and gossip about others.

People can gossip all they want. I’d prefer they leave me out of it. If they gossip about me, then oh well. That just shows a great immaturity and when rumors are spread, that just tells me you have low self-esteem and you have a need to feel better about yourself. Why else would a person do that, if not to make one’s self feel better? Oh yeah, to hurt another person. Guess what? I’m not hurt. Why? Because I know the truth. I also know that the people who know me, know the truth….because they really know me.

I, personally, don’t believe gossip and rumors. It’s usually none of my business in the first place. Besides, I tend to form my own opinions of people and other things and I’d rather do it without the influence of another person. I think for myself.

Most people can see what kind of a person you are when you’re running your mouth about someone else. You hurt no one but yourself when you spread rumors and gossip about others.

 

 

15 Things You Can Learn From A Cat

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Now, don’t poke fun at me for being a “Crazy Cat Lady,” not just yet anyway! I’ve spent some time sitting with my furry darlings, and I’ve come to realize they really know how to live!

 

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                                                 Image Copyright Being Aunt Debbie

 

Pay attention. There will be a test at the end.

  1. Cats are always curious. They explore. They learn. Shouldn’t we always try to do the same?
  2. Cats sleep most of the day. We shouldn’t and most of us can’t sleep all day but it IS important to get enough sleep!
  3. Cats usually know a cat person when they meet one. If my cats don’t like someone, generally I don’t like them either. They choose their friends wisely and so do I.
  4. Cats are clean animals. They bathe several times a day. Good hygiene is key for us too!
  5. Cats love fish. We should eat more fish. Those omega 3’s and all…
  6. Cats are always aware of what’s going on around them. We should pay more attention to our surroundings instead of having our noses in our phones.
  7. Cats love to spend time with their human family. Shouldn’t we also spend time with our family?
  8. Cats will take your left arm off with one swipe of a paw if you don’t respect their limits. We should also demand respect from others. Set boundaries.
  9. Cats are independent. They do not need us to survive. We need to be independent so we can survive without the help of others.
  10. Cats like to chase that red dot! They will never catch it, but do they give up? No! They keep trying. We should keep trying to reach our goals, no matter what!
  11. Cats are forgiving. If you step on their tail they may be mad or run in fear, but 10 minutes later they will forgive you and love you still. We should always try to be forgiving. It’s good for the soul.
  12. Cats are playful. Never get into a ‘stick-in-the-mud rut’ and forget to have fun! It will keep you young.
  13. Cats stretch after a good nap. They may run around the house at 3am for no apparent reason! We need to stretch and exercise, too! It’ll keep us healthy!
  14. Cats love to lay in the sun. We need sunshine, too! It feels good and provides us with vitamin D.
  15. Cats live in the moment. They love and play, but most importantly they know how to CHILL! I know a lot of people who need to chill. Don’t you?

 

The test has been canceled because I know you were paying attention. Your assignment is to find what you can learn from your pets! Thanks for reading, friends!

 

Aunt Debbie’s Advice to the Younger Generation

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I know, I know. The younger generations have never been good at taking advice from older people. I refused to take my mother’s advice, my mother refused to take her mother’s advice, and the list goes on. The older generations always know a thing or two, even if the younger folk won’t admit it!

Much of this list is based on my own experiences and some are things I wish I would have learned long before I did. I guess that’s life, though. We don’t get instructions on how to live it. We are taught some things by our parents but much is a game of trial and error. We learn as we go.

Here’s my advice to the younger generations.

  1. Ask questions. Question everything. Learn everything you can. Don’t reject new ideas because they are different than you believe. Be curious about everything and think for yourself.
  2. Be respectful of others and their opinions. How can you expect others to respect you and your opinions if you don’t show them the same?
  3. Stay away from drugs. They will NOT make anything better. They will make things worse, guaranteed.
  4. Don’t plaster your face with tons of makeup. Makeup should enhance your natural beauty, not cover it up. Besides, it really looks bad.
  5. Don’t be a bully! Everyone deserves to be accepted for who they are. Everyone wants (and needs) to be cared for. Everyone is worthy!
  6. Choose your own spiritual/religious path. Don’t worry if no one else gets it. It’s not their path. It’s yours.
  7. Nurture your creativity. Pursue hobbies. Try new things.
  8. You can’t fix stupid; unless it’s you. Refer to #1. Keep learning, always!
  9. Adapt. Changes can be awesome!
  10. Take advantage of opportunities. They may not come around again.
  11. Learn how to resolve conflict without anger and violence.
  12. Always try to see things from another person’s perspective. Keep your mind open.
  13. Don’t be lazy. Talent is not enough if you aren’t willing to work hard.
  14. Learn to cook! It’s much healthier than buying processed meals or eating out.
  15. Be responsible. Pay your bills on time. Go to work. Clean your house. Wash your car. Feed the dog. Take care of your responsibilities!
  16. It’s ok to admit when you’re wrong. It happens. Admit it and move on.
  17. Skip the credit cards. It will be too easy to use them and too easy for it to get out of hand. Next thing you know, you’re in debt and can’t pay your bills.
  18. Be generous. Give your time. Donate. Help others. It feels good to be helpful.
  19. Don’t be stupid and land yourself in jail. It will suck for you! Obey the law!
  20. Save money. Learn to manage money effectively. It’s ok to splurge now and then, but it’s never too early to start saving for the future.
  21. Do your homework – and not just school homework. Learn everything you can about a topic before you start an argument with someone and find out how wrong you really are!
  22. Don’t flaunt yourself/your body. A little modesty goes a long way.
  23. Guard your health. You will get older someday. Use sunscreen. Don’t smoke. Drink alcohol in moderation. Exercise. Brush your teeth. Eat healthy foods. Don’t do drugs. Wear your seatbelt!
  24. Take time each day just for you. Take a bath, a walk, or read a book. Do something that makes you happy. Make yourself a priority as you do with others.
  25. If you have pets, take care of them. Have them spayed or neutered. Take them to the vet when they are sick. Don’t leave them behind when you move. Don’t dump them when you can’t afford to feed them anymore. They depend on you to care for them. Do it.
  26. Never give up – Not on love, friendships, education, health.
  27. Listen to music! Experience different genres of music. You might find you like more than you think.
  28. It’s ok to cry. Don’t let anyone make you feel weak because you need to cry. It’s healthy and normal.
  29. Teach your children to look with their eyes, not their hands. You will have less conflict while shopping and in other people’s homes!
  30. Be honest and trustworthy.
  31. Don’t blame others. Don’t make excuses.
  32. Laugh at yourself. It’s easier and feels better than beating yourself up.
  33. Meet new people, try new things!
  34. Listen more, talk less. Know when to keep your mouth shut.
  35. Return everything you borrow.
  36. Don’t live to impress others.
  37. Pay attention to the little things; sunsets, sunrises, children’s giggles, freshly cleaned clothes, petting a cat, the smell of popcorn, a good movie, birds chirping, etc.
  38. Be grateful for everything. Don’t worry about what you don’t have.
  39. Be on time!
  40. Have good manners.
  41. Learn from your mistakes.
  42. Don’t become financially dependent on anyone!
  43. Live a simple life and let go of the bullshit.

 

Do you have any advice for the younger generation? Leave your advice in the comments!

Someone Needs To Say It

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People are so judgmental these days. I have been judgmental, you have been judgmental. We have all been guilty of it at some point. It’s not always a conscious effort, however.

A person’s preconceptions are based on their own experiences, beliefs, and values. We all make snap judgments about people and situations. It’s self-preservation in a way. We have the instinctual need to protect ourselves from harm or death. If we see someone who is different somehow, we tend to turn the other way. If you have had a bad experience with a person with tattoos or piercings, that will shape your thoughts. If you’ve had a bad experience with a police officer, a biker, or even an atheist, you’re going to carry that with you forever. We will always be shaped by things that happen to us, our belief system, and how we were raised (what we have been taught). Our experiences shape our thoughts and interactions with others sometimes subconsciously.

There are so many misconceptions about people who are different than others. Here are just a few, and there are many, many more!

  • A person with tattoos/piercings is scary or unclean.
  • Muslims are terrorists.
  • Atheists lack morals.
  • Jewish people are tightwads.
  • Mexicans are criminals.
  • Black people are thugs.
  • Policemen are gun happy.
  • Gay people will give you HIV.
  • Fat people are lazy slobs.
  • Pagans are devil worshippers.
  • Bikers are rough and mean.
  • A woman with red hair, red lips and shows her cleavage must be a porn star.

SHAME ON YOU if you believe any of that nonsense! Those ideas are absurd! Of course, you can believe whatever the hell you want to believe. It IS a free country, but we should always treat people with respect because they DO have feelings and emotions just as you and I do. They have troubles of their own. They have experiences that have shaped them, too.

Everyone is unique. If you don’t know them then you know nothing about them! Simple as that! Don’t just assume you know…..

Just don’t. It’s very unbecoming…. UGLY in fact.

 

 

We Are Losing Our Humanity

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I become more and more disheartened by people as I grow older. We should all feel a moral obligation to one another but seems that isn’t always the case. Many folks pass by an animal that is lost or injured and rush to its aid, but to help a fellow human being who may be hungry or cold seems to be too much to fathom. Where is the compassion and kindness? We are losing our humanity.

I’d like to think that most people are kind and generous. I’d also like to think they would stop and help a fellow human being who is in need. What I hear though, is that most people are convinced that those who are down and out aren’t worthy of help somehow, “because they could get a job” or “they make more money begging.” Folks are just plain suspicious of other folks who need help. I suppose I can see their point of view because frankly, there are some bad apples in the barrel. People who take the easy way, steal from others, cheat the system, etc., ruin things for those who really are in need of assistance. BUT most people who are in need of assistance are genuinely IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE.

Poverty in America is staggering! If you don’t believe me, do a quick Google search and you’ll see. Over 40 million Americans are living under the poverty level. That’s just mind-boggling. Some are college graduates. Some are seniors. Some are disabled. Many are children! With a higher cost of living and minimum wage not even coming close to being a “living wage,” it’s no wonder folks turn to public assistance programs and standing in the cold with signs that read, “Will work for food.” It’s a shame that in this great country we have such poverty.

Anyway, I refuse to lose my humanity. I will still try to see the good in others. I will still try to help someone in need if I can. I can’t judge one person because of another’s actions. I can’t lose sight of the fact that poverty can and does strike anyone, regardless of their education, age, skin color, marital status, health, etc.

What will you do to help others this year? Here are a few things we can all take the time to do to help our fellow humans:

  1. Volunteer in a soup kitchen, nursing home, or shelter.
  2. Donate clothing you no longer want or need.
  3. Donate money to help your own community.
  4. Donate canned goods to a homeless shelter.
  5. Donate coats that your children have outgrown to a local school.
  6. Offer to help an elderly neighbor with groceries or cleaning chores.
  7. If you knit or crochet, make afghans, scarves, or hats for those less fortunate.
  8. Cook for someone who may be overwhelmed with grief or stress.
  9. Donate stuffed animals and other toys to a children’s hospital.
  10. Do good deeds throughout the day, such as holding the door for someone, let someone step in front of you in line at the store, send someone a handwritten note, compliment people, smile at strangers, be helpful, share your time, teach someone a skill you are proficient at…..

I think you get the idea! 

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