Habits

I like to think of myself as healthy--I mean, I like to exercise! Today, for example, I went running.

What I don't like to confess is that before going running I ate half a bowl of cookie dough...

...and I almost skipped running to eat the rest.

Hope for the hopeless

I just can't stop listening to this song.

Happy Birthday, Mr. President!

President Lincoln, that is.

I confess, I am not the world's greatest expert on the Presidents of the United States. But I have always felt particularly fond of Abraham Lincoln. I really enjoyed this statement by President Lincoln that I read today:

“As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy.”

I like that idea of democracy. It is akin to the golden rule: treat others as you would like to be treated, basically. I think we could use a bit more of that kind of democracy today.

Overwhelmed? Make a list.

For the past week I haven't closed my internet browser because I have been saving articles and videos that I wanted to post about. But now that I have them all piled up, I also don't have the energy to post about them all separately, so this is a listed post of some interesting finds (or shared from others) this week:

• First, Joanna Brooks. An "unorthodox" Mormon woman who is standing up both for her religion as well as her desire to see change and openness within this religious culture. I really admire her and relate to much of that she has to say.
• It Only Takes a Girl. Beautiful and lovely (and reminiscent of the Girl Effect videos in some ways). It made me cry. Here it is:
• Really amazing letter from a former slave to his former master. Definitely worth reading!
• I really related to the author of this article. Like him, and many others, I strongly support Planned Parenthood, while also being Pro-Life (though the terms "pro-life" and pro-choice" are not my favorites, since I don't think those who support abortion are necessarily against life and that those who oppose abortion are also opposed to choice... but anyway...). And here is chart (plus article) talking about what Planned Parenthood really does and where their money goes.Targeting Planned Parenthood as a means of reducing abortion and unwanted pregnancy is completely misguided and ignorant! I personally do believe that unborn babies should be protected, but I also believe that women and expecting mothers, whatever their circumstances, must receive the best support and assistance possible. It is both women and children who suffer from this battle. And it makes me really sad!
• I also want to put in a general plug for the NYTimes FIXES blog that posts great ideas about development every week (since I have about 3 of their articles half read right now... I'm easily distracted...). Their goal is to find great ideas that are actually working well. Af there is almost always a follow-up article that addresses questions and comments about each "fix." Some of them are really interesting. You should check it out!
• Finally, I just read this article talking about the idea that we would live in a more peaceful world if women occupied more leadership positions. I think that is true, if only because it would be a sign of societal progress and decreased gender discrimination. Also, it is commonly acknowledged in the "international development world" that as women gain rights and standing in a community, the overall well-being and development generally improves as well. I see this as part of a healthy society. And women in leadership is part of how a community views and treats women. If the position of women in powerful roles is an indication of our societies as a whole we have a lot to worry about. And honestly, I think it is pretty important reflection of our societies. (The stats in this article are super interesting!)

Well, that's all for now. I'm tired and so is my computer.

Peace and love to one and all!! xo.

I hate groundhogs and their stupid holiday!

Six more weeks of winter? Please tell me there has been some kind of mistake!

I have officially reached the "I can't take it anymore!!!" phase of winter. I think it is a February thing. It happens something like this:

First, all of the shiny, bright winter moments have come to an end. Christmas is over. And New Years too. And all the left over excitement from these holidays has faded during the course of January, along with the decorations in store windows and the pretty lights in the streets. The only thing left is gloom (i.e. cold).

And the snow, if there ever was any, has lost any trace of its former magic and charm. It is now just a dirty, mushy inconvenience that makes miserable cold days colder, and wetter. And it's gross.

Also, all of my clothes have become unappealing as well. I am tired of them. They are boring and ugly and I am sick of them all and of layering them on top of each other. Every pair of pants, every sweater and coat, every long-sleeved article of clothing and every boot and closed-toed shoe has become repulsive, yet inescapable.

And shopping is out of the question, because even the idea of leaving the house at all is now extremely distressing. Getting dressed in those awful clothes then voluntarily entering that terrible dark and dreary world of coldness outside of the house? No thank you! At this point, I would rather not go anywhere at all, or even leave the warmth of my bed, until the daily temperature is at a steady 70+ degrees.

And just to make the whole situation worse, February seems so promising. In Arizona it's already warm, so I start thinking springtime must be just around the corner. And those deceivingly sunny days that look like Spring, but then destroy you with their biting chill are almost enough to drive someone mad. Plus Valentine's Day claims to be all about love and pinks and reds and friends and joy. But it's all a hoax- I'm beginning to feel it is impossible for love to even exist when it is so freezing cold!!

No. No, there is nothing beautiful or lovely left in this season. It is all downhill from here.

Six more weeks of winter? Just tell me it isn't true. I don't know that I can last that long.