Sign of the Times

April, 2008 celebrates the 50th anniversary of the peace sign. It is the one sign recognized around the globe regardless of one’s race or religion transcending all differences. The symbol unites us all. Interestingly enough, each passing decade adopts the power of the sign and the appeal continue to grow. The cultural phenomenon’s golden birthday is commerated by National Geographic who is publishing a tribute to the world-famous pictogram.

Peace activists began using the symbol in 1958 while protesting the testing and stockpiling of nuclear weapons. Gerald Holtorn, a textile designer, created the symbol by combining the semaphore letters of N and D, referencing nuclear disarmament. To this day, the symbol has been easy to remember and reproduce. It is an icon which appears on clothing, flags and the armband of many different cultural movements such as the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights movement, various environmental causes, women’s and gay rights movements, and two Iraqi wars. If one is challenging the need for social change then what better universal sign to use?

In a day and age where religion is a loaded subject, it is refreshing to see volatile conversations tempered by a secular symbol. The answer, the simple sign of peace, stands for good. It reminds one to be kind to their neighbors. It teaches one to care for animals. The sign explains that there are no answers in violence and fighting; only more questions. Ultimately, the cultural representation has allowed citizens of the world to march under one sign, to wear one easily recognizable symbol, and to even display commentary during times of war and combat. What beauty queen when asked what she would want for the world hasn’t responded,”world peace”. And can one really blame her? Perhaps, she had it more together than one gave her credit for. Do something peaceful today and watch the wave of goodness return to you.

The Glass Half Full

A friend passed this along to me recently. It was an e-mail about a man named John. And I think the story resonates with us all, especially those going through trying times.

John is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, “If I were any better, I would be twins!” He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, John was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.

Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up and asked him, “I don’t get it! You can’t be this positive all the time. How do you do it?” He replied, “Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or… or you can choose to be in a bad mood. I choose to be in a good mood. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.” I protested, “Yeah, right, it’s not that easy.” He replied, “Yes, it is. Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how to react to situations. You choose how people affect your mood. You choose to be a good mood or a bad mood. The bottom line is that it’s your choice how you live your life.” I reflected on what he said. Soon hereafter, I left the tower business.

We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made choice about life instead of reacting to it. Several years later, I heard that he was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communication tower. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, he was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back. I saw him about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied, “If I were any better, I’d be twins. Wanna see my scars?” I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place. He replied, “the first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon- to be- daughter. Then, as I lay on the ground I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or I could live to die. I chose to live.” I asked, “Weren’t you scared? Did you lose consciousness?” He continued, “…. The paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read ‘he’s a dead man’ and I knew I needed to take action.” I responded by asking, “What did you do?” John answered, “Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me. She asked if I was allergic to anything and I replied ‘Yes’. The doctors and nurse stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled ‘gravity’. Over their laughter, I told them, ‘I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead’.”

He lived and thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully. Attitude is everything, after all. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow. After all today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday. Choose to live today.

Not really much of an update

So, I haven't really had any news to share. Things are status quo and the days pass with little or no news. This journey has really tested my patience and given me a new perspective on many issues. I guess some things just can't be rushed regardless of how badly we want them. I know there will be light at the end of tunnel, I am just hoping it isn't an oncoming speeding train. Most of my adoption comrades have already posted the following information but if you are curious and need information on what the delay is all about please look here. In addition, there is a petition advocating change to the new "stream-lined" process?

We had company last week and it was like visiting with a dear friend I hadn't seen in a very long time. My new friend totally rocks. We had beautiful weather, lots of beach time, plenty of wheat grass juice (mmmmm!), painted pottery with huge chalices of "Mondovi?" (did the girl really pronounce it that way?), hot spicy pho, spent a fantastic morning on the water on the boat and just generally enjoyed each other's company. I truly hope the next time we see each other we are meeting each other in an airport to pick up our daughters.

Happy Easter! I love chocolate and there was no way I could have given it up this year for Lent. I have in prior years but with all the stress of the adoption, I knew I would be doomed to fail. Surprisingly I have stayed away from the Easter sweets. I love Cadbury Creme Eggs, well just the fake egg filling (I throw the chocolate shell away-I don't like Cadbury chocolate... I am kinda picky) and I can't believe that I haven't had one yet. Anyway, I gave up ice cream and I am so looking forward to Sunday. I already have the day planned and the menu laid out. Oh, here I come Pralines and Cream, S'mores, and Double Fudge Chunk!

This is as good as it gets..... for now but I am feeling an upswing after my huge spoonful of yummy ice cream on Sunday morning! Peace and love and of course the cold stuff!

A Follow-up to The Last Post

No news is bad news...... or at least challenging news. In this amazing and tumultuous journey to our daughter we have hit yet another road block. I am so tired of these solid brick walls and I apologize for the obvious comment and easy target. I usually try and be a little more poignant and clever in my references but I am honestly too tired for such nonsense. I just can't help the cynical attitude. Tomorrow is a new day and I am hopeful I will change my mind. But, if you are in the Vietnam adoption world- you know what I am referring too and if you are a dear friend or family member then you know where we are and where our thoughts and heart is. I am still sending positive vibes out to the Universe and more importantly to our little one, Mattine, who unfortunately in this mess of a process is stuck on a cold bamboo mat. Still cynical! This is so unlike me but I think I have succumbed to this journey and for tonight is has claimed me as victim. I will be raring to fight tomorrow, I am sure.

On a lighter note, we have been blessed to run across another wonderful family in this process (shout out). My closest PAP is coming to visit us on Tuesday and is planning to stay with us until Friday. I am so excited and am really relieved to have some camaraderie here next week. I am not quite sure what we will do but I can say with the most positive of spirit that I couldn't ask for a stronger support system. This is such a small world we live in and the adoption community is even smaller. For most, this appears to be a easy process and transition- only those in the midst of confusion and love know the feelings and state of mind we are experiencing. It will be a relief to have "that" support system close and we want to thanks all those who play a part in our network of support. BTW, I am so ready to freak out and place that bubble gum pink streak in my hair. In fact, I am making the call tomorrow. Mattine would be proud of her momma sporting the pink! I will take a little peace from anything.

Relentless Sunshine (even though I don't feel like it!)

They say no news is good news but lately I am not thinking so. It seems there may some speed bumps ahead of us. I am trying to be optimistic but somedays I just want to crawl back in bed and pull the covers over my head. Today is one of those days. What else do we have ....hmmmm, an adorably funny friend of mine sent a wickedly funny list, "The Rules of Life" , and I haven't been able to stop laughing especially since a lot of them hit home.

Here goes....

1. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

2. Don't worry about what people think - they don't do it very often.

3. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian anymore than standing in a garage makes you a car.

4. Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.

5. If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you've never tried before.

6. My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance.

7. Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.

8. A person who is nice to you, but rude to the waiter, is not a nice person.

9. For every action, there is an equal and opposite government program.

10. If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip.

11. Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of checks.

12. A conscience is what hurts when all of your other parts feel so good.

13. Eat well, stay fit, die anyway.

14. Men are from earth. Women are from earth. Deal with it.

15. No man has ever been shot while doing the dishes.

16. A balanced diet is a muffin (I changed it to cupcake!) in each hand.

17. Middle age is when broadness of the mind and narrowness of the waist change places.

18. Opportunities always look bigger going than coming.

19. Junk is something you've kept for years and throw away three weeks before you need it.

20. There is always one more imbecile than you counted on.

21. Experience is a wonderful thing - It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.

22. By the time you can make ends meet, they move the ends.

23. Thou shalt not weigh more than thy refrigerator.

24. Someone who thinks logically provides nice contrast to the real world.

25. It ain't the jeans that make your butt look fat.

26. If you had to identify in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved it's full potential, that word would be "meetings."

27. There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."

28. People who want to share their religious views with you almost never want you to share yours with them.

29. You should not confuse your career with your life.

30. Nobody cares if you can't dance well - Just get up and dance.

31. Never lick a steak knife.

32. The most destructive force in the universe is gossip.

33. You will never find anybody who can give you a clear and compelling reason why we observe daylight savings time.

34. You should never say anything to a woman that even remotely suggests that you think she's pregnant unless you can see an actual baby emerging from her at that moment.

35. The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we ALL believe we are good drivers.

36. No matter what, your mother loves you!