Today is December 31, the turning point between 2014 and 2015. It has been a wonderful year for me personally but a disastrous year for the world. Crises abound. One feels helpless to change what appears to be a new disorder in the world.
As we think about our personal resolutions, it is also important to think about the world.
My resolutions rarely vary from year to year. Some years I am more successful than others in achieving them. I hope my personal resolutions for 2015 will be successful.
What resolutions can we make for the world that might take to improve the international situation?
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Christmas Carols and Christmas calendar
One of the developments of our contemporary society with its public emphasis on buying for Christmas gifts (I think it has been called the economic stimulus festival), is that Christmas disappears on December 26. The Christmas celebration at a minimum is supposed to encompass the 12 days of Christmas (December 25-January 6) and, in religious tradition, the longer season of December 25 to February 2 (presentation of Jesus in the Temple as an infant).
As has been pointed out by many, Christmas Carols will disappear on December 26. Many take down their trees at the same time.
While we have been hearing Christmas carols and songs for a couple of months, and Hallmark has been showing Christmas films since Halloween (I love these, by the way), tomorrow it will all disappear.
For those of us who are religious, there are perhaps two Christmases to celebrate: the commemoration of the birth of Jesus and the secular end of the year celebrations. For many in our society, there is only the secular festival of family gatherings and gift giving. For our businesses, there is only holiday -- the holiday of spending. I have gotten daily e-mails about the 12 days of Christmas which have been transformed into shoppers' deals in the 12 days leading up to Christmas. This sense of the 12 days is far from the original meaning of the 12 days of Christmas which were the celebration of the days from December 25 to January 6. The latter has historically other meanings as well, since that calendar joins the western and eastern calendars (Christmas is January 7 in the eastern Christian calendar). There is also a myth that the 12 days of Christmas was a symbolic way that Catholics could secretly observe Christmas during the period in England when the Anglican Church suppressed Catholic worship. The term Roman Catholic was invented by the English in order to assert their claim of the Church of England as the Anglo Catholic Church. (The term Roman Catholic does not exist in other languages, where the term Catholic Church is used.)
As has been pointed out by many, Christmas Carols will disappear on December 26. Many take down their trees at the same time.
While we have been hearing Christmas carols and songs for a couple of months, and Hallmark has been showing Christmas films since Halloween (I love these, by the way), tomorrow it will all disappear.
For those of us who are religious, there are perhaps two Christmases to celebrate: the commemoration of the birth of Jesus and the secular end of the year celebrations. For many in our society, there is only the secular festival of family gatherings and gift giving. For our businesses, there is only holiday -- the holiday of spending. I have gotten daily e-mails about the 12 days of Christmas which have been transformed into shoppers' deals in the 12 days leading up to Christmas. This sense of the 12 days is far from the original meaning of the 12 days of Christmas which were the celebration of the days from December 25 to January 6. The latter has historically other meanings as well, since that calendar joins the western and eastern calendars (Christmas is January 7 in the eastern Christian calendar). There is also a myth that the 12 days of Christmas was a symbolic way that Catholics could secretly observe Christmas during the period in England when the Anglican Church suppressed Catholic worship. The term Roman Catholic was invented by the English in order to assert their claim of the Church of England as the Anglo Catholic Church. (The term Roman Catholic does not exist in other languages, where the term Catholic Church is used.)
Friday, December 12, 2014
What has happened to the movies?
I think I have gone to a film theater only about twice this year. As I talk with other friends, most tell me they cannot remember the last time they went to a movie theater.
I look at the films playing via the internet and simply decide I am not interested. I don't want vampires, end of the world films, gruesome happenings film.
These are all reflections of a dark society. I prefer to live in a bright society.
A role of film was always to uplift people's spirits. Even in the height of the depression in the 1930s few films dealt with the grimmer side of life. They always focused on themes to uplift people who were already very depressed.
In the present era of terrorism, shootings by deranged young adults, and global unrest, do we really need end of the world films? Do we need films to feed the destructive tendencies of the mentally unbalanced?
In an attempt to be novel and original, Hollywood has gone to the bizarre, the cruel, and the unthinkable.
Any wonder the Hallmark channel is doing so well?
What kind of people are ordering these films to be made? Where are you when we need you, Louis B. Mayer? Jack Warner? And other moguls who had a sense of what the public needed and wanted.
Movie theaters make their money on the refreshments, not on the films. Film attendance is down and has been down for years. No wonder.
The coming attractions which tend to run up to a half hour are enough to send me running out of the theater. Most of the time I saw to myself: there are 10 films I do not want to see.
If films in the theater are going to survive, they need new energy and a new vision. The current vision is depressing and self-destructive. Wake up!!!!
I look at the films playing via the internet and simply decide I am not interested. I don't want vampires, end of the world films, gruesome happenings film.
These are all reflections of a dark society. I prefer to live in a bright society.
A role of film was always to uplift people's spirits. Even in the height of the depression in the 1930s few films dealt with the grimmer side of life. They always focused on themes to uplift people who were already very depressed.
In the present era of terrorism, shootings by deranged young adults, and global unrest, do we really need end of the world films? Do we need films to feed the destructive tendencies of the mentally unbalanced?
In an attempt to be novel and original, Hollywood has gone to the bizarre, the cruel, and the unthinkable.
Any wonder the Hallmark channel is doing so well?
What kind of people are ordering these films to be made? Where are you when we need you, Louis B. Mayer? Jack Warner? And other moguls who had a sense of what the public needed and wanted.
Movie theaters make their money on the refreshments, not on the films. Film attendance is down and has been down for years. No wonder.
The coming attractions which tend to run up to a half hour are enough to send me running out of the theater. Most of the time I saw to myself: there are 10 films I do not want to see.
If films in the theater are going to survive, they need new energy and a new vision. The current vision is depressing and self-destructive. Wake up!!!!
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
What has happened to holidays?
Everyone who knows me knows that I am a avid shopper. I love a bargain. I love to browse stores. I shop all year around. On vacation I enjoy shopping new stores and new venues.
With that introduction, I state my unequivocal opposition to the early shopping on Thanksgiving Evening. We have so few holidays to spend with friends and family.
Now we have the additional pressure that people have to leave by 5 pm to get to Store A, B, C to get the special.
It may be that there are some genuine great buys. I have explored the Black Friday deals online which have been going on all week (and even before this week). I see no great deals on anything I want.
One technology store has deals on everything but its most desirable item. Most of the other sales I have seen are the same as the continuing cycle of sales. There are so many sales. I rarely go into a store without a store coupon. I rarely shop online without a "deal."
The fervor of Black Friday (now beginning Thursday night) is an adventure that may become a tradition, but it is eroding the tradition of Thanksgiving.
That is not surprising. As the ties of family erode in our society, there are more opportunities to "do one's thing." Shopping on a national holiday is only part of a larger trend to break down societal ties in favor of economic gain.
With that introduction, I state my unequivocal opposition to the early shopping on Thanksgiving Evening. We have so few holidays to spend with friends and family.
Now we have the additional pressure that people have to leave by 5 pm to get to Store A, B, C to get the special.
It may be that there are some genuine great buys. I have explored the Black Friday deals online which have been going on all week (and even before this week). I see no great deals on anything I want.
One technology store has deals on everything but its most desirable item. Most of the other sales I have seen are the same as the continuing cycle of sales. There are so many sales. I rarely go into a store without a store coupon. I rarely shop online without a "deal."
The fervor of Black Friday (now beginning Thursday night) is an adventure that may become a tradition, but it is eroding the tradition of Thanksgiving.
That is not surprising. As the ties of family erode in our society, there are more opportunities to "do one's thing." Shopping on a national holiday is only part of a larger trend to break down societal ties in favor of economic gain.
A Tragedy of Our Society
Everyone knows we have the world's highest productivity in agriculture and possibly the cheapest food in the world (as a percentage of total expenses).
Be that as it may, we increasingly hear about the hunger in our country. I give generously to food shelves and to agencies that feed the homeless and the helpless, both in cash and in food donations. But, I wonder why increasingly the solicitations I receive all relate to food distribution.
Are we creating a permanent dependency?
Are people learning that they don't have to spend for food, but can spend for other things? I am not talking about the homeless, the abandoned, and others who are in a pitiful situation.
I grew up in a modest home. We were poor, but we always had food. We did not have a car or many other luxuries. One part of me wonders about the values of people who do not feed their children breakfast but have many other "luxuries."
Schools have had to take over feeding many children. Churches and social services are collecting and distributing food endlessly.
I will continue to participate, but I will also question the values of our society.
Be that as it may, we increasingly hear about the hunger in our country. I give generously to food shelves and to agencies that feed the homeless and the helpless, both in cash and in food donations. But, I wonder why increasingly the solicitations I receive all relate to food distribution.
Are we creating a permanent dependency?
Are people learning that they don't have to spend for food, but can spend for other things? I am not talking about the homeless, the abandoned, and others who are in a pitiful situation.
I grew up in a modest home. We were poor, but we always had food. We did not have a car or many other luxuries. One part of me wonders about the values of people who do not feed their children breakfast but have many other "luxuries."
Schools have had to take over feeding many children. Churches and social services are collecting and distributing food endlessly.
I will continue to participate, but I will also question the values of our society.
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Walletless Society?
My latest issue of Businessweek posits that we are moving toward a walletless society. We may be moving toward a cashless society, but a walletless one? I wonder.
The number of cards and IDs we have is growing. I have two cards to go to Barnes and Noble. As of yesterday, I have two cards to go to Kohl's. And they want me to add an app. There are few places I go where I do not have to have an ID. Even restaurant loyalty cards. For some of these one can use a phone number, instead of the card, but the card is there.
Yes, we can add another app to our phones or ipads or tablets. There is a limit to how many apps one can put on the phone unless one wants to buy a 128 gb phone and flip through pages of apps to find the right one. Each source assumes theirs is the primary app. you will use.
I have a 64 gb Ipad, and it slows down when too many apps are open. Most people do not close off the open apps.
Since my Ipad also has my granddaughter's games (MANY of them -- perhaps 200 despite my efforts to reduce them), it demonstrates well what a phone or iPad can bear. I have two apps for Target, about 3 or 4 for Amazon, several for Apple and its related sites. And so on.
ApplePay and similar vehicles designed to make us walletless are new. We do not know how secure they are. The hackers are no doubt studying hard on how they can beat the system.
Although my friends know me as an early adapter, this is one trend where I will proceed slowly As someone whose credit cards have been hacked about four times in the past six years (3 different credit cards), I am reluctant to try a means where I have even less control.
My wallet is getting thicker, not thinner. I don't anticipate giving it up anytime soon. In fact, I frequently go through the wallet removing those credit cards for stores. Yesterday I visited two stores where I infrequently go. Those special cards are already out of the wallet and put away.
I see our cards growing, not shrinking, because of loyalty programs and their rewards.
The number of cards and IDs we have is growing. I have two cards to go to Barnes and Noble. As of yesterday, I have two cards to go to Kohl's. And they want me to add an app. There are few places I go where I do not have to have an ID. Even restaurant loyalty cards. For some of these one can use a phone number, instead of the card, but the card is there.
Yes, we can add another app to our phones or ipads or tablets. There is a limit to how many apps one can put on the phone unless one wants to buy a 128 gb phone and flip through pages of apps to find the right one. Each source assumes theirs is the primary app. you will use.
I have a 64 gb Ipad, and it slows down when too many apps are open. Most people do not close off the open apps.
Since my Ipad also has my granddaughter's games (MANY of them -- perhaps 200 despite my efforts to reduce them), it demonstrates well what a phone or iPad can bear. I have two apps for Target, about 3 or 4 for Amazon, several for Apple and its related sites. And so on.
ApplePay and similar vehicles designed to make us walletless are new. We do not know how secure they are. The hackers are no doubt studying hard on how they can beat the system.
Although my friends know me as an early adapter, this is one trend where I will proceed slowly As someone whose credit cards have been hacked about four times in the past six years (3 different credit cards), I am reluctant to try a means where I have even less control.
My wallet is getting thicker, not thinner. I don't anticipate giving it up anytime soon. In fact, I frequently go through the wallet removing those credit cards for stores. Yesterday I visited two stores where I infrequently go. Those special cards are already out of the wallet and put away.
I see our cards growing, not shrinking, because of loyalty programs and their rewards.
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Where is leadership?
Lately because of my own busy work and travel schedule, I have not written any entries, but I have been doing some interesting reading.
One interesting book is Paris Letters, written in blog style. A successful copy writer gives up her job to live abroad. Very interesting adventures.
I have also started Hard Choices, which I am greatly enjoying. It is well written and engaging.
I have been searching through listings for new books on leadership and have been disappointed. Not much is new. The tried and true titles come up but nothing new.
One interesting book is Paris Letters, written in blog style. A successful copy writer gives up her job to live abroad. Very interesting adventures.
I have also started Hard Choices, which I am greatly enjoying. It is well written and engaging.
I have been searching through listings for new books on leadership and have been disappointed. Not much is new. The tried and true titles come up but nothing new.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Simplify, simplify, simplify
In our busy, cluttered lives, it is important to simplify. The act of simplifying our lives is not once and done. It is a continual process, multifaceted, and affects all aspects of our lives.
Some people think that cleaning out a closet once is simplifying. It is but it is a limited form. Simplifying suggests that we examine every facet of our life. For me, paper is a big thing. My recycling bin is amazing considering I live alone. I recycle and recycle but the paper does not seem to diminish. For every piece I recycle another seems to add to the pile.
Decluttering a home is one form of simplication. But there are many others.
Cutting back on errands and doing them more efficiently is another form of simplification. Combine errands and go to a mall or shopping center where you can do multiple errands. I am fortunate to live near a small mall that has a grocery store, a Target, a UPS, a dry cleaner, and so on. A little further is a cul de sac with a post office and a bank. Elaine St. James is a good source for learning to simplify your errands and tasks.
(In another post I will talk about simplifying your home.)
Learning to say "no" is essential for simplification. No to what? Too many meetings? Too many social obligations. Think about it. I will write more later.
Friday, February 7, 2014
Setting Priorities
A key to getting anything accomplished is the ability to set priorities. Often we are so caught up in the hectic pace of life that we do not think about setting priorities. We just do what has to be done. Often not mindfully. Almost like robots.
The busier we are the more likely we are not to set priorities unless we are one of these unique people who can set priorities without too much stewing. In some ways we all set priorities by what we do and what we don't do.
If I choose to take a walk instead of going out with friends, that demonstrates a priority. If I choose a television special over playing with the children, that too demonstrates a priority. If I choose to go out with friends instead of visiting family, that too is a priority.
We live our priorities by what we do. It's time to try to put some choice and selection into those priorities.
Often we say: How did time slip by so quickly? I did not realize how late it is. I did not realize the deadline is tomorrow? I did not get a chance to see him/her before I left town. And so on.
Take a few minutes each day and certainly every week to set your priorities. They are not cast in stone, but can help to guide us as to what is important.
The busier we are the more likely we are not to set priorities unless we are one of these unique people who can set priorities without too much stewing. In some ways we all set priorities by what we do and what we don't do.
If I choose to take a walk instead of going out with friends, that demonstrates a priority. If I choose a television special over playing with the children, that too demonstrates a priority. If I choose to go out with friends instead of visiting family, that too is a priority.
We live our priorities by what we do. It's time to try to put some choice and selection into those priorities.
Often we say: How did time slip by so quickly? I did not realize how late it is. I did not realize the deadline is tomorrow? I did not get a chance to see him/her before I left town. And so on.
Take a few minutes each day and certainly every week to set your priorities. They are not cast in stone, but can help to guide us as to what is important.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Planning your day realistically
This blog is taken from some reflections for women that I am putting together.
The first of these deals with our normal daily tasks and "to do" lists. The key is to be realistic.
Often we are frustrated when we plan to do more than it is possible to achieve in any one day. My thoughts.
The first of these deals with our normal daily tasks and "to do" lists. The key is to be realistic.
Often we are frustrated when we plan to do more than it is possible to achieve in any one day. My thoughts.
At the end of the day, count your achievements rather than
what was not achieved. It is frustrating to focus on what remains unfinished.
I find that it is helpful to cross out or check off what I
have done. That gives a sense of
accomplishment.
You might make a to do list on paper or on a tablet like an
Ipad. I do both. Some lists on paper and some on Ipad. When I am on vacation, I often make a to do list of bigger tasks for when I get
home. I work through the list when I get home .
Realistic planning of what we can do and doing it is part of
effective living.
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Super Bowl Culture
All week all I have heard is pre-Super Bowl buzz. Advice on everything from healthy snacks before the super bowl to fitting in attendance at church.
Regardless of the news show, guests are asked for their predictions. Are we obsessed with the Super Bowl as a society? Or are we bored in the middle of winter and it's the only "game in town"?
I don't have answers. Only questions. I rarely watch the Super Bowl. I would if the Vikings were in the Super Bowl, just because I am a Minnesota patriot. Since the Vikings have not made it to the Super Bowl in a long time, the question is moot.
I am not excited about the Super Bowl ads which I understand cost about $4 million each. I tune out ads on all programs. I don't know how or why I can do it, but I am impervious to all ads. I might occasionally be aware of ads for a child's product only if my granddaughter calls my attention to it. Otherwise, I can watch programs with TV ads and be totally unaware of the ads. The ads hold no interest for me.
At a time when the dangers of playing football (concussions and head injuries) have had heightened attention, it appears strange that the media hype is unabated.
Increasingly I think much of this is winter boredom. Since New Year's Day, most of the country has had bad weather. We in Minnesota have had a mix of frigid weather followed by warming and snow, followed by frigid weather and warming and snow, in an unabated cycle. We have had it.
The Super Bowl provides a little winter entertainment even for the non-fan. The media hype is ceaseless. I think we feel we ought to be interested.
Foreigners who catch our TV shows might think Americans are obsessed with football (a sport they don't comprehend). In fact, I wonder. I think it is merely the opportunity to celebrate something in a rather boring winter.
The Super Bowl has loomed larger and larger in my adult life. Maybe we will even declare a holiday on the Monday after the Super Bowl at some time.
Count me out. I will check out the offerings on Hallmark Movie Channel tomorrow...
I think there may be a Murder She Wrote marathon this weekend.
Regardless of the news show, guests are asked for their predictions. Are we obsessed with the Super Bowl as a society? Or are we bored in the middle of winter and it's the only "game in town"?
I don't have answers. Only questions. I rarely watch the Super Bowl. I would if the Vikings were in the Super Bowl, just because I am a Minnesota patriot. Since the Vikings have not made it to the Super Bowl in a long time, the question is moot.
I am not excited about the Super Bowl ads which I understand cost about $4 million each. I tune out ads on all programs. I don't know how or why I can do it, but I am impervious to all ads. I might occasionally be aware of ads for a child's product only if my granddaughter calls my attention to it. Otherwise, I can watch programs with TV ads and be totally unaware of the ads. The ads hold no interest for me.
At a time when the dangers of playing football (concussions and head injuries) have had heightened attention, it appears strange that the media hype is unabated.
Increasingly I think much of this is winter boredom. Since New Year's Day, most of the country has had bad weather. We in Minnesota have had a mix of frigid weather followed by warming and snow, followed by frigid weather and warming and snow, in an unabated cycle. We have had it.
The Super Bowl provides a little winter entertainment even for the non-fan. The media hype is ceaseless. I think we feel we ought to be interested.
Foreigners who catch our TV shows might think Americans are obsessed with football (a sport they don't comprehend). In fact, I wonder. I think it is merely the opportunity to celebrate something in a rather boring winter.
The Super Bowl has loomed larger and larger in my adult life. Maybe we will even declare a holiday on the Monday after the Super Bowl at some time.
Count me out. I will check out the offerings on Hallmark Movie Channel tomorrow...
I think there may be a Murder She Wrote marathon this weekend.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Leadership Fatigue in the United States
I am currently working on a research paper for presentation to the ISA in late March. The focus of the paper is Challenges to US Foreign Policy. One of the challenges that I identify that applies to the US and also to Western Europe is what I am calling leadership fatigue.
In my opinion, the US is demonstrating many signs of leadership fatigue. It is not new. We saw it after the Vietnam War when the US was demoralized for years. Now, after two long wars that appear to have solved little or nothing, we are seeing it again. Except for a few policy pundits who want the US to become involved anywhere at any time, most policy makers seem to have become disenchanted with foreign military involvements.
Our own infrastructure has suffered in the past decade. Our schools, in particular, and our roads, for example, are showing the results of inattention. We have built dubious projects in other countries but invested little in our own infrastructure. Some argue the military involvement cost only a small share of our GNP, but we can question those statistics. The narrow military costs or the broader investment costs and the unfilled projects in our own country? I look at the larger picture, not the narrow military budget.
I have always been an internationalist, since my early days studying international relations. But, even I feel the intense leadership fatigue of our nation.
I am not suggesting that we fold our tent and come home. This is not 1972.
I think we have to judge each step judiciously. Limited, strategic international involvement should be our mantra, not global policeman on call.
In my opinion, the US is demonstrating many signs of leadership fatigue. It is not new. We saw it after the Vietnam War when the US was demoralized for years. Now, after two long wars that appear to have solved little or nothing, we are seeing it again. Except for a few policy pundits who want the US to become involved anywhere at any time, most policy makers seem to have become disenchanted with foreign military involvements.
Our own infrastructure has suffered in the past decade. Our schools, in particular, and our roads, for example, are showing the results of inattention. We have built dubious projects in other countries but invested little in our own infrastructure. Some argue the military involvement cost only a small share of our GNP, but we can question those statistics. The narrow military costs or the broader investment costs and the unfilled projects in our own country? I look at the larger picture, not the narrow military budget.
I have always been an internationalist, since my early days studying international relations. But, even I feel the intense leadership fatigue of our nation.
I am not suggesting that we fold our tent and come home. This is not 1972.
I think we have to judge each step judiciously. Limited, strategic international involvement should be our mantra, not global policeman on call.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Life Returns to Normal 2014
How quickly the holidays pass! It is January 2, 2014. Everything seems post-holiday!
I went to the grocery store early this morning, and the parking lot was almost empty. I have not seen the lot that empty since before Thanksgiving!
I have taken down the last of my own Christmas decorations. I started the process after Christmas and removed a little at a time. I had three small trees. Two require no decoration at all. One requires a little bit of decoration so this was not a big task, but even so, with the two centerpieces, tree "skirts," etc., it required a number of trips to the basement. My big supply of cards has also been stored although cards continue to dribble in. I have a few cards around to respond to unexpected cards.
I love the holiday period from Thanksgiving to New Year, and enjoy preparing
everything. I savor every moment of the holidays. I love the shopping, the church services, the music, the special romantic TV movies, everything!
At the same time, I am surprised at how quickly the holiday ambience disappears. Perhaps it was more pronounced this year since Christmas and New Year fell in mid week. Today it is just another work day although I am certain most of the conversation in workplaces will be about Christmas and New Year adventures.
Then Pfft! It seems everything is back to pre-holiday. Today it could be November 15 or February 15, since there is little trace of the holidays left. The extreme cold reminds us it is January or February. We are in a deep freeze.
I wrote my New Year's resolutions on the 31st. Let's hope I keep them. I learned this week that Janus (the god for whom January was named) means two faced - backward and forward. Today we look at the old year and ahead to the new year.
I went to the grocery store early this morning, and the parking lot was almost empty. I have not seen the lot that empty since before Thanksgiving!
I have taken down the last of my own Christmas decorations. I started the process after Christmas and removed a little at a time. I had three small trees. Two require no decoration at all. One requires a little bit of decoration so this was not a big task, but even so, with the two centerpieces, tree "skirts," etc., it required a number of trips to the basement. My big supply of cards has also been stored although cards continue to dribble in. I have a few cards around to respond to unexpected cards.
I love the holiday period from Thanksgiving to New Year, and enjoy preparing
everything. I savor every moment of the holidays. I love the shopping, the church services, the music, the special romantic TV movies, everything!
At the same time, I am surprised at how quickly the holiday ambience disappears. Perhaps it was more pronounced this year since Christmas and New Year fell in mid week. Today it is just another work day although I am certain most of the conversation in workplaces will be about Christmas and New Year adventures.
Then Pfft! It seems everything is back to pre-holiday. Today it could be November 15 or February 15, since there is little trace of the holidays left. The extreme cold reminds us it is January or February. We are in a deep freeze.
I wrote my New Year's resolutions on the 31st. Let's hope I keep them. I learned this week that Janus (the god for whom January was named) means two faced - backward and forward. Today we look at the old year and ahead to the new year.
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