Purpose Driven

This entry isn't going to be cookie cutter cute.  Just real and honest.  Short too, by the way since I need to run errands before it gets too hot to be outside.  Purpose Driven.  Ever heard of it?  I have in a Sunday School setting.

It seems that God has a purpose for everyone.  Jeremiah 29:11 states , "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  

I've heard that verse so many times and wondered what God's purpose is for my life.  I have pondered it countless times.  I've thought about missionary work but my health is a deterrent in that area.  At least overseas missionary work.  Also, I find I don't know the Bible as well as I should and I attend Bible studies to expose myself to the Living Word.  

I feel like I'm a ship caught at sea being tossed by the waves aimlessly without any shore in sight or destination.  It's a terrible feeling to be consumed by day in and day out.  The feeling that I've got no direction in life.  So, what have I been doing?

I've been waiting on the Lord.  Psalm 27:14 reads, "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."  I'm  being patient and hopeful in God's perfect timing for my purpose driven life. Everyday I seek His will for my time here on earth.  I want to honor and glorify Him.  How this will be done is in the Hands of my Creator.

Microchip Implant- Yay or Nay?

Picture this.  It's 2067 and you're out in your self-driving car in the city.  Suddenly, you see red lights flashing in the rear view mirrors and you pull over.  A cop approaches and informs you that your vehicle license plate sticker is expired.  But not only that, he asks you to stick your hand out to get your microchip implant scanned.   This is so he can get all the up-to-date information on you that is readily available through the microchip implant.  

Does this alarm you at all?  Anyone?  What's alarming is that personal rights are being violated here. The microchip implant can be used as a tracking device and serves as a personal identification marker.  Also, it contains firsthand activity information and transactions that have been processed. This is all available at the swipe of a scanner that invades the privacy of individuals.

Privacy rights are outlined in the U.S. Constitution.  In Amendment IV Searches and Seizures, it is unlawful to be searched without a warrant for any incriminating evidence or information.  The idea that an individual can be scanned for incriminating information without a warrant or probable cause is an outrage.  It is a violation of basic human privacy rights.  The right to not be under constant surveillance and have personal information publicly known.  What may not be publicly known is that microchip implants have caused fibrosarcoma within dogs and cats.

There are several cases found on pubmed.gov that have detailed incident reports of fibrosarcoma developing within cats and dogs that have the microchip implant.  According to Encyclopedia.com, fibrosarcoma is a malignant cancerous tumor that sprouts from fibroblasts (cells that produce connective tissue).  They are located near bones and in soft tissue.  The fact that microchip implants cause cancer in animals should be a deterrent in using them at all.  However, the convenience of using the microchip implants is winning some over to the idea that they should be widely utilized.

Microchip implants are convenient and provide a sense of security.  Transactions are made in a secure manner without fraud being an issue.  The microchip won't get lost like a credit or debit card will since it's in your own hand.  Microchip implant transactions eventually cost less over time and end up covering the fee of a mere $150-200 to have the microchip implant surgically placed in the hand. The microchip implant is cost effective and allows ease of access to opening doors, clocking in at work, and paying for items at stores.  The device can contain more than just a history of point of sales purchases.  It also can provide medical information to anyone who scans the device.

Doctors, EMT, and nurses have access to medical information through the microchip implant.  Issues of privacy based on HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) laws come into question.  Then there's the issue if the device is even safe to use at all.  

Dogs and cats with the microchip implant are diagnosed with fibrosarcoma and that alone should raise eyebrows.  In addition, personal information and privacy are greatly compromised.  The question then is how far do we want to go to be tech savvy?  To the point we undermine our own health and well-being?  I'll leave that implanted in your brains as food for thought.

Ouch- Dumb Hurts

They say dumb hurts.  Well, it does and in my case there's no exception.  Throw in luck or the lack of it, and you get a taste of my situation.  I've had streaks of good luck and ill fortune as well.  The latter will be discussed first.

Ever hurt yourself?  No, I mean hurt yourself, then stupidly hurt yourself again in the exact same spot on your body.  Take for instance, my right second toe.  

My right second toe already was sticking out a little bit at the joint from countless times of going up on pointe and twirling in a circle.  So, it was no surprise when I kicked a board in taekwondo wrongly and injured it.  Now, you would think all the swelling and pain would have me avoid striking this specific area again.

Ha, so not the case for me.  Luck be at it, I struck it twice more.  That's how smart I am or rather dumb at avoiding pain.   The toe throbbed and turned purple.  Mind you, all the repeated injuries happened within a month and half span of time.  Hopefully, I've learned my lesson to not self-inflict harm on an already tender area.  With luck by my side, perhaps this will be the case for me.  And luck has eventually been on my side in other aspects of my life.

I've been lucky to be able to write again after a health setback.  There was a time when I was so sick I couldn't write a sentence and mentally function well.  I had trouble remembering things I would see on the big screen and overall this became an issue for me.  Luckily, over time with proper treatment, I was able to piece words together into a sentence and write as I got well.  Also, my memory improved and I flourished.

Overall, I find I have been blessed with friends and family that are supportive and nurture me during my down-on-my-luck moments.  With thoughts and prayers coming from their way, I no longer doubt that I will be tip toeing around much longer in pain.

School Year Beginnings

A brisk breeze signals it's that time of year again.  Fall is here and so is the start of the school year. With the new school year, come new beginnings.  Perhaps also new dreams and a new fresh take on the reality of things.

The reality is that kids often see the start of the school year in the same way as adults view the start of the New Year.  There's a sense of hope that a fresh clean slate has been handed to them and new goals are achievable.  For many they cling to this notion and look to the future school year with a sense of anticipation.

Some kids or  more so the parents look forward to the routine and consistent schedule of things.  The new school year brings purpose; challenges everyone to work together to ensure daily or weekly tasks are met.  Are you ready for the chaotic school year to begin?

Shiverings

It's funny, I live in the desert and I get cold like it's zero degrees.  I feel that cold at least.  Part of it might have to do with my Midwestern upbringing.  I hear how cold it is over there and I shiver.  I shiver from not just cold temps but thoughts as well.

Fearful thoughts plague me as I get older.  Will I be able to live well and healthy enough for my family.  To take care of them and such.  I worry about these and the only thing I can do is pray about it.  That and try to be healthy.  This is hard when food options involve pizza, ice cream, etc. I ate plenty last year.

The New Year is upon me tho and new beginnings.  I am hopeful that I shed the extra pounds I have piled on myself.  Also, I am striving to busy myself with activities that will enrich my life.  I dwell on my health and well-being daily.  I have a family to be around for and need to be in better shape than I am in currently.

These are just New Year rants.  I think we all go through them at some point.  I mean we all want this year to be better than last year.  I'm no exception, here.

2016 Buh-Bye!

All I can do is one thing.

Say Cheers!

We got through the year 2016.  I must say 2016 really wanted to throw some last minute punches at everyone and go out scathing everyone in its midst.  So many people died.  What gives?  I felt oddly struck that Prince died.  Man didn't see that one coming and turning the year's winding road we find Carrie Fischer died along with her mom, Debbie Reynolds.  I mean, wow, that is heartbreaking 2016. 

There, of course, are others who died that are worth mentioning, but I wanted to share the only two that really got be dumbfounded- Prince and Carrie Fischer.  I was saddened that Prince, an artist I use to like more so was now gone.  Mind you, I do like some of his music, but not all of it.  He seemed like a poor soul searching for meaning to his life and relying on escapes such as through a temporary name change that he used and drugs to feel enlightened.  

Carrie Fischer, on the other hand, had to rely on drugs because she's bipolar.  A heart attack inevitably claimed her life at 60 years old.  And her mom, heartbroken, died of a stroke a couple days later. Wow.  That is devastating.  I know Mark Hamill responded to Carrie's death with that word- devastated,  But I just find the present tense more suitable for the family.  It's devastating and it's a heart-wrenching situation for them to face together during the holidays.  The memory of Carrie Fischer will be a hard one to cope with.  

I don't remember much of Carrie Fischer outside of Star Wars.  I know she acted briefly with Seth Green as his character's counselor in the movie Austin Powers.  I heard she was in When Harry Met Sally too.

As for me, the new Star Wars trilogy will not be the same, knowing that Carrie Fischer is dead.  It does put a damper on anticipating the future upcoming films.  I hope she, along with the others who have died are at peace.

Chocolate Cravings

I admit it.  I am human.  And I love chocolate- preferably dark chocolate.  I love hot coca or milk chocolate drinks.  It improves my mood and makes me happier.  Chocolate, anyone?