What's in a Title?

I was watching one of my favorite shows (Judge Judy) a few weeks ago and I was disheartened by what I heard her say. Now, normally she is a fountain of wisdom and common sense. And as usual on this particular episode she was giving out sound advice to the litigants before her, when she referred to President Obama as Mr. Obama. That just put my panties in a bunch. Just like she worked hard and earned the title of Judge or Your Honor, President Obama has also worked hard and overcame many obstacles to become the first African American President of the United States of America.

He deserves the respect of being called President Obama. Now, I am not saying that this slip of the tongue was intentional or with malice. I believe that it was just that, a slip of the tongue. But it caused me to think of how easily we forget that these titles are more than just mere titles. They should be a sign of respect, just as calling our elders Mr. or Mrs. Smith, as well as Doctor or Judge Jones. It is a sign of their academic and career accomplishments.

We do not have to agree with their politics or their opinions on any subject for that matter. The respect factor was not built on our agreeing with them, it is built on the fact that they EARNED the title. The younger President Bush was not one of my favorites and left a lot to be desired (in my humble opinion) as a President. However, I would never be so disrespectful as to address him as Mr. Bush. He was elected to the office by other citizens of this great nation and has therefore earned the title of President Bush.

In order to receive respect, respect must be given. This is true in all aspects of life. This is just a little snippet that I felt needed my soapbox attention!

“If we lose love and self-respect for each other, this is how we finally die.” - Maya Angelou

**This blog post photo was found on the following website:
http://jemima.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/jk_respect1.gif

Between it being hotter than hades recently and getting a summer routine in order for my son, I haven’t really felt any “Blogspiration”!!! It is difficult to change over from the daily school routine to the lazy days of summer. For children with Asperger’s routine is a necessity in order to function. It took me a moment (well a couple of weeks actually LOL) to figure out a schedule that was conducive for him and for me. Now that we are on track, things are flowing a lot more smoothly and have allowed some time for me to speak my mind here on Musings. I have been keeping notes on several topics that have caught my attention and will post about them shortly.

**This blog post photo was found on the following website:
http://www.fotosearch.com/bthumb/UNN/UNN237/u18723244.jpg

Role Models=Parents, Not Celebrities

Why do people look to celebrities and sports stars as role models? This situation with Tiger Woods is so out of control. Tiger is famous for his golfing abilities, nothing more nothing less. Yes, we would like for him to be a great guy in all aspects of his life. But believe me he would not have “earned” all of the endorsements he had by just being a “great husband/man” and having mediocre golfing abilities.

He is not the first person to have an extramarital affair and unfortunately he will not be the last either. I do not in any way, shape or form advocate cheating. I have been cheated on and it does not feel great. But I didn't see camera crews following my ex-husband publicly shaming him for his behavior. No newspaper stories on his infidelities and no one taking away his money making opportunities as a punishment. My whole point is that the infidelity was a personal shortfall in his character and had nothing to do with his business life. The same goes for Tiger.

Tiger may be a role model in the sense that you can succeed in your chosen profession by hard work, practice and determination. If he was caught “cheating” in the game of golf, yes, I would say that he neglected his status as a role model. People including myself use him as an example to our children of how hard work pays off, how you should follow your dreams and let nothing stop you. However, he should not be used as a role model as to how our children should live their lives. That falls to us as parents. We are the role models for our children and should lead by example. We should let our children know that although these celebrities are great at what they do, they are still human! We do not know them personally, only for their craft.

Tiger did not commit murder or rape, have a DUI or other crime against society. He is human and he failed in his role as a husband. That is something that needs to be dealt with between him and his wife. Who are we to judge? Most of us have some sort of failings in our personal life, and if you say that you don't you're a liar. Yes, I said it you're a liar.

Give Tiger back the endorsements that he “earned” because of his golfing ability. I say “earned” because no one just gave him those endorsements, he had to show over and over again that he was and still is the best golfer out there in order to have those endorsement deals.

This does not just apply to Tiger it goes for Jesse James and any other person of celebrity status that has a personal life crisis. Their infidelity is an issue to be dealt with by that person and their spouse. They are still Wonderful in their chosen professions. Isn't that why they attained celebrity status in the first place?

“I'm not a role model... Just because I dunk a basketball doesn't mean I should raise your kids.”-Charles Barkley

**This blog post photo was found on the following website: http://www.bible.ca/marriage/parenting.htm

Decisions

I have thought over the past few days, trying to decide what I wanted to write about. Many topics filled my mind but nothing really leaped out at me. I think it's because I have so much on my mind. My son is going into the 6th grade this coming school year. He has Asperger's Syndrome, a high-functioning form of Autism and I am concerned for him, change has never been his strong suit and there is a big change going from elementary school to middle school. He has been at the same school since kindergarten, now he will be at a new school with new students. His elementary school was not his zoned school, his middle school is, so all the faces will be new to him. There are several different programs to choose from and so much information to absorb in order to make the best decision for him.

Then there are life's daily issues that need to be handled. Sometimes you just feel so overwhelmed, but I know that all will work out well. I just have to take a few moments, breathe and gather my thoughts. I have decided to make a list of the things I can handle immediately and in the order of importance. Then take care of them one at a time. When I get all of the information on the different programs for my sons school, I will write down the pros & cons for each program and then pick the one that suits him the best.

There's a solution to every problem. Some are immediately evident others just need time and thought. I have learned that when I begin to feel overwhelmed I just need to let it all go and then come back with a new perspective. Sometimes I just have to clear my mind of all thoughts, go for a walk, listen to some relaxing music and calm my nerves. One of the most important things that I have learned about making decisions is never to make them when you are not in a calm state of mind. Our emotions can cloud our judgment and lead us down the wrong path. Try your best in all situations to stay cool, calm, collected and in self control. You then can make a sound decision.

“A wise person decides slowly but abides by these decisions.”-Arthur Ashe

Not So Innocent Bystanders

I saw the news this morning, and saw the news report on the Good Samaritan in New York that prevented the robbery of a woman on the street, the Samaritan was stabbed and left to die on the sidewalk.

What kind of world are we living in that we don't even stop to make a phone call for assistance? Is that even human to see someone injured and not feel compelled to offer some form of help? I could only imagine how these bystanders would feel if the person laying on the ground was someone that they loved. Could this man's life have been saved if only one person had made a 3 digit phone call...9 1 1? What happened to the woman he helped? Didn't she think she owed the man at least a phone call to the authorities? He saved her purse, possibly her life, couldn't she at least have done the same? The worse for me were those that passed by and snapped pictures on their cell phones but thought that it was too much work to make an actual phone call.

This is not the first incident of such thoughtless behavior, just the most recent in a series that should cause us all to stop and reevaluate ourselves. We have become such a selfish, self-centered society that if it has no immediate affect on us that we step back & do nothing. We say someone else is going to help. We have to act, we have to help one another. If not me then who, if not now then when? Come on people we need to put the “human” back into “humanity”!!

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men do nothing." - Edmund Burke

photo © Adrian van Leen for openphoto.net CC:PublicDomain