No talking about politics here. I want to talk about the things that connect us and bring us together. Like art. Humanity. Love. Patience. Let’s support those things rather than vitriol. There’s public service and politics. Support all things that service the public in a positive way – not things that stain and separate us. Seriously, let’s make the difficult choice and not demonize “the other.” We can do it.
I speak from the heart…
A quiz I contributed to Cafe.com. This may be the hardest test you’ll ever take in your life.
I know, know – The 10 Commandments and The Declaration of Independence are our forever favorites, but what’s up with these lists that are constantly being written? Why are we so obsessed? Are we so afraid of process and the unknown that we feel compelled to consume and write these lists? Lists you should absolutely pay attention to by a verified medical website:
“Ten Signs You May be Suffering a Heart Attack”
“Three Ways to Check if your Moles are Cancerous”
“Sign of Dementia”
These are critical lists that can literally affect the outcome of your life, but the other ones? Read them with a grain of salt. Most of them are not researched or written by a legit journalist- they are written by a very select demographic targeted to a very specific audience. I’m all about expressing yourself (clearly) but these lists claiming to give solicited advice about what your “life” should look like are so overdone. Then on top of that, they are easily shared and before you know it you’re home reading “23 Ways to Meet the Man of Your Dreams While Never Leaving Your Home.” We’re better than this, right? (Cue crickets). We don’t need to add more to our lives to make us busier or feel less adequate than we are. If you want to add value and challenge yourself read literature. Read biographies. Read the newspaper. Read poetry. Read plays. Read Brainpickings. This will fill your life up more than a checklist of dare I say “fluff” will ever do. Below are some lists I made:
“17 Ways to be Yourself but Remain Mysterious.”
“10 Ways to Know You’re on the Right Path.”
“5 Easy Ways to Balance It All and Not Have a Breakdown.”
“19 Ways to be 40, Fabulous and Show the World You Still Matter”
“32 Ways to be Successful, Fit, Different, Ready for the Future AND a Great Parent”
It’s a lot of fun, right? Create your own. Don’t give it a second thought. Share it with friends..oh wait. That’s what’s been happening all along.
P.S.- When reading these lists, I encourage you to read who wrote the list and then read their blog. It’s like Christmas Morning with a U.S. political debate starting in 2 hours.
Jacqueline Pereda 