Over the past month or so I started thinking a lot about authority. I always had a craving for guidelines that made sense, clear cut rules that were not to be broken, an authority system that stood by its word and a justice driven by gace and mercy. Although I don't see this played out often, I can name a few times in my life where there was a synchronization between supervision and mentorship that worked out well for me.
As an employee I value consistent time that is taken out of a superior's day to check up on my progress and invest in my development. Whether this time is a tracking of progress, making sure I have the tools to succeed or evaluation of my time, I think it is important to have this healthy communication system. I think people have an innate desire to be taught and to grow, I admire when people relate to me in a respectful but teaching spirit. I think its great when a "superior" can be open to learn while teaching me. That is the way I hope that I interact with those that I supervise.
When at a church I value those willing to have a mentoring attitude toward me. I guess I visualize these people further along in their walk with God, and walk in life generally. Regular check ins with the intent to share and listen. This relationship offers the exchange of knowledge and wisdom. To obtain truth when it is not easily visable is to be mentored.
Among other things, I think consistency is something I am coming to realize I value a lot. I am understanding that I do posses a teachable spirit that enjoys to be grown.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Grocery Stores are amazing.
There is something great about going grocery shopping. This may make me seem boring and lame but I really enjoy a good night strolling the isles. Thinking about meals, researching new recipes, putting my own healthy twist on traditional comfort food and buying nutritious delicacies is part of a happy home. Sometimes I feel bad for Eric because I get in the " zone" at the grocery store. I get to allow my creative side spill out as I think of different food items and strategize great taste pairings, balance and variety.
Food is essential. Caring for your body is to care for your spirit. If the emotional, social, spiritual and physical self is linked than neglecting one means the other parts of you may suffer. I am not saying that you must share in my joyous over thought about meals to be concisely healthy, but I am challenged at why many people I know from the inner city are not into food the way upper class foodies are. Some conclusions stemming from observation are money, time, inability to be creative, tastes, and lack of availability.
It is obvious that money plays a role in this lack of interest from many of the families I have met in urban environments. Concepts like "get more for your money" was something I heard growing up. I think that this frame of mind has been adopted into households and it stems from poverty. Is nutritious eating really that expensive? Are there ways to be intentionally healthy on a tight budget?
Time may be another contributor to the malnutrition that happens in a city. If a working single mom barley has time to do a load of laundry, how much spare thought and time can she take to be creative in stretching her money, planning meals and taking elongated amounts of time to prepare fresh food? If single parents had help planning a grocery list where the meals were accounted for in the beginning of the pay period, would the food last longer into the month?
Several families I have interacted with get their food from food banks and subsidized grocery outlets. I have experienced some food banks that focus on variety, balance and wellness but most I have volunteered around are simply bags of leftovers. Basically compromised of carbohydrates and canned goods( because most food drives are non perishable). I guess it could be somewhat hard to be creative with miscellaneous items you've been given and haven't picked out. How do you taste pair pickled beets, apple sauce, black olives, and hostess cakes if that's what you are provided with? One grab bag like that and perhaps some of my motivation would diminish.
When the first of the month comes in the city, check cashing companies have lines out the door. Most of the time families have emptied their food bank bag for the previous week and are ready to feast. When it comes time to eat people want what is flavorful and good. Often times the taste bud associates salt and sugar strongly to the mind. What is salty is good and what is sugary is better. This in my mind is almost a subconscious addiction. If one is not used to other tastes and seasonings then going for what is saltiest and sweetest is therefore the best. I think that broadening taste ranges and exploration of new foods heightens the desire to eat more balanced meals. Unfortunately many communities don't have direct access to grocery stores that provide such variety at affordable prices.
In Oakland there are two Trader Joe's- One in Rockeridge and one at Lakeshore Blvd. This place has good prices and semi exotic varieties. The expansive affordable selection far surpasses the markets that are attempting to provide to poorer communities. I think that TJ's selection and size is because they get a great income from their customers spending. They cater to us, foodies and not to poor communities. I'm thankful but sad. These stores are far removed from the communities is need of nutrition. Is there a huge risk in placing one in a West or East Oakland community? Why have local farmer's markets found a way to take EBT cards and food stamps but TJs hasn't?
On the bright side, people can use EBT and Foodstamps at farmers markets across Oakland. There are so many farmers markets in this city! The vibrant life that food brings to a community is so evident whenever one is attending one of these markets. Fresh produce can be bought at affordable prices and the spirit of socializing is activated. I think that grocery stores say a lot about a community. A grocery store helps sustain a family. A grocery store speaks when it treats its workers fairly, gets active in its community, fights for fair trade, makes leaps toward organic living, educates residents, and keeps prices affordable.
In conclusion, I think that I am blessed for the food choices I have. I thank God that I find joy in meal planning and nutrition. Not everybody has the motivation to think creatively and strategically when it comes to nutrition. I count it a blessing that I can go food shopping and afford the gas it takes to cook a meal. Thank you Lord, help me to help others access this joy I have found.
Food is essential. Caring for your body is to care for your spirit. If the emotional, social, spiritual and physical self is linked than neglecting one means the other parts of you may suffer. I am not saying that you must share in my joyous over thought about meals to be concisely healthy, but I am challenged at why many people I know from the inner city are not into food the way upper class foodies are. Some conclusions stemming from observation are money, time, inability to be creative, tastes, and lack of availability.
It is obvious that money plays a role in this lack of interest from many of the families I have met in urban environments. Concepts like "get more for your money" was something I heard growing up. I think that this frame of mind has been adopted into households and it stems from poverty. Is nutritious eating really that expensive? Are there ways to be intentionally healthy on a tight budget?
Time may be another contributor to the malnutrition that happens in a city. If a working single mom barley has time to do a load of laundry, how much spare thought and time can she take to be creative in stretching her money, planning meals and taking elongated amounts of time to prepare fresh food? If single parents had help planning a grocery list where the meals were accounted for in the beginning of the pay period, would the food last longer into the month?
Several families I have interacted with get their food from food banks and subsidized grocery outlets. I have experienced some food banks that focus on variety, balance and wellness but most I have volunteered around are simply bags of leftovers. Basically compromised of carbohydrates and canned goods( because most food drives are non perishable). I guess it could be somewhat hard to be creative with miscellaneous items you've been given and haven't picked out. How do you taste pair pickled beets, apple sauce, black olives, and hostess cakes if that's what you are provided with? One grab bag like that and perhaps some of my motivation would diminish.
When the first of the month comes in the city, check cashing companies have lines out the door. Most of the time families have emptied their food bank bag for the previous week and are ready to feast. When it comes time to eat people want what is flavorful and good. Often times the taste bud associates salt and sugar strongly to the mind. What is salty is good and what is sugary is better. This in my mind is almost a subconscious addiction. If one is not used to other tastes and seasonings then going for what is saltiest and sweetest is therefore the best. I think that broadening taste ranges and exploration of new foods heightens the desire to eat more balanced meals. Unfortunately many communities don't have direct access to grocery stores that provide such variety at affordable prices.
In Oakland there are two Trader Joe's- One in Rockeridge and one at Lakeshore Blvd. This place has good prices and semi exotic varieties. The expansive affordable selection far surpasses the markets that are attempting to provide to poorer communities. I think that TJ's selection and size is because they get a great income from their customers spending. They cater to us, foodies and not to poor communities. I'm thankful but sad. These stores are far removed from the communities is need of nutrition. Is there a huge risk in placing one in a West or East Oakland community? Why have local farmer's markets found a way to take EBT cards and food stamps but TJs hasn't?
On the bright side, people can use EBT and Foodstamps at farmers markets across Oakland. There are so many farmers markets in this city! The vibrant life that food brings to a community is so evident whenever one is attending one of these markets. Fresh produce can be bought at affordable prices and the spirit of socializing is activated. I think that grocery stores say a lot about a community. A grocery store helps sustain a family. A grocery store speaks when it treats its workers fairly, gets active in its community, fights for fair trade, makes leaps toward organic living, educates residents, and keeps prices affordable.
In conclusion, I think that I am blessed for the food choices I have. I thank God that I find joy in meal planning and nutrition. Not everybody has the motivation to think creatively and strategically when it comes to nutrition. I count it a blessing that I can go food shopping and afford the gas it takes to cook a meal. Thank you Lord, help me to help others access this joy I have found.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
Okay, I love planning vacations.
I think I have a slight obsession with vacation planning. I get a thrill out of bargain finding in terms of travel. I get a vision of what I want and bargain hunt my way until I meet this supposed vision I made up in my mind. How fun! Even more thrilling is the priceline.com negotiator! I will admit how risky it could potentially be, but there is such a joy in getting a 4 star hotel at a 1 star price. What you do on this website is bid on a hotel room.
#1 pick your desired location and desired star rating.
#2 name how much you want to pay.
#3 enter in your credit card information
#4click buy! At this time there is an hour glass on the screen sending out the bid to all of the hotels in that area. You wait and see if your price is accepted from a hotel. If it is you automatically are staying there! There is no turning back!
Vacation is joyous, weekend or long term. There is something so special about having a date that you look forward to. There is something even more fun about pumping your vaca buddies up before a trip. All the while being marveled by the satisfaction in knowing you saved a lot of cash by planning and bargain hunting. No matter if you live in the country or the city, there is almost an innate craving to get recharged by some other scenery. We all deserve some peace and serenity outside of our home walls sometimes, right? I grew up thinking that vacations were almost impossible to do regularly, I mean come on, I am not a millionaire. I have been surprised in adulthood at how much is possible when being diligent at budgeting your pay check, being creative and looking for great deals!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
All who Mourn Jeresulam’s destruction:
God, I apologize for this darkness but you partake in my sorrow.
Among all her lovers there are none to comfort her
Jerusalem is a she who is naked and afraid and did not consider her future, so evil perused her.
Whoever wrote this is quite hopeless but has a focus on the internal woes and the ego blows.
The wish is to bring those who sin to the destruction that hurts so much.
Earth as a footstool that can be kicked around and put away is not even needed on this day, and it hurts.
The tent is consumed with a burning anger that is still very pure.
Occupations without occupancies leave ruined plans and skills dead.
With a wound that is as deep as the sea who can heal you?
Afraid to expose because you hope to compose, why didn’t you let yourself break down?
Afraid to sin more, but feeling like you are left with no choice. Saying it brash with an afraid voice.
What do you do?
Pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Resist and ignore this surrender no more.
Still I feel and I say my splendor is gone.
I am heavy with sin yet I look for justice to reign on the sins of the others.
Among all her lovers there are none to comfort her
Jerusalem is a she who is naked and afraid and did not consider her future, so evil perused her.
Whoever wrote this is quite hopeless but has a focus on the internal woes and the ego blows.
The wish is to bring those who sin to the destruction that hurts so much.
Earth as a footstool that can be kicked around and put away is not even needed on this day, and it hurts.
The tent is consumed with a burning anger that is still very pure.
Occupations without occupancies leave ruined plans and skills dead.
With a wound that is as deep as the sea who can heal you?
Afraid to expose because you hope to compose, why didn’t you let yourself break down?
Afraid to sin more, but feeling like you are left with no choice. Saying it brash with an afraid voice.
What do you do?
Pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Resist and ignore this surrender no more.
Still I feel and I say my splendor is gone.
I am heavy with sin yet I look for justice to reign on the sins of the others.
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