Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Diva Dialogue-November, 2011

The news is buzzing! I don't even know where to begin. Let's start with Penn State and their issues. As a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Penn State was one of our biggest rivals so imagine my interest in this unfortunate situation. A grand jury indictment has been raised against former defensive coordinator, Jerry Sandusky for allegations which include sexual abuse of eight children over a fifteen year period. I am saddened when any sexual abuse is raised and this situation is no different. I think the fact that so much is focused on Joe Paterno running a clean upstanding athletic program where he stressed moral values and scholastic achievements is overshadowing the real issue which is adults violating children's trust. Paterno has had a long illustrious career. It is safe to say this will be his last year as coach of the Nittany Lions as he announced that he will retire at the close of this season. He did go to the administration with the accusations, the administration chose to cover up the abuse and Paterno is being called on the carpet for not pushing for more action on their part. Given Paterno's level of influence in the Penn State community, I do think he fulfilled his moral obligation but I also feel that given his respected position, he should have advocated for the children involved instead of going forward without questioning the actions of the University. What would you have done is his shoes? Is fulfilling your moral obligation enough?

On a sad note, former Heavyweight champion boxer, Smokin Joe Frazier lost a battle to liver cancer. He was 67 years old. He handed Muhammad Ali his first defeat. Frazier had a devastating left hook and was well respected for his determination and strength. By all accounts, he had a great personality and will be sorely missed by the Philadelphia community where he worked closely with children. As a child, I clearly remember all the hype surrounding the "Thrilla in Manila." It was an awesome fight and your adrenaline got pumping just by watching. I won't even discuss the pre-hype and trash talking that occurred. I am no longer excited by boxing, it simply isn't the same.

On another sad note, rapper Heavy D, age 44, died yesterday. Heavy D was one of my favorite hip hop artists. He had longevity in a field where people don't last very long. Last month, he performed on an award show and the performance was phenomenal. His career began in 1987 with the single, Overweight Lovers in the House. Dwight Myers(Heavy D's Government name) was also an actor. His most recent role was in Tower Heist with Eddie Murphy which was released last week. I am a saddened fan because I loved Heavy D, his rap was clean, catchy, and boy could he dance despite his heavier weight. He came across as sincere and fun loving. Based on the celebrity response, he was all of those things as well as a caring artist and father. Hopefully, heaven has gained an angel.

Last but certainly not least, Conrad Murray was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Joseph Jackson. Let's hope that MJ's family can finally find some peace in what is really a tragic situation. Let's face it, we all know MJ needed professional help. I think eventually, MJ would have self destructed. It is a travesty that Conrad Murray didn't take his Hippocratic Oath seriously enough to walk away from the fame of treating a superstar celebrity or to attempt to help him resolve his demons. Murray may not serve more than the 20 days it will take before his sentencing due to overcrowded California prisons. He will never practice medicine in the US again. He is vilified because MJ has remained larger than life even after death and his fans are a loyal and dedicated group. My hubby thinks Murray should leave the States where he'd be in a better position to start over somewhat more anonymously. I feel sorry for him. He was wrong and I think he will pay dearly for his mistake for the rest of his life. The choice to be a doctor is a serious one. The verbiage in the Hippocratic Oath is clear. To be a medical profession in violation of it is dangerous and deadly. I see this as a wake up call for patients and their doctors. We all have a role and with it comes boundaries. It is important to operate within those guidelines to keep us all safe.

I have said a lot and now it is time to close. Life is short. There are a ton of lessons to be learned as we live it. In the case of Penn State, you have to think about the situations from a personal point of view. Would you have reacted the same if it was your son, daughter, or grandchild? I think the same applies to Conrad Murray. Someone has to be bold enough to take a stand. In the case of Joe Frazier and Heavy D, both the hip hop and sports arena have taken serious losses. Both men had warm personalities and were well respected by their peers.  Till next time, love life and live it to the fullest.


In Diva Love,

Pam

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Marriage is Serious Business

I figured out why the whole Kim Kardashian marriage thing has pissed me off. First off, I have really strong feelings about the seriousness of marriage. One of my earliest post was, "A Beautiful Wedding does Not a Beautiful Marriage Make." You can check it out here: http://missreaddiva.blogspot.com/2009/09/beautiful-wedding-does-not-beautiful.html.

Marriage is not easy. You take two people with completely different backgrounds and upbringing and you send them off to make a happy life. They stand before God and witnesses and make vows to "love, honor, and cherish in good times and bad." Just like the good times, bad times will come. God didn't promise any of us a lifetime of happiness and when you are looking for another person to provide that happiness, it is a recipe for disaster.

I have been married for fifteen and a half years. Sometimes, even I am shocked that we have lasted this long. LOL! Everyday we both have to choose to see the good in each other and figure out that what we have built together is better than what we can do alone. Some days, neither of us feels up to the challenge. On those days, tension runs deep and attitudes prevail. God already knew what type of people we'd be once sin entered the picture. Love was probably going to be hard enough with out the temptation of sin. Ironically enough, there are so many Bible passages that call us to love. When God makes the command, it is NOT conditional on our feelings or emotions. Let's face it, Jesus met people wherever they were in their stage of life. He met their every need and it didn't matter that he'd been ministering for days at a time with no rest. He didn't judge, nor did He condemn. He just loved on the person in the manner they needed it most, always spiritual, sometimes, emotionally and physically too.

I can attest that the first year of marriage is difficult. No one can fully prepare you for what changes in you will have to result in order for your marriage to work. Even after you have years of marriage under your belt, you still have to work at communicating and compromising. After 72 days, you have done very little bonding, especially if you are spending half that time away from each other and in the public spotlight. I am not judging Kim K but you have to wonder what her motivation to marry really was. I can understand the getting caught up in the fantasy. After all, the whole wedding thing was a public spectacle. Love has its public moments but it really is a private affair.

You have to do the work to build your relationship so that you and your spouse can both be the best of your selves in public and private. Living out love the way God commands, takes some serious prayer and commitment on both individuals part. When Kris Humphries is finding out that his marriage is over from the media, you know that someone wasn't prepared to handle marriage. I mean really. You couldn't give him the courtesy of a personal conversation before going public. Then you are wondering why everyone thinks it is a sham. Let's be mature here.

 Readers, if you are thinking about marriage, I can't implore you enough to get professional counseling. A neutral party will give you things to consider about marriage that you may not be thinking of as you try to fulfill your ultimate wedding dreams. A wedding lasts one day, a marriage is supposed to be for life. Don't make the same mistake as Kim and many others.  Marriage is serious business. Marriage is not Big Business.

I leave you with what God's Word says about love. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a (TNIV) states, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails.Verse 13 goes on to state, "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." It is important to note that love perseveres. Persevere means to persist in anything undertaken; maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly. Enough said. Till next time, peace.

Leaving you in Diva Love,

Pam

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Liebster Award

I want to personally thank Sporadically Yours for gifting me with this award. I just started following her blog and I absolutely love it. I feel like we'd be friends if we met somewhere. Check her out by clicking the link here www.sporadicpublication.blogspot.com! Now I am returning the favor and passing the love on to several of my favorite bloggers.


The Liebster (German for friend or love) Award spotlights up-and-coming bloggers with less than 200 followers.



FOLLOWING THE RULES


Upon receiving the Liebster Award, you must do the following:


1. Thank the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.


2. Reveal your top 5 picks(I decided on 6) and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.


3. Post the award on your blog.


4. Bask in the love from the most supportive people on the Internet – other writers.


5. Have fun with it!





I read some really REALLY great blogs. Most of the bloggers that I follow are fairly new. They are a varied bunch but all of them are down to earth and fabulous:
               Kristin@           www.handbagshairandheels.blogspot.com
               Carla@             www.sojourneroftruth.blogspot.com
               Laura@             www.lovelifescrap.blogspot.com
               Jill@                  www.thisismyridiculouslife.wordpress.com
               Stephanie@       www.journeytoninevah.blogspot.com
               Danette@          www.brichrkha.blogspot.com



You will enjoy every one of the blogs. Trust me, I don't lie!



Copyright November 3, 2011 by Pamela Cole Thorpe




Thankful, Thankful, Thankful

We are three days into November which means the season of Thanksgiving is upon us. This is my favorite time of year. For the month of November, I always post something on my Facebook page that I am thankful for each day. It can be great or it can be small but nonetheless, we should all be able to find at least three things that we are truly thankful for each day. It looks like quite a few people are also posting their thankful items each day. It is very rewarding for me to read those post because they point to the fact that some people have some deep stuff going on in their lives.

As a parent of children who are definitely a part of the Entitlement Generation, I still try to impress upon my children the fact that they are better than blessed. They have more than they need and quite a few of their wants. I am happy to say that they do have manners. See my previous post if you are wondering why I point this out. I say this often, on our worst day, we are still more blessed than a whole lot of other people on their best day, especially those in other countries. We should never take anything for granted and gratitude goes a long way with people. Too whom much is given, much is required.

I lift this challenge to you. Take the time to note at least three things that you are thankful for from now till Thanksgiving Day. You don't have to post the list on Facebook, nor do you have to tell a friend. You can meditate on those things and simply express your gratitude. Believe me, focusing on the positive will make you feel good throughout your day. If the day looks like it might go wrong, go back and reflect on those things again. Every morning, I sing, "Count your blessings, name them one by one!" I hope you will rise to the challenge. Feel free to share your experience with me! Till next time, be blessed and be a blessing. Someone needs you this holiday season and you probably don't have to look to far to bless them. Ciao!







Copyright November 3, 2011 by Pamela Cole Thorpe