"Being Busy Bouts" 3/26/2014

     One of the most important (and uncomfortable) things I've learned during my stages of becoming a young, hardworking adult is that things change. Learning and accepting that has been one of the most challenging things for me. I'd held onto memories expecting them to make their way into my present with no changes-the same people, same relationships with friends and family, but a different time frame with all of us looking fancy as ever. The same laughs, same pranks, same amount of communication, same level of strength composed within our relationships of unity. I'd grown aware of the absence of friends and the realization of fake friends in middle school (definitely important to know as a woman lol), but I wasn't aware that family would change. My small world was nothing compared to the big world.

     No one is exempt if you really think about it. We grow up and grow busy, right? The problem with "being busy" is that we use it as an excuse for unnecessary things. For some time, I'd been the main communicator among  most of my friends and family: I texted everyone I'd cared for, called, messaged-whether it was a "Hey! hope you're doing well...ttyl" or an "I love you". I tried. ROUND ONE: The world won. I tried until I'd learned that "being busy" became the excuse for failing to communicate with family and friends. Then, I stopped. And not too long ago, I lost a relative that I'd been close with to suicide. ROUND TWO: Knockout... Guilt. Could my attempt to reach out have let him know he was not alone?

     I'm aware that things change and I'm certain there are people like me-yearning for the same memories and the same people while trying to keep in touch with everyone,but it's not going to happen and probably not the way you'd like it to. We become too busy with life as an adult, and forget how relevant it is to remind those that we love that we love them. Technology grants us easier means of communication...a text can be sent, Facebook, e-mail. a short video, and also (what's seemingly growing unpopular) a phone call. We could even go old school and write a letter. How hard is it? 

     Despite "fall-outs" among old friends, why not check on the friends that are still relevant to you? Same with family. And while learning you may not be of as much importance as they are to you, it shouldn't stop you from remembering the individuals that you are extremely relevant to. Someone told me "You should be able to tell someone you care about them", and that is so true-whether it's reciprocated or not. The realization is that we will not be here forever. When we're in the world, we're in the world and when our time is up, it's up...and we may not know when or how, so it's important to show your concern and love for those you care for and those who care for you before the opportunity is no longer there physically.

We are given certain people for certain reasons-whether it be for a season or a lifetime. Don't allow your relationships, love, concern, or acknowledgement of those to go unnoticed. ROUND THREE: It's a draw. Don't be "too busy" for the people you love.

With Realness,

Bee Elae

3/26/2014

" 'In God We Trust' and The Dollar Bill" @http://brikhousedelights.blogspot.com/

While surfing the Internet, I found this this image:

It's obviously an image made for Facebook-a subject screaming controversy, disagreements, and conflict-but this image is definitely "share" worthy. Why? Because within it lies thought and reevaluation. I inquire if individuals have resented the writings on this money we use everyday. Have we forgotten who and what is on the money we spend? Do we know the actual reasoning for the selected images, phrases, numbers, and designs on our money? The major controversial issue with "In God We Trust" is that God is not worshiped by everyone: there are individuals that practice and believe in other religions while other individuals have little to no belief in anything. This is understood from the "Land of the free" perspective.... BUT under a different perspective, I view and share this image solely out of respect. In reality, the majority of individuals have disrespected "In God We Trust"-from those that obtain dominance and power over the country to individuals simply infatuated with the dollar.

A multitude of figures possessing power (seemingly) do not base their decisions, actions, and routes to power and success on what we believe (according to The Holy Bible) is "God-like". Did they ask themselves "Is this what God would do?"or "Is what I'm doing related to my trust in God?" From an even deeper view...we (as in some of us) have grown to love money-enamored with its value and the power within it. Gluttony and greed spew from the mouths, souls, and hands of a multitude of individuals-both of which God (according to The Bible) is not even remotely fond of. Despite the saying "money is the root of all evil", I believe that to be true if allowed by the person...which would result in a nice amount of us being guilty. Was the money created by the hands of man or machines ran by the hands of man with God in their hearts? This is no religious blog by any means. I'm not striving to push my personal beliefs on anyone, but the image grants way to thought, and that is what I hope it will do for everyone! Also, what's interesting, is that some people seek more trust in man than in God. Has "In God We Trust" been disrespected? Have you considered or questioned the images and writings on your money? Are you guilty? If you're of another religion, are you bothered by it? Should it be removed due to the lack of respect or because it seems to exclude other religions? Is this subject even of relevance? Another random day of thinking. Let me know what you think.

With Realness,

Bee Elae
3/10/2014 8:22p.m.

"I'm A Barbie Girl..." 3/1/2014

While looking up the latest topics in the news, I seen an article dedicated to a "life-size Barbie" who is (according to the article) using her image to "promote spiritual ideas" (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/28/breatharian-barbie-valeria-lukyanova_n_4873706.html). Her goal, as addressed in the article, is to live solely off of air and water. After reading (let alone seeing) this article and knowing that it was considered relevant enough to receive global attention, I sat at my laptop and just stared at the screen. Her image and the title she'd given herself and had been given to her by society, didn't shock me; the idea that it is apart of the news did. I tried to figure out why it made the news: because of the practice the woman is partaking in? Because it's bizarre? To demonstrate how the ideal image continues to affect people-mainly women in places all over the world? After deciphering if I even believed this young lady existed, I clicked on her pictures in the article and reread the article again.

One of the major things that stood out that'd I'd overlooked the first time I read the article was that she is a model (where weight and image are a pretty big deal). The information I retrieved from the Internet about the young woman pertained to her modeling and, of course, being acknowledged as the "life-size Barbie". One of my initial ideas for the media covering this woman was to inform readers that something like "breatharianism" was practiced, but the idea that something about her image was the reason for coverage towered over information on breatharians. The awe of her image sparks interest but the idea that becoming or transforming into the well-known and (still) admired plastic Barbie doll could be the main reason for granting this woman a spot in the news. We "ooh" and "ahh" and "ewww" at her appearance, but it IS an eye-catcher. The article and this woman attracts viewers because of what she looks like. Because of possibility.

BUT, really, did you even consider the reason for coverage? Could the coverage over this woman exist to symbolize that the ability to be like Barbie is possible? Is it a form of advertisement screaming "Would you kill for Barbie? Want her perfect figure, hair, bust, and (slightly) less than completely flat rear with a slim waist? Wait no more! You, too, can be like Barbie!" Could breatharianism and this woman's "special diet" become more popular in other locations because of the possibility of the "Barbie figure" rather than its relation to religious or cultural practices? It's possible...because we are all still battling with the ideal image for women in certain regions where the "thinner" woman is accepted...but I haven't heard too much about Barbie since other figures are receiving admiration now. Ideas? Opinions? Reactions? Just random thought sharing...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/28/breatharian-barbie-valeria-lukyanova_n_4873706.html

http://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/edible-innovations/breatharian.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTyw8nJWNjQ

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/life-size-barbies-shocking-dimensions-photo-would-she-be-anorexic/

Google Image

With Realness,

Bee Elae
3/1/2014