What you think does matter

Are you Stupid, Dumb, Ignorant, foolish or Retarded? I had an interesting conversation with my children and some teens the other day. I asked them what the following words meant to them: Stupid, ignorant, dumb, foolish, and retarded. It was really fun to watch them try to explain each word and how the discussion quickly became an argument over how each word basically meant the same thing - you are calling me stupid, that I am not smart. After one or two minutes had passed I politely interrupted and I said: “I believe that you guys are all ignorant of the true meaning of each word I presented you with.” They all turned to look at me, each with a disgusted look on their face. I asked them “What, what did I say?” My daughter was the first to speak up – “I am not stupid!” As I tried to keep a straight face I asked her “when did I call you stupid?” “Just now, you said I was stupid...” My daughter’s friend hastily jumped into the fray “Yeah, you just called us all stupid.” She sa...

Ever felt like you were drowning? Like the odds were stacked against you and nothing you did could change the outcome. Life is a struggle, it can swallow you up and spit you out after it has ground you up into little insignificant pieces. Harsh isn’t it? But that is how I feel. I’ve had so many things go wrong lately – well I shouldn’t say lately; it has been months and more that I have been dealing with some very difficult things in my life. I tell my children that they need to think positive, never give up and even know when all you can do is ride the wave because there is nothing within your power that can change certain circumstances. But here I sit, thinking about my mother and her second battle with cancer - and she doesn't look good. I’m thinking about all the bad luck I have been having lately. I’m thinking about my most recent troubles that have arisen one right after the other and what do I get from my wife – “You have to live what you preach. You tell the kids th...

A ten year old boy earns $1,000 every weekend. I love reading and sharing stories like this with my children. Life can and is difficult – no doubt about it. But if you have an open mind, are willing to think outside of the box and the courage mixed with a bit of determination – you can accomplish much. I am the first to say success is a mixture of hard work, dedication and luck. No one can deny that there is a bit of luck involved in success, especially when the odds are stacked against you. But this pint sized CEO is living proof that it can be done. Who knows maybe you fail, but there is also that chance that you are the one to succeed. This story is awesome; it makes me want to tell my children to stop whining about how difficult things can be and just do it. This kid is doing nothing special – I put it in this way because children, people are always saying this can’t work. People have tried it and fail, it’s too simple an idea – and they go on and on with the excuses. But this ...

Pet costume – Star Wars craze click to order Dart Vader Now I have seen it all – costumes for your pets and to top it off, it’s Star Wars costumes for your pets. You can dress up your loyal best buddy up as Dart Vader or my favorite, as Yoda. The force is strong with this one it is. Yep, your friendly four legged friend can dress up for Halloween as one of your favorite Star Wars characters. Now I have to hand it to the person who came up with this idea, I am sure that my dog wouldn’t stand being all trussed up as my favorite star Wars character, but then again I no longer have a dog. It’s a shame though that they don’t seem to have these pet costumes for cats – is it some form a petcism, are dog considered better than cats, should we be rioting in the streets for equal rights? Probably not but who ever came up with this idea, You have won my respect, this is probably one of the craziest ideas I have seen but I am sure that they are making a boat load of money. This is goin...

9 Better ways to top your next burger: recipe I love hamburgers – there is nothing better than a delicious juicy well-cooked burger on a toasted bun. But of course the bun and the burger is only part of the delicious taste: the toppings are what take it to a whole other level. So here are a few toppings I found online that I am thinking of trying out. Tell me what you think. Chips 'n' Guac Burger Top each burger with 1 tablespoon guacamole + 1 tablespoon sliced pickled jalapeños + 3 tortilla chips. Crunchy Onion Burger Top each burger with 1 tablespoon onion dip + 1/4 cup canned fried onions (we love French's). Guy Fieri's Donkey Sauce Burger Mix 1 cup mayo + 1/4 cup roasted garlic + 1 teaspoon mustard + 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire + 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Divide among burgers with toppings. Guy Fieri's Pepper & Onion Burger Cook 1 red onion + 1 yellow or red pepper + 2 tablespoons oil on high until tender; stir in 1/4 teaspoon each p...

Funny the Biggest Band Geek – is Dad? How to have fun at a high school football game? Be a band geek! I love sports. I used to watch football all the time as well as basketball – back in the days when the Chicago Bulls were a dynasty. But ask me to go to a high school football game and I am not into it, really, it’s not my thing. But seeing that my baby girl is in the band, she is also the drum major, so I decided to go to the game even while it was lightly raining and a bit chilly. I am Sorry... Slowly moving my blog articles over to my new website: www.yuthink.com The post is at my parenting page at my new site. Thank you for visiting my site and please feel free to visit my new website.