I am unsure if you are familiar with the concept of “modeling,”  but it is a term used in psychology that has to do with describing where a child gets his or her behavior from.  This is the classic picture, for example, of a young toddler talking on their play phone in their own, cute way because that is what mommy or daddy does.  In the same way, it is how a child yells or bickers at his or her sibling, because it is the way mommy or daddy deals with anger or frustration.

In an experiment done by Alfred Bandura on aggression of children, he showed kindergartners a video of a woman beating up a bobo doll.  He then let the kindergartners go play with the doll.  He found similar behavior to what the adults did in the video.  Some children even took a step further; aiming their fingers like a gun for between the doll’s eyes and so on.  Modeling is a process and a real thing that happens from an early age.  It is no wonder why children pick up things from movies and video games, and bad words from older children and adults!

Dr. Uzelac, one of my former professors, showed us this video in our Senior Psychology Seminar class.  It is a very inspirational video, a commercial from Australia, that touched me.  I can’t even imagine the way it would hit me if I were a parent (as my professor was).  This is why I am sharing it.  This will show the power that educators and parents have on their children.  This will show the value of how good of a parent you are or can be.  Enjoy!

There are six billion of us.

We all come from unique places with unique ways of looking at the world.

We don’t always agree,

but for a few shining weeks…
we set it all aside.

We come together to stand, and cheer, and celebrate

AS ONE.

We forget all the things that make us different,

and remember all the things that make us the same

-VISA Olympics Commercial

If only everything could be solved with the Olympics.  Think about it.  War as we know it wouldn’t exist, the only discrimination would be based on physical ability in the context of a sport, and perhaps there will be a new sense of American pride.  The reality is, that the Olympics brings the world together.

Watch the opening of the Olympics and you’ll see that you are not the only one who has pride in your own country.  Watch the opening of the Olympics as people from all over the world proudly march for their country, and you’ll realize how big the world is.  Look at the faces and emotions of each team, they’re the same as yours.  Sure they might speak a different language and have different customs but persistence, strength, passion, excitement, and dedication have no boundaries or barriers.  Sports and athletics are a universal language.

When a person watches the Olympics, it forces the mind to think globally.  You’re coming into contact with athletes you are probably unfamiliar with, and with sports that you are unfamiliar with.  You’re no longer cheering on for your favorite local team, you are cheering on your country.  Before you know it, these male and female athletes represent our country and the competition between countries turn into sportsmanship.  It really is a beautiful thing that countries that can be so different, yet be able to connect within the walls and rules of an international athletic competition.  Citizens of different countries participate side by side in the competitions, and citizens of different countries cheer side by side as fans.

Moreover, it brings a country together.  America, as diverse as we might be, is one team.  Americans east and west, south and north, can all be united as they gather around the television for these weeks.  Somehow differences are put aside and similarities surface.

Watch the Olympic games as much as you can, and perhaps it will give you a different perspective on life.  It will take your thoughts out of your daily routine and out of your local world and draw it to the greater spectrum.  All of a sudden, we are linked and connected.  “Estranged” countries and differing customs are not so foreign to us anymore because they exist vested in the lane next to us, or in the opposing corner.  We see characteristics of ourselves in the expressions our opponents.  We see characteristics of ourselves in the expressions of the fans of our opponents.

At the end of the day, the Olympics are a celebration of being human and of what we can do as humans.  We can compete, we can have pride in our abilities and our nation, we can learn from the mistakes, and celebrate and be thankful for the medals.  Rooted in history, the Olympics is an ancient celebration of our humanity.  Are you watching?

One of the biggest privileges we have as Americans is the freedom to vote.  Some see it as a responsibility.  Some see it as a right.  Others see it as a power.  The more individuals that stand up, vote, and advocate for their beliefs, the bigger the action becomes.  All of a sudden you realize that you are not alone.  This one action seems to unite Americans from North to South and from East to West.

On January 20th, 1961, John F. Kennedy presented his Inagural Address which still has the ability to ignite the spirits of Americans today.  He reminded us of the power that lies within us, not only as Americans, but as human beings.  A power that lies in our hands.

In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than in mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course.

Hands.  Simply the symbol or concept of hands can provoke a variety of thoughts; healing, giving, invitation, communication.  Excuse me if you consider this absurd but, take a moment to reflect on your own hands.  If you think about it, they’re actually a form of a testimony to everything that you are.  They’re the hands that you put one in front of the other as you began to crawl at that early age.  They’re the hands that turned page after page when you were studying for exams X number of years ago. They are the same hands that intertwine with your loved one for countless days, or months, or years in a row.  They’re those hands that nurtured, comforted, and perhaps raised children.  They’re the very hands that brought you to where you were today.

However, it is ever more glorifying when those hands, ever so steady and ever so willing, extend and reach out.  These are the hands that extend or give for the better of another person, for the better of a cause, for the better of a country.  This is the power that JFK was so eloquently expressing.

As we use our hands to vote for the best for our country, as we see fit, we should take into account what we can do for others.  The truth is that we can help those who find themselves in a dark situation that they can’t use their own hands to fight to get out of.

The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life.

Forty some odd years later, and we can still be considered a generation that can put an end to poverty.  This is the motto of the millennium goals campaign, a commitment by world leaders to not only end poverty by 2015 but also to meet 8 millennium development goals.  The goals: end hunger, universal education, gender equity, child health, maternal health, combating HIV/AIDS, environmental sustainability, and establishing a global partnership.  Although progress has been made, we are not where we are supposed to be given that the promise was made in 2000 and here we are halfway until our target year.

This reality settles in most recently as Mayor Bloomberg reevaluated the poverty line this month.  The original formula in determining the amount of poverty had been around since the 60s.  Unfortunately, the new formula discovered another 400,000 poor people in NYC; an increase of 4%.  Another somewhat startling discovery is that they found 32 percent of the elderly are poor.  The former measure was 18 percent. (Links to articles below)

What is important to point out is that OF the elderly, 32 percent are in poverty.  If being elderly is a risk factor for becoming poor, as it appears to be, then what will happen as our baby boomers age?  A great part of our society will age within the same time frame, and that 32 percent, if it stays the same - could mean more (elderly) people living in poverty.  Also frightening is the thought that of funding for the elderly wearing thin due to the increase in people aging, and people living longer.  The over 80 years old category of our population will reach high percentages.

The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it—and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.

The bottom line? As we take the power in our hands to vote, we need to take into account our ability to help others.  It is important to take into our hands those people who are less fortunate than ourselves.  Think and consider; what are our candidates views on the millennium development goals and poverty?  What can we do to unite together and continue the hope that JFK so greatly instilled in us that January day?

After all, hands are strongest when held and linked together.

Poverty’s Real Measure

Math on Poverty

At least two people in this world love you so much they would die for you.

At least fifteen people in this world love you in some way.

The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you.

A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don’t like you.

Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.

You mean the world to someone.

If not for you, someone may not be living.

You are special and unique.

There is someone that you don’t even know exists, who loves you.

When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.

When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look: you most likely

turned your back on the world.

When you think you have no chance of getting what you want, you probably won’t get it, but if you believe in yourself, probably, sooner or later, you will get it.

Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.

Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much better when they know.

If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.

Everyone has a story…what is yours?

What is amazing to think about is how each individual person has their own family history.  The roots of our ancestry were established many, many years ago and each intricate web of events is equally important to where a person is today.  Our ancestors, whether they be Italian, Polish, African American, Irish, or of any other descent, persisted forward for future generations.  Their hard work was for us.

Pride. Honor. Legacy.  We stand for far more than simply who we are in our shoes.  We also stand for our family, for our nationality.  Whether it be a tradition or a physical feature, we were handed down with our own unique treasures from relatives and from their experiences.  The path that was blazed to establish our roots in American soil was a pilgrimage, a testimony to what family means.  It is without a doubt that our loved ones worked hard to get here and…they didn’t give up.

Ellis Island was once the United States welcome center for immigrants from 1892 to 1954 .  An estimated 17 million immigrants passed through this location and obtained permission to enter the United States.  This was more than just an island, it was the doorway to the beautifully diverse future of America.

The Cause

What is quite unfortunate is that within Ellis Island, among the walls in which most likely your very own ancestors gazed their hopeful eyes, there lies vacant, shuttered buildings.  This is not fitting for a place doused in the ancestry of our country.  The buildings are in need of repair and rejuvenation.  Save Ellis Island, Inc. has partnered with the National Park Service to raise funds to rescue and reuse these buildings.

Although the main building welcomes many visitors wishing to retrace the steps of their family, much of the island remains closed to the public.

The Park inspires reflection and dialogue on the meanings and practice of liberty and opportunity in the United States and throughout the world. The “We Are Ellis Island” campaign aspires to capture the essence of Ellis Island by sharing the stories of the immigrants who arrived here seeking equal rights, overcoming challenges and enduring life’s many struggles, all to create new opportunities for themselves and generations to come.

- We Are Ellis Island

There is historic equipment and much more within these buildings that should be preserved.  Ellis Island has the power of the “American Dream” invested in it.  It boggles my mind that this is the first place that immigrants fixed their eyes on as they hoped, prayed, and fought for a better life.  Ellis Island was their “this is it.”  Ellis Island was their “I’ve waited so long for this.”  Ellis Island was their chance.

Nearly 40% of Americans can trace their family history back to Ellis Island.  In the condition it is in, it is too bad we can only physically have only a taste of what our ancestors went through.  What will you do?

Visit www.weareellisisland.com.  Spread the word, donate, share YOUR story with the rest of America and continue to praise the sacrifices made for future generations.

Christmas, Chanakuh, New Years Eve, Halloween.  “Now THOSE are some great holidays,” you might be thinking.  You might even be recollecting or dusting off your favorite memories during these celebrations.  After all, there are presents, intoxication, socializing, mistletoe kisses and costumed-misses.  What is your favorite holiday? And honestly, who wouldn’t choose one of the above?  Well…that would be me.

Now, if you are reading this and you are American, you can not doubt that one of our favorite pastimes is consuming.  We love getting what we want when we want it, especially if it feels good to have it.  More importantly, we always love a chance to consume good food (add in some good company and you’ve got yourself a bonus).  Thanksgiving is a holiday where dishes and spoonfuls are plenty and they are spread out right before our wide eyes.  Not only that, but we all know that on this very day we have an excuse to eat as much turkey or as many sweet potatoes as we possibly can since, after all, it is thanksgiving.  I will call this reason, the face value reason.

If you dig deeper, I think you’ll see that thanksgiving is just flat out honest.  A personification of the holiday would basically go something like this, “Alright lets round everyone up, get together, and just be together with some food, some football, and whatever else comes up…”  There is no rushing around mad for last minute presents for Uncle X or Aunt Y.  You don’t have to chop down anything and you most certainly don’t have to wear a certain color.  Imagine that, you get the day off from work for a holiday of family, friends, and eating!  It is a “just be” holiday for “just being” thankful and appreciative for the people and things in your life.  If you take a chance to reflect on that idea, you will realize that it is one of the most truest, simplest, purest holidays around.  It is a holiday free of religion, free of rules or standards, free of cliche “merrys” or “wishes.”

On a more personal note…..

I realized my own reverence for this holiday in 2004.  It was November of my freshman year in college and I was coming home for Thanksgiving break.  I was so excited to just be coming home for a good amount of time (for the first time in months); especially after the transition of moving away from home.  My aunt and grandpa who live with me at home picked me up from school; nothing out of the ordinary.  I arrived home and scooped my dog into my arms and started briskly walking around the house; excited to see my family.  The only thing was, no one was around.  Then I look over to my aunt standing by the front door and she told me she had to tell me something.  She told me that she needed me to sit down.  “Barbara, your mother is in the hospital, okay.”  Wait, what?

My aunt said everything was going to be alright, but I didn’t want to hear anything else.  I called what I believe was my mom’s cell phone and I was relieved to hear her voice.  As tears ran down my face, I was told she’d be in the hospital for at least the next week.  Later that day and within the next few days I found out that my mom was diagnosed with a very treatable form of Leukemia; Hairy Cell Leukemia.  She had been keeping all of this from me because I was away at school; even when she was waiting to hear what kind of Leukemia she had.  That year my mom’s birthday fell on Thanksgiving and I’ll never forget the vision of her, exhausted from the chemo, sleeping in her hospital bed as me, my younger sister and brother, and dad sat by her bed on Thanksgiving that year.

We were blessed.  After her two weeks straight of chemo, she was healthy and still is healthy today although she still goes for her check ups.  Ever since that Thanksgiving, I have been thankful even more than before.  Not only do I think of how blessed we were to have such a treatable form of cancer, but I, along with my mom, think of all those who have to be in the hospital especially during the holidays.  We got a taste of what it was like to be upset and powerless as we stood by my ever optimistic and loving mom who was stuck in a bleak room with an IV.  It made me have a new found respect for the strength of those in hospitals and a new found admiration for families and friends who have gone through cancer with a loved one.  I remember being in the hall of the hospital listening to an older man singing some hymn from his hospital bed in another room as I gazed out the window - wishing I can somehow break everyone in that place free.

It was a reality check and every year that Thanksgiving comes around I am appreciative for learning a lesson, for having my mom close by, and for the strength that family and friends provide.

What makes you thankful?  Is it a person?  Is it an experience?  I think the reason why I like Thanksgiving most is because it is a holiday that you can define for yourself.  It is free of judgment or reason.  Also, last I checked, the expression, words, actions of gratitude are limitless; “thanks” is a universal language that we all can participate in.

When Thanksgiving comes around this year, what will you be appreciative of?  Who will you thank?

The body is a temple.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 10 million of our U.S. baby boomers will develop Alzheimer’s disease.  In 2008, an estimation of 5.2 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer’s disease.  This is just an example of the prevalence of threats to our neurological health.  It is important to know what to do NOW in order to protect the health of your brain in both the near and distant future.  Also, it is vital to not be ignorant to the effects of: what we put into our body and any patterns or habits that we have.  A reverent attitude towards your body is key to sustaining your brain in age.

Having knowledge of what is healthy for your brain can reverse the aging process, increase IQ, increase memory, help prevent neurological diseases or illness, and increase cognitive processes.

If we reflect on how the body is a temple, we can understand that what we put into our body matters, and should be taken seriously.  Let’s start with healthy brain food that you can add to your daily meals.

Folic Acids
WHAT: Orange juice, vegetables, dry beans, leafy greens, citrus fruits, whole wheat bread…
WHY : Helps with neurotransmitter activity and connections between them in the brain, preventing dementia and Alzheimer’s, improving memory, and keeping your SHARPNESS.

B-Vitamins
Think B is for Brain and be sure to check those nutrition facts for B filled foods.
WHAT: Whole grains, fish, dairy products, eggs…
WHY: One word, energy.  They help in metabolism; providing energy where it is needed.  B-Vitamins also help in making the red blood cells which provide oxygen for all your body parts.

Antioxidants
[Excluding Supplement Antioxidants]
WHAT: Blueberries, cranberries, red beans, dark chocolate, pecans, spinach….
WHY: They keep everything working, prevent cell damage by replenishing electrons in cells.

INTERESTING NEWS IN RESEARCH:  A recent study by Engelhart et al. (2002), explored the suggestion that oxidative stress may contribute to Alzheimer disease and whether the risk of Alzheimer disease might be reduced by intake of antioxidants that fight against the effects of oxidative stress.  Their conclusion was that high dietary intake of vitamin C and vitamin E may lower the risk of Alzheimer disease.

How do you get your brain in shape? The same way you get anything else in shape; by exercise.  General exercise helps the brain by increasing the blood flow to the brain and neurons.  It increases memory.  Aerobic exercise is most helpful for the brain.  This is exercise that involves oxygen consumption in the body - and improves it too!  Examples are walking, running, swimming, stair climbing, skating.  Add some of these activities to your routines.  Stairs instead of elevators, walking instead of driving, treadmill and Ipod instead of couch and remote…

Moreover, there are activities that I am going to call “brain-ercise;” that is, exercise for your noggin.  This includes any type of game or activity that requires some thought put into it.  Some examples are:

Any type of strategy or memory game; Soduku, Scrabble, Boggle
Homework; Online classes, writing, reading, book clubs
INTERESTING TIP: **Breaks/Changes in your routine make the brain work harder.
This can be as simple as brushing your teeth with the opposite hand, doing something different than what you normally do.  WHY? It makes the brain work harder.

All of these brain-ercise activities are healthy for the brain because it increases the intensity of the connections between neurons - those vital cells that maintain the workings of the brain.  Make these workouts fun and read, write, or play a game that you enjoy - with a friend!

What else helps the brain?  Anything you enjoy or find pleasurable! This can be exercising (which already releases endorphins), ANYTHING that makes you laugh, sex, time with friends, relaxing, going to the pool, being in the sun, etc.

Aside from what is pleasurable, what about those things in life that just bring stress to our lives?  Stress, in my opinion, is one of the worst toxins for the body.  It is like poison and the more you are unable to deal with stress, the more detrimental effects it will have on your physical and mental health.

Dealing with Stress…
Meditate, Calm yourself down and put the worrying habits to rest, do Yoga, or focus on a pleasurable activity.

WHY: When you stress, a hormone called cortisol is released.  This is helpful while dealing with the present stressor by changing proteins to energy.  HOWEVER, high levels of cortisol in daily life is dangerous.

Sustained high cortisol levels destroy healthy muscle and bone, slow down healing and normal cell regeneration, co-opt biochemicals needed to make other vital hormones, impair digestion, metabolism and mental function, interfere with healthy endocrine function; and weaken your immune system. -Women to Women.com, Adrenal fatigue

Lastly, for a brain-healthy life, pay attention to your habits. Sleep is very important to rest and rejuvenate the brain.  Drinking, smoking, and other harmful patterns are without a doubt harmful to memory and brain functioning.

Links:

2008 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures from the Alzheimer’s Association

Alzheimer’s Facts and Figures

Video from MSNBC.com on Boosting Your Brain Power