Turing Something Around and Taking a Step Forward

This past week has been extremely hectic, busy, and frenetic, especially at work. Yesterday, was one of the most highly stressed days I have experienced in the work force since I started this new job, and it seems as if my own passionate feelings about representing one of my clients got in the way of my own objectivity, and compromised my representation. Surely some of you know the feeling, or have had the experience of getting too much in your own way, or becoming one's own worst enemy? Well, this is what transpired yesterday, leaving me with a feeling of frustration, and making me physically and mentally wiped out. Henceforth, unable to think clearly, the kiss of death for Woman on the Verge of Thinking.

So what is the remedy and what does one learn when these challenges occur? Thankfully, today is a new day, the sun is beginning to peak its way through the sky, there is a chance to begin anew once again before the commencement of the work day. Thankfully, nothing stays the same, we all change, as do our circumstances, and what may present as a difficult issue one day, can turn itself around into a positive outcome the next.

All good thoughts are send out to everyone today, and a special prayer that there is some resolution to the release of the Israeli soldier today, unharmed, and that the fighting ceased.

Good Shabbos, have a great weekend, and a memorable 4th of July.

Thank you for your minds.

We Are What We Eat (But Not Quite): Genetic Engineering and Its Consequences

Surely many have heard the old adage, that we are what we eat. This simple conclusion, however, in many ways, allows for the possibility that we have some element of choice in the process of determining who or what we are and how we look, either based upon our own free will, or environmental concerns. The more interesting question, and one that surfaced for me this weekend (while attending a seminar on genetics) is that all of us are completely what our individual genes dictate, whether we like it or not.

For example, some of us, because of our genes, have a propensity for illness or disease, such as cancer, high blood pressure, heart attack, diabetes, mental illness, Downs syndrome and the list goes on and on. No matter what we do, we cannot necessarily change our genes, although we may, in certain instances, be able to take preventative measures for various outcomes, (live-style changes) to curtail the possbililty of us developing certain conditions. For example,if we know diabetes runs in the family, we can watch our sugar intake, and if we have high cholesterol, diet and exercise might minimize the chances for developing these ailments in our own lives, (although total elimination is not an issue.)

On the other end of the spectrum, genes also dictate what we look like, whether we are short, tall, have blue eyes, or green, large bone structure or small, blonde hair or black, and that list goes on and on. Since cosmetics, hair dyes and high heals are here, along with colored contact lenses, many of us can change our appearances easier than we can change own genes. And of course, there is the genetic propensity for being a creative or athletic type, such as those who excell in music, math, or even sports.

Which brings me to the question of the day: What, if any opinion do you have about genetic engineering? Would you be in favor of it if certain illnesses and diseases could be eliminated from the population? Is doing so tampering with God's will? Why should we not be allowed to protect ourselves and our families against cancer, heart failure and mental illness? Does genetic engineering have a double edged sword? Is it possible to make everyone look the way he/she desires, create a style, or trend, or go even further and have genetic engineering turn into eugenics, like Hitler planned when he sought to master his own idea of the ideal race? What are the pros and cons of such a plan?

Since I have a very busy week ahead, this post will probably be the only one for the week.
Hope everyone has a good, productive and joyful week.

Thank you for your minds.

Polygamy: Would you or Would you Not?

Although today, polygamy (having more than one spouse) is not legal here in the United States, there was a time when many religions embraced such a concept. In fact, it was considered a blessing for Jews to have more than one wife at one time, and Mormons, too, adapted this concept to perpetuate the survival of their own people. Some cultures, especially in Africa, today, even sanction the marriage of one man to more than one woman, and vice-versa. Often these individuals share households, as well as duties and responsibilities, thereby creating an appropriate division of labor.

Along with having more than one spouse (or partner), however, comes obligations and responsibilities. Not only is the person there to fulfill or command some sexual needs, but if children are a product of these unions, there is college tuition, clothing, housing, along with marriage and all types of responsibilities that accompany marriage.

On its face, polygamy may appear to be attractive, especially for those who complain of sexual dis-satisfaction within their own marriage, but underneath the veil of sex comes many other responsibilities as well.

Here is the question of the day: If polygamy were legal, would you have more than one spouse/partner? Knowing that I am an equal opportunity person, I ask this question of both men and women? If so, why would you want one, and what would be the benefits and/or detriments would surface? Would your current spouse/partner be one of those chosen for consideration?

Due to a very heavy work-load, and busy life, I am unable to post as often as I would like, nor am I able to come to visit so many of the wonderful blogs that I have grown to enjoy. If I am lucky, now with such a demanding schedule, I can provide two posts a week.

Thank you for your minds.

The Costs of the War in Iraq

Many of you, who have been faithful readers of my blog since its inception, know that since the onset I have been opposed to this war with Iraq. Each and every day, it seems as if the news in that country goes from grim to grimmer, with the costs, both in terms of dollars and human lives escalating each and every day. How tragic it is indeed to read that we have lost more than 2,500 American lives, and thousand of other Americans have been injured, not to mention that thousands of Iraqi lives have been affected as well in some form or another.

When was the last time that you heard of something good happening inside Iraq, a step in the right direction? Bush says that he wants to bring democracy to this country, but does one actually see a Democratic process emerging there, through daily fighting, slaughter and death? Today, when it was announced that two more Americans were found brutally murdered, it made me think about what the cost of this war means for us Americans? We have spent billions of dollars, so much that we do not have any money left now to work towards warding off a nuclear program that may surface inside North Korea and Iran. The price of a gallon of gas is almost triple what it was before the war started. We have yet to capture Bin Laden, and there is little evidence that our own country is any safer today than it was four years ago. We may be more vigilant, but are we truly safer?

My heart goes out to the families of these Americans who have lost sons, daughters, fathers and husbands, sisters and brothers, concluding, and in my opinion erroneously, that this is a sacrifice for our country. Look at our country today, asses the lives lost, the money spent. Are we truly better off today than we were 6 years ago?

Thank you for your minds.

Staying Grateful and Giving Thanks

For three weeks now, life has been very good. Home, work, family, all seem to have fallen together like pieces of a jig-saw puzzle that were meant to connect and stay put without falling to the ground or breaking apart. A part of me is even a bit fearful, cautious if you may, that if I speak too much of what is good, then it will disappear, like vapor in thin air.

But to stay silent would be a wrong move, as I truly believe that it is important to be thankful for all the good that comes into our lives. Being one who takes nothing for granted, especially during this last painful year, it is time to speak up, to give thanks and be grateful to God for each and every blessing that He has bestowed upon me for these past few weeks.

No good deed should go unnoticed...

Thank you for your minds.

Guess Who Is Coming To Dinner?

After going out with my husband to celebrate our wedding anniversary, it made me think of a provocative question. Today was a nice day, and we had a wonderful meal too.

If you were having a dinner party, name six guests who you would invite to dinner?

Here are my answers: Sergei Rachmaninoff, Issac Bashivas Singer, Albert Einstein, Anais Nin, Elvis Presley, and Gustav Mahler.

Quite a cast of characters, and most interesting conversation, to say the least!

If you were having a dinner party, which six guests (living or dead) would you invite to dine with you?

Thank you for your minds.

Boycotts: Are there Any Causes of Products that you Refuse to Support or Buy?

As someone who grew up and finished school in the 1970s, there were always causes which we supported, or products, people, places or things that one boycotted. For example, I can remember when the Farmworkers in California were trying to earn better wages, and there was a boycott that I supported by not buying grapes. Surely those can remember the entire issue surfacing several years ago regarding France, and how the name 'French fries' were changed to 'freedom fries.'

As a Jew, my parents and family members, when we were growing up, did not buy anything made in Germany, since much was associated with the death camps, and products and machines were made inside this country whose leader believed in the extermination of more than 6 million Jews and countless others. Hence, anything German was considered non-purchasable. Frankly, I had a difficult time with this concept, as it has been my position that not all Germans were Nazis, and that we should move forward with our lives as they exist in the year 2006. With that being said, I even drive a German car.

But there is one country, I must confess, whose products I continue to boycott today, even in 2006, and that is Switzerland. I remember when my dear friend, for more than 20 years, found out about this 'quirk' (she calls it) of mine, and her conclusion was, 'no Swiss cheese, no watches, wow....!'

Switzerland, which claimed neutrality during Nazi Germany, was anything but un-involved, and one can pursue the many books and materials that speak about the role of the Swiss banks during the Holocaust. As a point of fact, many of these lawsuits still have remained unresolved, today, in 2006, where the survivors are still waiting for compensation for bonds and goods (including art works) taken into the custody of the Swiss government.

Of course my acts may have gone to extremes when I would walk into a store and hide any items that were marked, "Made in Switzerland," and refusing to own a Swiss made watch, but my own personal emotions ran high after reading so much of the literature on the role of the Swiss during this time, that I was, and remain firm about boycotting any products that come from Switzerland.

Here is the question for the day: Are there any causes or products that you boycott, and if so, why?

Women on the verge of Thinking will be on a hiatus for the rest of the week, due to a heavy work schedule and some personal commitments.

Thank you for your minds.

The Meaning of Body Changes, Life and Death: What Would you Want your Epitaph to Say?

At the present time, I am reading a wonderful book, Everyman, by one of my favorite authors, Phillip Roth. This book is told from the voice of an un-named man who is watching his own funeral. Consequently, he traces his life from his own experiences as a sickly child who bears witness to his own body deteriorating, with the passage of time, and his eventual death at the age of 70. The book begins at the narrator's own funeral, and he chronicles his life through his achievements, his three marriages, the birth of his children, and his own professional and personal accomplishments up into his own old age, which he observes by his contemporaries beginning to become ill and some of them eventually die. This slim novel is not small, and the impact of watching one's own 'ordinary' life unfold is very powerful, at least from the pen and prose of Roth.

Each one of us has experienced change in the form of illness, and the natural deterioration of our own bodies is an inevitable consequence for us all. Moreover, many of us have gone through the pain of watching a loved one around us die, either figuratively or actually (such as an illness which renders a person to be someone other than he/she used to be, or death.)

I bring up this subject because over this past week, it has made me think about how our own bodies change, and the impact that this has on those around us as well. Some of us fight and resist change and insist upon hanging on to a dream or an idea of a person as he/she used to be. Is it not often the case that as we watch someone whom we love or care about deeply become ill or suffer, that at times, we too may die in the process as well? Are we not all ordinary individuals having extraordinary experiences?

Here is the question of the day: At the end of the day, how do we decide who we are? How do we judge ourselves, and when, and by what achievements (or lack thereof) do we leave our imprint on those around us? Do we measure ourselves by our achievements only? Do each of us stop to live the very best life we can, or do we keep waiting for the miracle around us to happen? Does age become our teacher or our own enemy? If you had to write your epitaph, what would you want it to say and why?

Thank you for your minds.

Do Men or Women Age Better? Is This A Fair Question?

As posted on Thursday, we had the magnificent opportunity to attend a music festival this weekend. It was a magical experience, and for several hours, I was left with an almost indescribable feeling of ravishing beauty that captured all of the senses. What a great feeling of joy!

While there, I ran into a few people whom we had not seen in years. My husband commented that we seemed to be in about the right age group for now, this crowd, which had grown considerably since the first time we attended many years ago, began to look 'older.' When he made that comment, coupled with someone telling me that I looked good, it made me look around me and think about something (my most passionate past-time) regarding how men and women age.

As a woman, it is clearly the case that we have the so many opportunities at our finger-tips to help us with the aging process, from cosmetics, to plastic surgery, to uplifting bras, girdles, flattering clothing, hair dyes and many more items of indulgence that the imagination and pocket-book can run empty just by thinking about what they are. Men, are beginning to dabble in these indulgences as well, and many take advantage of them to their benefit too.

When I looked around me, I noticed that there were many women, probably in my age bracket, who appeared to have shown the signs of their age more. Many were overweight, dressed frumpy, allowed their hair and skin to appear to be lack-luster, and seemed to let themselves fall apart. I am no beauty, but I consider myself a woman who enjoys taking care of herself in every sense. I exercise more than one hour (each and every day), I still wear jeans (and even bought a very flattering pair of designer ones recently) and love how make-up and hair color and cut can transform a face with very few strokes. And of course, I take great effort to allow myself to be spiritually fit as well. Of course, there were men there too, who let themselves go, had pot-bellys and showed little interest in being dressed well too, but for the most part, it made me think that men, as a group might age better than women, in spite of all of the tools we have available to us to enhance our personal appearances.

Here is the question of the day? Do you think men or women age better? Is this even a fair question? What factors contribute to a person's aging well? Should spiritual satisfaction and good mental health be a part of the equation as to what makes an individual age well? Is aging something that goes beyond the physical, and can it be said, that as we grow older, some of us age by maturity while others stay put inside of a Peter Pan mentality?

Thank you for your minds.

Infidelity: How Do You Define it and When Do you Cross the Line?

As many of you know by now, I love a good argument and debate, especially with an intelligent individual. I am grateful for the many of you who offer insightful, intelligent and focused comments on this blog. Not being one to mince words, nor keep silent, as I am reading blogs all over, there is one topic that seems to crop up over and over again in some form or another and that is infidelity.

When I first wondered into blogsville, I was quite shocked, actually astonished to find that many blogs contained posts that were vulgar in orgin, and were often quite sexually graphic as well. What made these posts even more puzzling was that they were written by many men and women who claimed that they were very religious, and followed commandments and prohibitions strictly in their personal lives. This issue exists can surface among all who claim to be ultra-religious, a prime example being Jim Baker, who turned out to be an adulterous as well as a lier and cheater in his business, landing him in jail as well. It was quite paradoxical, at least to this reader, that they were so flippant and forthright when talking about sex, using graphic language and what I would call, crossing some barrier that I had believed was not ever any issue for them in real life. Does the veil of the internet allow us to express ourselves in ways that we might find prohibiting in real life? Should we not be vigilent here, with our words, even if we are not known, as if we are speaking to a trusted friend or person who wants to know us to be genuine?

To some, infidelity is a complicated question. Who among us can forget Bill Clinton own conclusion when he said he did not have sex with that woman, Monica Lewinsky, because to him, receiving oral sex did not fall within that definition. Something, more, at least for him, was required to meet the definition of infidelity.

Now, with computers, the veil of anoynomity, and the accessibility of meeting so many others with the touch of the key-board, many words and comments may be made, which, can, in my opinion, be taken to cross the line and turn fidelity into infidelity. To me, one's motives and intentions have a great deal to do with when and to what extent an innocent act or word can cross the line into unfaithful and dishonest conduct.

Here is the question of the day: What do you define as infidelity? Does physical contact need to be established, or can one cross the line by words, and if he/she has an intention and/or motive to be unfaithful? Where and how do you draw the line? Can you reconcile the words and voices of these individuals who claim to be highly religious, yet speak and perhaps act in ways that most, including spouses, would conclude constitute a betrayal? If one merely has lust inside his/her heat, is he/she being unfaithful?

We are still going to the music festival tomorrow. All is well, and I am thankful for each and every good day.

Thank you for your minds.

Should Our Pets Be Defined As Property?

Many of us are pet owners, and dearly love our dogs, cats, horses, turtles, etc. Some of us, myself included, even go to such extremes as to anthropomorphize these prescious creatures, bestowing love and care on them as if they were our own children. The Torah says that animals, should eat before their owners, and give them great status. (not a Torah scholar, but I would not be surprised if this referred to work animals.)

Nevertheless, currently in most states, domesticated animals, such as dogs and cats are defined as property. As such, any injury or harm done to them by another will receive a fine, or punishment as if a property item were damaged. Lately, with so many cruel and senseless attacks on animals, those who are loved, honored and cherished by men and women, I propose that our beloved pets be defined as 'quasi property.'

Here is a recent case from Spain in which a man was barred from visiting his dog in a divorce case.

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsarticle.aspx?type=oddlyEnoughNews&storyid
=2006-06-02T174610Z_01_L02789037_RTRUKOC_0_US-SPAIN-DOG.xml&src=rss

Here is what this would ultimately mean. If someone was cruel to your dog or cat, the punishment would be heightened, and a stricter standard would be imposed. Personally, if someone were to injure my beloved Astro, who passed away, I would want that person to receive a harsh punishment. I guess it is because animals, like children, but even to a lesser degree, are completely defenseless, and have no means by which to defend themselves more often than not.

Once, while taking Astro for a walk, someone sprayed water on him. He was running, acting like a typical pet, and the person, I believed used an inappropriate means of force to respond to him. My knee jerk reaction would have been to respond in kind, but since the law is such in California, where pets are defined as property, such force would have been defined as unreasonable, and I could have been punished.

So here is the question of the day: Should our beloved pets be legally defined as something more than our property? If so, what, if anything should be the punishment for wanton cruelty or attack upon them?

A note: I will be out of town for the weekend, attending a music festival, hearing some beautiful music composed by a dear friend.

For the record, today, June 7th., has been a glorious day...One of the very best days I have had in 3 years, where everything seems to have fallen together: work, home, family...

Thank you for your minds.

Wrestling with God: What Does it Mean to Have Blind Faith?

One aspect of the internet that I truly love, it that it allows me to reach out and to speak with people, who, if I were walking down the street, would not so much as greet me, look me in the eye, nor have a discussion with me about anything. Here, with the veil of this hidden computer screen, one is able to transcend boundaries that do not open so freely in the real world.

Yesterday, I read an article on how Holocaust survivor and Nobel Prize winner, Elie Weisel, wrestles with God. As many know, Weisel was a survivor of Auschwitz, and stood around, watching millions of his own people suffer, loose their spirit, and ultimately die. Here is the story to which I refer:

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/192/story_19236_1.html

In spite of these horrors, Weisel continued to believe in God, even putting on Tefillim while in the camps, and continues to do so today, each and every day. He questioned God, and admits to being angry at Him, but nevertheless has not lost his faith. When I told someone who is very religious about this, his conclusion was that Weisel was a heretic, and that it was finally in black and white. Frankly, I was shocked by this response, as for me, someone who has witnessed so much suffering, yet continues to praise the Almighty is indeed a Nobel and gentle soul.

The issue of whether God causes suffering, and whether it happens for some reason because of or other than His will, is a complex question. Could it be that God does not decide who gives birth to children with birth defects, or which individuals die before their time?

In the Torah, it says, tamin tehyeh eim HaShem. What does this phrase really mean? Should one have blind faith in God? Is God the cause of our tragedies, or is it the case that He is there to help us cope with them?

During my lifetime, I have had misfortunes happen, especially during these past few years, where I have questioned God's will, for example, when my daughter became so ill, and recently when my cousin, who was so vibrant and loved life so much, died at a young age. And of course, there is the Holocaust, when 6 million Jews, and countless others were exterminated for no reason, other than being who they were.

Here is the question of the day: Is your faith in God blind? Are there times when you question God's will, and has there been something specific happen to you in your life when this has occurred?

Thank you for your minds.

The Art of Sensuality: Part II

It seems from the prior post, that many can and do appreciate sensuality in its truest form: that which appeals, in one form or another to the senses. Once again, however, it made me think about a manner in which one could fully express himself/herself sensually, without being vulgar, or perhaps, crossing undefined boundaries. For me, making a statement about who I am as a sensual woman does not necessarily involve my speaking about sexual topics, nor specific body parts. Sensuality, unlike sexuality, is truly a great art form!

For example, as indicated above, one of the most beautiful forms of sensual expression, at least for me, is through the use of words. That being said, being able to write, and share what I have to say, with so many people, is a very pleasurable experience for me. What is also true, is being able to read my own words, and see how, these letters strung together, form phrases, with meaning of beauty and purpose.

Another activity that I could do, and this would direct relate to the sense of smell, is spray some of my favorite fragrances on pieces of cardboard and send them out to others to see whether they find a similar pleasure. How does the individual react to these scents? What impact do they have? To me, this is a rather innocent activity, but depending upon how it is received, can have momentous consequences. For those of you who know me, and my love of fragrances, I would take 5 of my top scents for this experiment: Frederic Malle's Musc Ravegeur ( a scent not for every woman); L'Orchidee Blanche by L'Artisan,Luctor et Emergo, ThePeople of the Labyrinths; Frederic Malle's, Carnal Flower and of course, by beloved Angel by Thierry Muegler. I imagine that an individual, who loves the sense of smell, would enjoy these fragrances, and might even come to a conclusion or two about what is pleasing to me in this venue.

As for the sense of hearing, there are so many pieces of music that I find pleasing to my ear, it would take far too much time to list them here.

But here is the question of the day: Using which sense, how would you best communicate your sense of sensuality to someone? What would you do, and what would you hope to accomplish or tell about yourself through this exercise?

Thank you for your minds.