Joel Rosenberg’s “Inside the (Islamic) Revolution”

Joel Rosenberg’s latest publication, Inside the Revolution, takes readers into the Islamic world where:

• Muslims are converting to Christianity in record numbers 
• Iranian leaders (not the Iranians) truly believe the end times are near.  These leaders are obsessed with the notion of hastening the coming of their Messiah by destroying Israel, the United States, and subjugating the remaining non-Islamic states (Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu)

Why should we care?

Because ignorance is death — literally. 

If Iran gets hold of nuclear weapons and the ballistic missiles to deliver these weapons, six million Jews will perish in six minutes or less, and the rest of “unwanted” humanity within the same hour. (Fox News, Glenn Beck)

We’re toast!

Cash-strapped North Korea  continues to develop its nuclear capabilities (they’re way ahead of the Iranians).  Iran has cash.  Desperate “death-cult-leaders” will pay whatever it takes to destroy their non-Muslim counterparts — to hasten the coming of end times, the coming of their Messiah!

But … there’s hope.  Reformers ARE pushing back the radicals. 

Knowledge IS power!

How to Communicate With Your Child’s Teacher

Just three weeks into the school year, my fifth grader has begun showing lack of enthusiasm for learning; an attitude I have not seen before.

Every year, Erik adored his teachers.  School equaled learning, excitement, fun, and friends! … until now.

No homework, no clear expectations. 

“I’ll just do what my teacher says.  When I’m not in class, I’ll have nothing to do with him.”

No rapport, no accountability.  WHY am I seeing invisible red flags before me?

Perhaps it’s time to communicate and clarify … But how?

I am a parent, my child’s advocate.  My goal is to resolve misunderstandings, not confront; to help provide optimal learning opportunities and experiences for my fifth grader.

I am open to Erik’s teacher’s perspectives and what he has to say.

eHow, the site that explains just about everything you want to know, suggests:

• Confront carefully, respectfully, and privately.  Your goal is to problem-solve, not create animosity. 
• Respectfully offer suggestions.  Make sure that the authority knows you are not attacking him, but rather offering suggestions that would improve your child’s learning and school experiences.

It takes a village to raise a child.  I’d like to establish a positive relationship and partnership with my child’s teacher.  By the same token, diplomacy and tact has never been my strength. 

Unresolved issues will resurface until given the proper attention they deserve.  So, do I learn the art of diplomacy now or procrastinate – until the stakes get really high?

“If life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” 

It’s time, perhaps, for a lemonade.

Departures: WHAT Is Your Dream Job?

What is your dream job?  Which jobs are beneath you?  WHAT … is a “respectable job”?

Pros make everything look easy … until we step in their shoes and realize, “Man, they sure earn their keep!”

Landscapers who work for hours under the scorching desert sun, custodians who maintain buildings for children and workers, employees who spend countless hours cooking burgers behind the hot grill — thank you, thank you, thank you! 

YOU are the foundation, the priceless fabric of our society!

How about morticians; professionals who prepare the deceased for their burials?

Love, discovery, hope, transformation … Departures capture and reveal the beauty, compassion, and the power of the human heart.

WHAT is your dream job? 

In Search of a Missing Teen

Last Saturday, my family and I celebrated my nephew’s fifth birthday. 

‘Felt excitement and joy everywhere!  (Well, almost … ) Kids laughing, adults conversing – enjoying their summer afternoons. 

Next to the outdoor kitchen stood my nephew’s mother – glowing with her overflowing love for her son — as she cheerfully spun cotton candies for her son’s friends!

Inside, on the family room sofa, sat the mother’s eldest sister, mustering enough strength to put on a smile. 

With a plate on one hand and a drink in the other, I sat down. 

“So, where’s your daughter today?” I asked.

A faint reply followed her pause, “She ran away.  Missing for six weeks now.  No word yet from the police …”

“What?!  Why?!”   Did I hear correctly?

“I don’t know.  I just don’t know.”

I couldn’t begin to imagine life without my kids.  I could only give a listening ear.

“My husband and I gave our daughter everything she needed — home, love, clothing, safety.  Sure, as a fetal alcohol child, she had to work at least twice as hard as her peers, but we treated her better than our own.  She’s been with us for 11 years.”

Yes, the child was definitely loved and cared for.  The family went through an arduous adoption process before bringing their daughter home at age six.

“She disappeared into the thin air?” I asked.

“She secretly moved all her clothes to her friend’s house as well as her friends’ phone numbers.  We got one e-mail saying ‘I don’t want to live under your house rules any more.  Don’t worry.  Don’t look for me.’”

(Anyone can write the note.  How can we know for sure the e-mail came from my niece?) 

Now, this teen doesn’t fit the runaway’s profile — no abuse, no trauma, no major stress in the family.  She’s very kind-hearted; always knew how to make others feel at ease.  Young children adored her!

According to my cousin, her 17-year-old didn’t have a boyfriend (not anyone she can recall.  No drastic changes in behavior prior to the event.)

The family is praying for her safe, quick return.

If you know of resources and hotlines for tracking runaways, please share.  Information and knowledge would mean SO MUCH to the family right now. 

THANK YOU!

Forgiveness Sets Us Free! (I just have to do it!)

What emotions are stirred when you hear the word, “Forgiveness”? 

If you’re like me, you’ll respond, “Again?!  WHY beat this ‘dead horse’?!  My head understands but my heart doesn’t want to.  I’ll forgive in my time, under my terms … when the offender changes, or better yet, when the evil creature is out of my life!”

Fortunately, life rarely works out my way. 

After a decade of blame, avoidance, people pleasing, pain, and cycles of disappointments, I HAD TO to come to my senses (not by choice … just sheer necessity).  I FINALLY realized, “Same issues will resurface until I learn life’s lessons.” 

I got SO TIRED of attracting domineering souls. 

My mother and I were thousands of miles away; my mother-in-law, less than five miles!  For better or for worse, my mother continues to take up residence in my head (Love you, mom … minus the dysfunctional traits I inherited). 

I HAD TO CHANGE. 

And though my journey is nowhere near complete, I’ve begun taking small baby steps — FINALLY learning to let go — one person, one layer at a time. 

William Marionson can tell you better than I can:

• Our ego is about blame.  The ego wants to determine who’s innocent and who’s guilty.
• We continue to invite similar souls into our lives until we learn our lessons.
• Forgiveness helps us return to our most loving self.  We give love, and in return, get love.
• When forgiveness occurs, the miracle of love takes place naturally.

“Forgiveness is not a difficult way.  It’s just a different way of thinking.  Forgivness sets us free.”  (Marionne Williamson) 

Dr. Medina’s “Brain Rules” (Summary)

Our minds create our realities.  Our minds’ abilities to process and execute complex, abstract information separate us from the rest of the species in the animal kingdom.

For readers joining us today, feel free to click on the link(s) of your choice:

1. Exercise Boosts Brain Power
2. Care
3. Lifelong Learners Thrive
4. We Cannot Multifocus
5. Repeat to Remember
6. Remember to Repeat
7. Sleep Well.  Think Well. Kudos to Siesta!
8. Get Stress On Your Side
9. Sensory Integration Boosts Learning!
10. Vision Trumps All Other Senses
11. Male Brains and Female Brains Are Different
12. We Are Natural Explorers

Thank you, Dr. Medina, for sharing your insights and research findings on the brain — one of our most important, yet chronically abused and underused organ! 

Brain Rules (XII) — We Are Natural Explorers

Curiosity is crucial to progress and development. 

Do you agree?

Our ancestors’ curiosities helped them “see” the tiger behind the tree!  Curiosity told them to flee!  They ran!  Thank goodness!  We wouldn’t be here today if humans stood aimlessly amidst the wide open savannah!

Infants constantly experiment with their senses, touching and tasting objects within their line of sight.  Children and adults test people’s boundaries — all the time — wondering which behaviors are acceptable (or unacceptable) to their acquaintances.  (see Play By Rules, Rule #12 [4:00])

What about school and learning? 

How can we continue to capitalize on our curiosity — our desire to learn, problem-solve, and progress?

Dr. John Medina suggests:

• Consistent exposure to the real world — combine theory with practice.  Students will get firsthand experience and an unobstructed view of how their newly acquired skills are practiced in their chosen field
• Consistent exposure to people who operate in the real world — watch professionals in action!  Assist as needed.  Meaningful learning takes place when the brain connects theory with practice
• Consistent exposure to practical research i.e., programs taught by professionals who are involved in the day-to-day grind but who are also trained to think, hypothesize, and implement studies benefiting the next generation 

No matter where I am in my life’s journey, I hope “I’ll never lose that sense of wonder.”

I’ll dance!  I hope you will, too! 

Brain Rules (XI) — Male Brains and Female Brains are Different

Men and women are equal; however, we’re not the same. (Unknown)

Sounds reasonable.  Seems to ring true for male and female brains, too.  Here are a few differences:

• Women tend to use the brain’s left and right hemisphere to process verbal info.  Men primarily use one.
• Women tend to have thick cables connecting their two hemispheres.  Men’s are thinner.
• Men bond through physical activities.  Women bond by talking and sharing secrets.
• Men and women respond differently to acute stress:  women remember the emotional details.  Men get the gist.  (see Play By Rules, Rule #11 [3:00])

How beautiful!  Men and women — big picture and details — we can complement each other’s strengths and conquer the world … if you fit the stereotype. 

What if you’re a woman who prefers to see the big picture or a man who likes to be detail-oriented? 

Do you agree with the research findings?  Do you disagree? 

Brains Rules (X) — Vision Trumps All Other Senses!

Out of the five senses — vision, hearing, smell, taste, touch — vision trumps them all! Yes, a picture’s worth 1000 words!

Why?

• Our brains see letters and words as tiny pictures, not letters and words
• The brain uses roughly 1/2 of our thinking resources on vision
• Studies showed only 10 percent retention (three days later) for auditory learning vs. 65 percent for lectures using visuals
• People remembered more than 2,500 pictures with at least 90 percent accuracy several days post-exposure, with as little as 10 seconds of  exposure!  Accuracy rates a year later still hovered around 63 percent! (see Play By Rules, Rule #10)

Less words, more pictures.  Sounds like a plan!

Brain Rules (IX) — Sensory Integration Boosts Learning!

Howard Gardner, psychologist, author, educator, and father of the so-called Multiple Intelligences observed at lest seven categories of intelligence:

• verbal/linguistic
• logical/mathematical
• musical/rhythmic
• visual/spatial
• bodily/kinesthetic
• Interpersonal (enjoy working well with others)
• Intrapersonal (enjoy independent work — the introspective type)

Our minds become increasingly engaged and retain more information when we incorporate several modalities into our learning (see Play By Rules, Rule #9).

Who said the best learning takes place listening to lectures? Wanna know the best school on this planet — LIFE!  (Just a thought.)