**Disclaimer** Today was a break down day. Today I fell apart like a badly played Jenga game. It was a whole litany of things but suffice to say… this is what came out of it. Thank you for being a sounding board for me. Some days you just need to say things. It might not be the most eloquent way or the most politically correct but somedays you just need to spew… and if you’re gonna spew, spew into this. 🙂
I alway read quotes like “the less you give a damn the happier you will be”.
I don’t know how to do that.
I give a damn. Sometimes it is hard to keep my big mouth shut.
Because I give a damn.
Honestly, I think to myself, “Shut up. There is absolutely no point trying to change someone’s mind so just be quiet”… And then I try anyways!
You would think that I would learn.
I knew this person that used to think that immigrants were taking over the country. I used to laugh and say immigrants already did take over the country.
I would explain the entire history of Winnipeg, the cultural quarters, the European immigrants, the huge amount of Germans and Ukrainians that inundated the city at the turn-of-the-century, but it fell onto deaf ears.
Don’t even get me started on all the debates I have had over global warming and climate change!
To me, it is so simple. People can love whoever they want to love. You only get one chance at life, everyone should try to find happiness wherever they can.
When I hear people scared about the thought of gender-neutral bathrooms, it almost makes me laugh. Really? In this violent world that spreads hate and war, that’s what you’re scared of? Really?
I constantly battle for my children’s education. I actively take part and know my facts. I read all over social media and listen to parents spread gossip and uneducated opinions and it makes me want to scream! No matter how much you explain to people about the budgets, rules, expectations… People still want to bitch and complain and spout off their “opinions” rather than facts.
I wish I could just leave it alone. I wish I could hear stupid people talk and think to myself, “it doesn’t matter. You believe what you want to and let them believe what they will.”
Ninja always tells me that the stress in my life that gives me an upset stomach, heartburn, and headaches comes directly from not…
A very small population of our city is holding our city government by the balls and stopping progress on a major waterpark that will bring tourism and money into our community.
Let it go.
Kids are being bullied for being themselves.
Let it go.
People are being beaten because of who they choose to love.
Let it go.
Women don’t get paid the same amount as men.
Let it go.
Places of worship get lit on fire because people don’t agree with religions they don’t understand.
Let it go.
A hateful bigot that has radical ties goes into a club and kills 50 people because he was legally able to buy assault rifles?
Let it go.
How?
Yes, I would be happier on a day-to-day basis if these things didn’t bother me. But they do. I have children growing up in this world. We are always trying to make it better for them, each generation is trying to make it better for the next. We cannot sit quietly and allow hate to spread. We cannot sit quietly when we know something is happening and it’s not right.
I keep on thinking that if I just let it go, and everybody that feels like me lets it go, who will make the changes? Who stands up and says, “HEY! That’s not right!”
It starts with us. It is taking responsibility for our actions. Don’t make up excuses when you miss a deadline, meet the deadline! Get involved in your community, get to know your neighbors, get to know people of different race, religion, sexual orientation, and social economic standing.
It starts with our beliefs. Growing up my parents were not overly religious. My Mom was a Protestant and my Dad was a Catholic. I was always interested in religion. My first Bible was a beautifully illustrated children’s Bible from a Jehovah Witness. At a young age I joined friends at their churches. My WpgBesty was Anglican, my next-door neighbour was Greek Orthodox and my babysitter was a Baptist. I took Mennonite Bible study on Wednesday nights and ended up volunteering in the United Church’s Sunday school. In university I minored in Catholicism. In all of my learning about faith… The main thing I took from it was treat everyone the way you want to be treated.
That’s it.
It starts locally. We all need to teach our children love instead of hate. We need to teach them that being different is not only OK it is actually… encouraged. Get out in your community, get to know your neighbor, treat people kindly and respectfully. Embrace outsiders, you never know, that could be your child in the future! Show compassion rather than disdain. Perhaps you are the defining moment for some lost soul who may go home that night and kill themselves or worse, kill many people and then themselves.
It starts with the bigger picture. Our city government that allows division between social groups. Our provincial government that chooses to take money out of children’s education instead of putting more money into into it because education is the key to ending intolerance. Our federal government that continues to debate facts such as climate change, gender equality, racism, LBGTQ rights, gun legislation, a woman’s right to choose what is done to her own body, a person’s right to choose how to end their own suffering, and the list goes on and on and on and on.
Don’t let it go. I can’t let it go. These issues are so important it’s all fine and good until it’s someone you love at the club, or signing autographs, or going to work, or the theatre, or going to their place of worship, or going to school and in an instant everything changes. We need to learn from history and learn from our mistakes and correct them.
Skillet Chicken Cordon Bleu
Skinnytaste
4 chicken breasts
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon butter
1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
2/3 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
4 thin slices deli ham
4 slices light Swiss Cheese
Preheat oven to 350.
Season chicken with salt and pepper.
Place the flour in a shallow dish. Lightly dredge the chicken with flour on both sides, shaking off the excess reserving the flour.
In a small bowl combine the chicken broth, lemon juice, Dijon mustard and 1 teaspoon of flour, whisk until smooth.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Melt the butter and add the olive oil and chicken. Cook 2 minutes on each side, until slightly golden, then transfer to a plate.
We went to HBear’s End of the Year School Carnival at LocoLanding,
and then came home and cuddled with SBean! They watched Finding Nemo to prepare for Finding Dory.
On Sunday HBear and I ran in the Colour Run for Kids. We had planned on only doing the 2.5K but when we got there HBear wanted to keep going!! I tried to change her mind LOL but we ended up doing the whole 5K! We barely even walked! It was a great morning!
 |
| Photo taken by Douglas Drouin |
Last but not least… HBear got her new specs last week… as she says, “they are SO her.”
