[in photos]: Journey Forward

I joined the Journey Forward series for the first time last week.
It is a perfect pairing with the vibe of Smile at a Stranger.

The goal of participating in Journey Forward is personal enrichment, self awareness, and moving toward your potential.  It is based on a central word, or theme, on which you focus your energy and attention, and blog about it weekly.

My "word" was an easy choice for me because it is an attitude I wish to impart on life in general: Kindness.

This week's Journey Forward post is about images, or graphics (i.e.- videos) that embody your chosen word; to share some of your pins from Pinterest that exemplify the significance of your word. 

This is what kindness looks (and sounds) like to me:

1- Sarah Kay- Spoken word artist.  "Hands" Listen- It's just beautiful.

2- Kindness is an animal instinct.  And an animal NEED.

3- Kindness is priceless, ya know.

4- Video- Amy Krause Rosenthal's "Thought Bubble"- asks "How Do YOU Want to be Remembered"  "What Have You Filled the World With?"

5- Because making others feel good makes ME feel good.

6- Simplicity.  Kindness is not complicated.

7- Anis Logjani- Spoken word artist.  "Shake the Dust" Another amazing person trying to lift people up with his wonderful gift with words.

8- This is what I see everyday at home with my two boys, and besides a mother's love for her children, sibling love is one of the purest forms of love (and kindness) there is.

9- Do RIGHT.  Because it's wayyyy cooler than doing wrong.

10- Parents.  And especially my mom.  From whom I learned what kindness was.

11- What Teachers Make- Taylor Mali.  Powerful stuff, y'all.  

Linking up with a fellow NoVA girl, Chelsea, for Journey Forward!  

Can't wait until next week!

Ciao!  

Kindly~

Meghan

Getting Away With Murder

[I have been waiting to post on this for a while because I have been trying to assess my own feelings about it.  A new revelation was brought about this morning, and it really helped me to solidify how I felt.  I hope I don't offend anyone because that is the furthest thing from my intention.  If I do, I apologize up front, and sincerely hope you will leave a comment expressing your own point of view- We all have our own.  This is mine]:

How silly is this Stand Your Ground Law in Florida?  Does this make sense to anyone?

Don't get it twisted-  If someone entered my house intrusively, or threatened my children physically, the claws are comin' out, and Momma Bear is coming after you.  I would do WHATEVER it took to protect and defend.  

But this law does not deter murders from happening and it does not ward off criminals.  No.  It does the complete opposite!  It encourages violence, promotes conflict, intensifies fear and paranoia, 

and allows for misinterpreted "threats" to turn into a tragic and senseless murders.

Treyvon Martin's murder was a total tragedy; awful in every way.  But was it the racially driven hate crime that it has been made out to be?

This would be a tragedy regardless of race, age, gender or  sexual orientation, would it not? 

He is a person.  He could be MY son.

The real issues here are:
* the total neglect shown to the victim's side of the story,

* the utter ignorance of the police department to do a comprehensive investigation,

* and the LAW itself, which states:  
"(a) person who is not engaged in an unlawful activity and who is attacked in any other place where he or she has a right to be has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death..."

These are the REAL tragedies.  We're doing ourselves (and Treyvon) a disservice by classifying this as a racially charged event.  
This is a HUMAN event!

What's even more unfortunate is how the media has manipulated the situation:
The Today Show edited the 911 transcript to fit a particular angle.
They spun the story.  They doused an existing fire with kerosine.

Here is how NBC handled the 911 call:

"Zimmerman: This guy looks like he's up to no good. He looks black."

Here is how the 911 call ACTUALLY went:

"Zimmerman: This guy looks like he's up to no good. Or he's on drugs or something. It's raining and he's just walking around, looking about.

Dispatcher: OK, and this guy - is he black, white or Hispanic?

Zimmerman: He looks black."

 Look at what effect the media has had on this. 
Zimmerman only mentioned Treyvon's race when he was asked by the dispatcher.

Today Show- HOW could you do this?  Why?  Do you know how heavily you contributed to the problem?   
Are we in LA LA LAND??? 

The saddest part of this whole thing is that there is a life lost. 

I would love to see this Zimmerman dude arrested and face a jury of his peers.  I would love to see him charged with murder and have his guilt or innocence determined by a fair and thorough trial process.

I see people using this awful event as an excuse for hate, for more disagreement, for unnecessary outrage.  That's not what Treyvon deserves.  He deserves more than that.

Treyvon should be a symbol of something much more beautiful, much more profound.  We should be injecting LOVE into the core of this situation.  We should be honoring him by bringing to light the actual events that took place, and we should be honoring him by bringing him justice.

Race is not the issue here.
In fact, I believe it is taking away from the real issue:
A legal system that allows people to get away with MURDER.

This should not be about ME and YOU.  Or ME against YOU.  Or YOU against THEM.  This should be about one thing:  Justice.

Note: I am not insensitive to the fact that hate crimes happen.  My views in this blog post pertain specifically to this situation, and do not fully reflect how I view racial issues or hate crimes in a general sense.  These are complicated social and human issues, and I am in no way condoning, dismissing, or making light of them. 

Kindly~

Meghan

Last Minute Party Planner

So Liam's birthday party is three weeks away (less than), and I have been tossed/shoved into the role of "party-planner."  Not that I mind planning parties...

About 2 months ago, a deal came through on Living Social that I could not resist:  A voucher for half off of a themed birthday party through the local company Oogles and Googles.  I did a little bit of research on it, including reading some reviews, and it seemed like a GREAT deal- $150 for 2 hours of party activities designed around a chosen theme (costumes included), a coordinated birthday cake, and customized invitations and thank-you cards.  In my area, you can't book a Chuck-E-Cheese party for less that $300.  

So I bought the voucher, thinking it was the perfect scenario.  

I was in contact with the woman who plans these parties, and she seemed to be really competent.  She took all of my information, asked important questions, gave honest answers, and told me she would have my invitations to me within 2-3 weeks so I could get them out to Liam's guests as soon as possible.

It's been 6 weeks, and guess who doesn't have the invitations that were promised to her?  THIS GIRL!

So I have reached out to her and asked for told her I would not rest until I got my money back.  I was nice enough about it, but at the same time, I'm not letting go of that money, honey.  

As of today, I still have not heard back from her.  

Needless to say, I DO NOT recommend this company.  What a shame.

Money aside, (and trust me lady, I'm coming to get ya), I still have a birthday party to plan.  In less than 3 weeks.  With a budget MINUS $150.  Which means one thing... it's time to DIY.

The theme is a "Superhero" party, so my initial thought was to have the kids make masks and capes.  But the more I consider that, I think it would take too long. 

So instead, they will be making their own masks, and I will be making a personalized cape for each kid before the party.

Pinterest via Apartment Therapy

How CUTE is this idea?

I definitely have my work cut out for me, but I am always up for a creative challenge.  

Any other ideas for a Superhero party for 4-year-olds?  Games?  Activities?  Food?

Any insight would be awesome!

Happy Tuesday, Friends!

Kindly~

Meghan