Meryl Streep says: "I NO LONGER HAVE PATIENCE...."

I recently saw this post on Facebook with a pretty picture of Meryl Streep and this quote of hers. She is receiving high praise for this. With further investigation I found this posting:

So, it looks like she didn't actually say those words. But they are "words she lives by." Regardless of who actually said or wrote it...I'd just like to say that I disagree. These are most definitely not words that I want to live by. Let me break it down for you.

“I no longer have patience for certain things, not because I’ve become arrogant, but simply because I reached a point in my life where I do not want to waste more time with what displeases me or hurts me. I have no patience for cynicism, excessive criticism and demands of any nature." 

I am not fond of the idea of not having patience in general. I can understand not allowing certain things to affect me, but patience is absolutely necessary for all things. Without patience we can let our emotions take over us in a way that causes us to act out irrationally. The best way to respond to things that displease us such as cynicism, excessive criticism and demands, is to so with grace. 

"I lost the will to please those who do not like me, to love those who do not love me and to smile at those who do not want to smile at me."

I work hard on considering others feelings and I avoid making assumptions that people who are not smiling at me are frowning at me in spite of me. I have no idea what has gone on in their day. Their grandfather could have just died and perhaps they need me to smile at them. Instead of waiting to smile at someone until they smile at me first,  I give my love and my smiles without hesitation and it is usually reciprocated. If it isn't reciprocated, I can respect that person and their need for their personal space. I've found that if I live my life with kindness in my heart then kindness will surround me. 

"I no longer spend a single minute on those who lie or want to manipulate. I decided not to coexist anymore with pretense, hypocrisy, dishonesty and cheap praise."

This I understand, but I also still practice forgiveness and kindness in spite of others actions.

 "I do not tolerate selective erudition nor academic arrogance."

I think that people who exude "academic arrogance" are perhaps dealing with something beyond my comprehension. Perhaps they don't realize their condescension. Maybe they feel inadequate in some way and have to use their assets (intelligence) as a defense mechanism. Whatever it is that portrays arrogance is their thing. Not mine. So instead of not tolerating them I may dig deeper and try to understand where they are coming from. The most important thing is to honor myself and my feeling alongside theirs. If I am no longer feeling safe and at peace with this person, I might politely excuse myself from a conversation.

"I do not adjust either to popular gossiping. I hate conflict and comparisons. I believe in a world of opposites and that’s why I avoid people with rigid and inflexible personalities. In friendship I dislike the lack of loyalty and betrayal."

This is difficult, because I don't like gossip either. But I am not too righteous to admit that I sometimes partake in this unflattering behavior. I strive not to, and when others come to me with gossip, I try not to add to it. Just the other day a girlfriend of mine was gossiping to me, and I sat there with her and simply nodded. I would simply listen. Eventually she stopped and said "You never say anything! Don't you agree with me? I mean, are you on my side?"... I explained to her that my participating in the conversation did not add anything positive to my day. I was happy to listen to her frustrations but that I felt like engaging in it was more harmful to me than not. She understood, and then she stopped the gossiping. 

"I do not get along with those who do not know how to give a compliment or a word of encouragement."

I try to get along with everyone. I'm not always successful, because if someone is mean to me despite my kindness, I see that as an absolute necessity to remove myself from the relationship, but again I try to do so with grace. (With emphasis on the "try"... I'm not perfect, but these are the words I *try* to live by.)

 "Exaggerations bore me and I have difficulty accepting those who do not like animals. And on top of everything I have no patience for anyone who does not deserve my patience.”

Everyone, I mean EVERYONE, deserves my patience. We are all God's children made in the image of Him. Regardless of who we are, where we come from, how we behave, or what we believe...we deserve kindness. We deserve patience.

Peace be with you. Those are words to live by.

The Food Pyramid Timeline

Okay folks, I’m just getting started here trying to dip my toes in the nutrition pool, so to speak, so I decided to do a little USDA food pyramid research. Let’s take an interesting trip down memory lane.

1943

Here is a photo of the first nutrition guide in 1943. Notice the bit at the bottom that says “eat any other foods you want”.

1952

I don’t have a photo for this one, but in 1952 the USDA introduced the “Basic Four” food groups:

• Vegetables and fruits: Recommended as excellent sources of vitamins C and A, and a good source of fiber. A dark-green or deep-yellow vegetable or fruit was recommended every other day.
• Milk: Recommended as a good source of calcium, phosphorus, protein, riboflavin, and sometimes vitamins A and D. Cheese, ice cream, and ice milk could sometimes replace milk.
• Meat: Recommended for protein, iron and certain B vitamins. Includes meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dry beans, dry peas, and peanut butter.
• Cereals and breads: Whole grain and enriched breads were especially recommended as good sources of iron, B vitamins and carbohydrates, as well as sources of protein and fiber. Includes cereals, breads, cornmeal, macaroni, noodles, rice and spaghetti.

1992

Okay, so then we make it all the way to 1992 before there’s an introduction of the USDA's food guide pyramid. This is the first time they actually recommended serving sizes of each food group.

2005

Finally! In 2005, the USDA updated its guide with MyPyramid to include exercise.

2011

Michelle Obama did a good(ish) thing in 2011 by revamping it again. I really appreciate her willingness to rename the previous meat categories as “protein”. Because, let’s face it, protein isn’t only in meat. And there are many people who don’t eat meat.

2014

I REALLY like this plant-based pyramid created by Matthew Kenney Cuisine. I don't actually know when he made this pyramid, but I'm going to pin it as 2014 just because I feel like it.

Okay, cool. So that was fun, right? You can see the progression over time where the nutrition knowledge improved, but let me ask a question... Why are you telling me what types of foods to eat? Shouldn't you be telling me what nutrients I need? I think it would be most helpful to know how much fiber, protein, probiotics, antioxidants, ...etc. I need. Then perhaps you can list different types of food that contain those nutrients. Because, let's face it, raw broccoli is great, steamed is good, and then broccoli wrapped in bacon.....ehhhhh....not so much.

So consider this my formal request to anyone listening. Can you take care of that for me? K. Thanks. ;-)

Robin Williams’ Suicide and the Catholic Church’s Beliefs

With the recent news of Robin Williams’ tragic death on August 11th, I wanted to reflect just a bit on depression and suicide. Depression is crippling. Depression is ugly. I've known people in my personal life to take their own life. I’ve also known people who  attempted to. Too many people. I'm just overwhelmingly overtaken with sadness and the thought of so many people out there in this world that are suffering. No matter how it looks on the outside, you never know what someone else is going through. 

There are people making statements in the name of Christianity that Robin is going to Hell, and that what he did was a selfish act. In response to that, I'd like to quote the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

“We should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives. By ways known to him alone, God can provide the opportunity for salutary repentance. The Church prays for persons who have taken their own lives.”

Also, 

“The bodies of the dead must be treated with respect and charity, in faith and hope of the Resurrection.”

I think it’s so important to give all people the respect they deserve. I want to treat all people with kindness. I never want to use Christianity as a means for judging or damning others. I want to use my faith to live a Christ-like life that is centered around kindness. I pray for all the people who were mentally ill and driven to suicide. I pray for all the people currently suffering with mental illness and contemplating suicide. I hope that they can find the help they need to make it through their difficult time on earth. 

Robert Gebbia, CEO of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention said: 

“Suicide is not a choice. Suicide is a health issue. Suicide can result if a mental illness—like major depression or bipolar disorder—goes untreated, in the same way that a patient can die from pneumonia if they go untreated.” 

Read his whole article here. We must raise awareness about suicide so that people contemplating suicide can seek the help they need. Be careful with your words, because they can cause pain to others.

Be kind to one another. Lift each other up. And for the love of God, seek help when you need it. 

R.I.P. Robin.