I Call The Shots!

          I saw this toddler shirt at a retail store that said, "I Call The Shots!" At first I thought it was funny and laughed. But as I thought about it I came to dislike the shirt and what it represents.
          Babies are cute and we want to give them anything/everything. We want our children to live better lives than we did. Children bat their eyelashes and we want to buy them the toy that they saw in the store. I understand this shirt is talking about that feeling. I get that the role reversal is supposed to be funny.
          But as I thought about the shirt, I thought about the children I saw in the store. Some were running through the store playing tag. The parents said nothing. Some were demanding certain clothes just because they had some character on them. Boys and girls were shopping in men's and ladies because they were so fat. The children went to try on the clothes and the parents were making excuses for their child being fat. One child was demanding a new bed set. Her sister was old enough to not want one with princesses on it anymore. So this other kid was screaming that if her sister got a new one, then she better get one too!
           Hello! Why does one kid getting something mean you should too!? Why are all these parents ok with their children being fat!? Why is a kid demanding anything!? Why aren't parents keeping their children from running around the store like it's their front yard!? If I had ran around like that in a store as a kid my mom would have put me in a death grip, talked to me through gritted teeth, and warned me about dad and his belt! I am not even saying spank your kids. I am just saying, "BE A PARENT!"
          When did the roles really swap!? Why are kids calling the shots!? When did parents stop teaching their children discipline and respect!? Do we really want to buy our kids a shirt that makes them think this thoughts process is ok!? Or do we want to be good parents and teach our children how to respect others!? Or maybe it's just a shirt and I am overreacting...You tell me!

The Stupid Box

          This is my name for television. Don't get me wrong! I watch TV. I play video games. I make/watch You Tube videos. I 'm not saying that all TV and entertainment is bad. I just think that TV has to be something you prioritize correctly.
          First, you all know those certain shows, the ones that are so stupid you can feel your IQ shrinking! Yet some people are drawn to them. "It's so stupid, it's hilarious!" Your brain is a computer guys! Input stupid and you'll output stupid! Watch things that are positive and uplifting! Or watch Sci-fi! It's about believing anything is possible!
          Second, most people are in debt. Most people don't live on a budget. If you are in debt, pay that back before you buy cable or satillite! If you are on a tight budget just get Netflix. My husband and I only go to the theaters for two reasons. One is epic films. For example, the soon out new Star Wars. The Second is if we are on a date night for the sake of our marriage. We usually try to save date nights for epic films. Sometimes we buy DVDs and Vudu codes off our friends, but we have a budget for that. We don't even have Netflix, let alone cable.
          Third, you need to limit how many hours you watch TV and play games. When you come home daily and turn on the TV, you lose time. You lose time to pursue your dreams! You lose time with your family! You lose time to work out! Sometimes you get so wrapped up in a show that you think/talk about it at work. Do you really want a show to be your dominating thought!? Or should your vision for the future be your dominating thought!? Do you always want to watch the Discovery Channel or do you want to get out there and discover the world!?

Vanity is not necessarily a sin!

           Vanity can be a bad thing. It can make you think you are better than others. You can worry too much about how you look instead of how you act. There is no denying that vanity can be a sin. However, a certain amount of vanity alongside good moral values can be a good thing.

          Most of the time vain people are worried about what others think about them. They want the prettiest face, the nicest clothes, the biggest house, and lots of bling and swag! That is the unhealthy type of vanity. These type of vain people are usually arrogant. But deep inside I think that they lack self confidence. I think that is why they are trying to impress others. The other type of vanity is not about impressing others. It is about feeling happy about who you are and then showing it with confidence.

          Healthy vanity is about looking your best. That means being healthy and in shape. People with healthy vanity may want to look good for their spouse or future spouse. But this is not because they lack self confidence. It is because they value their mate and want their mate to have a mate they can be proud to introduce to people. Healthy vanity makes you stay in shape. Staying in shape helps you live a more active life for longer. Healthy vanity makes you dress nice and do your hair/ makeup. It makes you shower and brush your teeth. It makes you eat the right foods. All these things make you feel more confident! Once you establish good habits that make you healthy and confident you teach them to your children. This teaches children to have a good self image.

          Healthy vanity has many positive benefits. It is just one of those things where whether it's a good thing or a bad thing is all about your attitude and thought process! So go out there and be beautiful! It's not being cocky! It's being bold and confident! ;-)