24

I love Jack Bauer. I love him. I love how he is conflicted, how he can love and let go, how he is loyal in the face of uncertainty. I love his style and the fact he can get out of any situation. I love his ability to be aware of his environment. I simply love Jack.

I hate that I have to wait until next week to find out what happens.

What amazes me about the show, is each and every week I know I'll be left hanging - and each and every week I get up after the hour is up and say "I hate this show."

It is also a show where my intensity level elevates and I find myself unable to relax for a few hours after - not sure why I get so caught up, mentally and physically - but I think it is the thought that some of this "Hollywood" isn't so off base. While Jack Bauer is all Hollywood, the situations are all in a realm of reality - and maybe that is what is frightening to me - to live in a world where greed and power are so pervasive. Makes me think. A Lot.

I start to think about those we've elected to office - how it is their own best interest they serve and not ours. While there are those that may go in young and fresh, full of ideals and passion - it is left behind somewhere. I often wonder about the reflection pool near the US Capitol - do you ever think it was put there for our leaders to look into and see if they like the reflection staring back?

I am conflicted these days - in many things - my passions, my desires, my goals, my faith, my government. I think government is operating in places it should not be - meddling and stirring the pot - why just the other day I saw something on the news that indicated an apartment complex made it illegal for people to smoke in their rented apartments. What is that?! Who elected these people? While I gave up smoking years ago and thankful I quit, I still think it is a right for people to smoke....for it is within the law. So we have government that tells us how to live, how to work, how to be healthy, how to be educated....but it cannot follow its own rules.

Without laws we would have no order. I realize that point and I'm not suggesting we go rogue and break the law as we see fit - but I do think we have a responsibility to become vocal and have some input on the law. I do feel we have a duty to serve in our homes and in our communities. I do feel we are not above the law, but nor are we to be held down by it. I think that is ultimately what I love about Jack Bauer.

Until next week...I'll be watching full episodes online.....

Observations

Well - Christmas day is past and so is the New Year but it is the observations of those past few weeks that has me really wondering how we are raising our children. The idea of waiting, and saving for things must be considered so outdated it is no wonder why we are having financial bailouts left and right.

At one event I overheard a mom, as she played with her Blackberry, how her children would constantly fight over the laptop computer in their home. Her solution was simply to go out and buy another one. Now it is peace and quiet and mom doesn't have to listen to the fight. Um. Did I miss something here? I simply shake my head and consider the actions of the adults and then I can understand why our youth do not have a clue. In our house, we have multiple computers and it has nothing to do with sharing issues or solving a fight and our children are not allowed to play on the computer. In our home, the computer is a tool - it is a tool for work and school. Granted I do allow the children an occasional navigational field trip to check explore Webkinz or Club Penguin but those moments are few and far between.

If I heard my kids fighting over the computer they would no longer have access. A fight over a computer is unacceptable - just as a fight over most things is. For fighting over items is irresponsible and we teach our children as such. Yeah - I have perfect kids - they do not fight over things - they fight with each other....that is for another blog on another day.

So. We have the woman that buys her kids a new laptop for fighting. Then we have the young girl who walked up to someone, and I'm thinking it was a relative because the word Aunt was used and demanded her Christmas gift. Outright said "Hey, Aunt So and So. Where is my gift." It was not said sweetly with kisses and sugar - it was more like swoop in and take and when there was no gift it was "You gave so and so theirs. I want mine." Hello? Has the meaning of the word "gift" been redefined? Nothing was said to the young girl - not by the Aunt or the parents nearby. I only shake my head in disappointment our youth are so comfortable demanding from their elders.

I see greed and waste everywhere and I think to myself "are we accustomed to so much we cannot see the value in what we have?" It is sad that we cannot look deeper and reconnect with ourselves, our children and our families and find the true motivation for our existence. We are all here for a purpose - not just to take - we must give back.

For the mom who uses things to solve the issues of parenting - I hope you have a ton of money in the bank - because buying things to make your kids stop fighting will never work. Put down your Blackberry and forget about your personal life. Look at your children and help them discover who they are and show them how fortunate they are. Go camping where you having nothing but the clothes on your back - reconnect.

For the young gal who demanded a gift. What have you done for your mom or dad? What have you done for your Aunt? Give of yourself and maybe it will be a whole lot easier for Auntie to reward your efforts.

I don't want to give up on people - as I think there is much we are able to do. I also don't have to look far to see the good works of people right here in my community. Works of those that really understand there is something greater than themselves. If you want to be inspired - check out one of my new favorite blog, Jesus on the Street.

Welcome to the new year - where we make resolutions to better ourselves. If we can better ourselves, we can better our communities.