Issues In Our News...or Issues With Our News?!? Not sure which one...

OK! Here I go!

One of the biggest controversies going on right now is if muslims should purchase a building to put a mosque in that is located close to Ground Zero. I cannot say if it is right or wrong, but my opinion is that they should not. There is something called respect. Respect for those who lost their lives in the towers..there were inocent victims that lost their lives on Sept 11, 2001. But a few questions that pop into my head would how far away is approporiate to build a mosque, why did the muslims leaders (or whoever is trying to purchase this building) pick this certain location when there are other places, and are the muslims trying to make a statement cause whoever is actually trying to purchase the building is willing to pay 25% over the listing price.

Also, the another controversy going on right now would be the pastor that has declared (maybe he called it off now...news cannot get the true story) a koran burning day. I commend the pastor for having the nerve to announce this and standing up for what he believes in the first place, but I also cannot say whether it is right or wrong. That is a judgment to be left to the One and Only...God. 

I feel so strongly about these issues right cause every time I turn the news on, there is something about Muslims and how they are not being treated properly in America. I am sorry for you mistreatment, but come on! There are millions of people from different religions, orientations, and races that are mistreated everyday. I don't see Buddhists, Christians, or any other religious groups all over the news.

I believe in freedom of religion, but I also believe in freedom of speech. I am a Christian and I am proud of that fact. If another religion were to build or purchase close to the site of the World Trade Centers, I would not see a problem with it. I basically see a problem cause it was a radical Islamist group that caused those two towers to tumble.

The Little Things

It doesn't take much to make me happy. Here are the little things that I enjoy the most:

~Spending time with my husband
~A cup of coffee
~Family get togethers
~Watching a new movie
~Seeing all my nephews and nieces smile
~Compliments
~Taking a walk
~Catching up with an old or long lost friends
~Piece of cheesecake
~Talking to my sisters

Like I said, it doesnt take much to make me smile or be happy.

What are your little things that make you happy?

Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

We Make the Day

Last week was ruff getting out of the bed...all together. Lately, I have been getting up before my awesome husband calls at 6:45 (he sometimes has to call so that I am not late for work). This morning was different. A few minutes after waking up and getting in the shower, I knew it would be a different day...in a good way. First, it is the halfway point in the week (Wednesday). Second, the phone that I dropped in the toilet was working. Third, it just felt good to be alive for another day (the last thought came after that delish first sip of goodness coffee).

Everyone that knows me well will attest to the fact that I am not a morning person. It should be a rule law that no one is allowed to speak to Bethany Jo Stremming Litz until 1. She has had her coffee or 2. For about 3 hours after she pulls herself out of bed (or whichever comes last).
Came to work and went directly to the cafe to start on my iced coffee for the day (You know...that deliciousness). As I walked in, there was a fellow co-worker making his coffee. I am not a morning person, but I was going to be nice and asked him how he was. His reply: "I am happy!" I was not expecting that response because I knew a little of what he had been going through lately. That statement right there basically made my day.

I started to think about that statement and how we can make our days remarkable if we just try. Strive to think about the good things we have to live for or all the things we have, in general. Starting out in the morning (I suggest after that delish coffee), your attitude will make or break your day and, possibly, your week. Waking up in the morning, we have two important decisions starting off:

1. Will I get out of bed at all?
2. What type of day can I make this?

We make our days!

Women Have Rights Too...Thank the Lord!

As today marks a historical event in American history, I am taken back to the 2 weeks (several years ago) that some of my family and I went over to Greece to visit one of my sisters and we were also able to travel over to Egypt.

Today marks 90 years for the women of America to have the right to vote. I appreciate the women from the past that worked hard, and even were arrested, to get this Amendment passed. As I think about the 19th Amendment, I especially appreciate it more since going to Egypt. We were able to see first hand how the women have no rights in other countries. Granted, I am not saying that every other country is deprived. Americans take for granted the rights we have been given.

I may not make it out to vote for every single election, but I definitely try to vote at the majority of them. Even if the individual(s) I vote for does not win, then I am still thankful that I have the right and privilege to vote.

One woman that had a great impact on our nation was Susan B. Anthony. She was arrest in 1872 for illegally voting at the presidential election.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_B._Anthony

Dont Stop...Get Up and Get Going

Challenge: get up in the morning, turn on your iPod to the Journey song "Don't Stop Believing" (or something that gets you energized), and get on that elliptical or go running. I will try this tomorrow morning and post about my day. Good luck to everyone! Its not the easiest to get out of bed so early.

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_articles.asp?id=468

Letters (or Messages) To Heaven

If you write a letter to Heaven, are you supposed to put postage on it or would you have to make it business like with the sender's address in the upper corner?? With the letter going to Heaven, what would the actually address be? How would you send it up there? Would it be considered more of a prayer then a letter? If you were sending a letter to someone in Heaven, other then God, then would you need to put "Attn" on it?

I was in the mood tonight to write a letter to someone, but didnt know who's name to put after the "Dear." I ended up writing a letter to my best friend, Heidi. I actually started to write a letter, but then ended up on Facebook and just sent her a private message. I told her everything that was happening in my life at the time being. I also got a little selfish and told her that I wanted her back here on earth with me. The reason I would love to have back on earth is because I would love to have a reply. Maybe she can send a butterfly to land on my shoulder as a reply. Maybe I can get some healthy or good vibes sent my way as a reply from Heidi. Or! Maybe she will spit on me from Heaven (would that be considered holy water?). That would be the type of reply I would expect from Heidi (that would be an inside joke between her and I).

Do you think she got the message? I think she got it! I think she is giggling up there in Heaven because of the message on Facebook. I can hear her saying, "Bethany! You are nuts and a dork!" It was a letter that I should have sent her a long time ago. Who knows?!? Maybe I will try to write her one each week.

The letters to Heaven will probably continue, but I will never know if those have been received. I will hand delivery all the things that I have said to her in those letters personally one day. While I wait on that time to come, then I will keep writing till my heart is content. I will keep missing her. I dont know that my hole in my heart will ever heal, but I will say that letters to Heaven are helping mend the heart.

Dear Heidi,

I love and miss you, girlfriend!

Your best friend forever and eternity,
Bethany

My Job

Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life. ~Confucius

I work in a research department for a medical group in Bloomington, IN. I love, Love, LOVE my job. I cannot even say that I consider my occupation a "job." Yes, some days it can be stressful and strenuous, but that can be with anything. It is definitely the most interesting and most rewarding job I have had yet.

When I first applied for the job, my one requirement was not to see patients or really even talk to them much. The reasoning behind that requirement is because I came from a job that required patients to call and scream at me...COLLECTIONS! I went to an investigator meeting (first one ever and one I will never forget) and I was anxious to get back and start enrolling the patients into the study. From that point on, I could not imagine my life without the patients. They are amazing! I believe, a couple of them will be friends for a long time as well. There is a special bond when you are able to get to know someone so well and be one-on-one with them.

Not only is it that patients that I love, but the traveling. This past Thursday and Friday (and Saturday for a little bit), I got to go to Dallas, TX for an Investigator Meeting. What an experience?!? I got the chance to meet some awesome people.

Its a definite that these people that I am getting the chance to meet and these meetings that I am being sent to will have a lasting affect on me for a long time; if not the rest of my life.

There is my thought for the day (or possibly months). Hopefully, I can keep up with my blog and get a thought on here more often then everything six months.