The demise of ANY relationship, in this case the divorce of Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries, is a somber event and most would prefer to deal with the issues surrounding such a breakup in private. However, when your last name is Kardashian, it becomes imperative to share the details, almost play by play, with the world at large. But what is it, exactly, that makes teen girls idolize this family (especially Kim Kardashian) and, despite what you may say, even us adults just can’t help ourselves from gossiping about the this family’s late breaking news?

In an article actually published by Fox News last year about the Kardashians, notes that Kim Kardashian,in particular, is a fashion icon for many young girls. She epitomizes modern day glamour and success which is a strong obsession that we see many young people in Generation Y experiencing. Unlike other “heiresses” she has been able to create a very profitable conglomerate based on her image, products, and exploits (sex tapes, playboy spreads, weight loss pills, self tanners, etc.) While those achievements are stellar in the business realm, the other message that is being sent and embraced by Gen Y is that it is BETTER to be beautiful and famous than to to smart and “regular”. As a result of this first family of reality TV, the Kardashians have triggered a ripple effect that has many would be doctors and lawyers opting, instead, to try to become the next best rapper or reality TV star. Did they do this on purpose? Probably not. But the “reality” (no pun intended) is that the bombardment of their presence on TV and online has a definite effect on the minds and attitudes of the current generation.

What do you think of the Kardashian’s effect (positive or negative) on this current generation (Gen Y)?

Until next time…

Blessings!

Traci
Did this post feed your spirit? Can it be applied in your life or can it help someone close to you? If so, why not subscribe to this blog!? It is easy, just click on the orange RSS icon (wavy lines) to get a regular feed OR click on the white envelope to get blog updates via email.

For those of us who like to follow the soap opera called politics, last week, we saw a sad show of bad sportsmanship and poor behavior during the 2011 Republican Presidential debate held in Las Vegas on October 18th. Some of you may ask “So what else is new?” And I would have to agree, poor behavior and lack of sportsmanship has become common in current day politics. However, we are in a time when the general morale of the country is at an all time low. Our younger generation is much more involved in politics and thanks to the Internet, MTV, etc. their exposure to issues is more prevalent than ever. Thus, bad sportsmanship and bad behavior has far reaching effects. Not only are we electing potential candidates for office, we are also, by default, electing a silent partner that will set the tone and influence the mindsets of many….their character.

Last week, we saw more personal “jabs” taken and given in the debate than a focus on the issues at hand. Rick Perry urged Mitt Romney to “finally tell the truth” and Mitt Romney alluded to Rick Perry being a “dimwitted novice” and questioned his integrity and ability to lead. Even outside of the debates, we have seen hopefuls, like Herman Cain, attack the manhood of our current president to help promote his own agenda. Not only does this exchange of rhetoric undermine the perception of the Republican party in general, more importantly, it sends a message, especially to the younger generation, that displaying respect and character to your fellow colleague, even in competition, is no longer a requirement. In the case of recent comments made against our current president, it sets an example that lack of respect is “OKAY” to give to someone in a position if authority. Giving respect should not be predicated on whether your political views are democrat or republican. It is much bigger than that. It should be a requirement for fair and effective leadership and conduct.

As we all continue to watch the current debates and anticipate the forthcoming democratic events as well, we should keep one thing in mind: When we elect or support a candidate, we are ALWAYS electing two entities; the person AND the character they represent. One (the person) will carry out the tasks at hand and smile for the cameras. The other (his/her character) will set the tone for the nation and will greatly influence our future leaders.

Until next time…

Blessings!

Traci
Did this post feed your spirit? Can it be applied in your life or can it help someone close to you? If so, why not subscribe to this blog!? It is easy, just click on the orange RSS icon (wavy lines) to get a regular feed OR click on the white envelope to get blog updates via email.

WARNING: This video may be upsetting for some to watch

Just last week, the above incident shocked not only those in China, but has caused a worldwide outrage. An innocent, two-year old child, named Yueyue, was the victim of a horrible hit-and-run accident (see the above footage from a surveillance video) in the city Foshan. However, to the shock and horror of most, no one stopped to help this tiny victim, who was left to lay in a pool of her own blood. Reports state that for seven minutes, she lay helpless until a female trash collector finally did the “right thing” and took the child to get medical attention. However, within those seven minutes, before she was helped, this child was struck, yet again, by another truck.

The latest reports state that the child is currently in a coma, fighting for her life.

This incident underscores the rampant “deterioration of character” in many individuals today. The lack of sensitivity, even to our youngest and most innocent fellow humans, is growing. Have we (not only in the US, but worldwide) become so self-centered that we are entering an age of ‘worldwide desensitizing”?

And what message does an incident like this send to our young people? To date, there are no reports of the drivers who hit this victim, coming forward to take responsibility. And many passed by this child before just ONE person reached out to help. Is this the kind of example we want to show others to follow? The message that something like this sends is painfully clear: Lack of responsibility and lack of sensitivity and lack of character is OKAY.

We not only need to send our prayers and support to this little victim and her family, but we ALL need to take time to assess our own levels of responsibility, character, and duty to others. Are they at a high enough level to avoid such an incident? Are we “OKAY” with no consequence for such a heinous act upon our most innocent citizens? If something like this can happen across the seas to an innocent child with no ramifications, just think of what could happen to YOUR son, daughter, sister or brother right in your own backyard?! And think how grateful you would be to know that in a world headed towards widespread desensitizing, that one person, like the trash collector in China, decided to exercise her sense of responsibility and character to help.

Take time to assess and ponder your own “sensitivity” level.

Until next time…

Blessings!

Traci
Did this post feed your spirit? Can it be applied in your life or can it help someone close to you? If so, why not subscribe to this blog!? It is easy, just click on the orange RSS icon (wavy lines) to get a regular feed OR click on the white envelope to get blog updates via email.

In the 80′s [yes, I am proud (well, sort of) to say I am a Gen X baby!] we experienced an era of self-indulgence, excess, and greed like no other. Gordon Gekko (character from the hit movie “Wall Street”), played by Michael Douglas, epitomized the values of many during that time. Jobs were plentiful and Reaganomics was in full swing. Life, for most, was good. Because of this prosperity, many spent small fortunes on cars, clothes, trips, and ALL SORTS of entertainment. And then, just because they could….they went out and spent even MORE on on cars, clothes, trips, and entertainment. The cycle was seemingly never-ending. Narcissism was rampant and directly linked to the amount of cash you had. As a result, young people grew up with a sense that money was the holy grail and to be considered “glamorous and successful”, one had to do whatever they could to obtain as much money as possible.

Fast forward to year 2011. We are definitely not experiencing the widespread financial successes and securities of the 80′s; jobs are lacking, most are more frugal in their spending, and luxurious travel is not as abundant. However, one thing has not changed: Narcissism, especially amongst the younger generation, is at an all time high. We are in the age of “easy and instant celebrity status” and EVERYONE wants a piece of the pie! Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube now make it possible for would be musicians, actors, and even those with zero talent to become the next sensation! But, are we sacrificing previously valued things like education, service to others, family, spirituality, and coming together for a common cause for fame and popularity? Has the “new Narcissism”, which seems more focused on self-promotion due to the economic climate, created an “every man/woman for himself” mentally?

According to a recent survey, eighty-one percent of 18- to 25-year-olds, Generation Y, viewed being rich as their most important or second-most-important life goal and over half felt the same about being famous. And, they noted that they just have to promote themselves in order to get there.

Is self-promotion such a horrible thing? Not really. We have all done it to land a job or to get the person we love to marry us! However, today’s OBSESSIVE self promotion breeds a generation that, unlike previous generations, is less concerned with the plight of others. Lack of valuable resources in fields such as social work or teaching is abundant. And the family unit is becoming smaller and smaller as the emphasis is more on self and less on the next generation.

What can we do? We can start by being examples of “thinking outside of ourselves” to our children, nieces, nephews, and siblings. We can do more for others through service and outreach. We can promote organizations and causes that have less to do with ourselves and more to do with others. We can educate this generation and the next on the need to help others just as much as we help ourselves.

The shaping of an era starts with the mindsets and attitudes at home. Let’s all try to create a NEW “Age of Selflessness” this time around.

Until next time…

Blessings!

Traci
Did this post feed your spirit? Can it be applied in your life or can it help someone close to you? If so, why not subscribe to this blog!? It is easy, just click on the orange RSS icon (wavy lines) to get a regular feed OR click on the white envelope to get blog updates via email.

Who would have thought that the beloved “Captain Kirk” (actor, William Shatner) would be in the hot seat when it comes to teen morality and teen values? Well, it appears that this is no longer a far-fetched notion.

William Shatner is slated to play the cantankerous lead character in a new sitcom scheduled to air on CBS this year titled, “(Bleep) My Dad Says.” However, the word “bleep,” is not part of the title.  Instead the title uses a series of symbols that I am sure most of us adults are familiar with, to suggest the expletive/profane word that comes from the book on which this new show is based.

In protest to this show’s title, The Parents Television Council went on a letter writing campaign that resulted in letters sent to 340 companies that advertise frequently on TV. The group is asking these advertisers to not advertise on this show unless the producers change the name of the show. As it turns out, even in this more “liberal” day and age, over 85% of parents are concerned about the heavy use of profanity on network TV. However, in a recent poll where over 1,000 American adults were surveyed, while 57% thought that TV now contains too much inappropriate content, the main concern was not profanity. Sex and violence topped the poll. Most thought that the amount of sex and violence on TV is having an adverse effect on today’s teens and compromises their morality.

But, true to form, the executives at CBS have found the “silver lining” in all of this hoopla. Top CBS entertainment executive Nina Tassler has been cited as saying that the network really hasn’t gotten any push-back from any other group than the Parents Television Council. And, that the complaints have “created a lot of buzz” about the series.

And, joining the controversial bandwagon, is another show slated to premiere on August 25^th on the Investigation Discovery network titled, “Who the (Bleep) Did I Marry?” This nonfiction series follows couples with one spouse concealing a “shocking” secret from their spouse (Just minor things such as being a robber or a bigamist…yes, I am being sarcastic!). However, in this case, the actual word “bleep” is used in the title.

In my humble opinion, there is just no need for a blatant profane word to be used in ANY show’s title. Not to sound too “old-fashioned”, but some of the best shows (and movies for that matter) did not and do not need to rely on shock value to draw an audience or give a quality viewing experience for its audience. While it may be totally unrealistic to remove all inappropriate language and content in the world we live in today, more steps and measures can definitely be taken to work towards a more positive influence on the next generation (especially since they are a huge consumer of not only television, but video games as well). For those “techies” out there….the GIGO concept not only applies to computers. It also applies to the minds of young (and older) people in what they see and take in via TV, movies, etc. Garbage IN always equals Garbage OUT!

Until next time….

Blessings!

Traci

Did this post provide valuable information to you? Was useful to you? If so, why not subscribe to this blog!? It is easy, just click on the orange RSS icon (wavy lines) to get a regular feed OR click on the white envelope to get blog updates via email

The new poster girl for abstinence?

“I can’t believe I’m saying this — don’t have sex,” gushed the 24-year-old pop sensation in an interview with Britain’s Daily Mail. Lady Gaga, the “Madonna” of Generation Y and who has made wearing inanimate objects into a new fashion trend, continued, “it’s okay not to have sex, it’s okay to get to know people. I’m single right now and I’ve chosen to be single because I don’t have the time to get to know anybody. I’m celibate, celibacy’s fine.”

I continued to read on as she later elaborated on her message, “Something I do want to celebrate with my fans is that it’s okay to be whomever it is that you want to be. You don’t have to have sex to feel good about yourself, and if you’re not ready, don’t do it.” She then adds, “And if you are ready, there are free condoms given away at my concerts when you’re leaving!”

Hmmm….after reading that article several questions came to my mind. I wondered…do we have a clear understanding of what celibacy really means? While Lady Gaga may be celibate in her personal life (although her music, performances, etc. are laced with ultra sexual references), is she really promoting “monogamy”, instead of abstinence, to teens and tweens  by giving out condoms after her concerts? While the “safe sex” gesture is very much appreciated, is it also sending mix messages to teens and tweens about when to have sex? And what are we REALLY telling our young teens and tweens is acceptable, respectful, and moral behavior towards themselves and others?

Okay, let me put on my “dweeb” hat for a minute, here. By definition (according to Webster’s dictionary), “celibacy” is properly defined as “abstention from sexual relations” and “the state of being unmarried”. So, it is safe to say that true celibacy is “steering clear of sexual relations until you are married”. But, is this the definition teens and tweens are actually receiving?

Since teens and tweens idolize and follow celebrities like many adults follow the stock market, we need to give a very close look at how celebrities are promoting this term (since the “in” thing now is the building momentum of the trend of young Christian stars like The Jonas Brothers, Jordan Sparks, and Miley Cyrus). However, to many celebrities, being celibate simply means to “only have sex with my boyfriend or girlfriend” and not engage in random sexual encounters. Well, that may promote “monogamy” to a degree, but based on the proper definition of the word, this is NOT promoting true celibacy for their teen and tween fans.

And keep in mind, the celebrities that most tweens and teens follow are not much older than themselves. These young stars are faced with the same pressures – actually more pressure as they are often called to maintain a sexual image for their livelihood- as their normal everyday counterparts. These young stars are growing up and making the mistakes common in the transition from childhood to adulthood. So, they are just as prone, if not more so, to confuse the proper context of celibacy in their own lives.

So what does all of this mean? Simple…it means we as adults have to be very clear in defining and explaining to our teens and tweens what true celibacy and abstinence entails. We have to be mindful to stress its importance and the MANY advantages that waiting to have sex will have in their lives. And we must make sure they understand that just because their favorite celebrity is touting that they are the new poster child for abstinence, does not mean that they really are. Teens and tweens must be taught to look at the actions and not just the words many celebrities dish out.

That is my two cents….now…what do YOU think? Are our teens being hurt by celebrity “endorsements” of celibacy and abstinence or do you think it is a good thing that celebrities are speaking out on the subject? I can’t wait to see your comments!

Until next time …

Blessings!

Traci

By the way … did you like this post? If so, you know what to do … SUBSCRIBE to this blog!? It is easy, just click on the orange RSS icon (wavy lines) to get a regular feed OR click on the white envelope to get blog updates via email