Comments for http://blog.traciscampbell.com Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:15:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on The Generation of the “New Normal” by Traci S Campbell http://blog.traciscampbell.com/2012/02/21/generation-of-the-new-normal/comment-page-1/#comment-38154 Traci S Campbell Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:15:40 +0000 http://blog.traciscampbell.com/?p=1541#comment-38154 Graeme, Being the product of a single parent home myself, I know firsthand the struggle (mentally, emotionally, socially, and financially) the single parent existence can bring upon the child and the parent. Yes, women (in general) are earning more and can oftentimes support themselves and a child a little easier now than in past years. However, this 'new normal' underscores a few things: 1) the breakdown of marriage in society today as well as its importance to the future of children 2) the state of the mindset of men today and the messages being sent to young men 3) the mindset of young women and their views on marriage. With all of the negativity surrounding marriage and family, much of it due to very public celebrity divorces and media overload, the link between a healthy and 'complete' environment for a child and marriage is very skewed. Can a child become happy and successful in a single parent home...sure! [as I look at myself in the mirror! ;-)] But it is often a struggle. Nothing will replace the presence of mom AND dad in the home for a developing young person. This, I know beyond any doubt. You are absolutely right.....this IS a spiritual battle. The mindsets of many young people are very much 'poisoned' by our (Baby Boomers and Generation X) past actions. Now, they feel this 'new normal' is acceptable. It is not. Graeme, keep up the GREAT work mentoring young men over in Australia. They need people like you to 'fill in the gap' and fight the spiritual fight for and with them. And thanks for reaching over on this side of the pond to share your thoughts and viewpoints. It is greatly appreciated. Blessings! ---Traci Graeme,

Being the product of a single parent home myself, I know firsthand the struggle (mentally, emotionally, socially, and financially) the single parent existence can bring upon the child and the parent. Yes, women (in general) are earning more and can oftentimes support themselves and a child a little easier now than in past years. However, this ‘new normal’ underscores a few things: 1) the breakdown of marriage in society today as well as its importance to the future of children 2) the state of the mindset of men today and the messages being sent to young men 3) the mindset of young women and their views on marriage.

With all of the negativity surrounding marriage and family, much of it due to very public celebrity divorces and media overload, the link between a healthy and ‘complete’ environment for a child and marriage is very skewed. Can a child become happy and successful in a single parent home…sure! [as I look at myself in the mirror! ;-) ]
But it is often a struggle. Nothing will replace the presence of mom AND dad in the home for a developing young person. This, I know beyond any doubt.

You are absolutely right…..this IS a spiritual battle. The mindsets of many young people are very much ‘poisoned’ by our (Baby Boomers and Generation X) past actions. Now, they feel this ‘new normal’ is acceptable. It is not.

Graeme, keep up the GREAT work mentoring young men over in Australia. They need people like you to ‘fill in the gap’ and fight the spiritual fight for and with them. And thanks for reaching over on this side of the pond to share your thoughts and viewpoints. It is greatly appreciated.

Blessings!

—Traci

]]> Comment on The Generation of the “New Normal” by Graeme http://blog.traciscampbell.com/2012/02/21/generation-of-the-new-normal/comment-page-1/#comment-38137 Graeme Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:06:00 +0000 http://blog.traciscampbell.com/?p=1541#comment-38137 Satan has been attacking the family for a long time now and the innocents are paying the price for our collective laxity. My heart goes out to all the fatherless children, single mothers, boys who don't know how to be men and girls who look for a father's love in all the wrong places. In my few years as a mentor all bar one of the boys I've mentored have come from broken families. In saying that I mean no disrespect to all the heroic mums doing their best trying to raise their kids all alone. It's a modern tragedy. That's not to say that individuals can't or don't prevail over their circumstances but the stats do tell a story. I recall one Australian judge being quoted as saying something to the effect that kids from single parent families took up the bulk of the court's time. It seems as though the task of turning this 'new normal' around is faced with overwhelmingly dismal difficulties. Ultimately, I guess it's been a spiritual battle all along but few are engaged. Satan has been attacking the family for a long time now and the innocents are paying the price for our collective laxity. My heart goes out to all the fatherless children, single mothers, boys who don’t know how to be men and girls who look for a father’s love in all the wrong places. In my few years as a mentor all bar one of the boys I’ve mentored have come from broken families. In saying that I mean no disrespect to all the heroic mums doing their best trying to raise their kids all alone. It’s a modern tragedy. That’s not to say that individuals can’t or don’t prevail over their circumstances but the stats do tell a story. I recall one Australian judge being quoted as saying something to the effect that kids from single parent families took up the bulk of the court’s time. It seems as though the task of turning this ‘new normal’ around is faced with overwhelmingly dismal difficulties. Ultimately, I guess it’s been a spiritual battle all along but few are engaged.

]]> Comment on Remembering Whitney Houston and the Power of Choice by Traci S Campbell http://blog.traciscampbell.com/2012/02/16/remembering-whitney-houston-power-choice/comment-page-1/#comment-37870 Traci S Campbell Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:17:22 +0000 http://blog.traciscampbell.com/?p=1534#comment-37870 Hi there, Graeme! I wanted to give respect and honor to a wonderful talent and at the same time "mourn" the fact that choices in her life lead to her early demise. At this point, all we can do is remember her spirit and talent, learn from this tragedy ourselves, and most of all....keep the prayers and positive energy flowing to her loved ones as they go onward without her presence here on Earth. Thanks, as always, Graeme. Blessings to you... --Traci Hi there, Graeme! I wanted to give respect and honor to a wonderful talent and at the same time “mourn” the fact that choices in her life lead to her early demise. At this point, all we can do is remember her spirit and talent, learn from this tragedy ourselves, and most of all….keep the prayers and positive energy flowing to her loved ones as they go onward without her presence here on Earth.

Thanks, as always, Graeme. Blessings to you…

–Traci

]]> Comment on Remembering Whitney Houston and the Power of Choice by Graeme http://blog.traciscampbell.com/2012/02/16/remembering-whitney-houston-power-choice/comment-page-1/#comment-37851 Graeme Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:30:05 +0000 http://blog.traciscampbell.com/?p=1534#comment-37851 Great article Traci, intelligent and compassionate :) Great article Traci, intelligent and compassionate :)

]]> Comment on Honoring Random Acts of Kindness Week by Traci S Campbell http://blog.traciscampbell.com/2012/02/12/honoring-random-acts-kindness-week/comment-page-1/#comment-37531 Traci S Campbell Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:13:34 +0000 http://blog.traciscampbell.com/?p=1510#comment-37531 Hi there, Graeme.... There is definitely something "therapeutic" in the act of showing love or concern for another. We ALL really underestimate this fact. It has been proven that, on a physical level, that the "feel good" action releases substances within our bodies that are healing. On a spiritual level, you are right...we need the "topping off" of divine intervention to sustain the kindness mindset. The outpour of selflessness to others will ALWAYS return to the giver ten-fold. Maybe we can start a movement...at the grassroots level...to advocate ‘Random Acts of Kindness Millennium’!! Hmmm, I think I like that one. ;-) Many Blessings to you, Graeme, and thanks for your comments as always, --Traci Hi there, Graeme….

There is definitely something “therapeutic” in the act of showing love or concern for another. We ALL really underestimate this fact. It has been proven that, on a physical level, that the “feel good” action releases substances within our bodies that are healing. On a spiritual level, you are right…we need the “topping off” of divine intervention to sustain the kindness mindset. The outpour of selflessness to others will ALWAYS return to the giver ten-fold.

Maybe we can start a movement…at the grassroots level…to advocate ‘Random Acts of Kindness Millennium’!!

Hmmm, I think I like that one. ;-)

Many Blessings to you, Graeme, and thanks for your comments as always,

–Traci

]]> Comment on Honoring Random Acts of Kindness Week by Graeme http://blog.traciscampbell.com/2012/02/12/honoring-random-acts-kindness-week/comment-page-1/#comment-37513 Graeme Mon, 13 Feb 2012 06:58:31 +0000 http://blog.traciscampbell.com/?p=1510#comment-37513 That's the second greatest commandment written right there! Imagine if every man and woman could read this blog and turned every day into a kindness crusade. Kindness can be powerfully transforming - for both the recipient and the giver and sometimes even the casual observer. There's no better way to live and it's good medicine for the soul. Seems to me though, that being 'leaky jars of clay' we need continual Divine 'topping up' if we're to go the distance. Let's extend the week into 'Random Acts of Kindness Millenium' and review it after that eh? :) That’s the second greatest commandment written right there! Imagine if every man and woman could read this blog and turned every day into a kindness crusade. Kindness can be powerfully transforming – for both the recipient and the giver and sometimes even the casual observer. There’s no better way to live and it’s good medicine for the soul. Seems to me though, that being ‘leaky jars of clay’ we need continual Divine ‘topping up’ if we’re to go the distance. Let’s extend the week into ‘Random Acts of Kindness Millenium’ and review it after that eh? :)

]]> Comment on Mind Over New Year Resolutions by Traci S Campbell http://blog.traciscampbell.com/2012/01/02/mind-over-new-year-resolutions/comment-page-1/#comment-34700 Traci S Campbell Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:49:55 +0000 http://blog.traciscampbell.com/?p=1456#comment-34700 Hey there, Graeme, I am not an avid "new year resolution maker" either. While it is helpful (as research has learned/revealed) to make resolutions at the beginning of the year, the key really is in KEEPING them! Thanks for your comments and I am glad to hear that you are "resolving to be more resolved!". I like that! ;-) Blessings! --Traci Hey there, Graeme,

I am not an avid “new year resolution maker” either. While it is helpful (as research has learned/revealed) to make resolutions at the beginning of the year, the key really is in KEEPING them! Thanks for your comments and I am glad to hear that you are “resolving to be more resolved!”. I like that! ;-)

Blessings!

–Traci

]]> Comment on Mind Over New Year Resolutions by graeme http://blog.traciscampbell.com/2012/01/02/mind-over-new-year-resolutions/comment-page-1/#comment-34679 graeme Tue, 03 Jan 2012 10:31:10 +0000 http://blog.traciscampbell.com/?p=1456#comment-34679 Doh! I've never actually made a new years resolution believe it or not. What's funny is that keeping on top of the weight and exercise thing and better money management would among be some of my resolution priorities lol... just shows how similar we all are eh? I'm an Aussie btw... Some good advice Traci - I'm resolving to be more resolved :) Doh! I’ve never actually made a new years resolution believe it or not. What’s funny is that keeping on top of the weight and exercise thing and better money management would among be some of my resolution priorities lol… just shows how similar we all are eh? I’m an Aussie btw…
Some good advice Traci – I’m resolving to be more resolved :)

]]> Comment on Reviving Holiday Cheer for the Elderly by Traci S Campbell http://blog.traciscampbell.com/2011/12/22/reviving-holiday-cheer-for-the-elderly/comment-page-1/#comment-33714 Traci S Campbell Fri, 23 Dec 2011 11:50:14 +0000 http://blog.traciscampbell.com/?p=1448#comment-33714 Blessings back to you, Graeme! Many thanks, as always, for your comments. Have a wonderful and "cheery" holiday season. ---Traci Blessings back to you, Graeme! Many thanks, as always, for your comments. Have a wonderful and “cheery” holiday season.

—Traci

]]> Comment on Reviving Holiday Cheer for the Elderly by graeme http://blog.traciscampbell.com/2011/12/22/reviving-holiday-cheer-for-the-elderly/comment-page-1/#comment-33694 graeme Fri, 23 Dec 2011 07:37:02 +0000 http://blog.traciscampbell.com/?p=1448#comment-33694 A kind, thoughtful and timely article, bless you :) A kind, thoughtful and timely article, bless you :)

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