Search Results for: blog a worrying trend

A Worrying Trend

Lately there seems to have been an upsurge in the number of people in the forums raising the issue of a Muslim marrying or being involved in relationship with a Christian. In nearly each case it is the man that is the Muslim. I think it is a worrying trend. Marriage is hard enough to maintain through the tough times and the problems life throws at us, without added complications and being at odds with your spouse over what should be the most fundamental things. Firstly though, we need to define what people mean when a person declares themselves a … Continue reading →

How Do You View Your Competitors?

No matter what your home – based business is, it is likely that there are other businesses, whether run by home – based professionals or not, that are competing with you. Your clients or customers have options when it comes to where they will purchase their products and services. You are probably aware that there is competition, but what you may not realize is that you have a choice about how to view competition. It is easy to get caught up in trying to keep up with your competitors, and in feeling anxious about whether your product or service is … Continue reading →

The Effects of the Media on Romance

Where do our irrational romantic impulses come from? Are they just something we naturally want; after all, everyone likes to be spoiled. But often we equate all romance with grand gestures, or expect our relationships to play out like fairy tales. We have the media to blame for that. I know I sound like a broken record sometimes, and it must seem like I think we shouldn’t watch movies or television. I don’t believe that at all, but I can testify that too many romcoms, or at least, not approaching them in the right way, can have a negative effect. … Continue reading →

Fearful For the Next Generation

I’m old, but I’m not dead yet. Then again, maybe I ought to be considering all of the double dog dares I chose to take on as a child. Of course, eating dirt, paper plates, napkins and TP’ing Mrs. McDaniel’s house is nothing compared to what teens these days are doing to prove to their peers that they are cool like that. When I first heard about teens drinking hand sanitizer in order to score a cheap buzz, I thought the cases were isolated. However, since the Los Angeles Times went public with its investigation into the new trend of … Continue reading →

Pet Obesity Rates Still Climbing

The trend I first wrote about two years ago is only getting worse. Pet obesity rates continue to rise in America, and unfortunately that’s not all. Not only are once-healthy pets gaining weight, ones that are already obese continue to put on the pounds. Cleveland’s Fox 8 profiles the epidemic. The Association for Pet Obesity recently ran a study that concluded 25% of cats and 21% of dogs are overweight. Those numbers are slightly up from the last study (and the last article I wrote on the topic) in 2010. As already mentioned, one of the most worrying parts of … Continue reading →

What About the Princes, Pt. 2

On Monday I introduced the concept that the stereotypical images presented by the leading men in Disney films might have a harmful impact on young boys’ growing ideals. I suggested that many of the main male characters in Disney films are one-dimensional and teach boys that good looks and martial prowess are essential facets of the ideal man. We need to look at the overall image the Disney princes/men present to young boys. Most of them are princes, and even those who aren’t are still handsome, dashing, and masterful in a fight. So that’s the sort of men boys think … Continue reading →

Know Your Expectations as a Parent

I found myself having a discussion with my 16-year-old son this past weekend that I didn’t expect to be having. Apparently he is thinking ahead and wants to know what to anticipate when he turns 18. His main question was concerning what happens when he turns 18 years old. He wanted to know if he would have to ask permission before doing things, such as hanging out with friends. I hadn’t given it any thought; this was not a parenting issue anywhere near my radar screen so he really caught me off guard. I gave him the best answer I … Continue reading →

Marrying Someone of Another Faith

Yesterday we looked at the trend of people becoming involved or marrying those from other faith. What causes people to enter into a relationship with someone of another faith? Sometimes it can be they are not sure enough in the own faith of what they believe and why. If they were they would possibly not be so ready to become involved with someone from outside their faith. Or maybe they see it as an opportunity to convert the other person to their faith? Maybe they need to consider would I be ready to convert? If I won’t, why should they? … Continue reading →

New Places to Buy in Bulk

When you think about buying in bulk, don’t just think of the warehouse shopping stores. The truth is that you can buy in bulk in many other places, still getting great deals, but avoiding the annual warehouse fee. Here are some of my favorite places to buy in bulk. Target Our local Target store is trying out the whole bulk buying trend. They have devoted an entire section in the back to bulk buys. Not only are the prices pretty good, but because they are trying things out and have limited shelf space, they often clearance some of the merchandise … Continue reading →

Bizarre Disney Merchandise

How’s this for bizarre Disney merchandise: scratch and sniff Mickey Mouse Popcorn Ears. That’s right, you read it. I’d repeat it if I were speaking aloud so you could hear it again, but in this instance, you can just head back to the previous sentence and reread. If only I had a picture I could show you here. Instead, I’ll have to describe it: picture the typical Mouseketeer hat, the simple black felt cap with two round black ears on either side. Instead of the felt cap being black, it displays, the whole way around its base, an image of … Continue reading →