Wednesday

World Cup, Intimacy and Violence in Mexico

What I learned this week. Just because many criticize you, demean you or fail to believe in you, there is no excuse for not believing in yourself. No one know your potential the way you do. Trust yourself.

What I am grateful for. I feel loved by my higher power despite my so many shortcomings!

This Sunday on Living Smart we discuss intimacy. Therapist Michele Lees has been counseling clients for almost 30 years.

What Michele Lees knows about intimacy
By Shamsa Mangali

Close your eyes. (no, really, shut those peepers!) Think about what it would feel like to wake up, rejuvenated and happy, next to your partner. After a couple of minutes of silent, content meditation in bed, you walk to the kitchen and give hugs and kisses to your smiling, adoring children. Before you saunter off to work, you get a chance to read a few chapters of your favorite novel, and have a fun conversation with your best friend.
Sound like a dream? An unrealistic, laughable fantasy? Think again. This week on Living Smart, psychotherapist Michele Lees will let you in on some secrets about how to achieve this lifestyle in today’s stressful world. You’ll learn how to gain self-awareness and become truly comfortable with yourself. You’ll learn the steps to rekindling intimate, fulfilling relationships with your partner, your families, and your friends.
Intimacy does not just mean sexual intimacy, but emotional, spiritual, and intellectual intimacy, as well. During her career as a professional dancer, Lees learned to understand the mind/body connection necessary to foster this sense of intimacy. She now feels an invaluable sense of harmony within herself, and is willing to share!
Tune in to Living Smart this Sunday (June 27) at 3 PM to hear more! It repeats the following friday night at 10pm.

On our green tip, listen to David Ronn, the owner of a LEED certified house, talk about his extreme energy savings!

On Latina Voices This Sunday at 2:30pm we tackle violence in Mexico

Violence in Mexico





(CBS News)

American newspapers are always emblazoned with headlines about drug-related violence in Mexico. Worried parents shake their heads when their teenagers propose spending their spring breaks in the country. Foreign companies are wary of investing in Mexico due to these security issues. Even Mexican immigrants to America think twice about visiting their homes, especially if they are located in turbulent areas. Drug-related violence has led to thousands of preventable deaths in the country. Here’s the scoop:
Mexican drug cartels both produce and transport drugs across borders. The cartels often fight each other in violent ‘turf battles’ to acquire profitable trade routes, and gun down terrified civilians in the process.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jS1eOaLi0_o (drug war coverage clip)
President Felipe Calderon has deployed many troops to these dangerous areas, but, paradoxically, this policy has actually increased fighting and intensity of the cartels’ violent demonstrations. Druglords are attempting to intimidate government entities and demonstrate their power to civilians. Police and military forces are guilty of contributing to this terrible violence; many feel inclined to join these financially-endowed drug cartels. Thus, these so-called ‘security forces’ have also committed atrocious human rights violations.
To stop the violence, policies have been passed to address the demand for these drugs. Economics 101 teaches us that demand fuels supply; if there’s no demand for the products, suppliers will stop producing. Sounds like a good solution. But guess who’s fueling the demand? America. The United States’ insatiable demand for cocaine and methamphetamines is promoting the violence in Mexico. President Bush tried to crackdown on drug-users; he spent millions to threaten them into complying with drug laws. President Obama prefers to focus on preventative measures; he is currently funding many drug rehabilitation programs.
Violence in Mexico is an extremely complicated issue. You can learn more about it on this Sunday’s episode of "Latina Voices"


The "Injustice" of Soccer matches by Patricia Gras

Many of you know how crazy my family is during the world cup. When you grow up playing soccer, it is in your blood. It can become a pseudo religion and motivate you like no other sport. My friend described a game of soccer as a game of life, full of small victories and defeats but most importantly, a game full of injustices, same as life! The other day, I was talking to a Brazilian friend and I joked about Maradona's hand of God goal against England years ago. The Brazil team had just scored using two hands so I reminded him, God did probably have two hands but I hated just how unjust this game was and how because FIFA masters of the universe refuse to use Instant Replay, a sole referee can determine the final outcome of a game! not the players, not the teams, not strategy, not fair play, not the coach but the referee. This is very disturbing to me. I always argue this is not just and all I have heard in my lifetime is. This is the way the game is. This is how we have always done it. We like not knowing whatt is going to happen. It would change the game. I get into a daze and look at them in utter disbelief. Really? you don't care if the team you are rooting for loses because a referee made a mistake? You don't care that a referre can be bought or sold? Why do so many accept this? I believe it is impossible to change the rule because FIFA does not want to change it so they can control outcomes. Next time I hear this is the way it is, I will say. The best team may not win, because one man who does have access to the truth instantly, may not use this technological tool because FIFA says so. I may love soccer but I hate the injustice of it.

1 comment:

Ethan Mark said...

We really enjoy what you write about here. I try and read your site every day so keep up the good articles!