SACRED COWS

The beginning of the new year is a good time to take a closer look at our sacred cows.

I am not talking about bovines revered in India as holy reminders of the value of mothers in our society. These cows are sacred because the nutritious milk cows freely provide has prevented countless deaths due to starvation over the centuries. Killing cows for their meat, using arable land for grazing to feed a few rather than using it to grow rice that can feed many, makes no sense in India (some would argue that it makes no sense at all).

I am talking about Western sacred cows, those things or people that are too highly regarded to be open to criticism, or as Merriam-Webster states are "unreasonably immune from criticism or opposition".

It is good to reflect about the ways we have learned to think about things and people in our lives. How often do we make memories of past events our prison and other people are jailers?

A Zen master sagely advised, "If you meet Buddha on the road, kill him!" This is not a blatant call to commit murder. It is a reminder that we need to rid ourselves of the habit of looking outside ourselves for others who seemingly have all the answers.

We also need to begin looking within ourselves to find mental road blocks. It is time to question the "shoulds" that we think we must obey to become perfect, little Buddhas. It is time to accept our own worth right now.

WRINKLES

According to Medscape sources, in 2004, Americans spent $12.4 billion on cosmetics, an amount of money that is 33% larger than the amount needed each year (in addition to current expenditures) to provide water and sanitation for all people in developing nations, and, ironically, since cosmetics are often advertised as symbols of women's rights and independence, just slightly larger than the amount needed each year (in addition to current expenditures) to provide reproductive healthcare for all women in developing countries.

Botox, injectable botulinum toxin ( the cause of botulism food poisoning and a potential biowarfare/bioterror agent is all the rage. In 2006 alone over 3 billion injections were administered to temporarily reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Almost as bizarre as a "Brazil" facelift, is the increased use of wrinkle dermal fillers such as cow collagen, plastic microbeads, liquid silicone, and even synthetic bone and ground-up human cadaver skin, often supplied by for-profit tissue banks that divert the skin away from burn units where it is needed to treat critically ill patients.

We could blame the advertisers for persuading us to remain wrinkle-free. But then again, maybe we should just take a good look in the mirror.

TAMPON TALK

What was worse when growing up? The Curse itself or talking about it?

In my case, it was the later. We spoke in code, furtively whispering about The Curse, Aunt Flow, being on my pyramid, the rag. In my high school days just saying the word "Midol" out loud was a bold move; actually asking someone for one was a breakthrough moment of rare candor. Talking about menstruation, or anything else directly connected to sex, was taboo.

Have things changed much from the '60's?

Thanks to YouTube and Google, kids have easy access to a plethora of images and information pertaining sex.

After typing the phrase "celebrity se.." without adding the letter "x" into Google's search field, Google graciously suggested via drop down box that I check out the following 10 links:

1. celebrity sex-tape
   
2. celebrity sexy-lips
   
3. celebrity series
4. celebrity see through
5. celebrity secrets
6. celebrity series boston
7. celebrity search
8. celebrity sex-tapes
9. celebrity sexiest bodies
10. celebrity fantasy

If by some stretch of the imagination, the words see through, secrets and fantasy are linked to celebrity sexually, 7 out of 10 of the suggestions Google freely offers will provide web pages with sexual content.

Yes, the sixties have long come and gone. Yet, we still are a squeamish society when it comes to talking about sex. Why is this an issue?

Over 50% of all new HIV infections are found in people under the age of 24. Isn't it time we start learning how to talk about sex before it is too late.

THE BOOB TUBE

Just how important is television in our daily lives? ( I will exercise my right to hold conflicting values and refrain from asking myself the next question, "Just how important is the computer in our daily lives?" And don't even think about mentioning the iPhone!)

Here are some interesting television statistics gleaned online:

According to A.C. Nielsen Co., the average American watches more than 4 hours of TV each day (or 28 hours/week, or 2 months of nonstop TV-watching per year). In a 65-year life, that person will have spent 9 years glued to the tube.

54% of 4-6 year-olds who, when asked to choose between watching TV and spending time with their fathers, preferred television.

Only 17% of American citizens can name three justices of the U.S. Supreme Court. But, thank heavens, 59% of all Americans can name The Three Stooges.

What would you do with your free time if you woke up tomorrow and there was no television?

ONE PENNY

Money...

A few favorite quotes come to mind, thanks to Google:

In God we trust, all others must pay cash.  —American saying

Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. There is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of its filling a vacuum, it makes one.  —Benjamin Franklin

I'd like to live as a poor man with lots of money —Pablo Picasso

When did we first realize the power of money to control? Perhaps it is good to recall those early memories of money to discover the true value of money in our lives. 

THE TEDDY BEAR

What makes teddy bears special? What is it about these strange yet oddly familiar creatures that makes them disturbing yet endearing?

What can we learn from childhood memories of the magic of teddy bears? 

The Teddy Bear unravels the mystery of this object of fond affection.