Never answer an anonymous letter.

I don't know. But it's got to be interesting.

On the way up to Paradise Bakery this morning for coffee, a muffin and time in the books I saw a bumper sticker that read, "Question organized religion." My first thought was, what is unorganized religion? Then I hoped he was also headed to Paradise. I give him an opportunity to question me. Not that I'm the spokesman for organized religion, but I guess I'm part of it.
Alas, he continued north of Lake Pleasant Pkwy as I turned left into the center. So I'm still wondering what he'd ask - though I realize that's not the intent of his bumper sticker.

Hyperbole is the only way to make your point.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature is releasing a report (see USA Today article) that says 1 in 4 mammals faces extinction in the foreseable future. I believe that the loss of habitat, global warming (whatever its causes) and natural forces have placed many species at risk. But pegging it at 1 in 4 sounds a lot like it came from Chicken Little.
A statement that doesn't pass the smell test, that lacks credibility because it doesn't make common sense, undermines the legitimacy of what is a valid point in principle, viz., we need to be aware of serious ecological issues and their impact on God's creatures.
I know. I'm not a scientist. But just because guys in lab coats write it in a scientific journal doesn't make it so. I have trouble accepting a 25% figure.
Now, if they're talking about cats....

In the same general category goes this story about the exercise every American should be getting. The U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services issued new guidelines today. Adults should be getting at least 2.5 hours of "moderate intensity" exercise each week. Ideally however, it should be double that - 5 hours. You can cut those times in half by doing "vigorous exercise." Moderate intensity exercise includes brisk walking, bicycling and tennis. Vigorous includes jogging and swimming. In addition, we should be lifting weights in such a way as to exercise all muscle groups, two or more days per week.
Unless they're foolish old men, most Americans haven't time for these recommendations. Would following them be good? No doubt. It would make us a much healthier nation. But it ain't gonna happen. And IMHO setting unrealistic standards is counterproductive. It's like telling your mathematically challenged kid that he should be getting A's in Calculus. He's knows he can't achieve it so he gives up all together.
An old business addage says we overestimate what we can accomplish in a year and underestimate what we can accomplish in three. "This year try to go for a brisk walk for 20 minutes three days a week." Seems like a much more realistic and attainable goal.

I don't know why those two stories - mammal extinction and exercise guidelines - struck me like they did. But they did. And nobody makes you read this stuff.

I've had something else running through my head today.
Most of us had issues as kids. Jr. High was the worst, but for many of us there were plenty of struggles before then. It may have been about physical appearance, academic ability, athletic ability, social skills...whatever.
To what extent is who you are today affected by those early social messages? Have you set all of that aside? Or do you still find yourself feeling and reacting as you did then, if only on the inside?

I think one of the most valuable things adults can do is love kids. Not just yours, all of 'em. Talk with (not just to) them. Show a real interest in their lives and compliment them. You've heard that old saying, "No one ever stands so tall as when they stoop to help a child." Helping a child, or teen, happens by giving them good messages about themselves. They certainly get enough negative messages from lots of angles.
FWIW