Enough lectures already!

Why do people insist on telling you what to think, how to believe, what to do? We get this from the time we're small--our parents set the foundation for our beliefs, but at some point, they stop telling us what to do. (that usually happens when we stop listening, about the same time as we become teenagers, start driving, have our first boy or girl friends, move out of the house, etc.)

I've gotten the same email multiple times in the past two weeks telling me NOT to go see a certain movie because it is based on a book that was written by someone who doesn't believe the way the other 95 % of the world believes. While I appreciate the warnings, what if I go to the movies to see it for what it is...entertainment? I don't go to the movies for religious, moral or political education. I go for the enjoyment factor. Now I'm getting emails telling me that to go to this movie is to put my eternal soul in danger. My father-in-law was the first to start sending this email to me and then everyone at work, it seems, did the same thing. If anything, because I'm stubborn and ornery, I'd go see it just because!!

Then there's the perpetual "you can't call this or that holiday by anything that would refer to a religious organization/entity." WHAT? If *I* want to celebrate Christmas or Yule, or Easter, Candlemass, St. Brigit's Day, can't I do that? The basic foundation of this country is *freedom*. Not YOUR idea of freedom, but the freedom of speech, of religion. If I don't agree with your religious views, fine. That's my right as a human being, as a citizen of this country. I don't tell anyone else how to live their lives. I don't lecture people on beliefs. I have a really good friend who knows that I'm not the exact same person she is. We don't vote the same way, but she doesn't force her views off on me and I don't force my views on her. We agree to disagree.

It's the same thing in one of the groups I belong to. There is enough diversity in this group that nobody is forced to agree on the same topics. We all agree that books are wonderful and that writing letters is cool. We don't all agree on politics but that's allowed. The owners of the group won't ban you because you don't agree with them. They're open minded. The greater majority of this group is from various parts of the world, but that doesn't stop us from talking to each other and sharing information.

Happy Dancing!!

Saturday's weight was 198. Sunday's weight was 198. This morning was 198. Three days! I'm so happy!! I've been jumping up and down with excitement about it. I've been able to fit into a "normal" pair of slacks (well, it's still considered 'plus' but it's closer to a "normal" size!) and that's making me very happy.

I know, you're not supposed to weigh every day, but I've been doing it because I wanted to get an idea of what my average weight is every week.

I'm going to go watch Heroes...hubby recorded it and I'm ready to see it.