Too Much Entertainment?

I watched part of the Emmy broadcast the other evening and two questions came to mind.

            One was certainly why some female Hollywood celebs can’t afford the fabric to properly cover their torsos. I mean, seeing a décolletage reaching the waistline while covering only a portion of the breasts I find a little much. Perhaps I am a prude, but in my view breasts relate to motherhood and should not be paraded on television.

            I suspect that at some point a designer looking to make her/his mark decided to see how far a woman’s breasts could be displayed. Celebs who are always looking to stand out saw this as a chance to get attention. Hopefully that trend will soon become a thing of the past.

            The second question: How can we watch all the shows now available. I find that there are simply too many vying for our attention. A lot of the ones nominated the other night I had never heard of for the simple reason that the sheer number of shows offered makes it impossible to know them all. The simple reason is that the number of platforms offering viewing entertainment keeps growing. It now seems that everyone wants to get into the business.

            Trying to get a sense of all the shows offered through cable or satellite can seem overwhelming to start with. Add to that all the subscription-based newcomers and I would think that this reality cannot be good for ratings which become more and more diluted.

            One good thing about these shows is that they no doubt offer new and additional opportunities for actors of all ages. However, I think it will take time for viewers to get to know them all.

Helper and helped

It is said that generosity is good for both the helpers and the helped. So, in other words when you ask for assistance you are actually doing someone a favor and it’s good medicine for both you and the one helping you.

            Recently when I needed stronger arms to carry a large box from my car to my front door, a young neighbor offered to help me. When I thanked him he said there was no need because he was very happy to do it. And he did look very pleased to be of service.

Those who help others, in whatever fashion, get a boost of positivity.  In other words giving in whatever form is good for the soul. 

            Of course, many of us hesitate to ask for help. It might be admirable to try and solve our own problems, but asking for help is not only useful, it is beneficial. We may hesitate to ask for help fearing that the answer will be no or that we will not get the help we expect or in the way we want it. For example, a family member may not be available to help with a household project simply because of the timing. Then it becomes a question of being open to the other’s schedule and responsibilities.

            As we all know, stress is a common factor in chronic disease. Asking for help makes us aware that we are not able to handle everything in life. Asking for help connects us to others and reduces stress. Neuroscientific research shows that asking for help can also make us grateful for our relationships. We all want to care for others and be cared for, and that is something that comes into play when help is asked and received.

            And by asking for help we show others that we trust them thus given them an ego boost.

            There are many benefits for helpers. It makes them happy and gives them a sense of purpose, especially those who are no longer “workers” and who can feel out of touch as a result. Older adults who volunteer in their community stave off disease while increasing their life satisfaction. They can even expect to live longer.

They say it is better to give than to receive. Research shows that both sides are better off.

Always-Never-All

Have you ever noticed how people tend to exaggerate when they’re annoyed or angry? Standing in line at the bank the other day I heard the woman behind me talking on her cell phone to, I assumed, her husband and taking him to task for “always forgetting to stop at the bank.” I’m sure he did stop at the bank from time to time, but I suppose that using the word “always” helped her deal with her frustration.

All of us are guilty of dispersing emphasis when we feel we have a right to do so. We use words like “always”, “never” and “all” as if they seal the truth of whatever statement we’re making: You never pay attention; You’re always late. All politicians are corrupt; etc.

It’d be nice if we could deal with our annoyances without amplifying— or even lying if we’re honest with ourselves. People do pay attention most of the time; it may not seem so, but only some politicians are corrupt; and no one is ever late all the time. The problem is that we don’t take time to assess our statements. A man I know who teaches English as a second language to adults does his part to enlighten his students so they are aware of blanket statements not only when writing but also when speaking. He encourages them to take the time to see when “often”, “sometimes”, and “some” should be used instead of generalizing.

A comedian I saw recently has based a whole act on the premise of descriptive words. Here is a sample of what he said: “I’d be correct to say that I never win the lottery, but I’d also be right to say that I always buy tickets! A young lady I know will always be pretty, but thankfully I’ll never be uglier! My wife commented the other day that all men are alike. All men? How in hell did she find out?”

Never stop laughing! That will always be the right choice for all of us.

What is a Grandparent?

To mark Grandparents Day Sunday, September 8, I thought that seeing what kids say about grandparents would be fun. Enjoy.

Taken from comments by 8-year-old kids.

Grandparents are a lady and a man who have no little children of their own. They like other people’s.

Grandparents don’t have to do anything except be there when we come to see them.

They are so old they shouldn’t play hard or run. It is good if they drive us to the store and have lots of quarters for us.

When they take us for walks, they slow down past things like pretty leaves and caterpillars.

They talk to us about the color of flowers.

They don’t say “Hurry up.”

They wear glasses and funny underwear.

They can take their teeth and gums out.

They answer questions like: why isn’t God married?

When they read to us they don’t skip. They don’t mind if we ask for the same story over again.

Everybody should try to have a grandmother because they are the only grown-ups who like to spend time with us.

They know we should have snack-time before bedtime and they say prayers with us, and kiss us even when we’ve been bad.

And when asked where his grandma lived, a 6-year-old answered: She lives at the airport, and when we want her we just go get her. Then when we’re done having her visit, we take her back to the airport.