The Oprah Factor

I recently heard someone say that the reason the TV news usually features bad news is because we wouldn't watch if it were all good news. Has it really come to that? Have we become so engrossed in turmoil and destruction that we need to view others misery to make ourselves feel better? How often do we hear people say that it's not their fault"? Well, with all due respect to the Queen of talk TV, and her legion of wannabes (IE. Dr. Phil, Ellen, Tyra, etc, etc etc), I've grown weary of people going on these shows to tell the world that the reality of their lives is not their fault. "Well Oprah, it's not my fault I weigh 500 pounds: its that Mommy didn't hug me enough!" OK, this may be a little drastic, but you get my point. How many of us have sat there yelling at the TV, "Put the cupcake down and move away from the french fries!" I remember watching the Oscar's one night, with the great comedian Steve Martin hosting. A sculptured hunk presenter came out to hand Steve the statue to be presented in some category. Steve looked at the guy and said, "I'd do anything to look like that. Well, except diet and exercise." And there you have it. We all have the power to be better than we are, but to many of us still use reasons to except who we are. I was watching the latest Rocky movie last night, "Rocky 27 The Geriatric Years" I think was the title, and he had a great little speech to his son. The son was complaining that his Father's actions were making his life harder, and the Rock said something to the effect of, "Don't let the actions of others dictate your life. You have the power to define your own life." Wow, this from Rocky!!

I recently read an article about a young woman, Jessica Cox, who was born with a very serious birth defect. She was born with no arms, and has lived her life using her feet to accomplish all the things most of us just take for granted. She can now play the piano, put in her contact lens, text message, and even drive a car, using her feet! As a holder of a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, there wasn't much that scared her. Except flying. Adopting her own Many Reasons No Excuses philosophy, she went out and earned her pilot's license. She is now flying solo, and lands the plane, using her feet! This is a young woman who had every right to sit at home, and complain about her lot in life. But not Jessica. Where others saw obstacles, she saw opportunity. With her lucky flying tee shirt emblazoned with her motto, "Look Ma, No Hands!", she truly reaches new heights in the Many Reasons No Excuses world of can do attitude.

Well, that's it for Blog #1. Please feel free to comment, and thank you taking the time to read my rant! Happy New Year!!