"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and

conscientious stupidity.”

-Martin Luther King, Jr.

I was reading a court memorandum and the attorney quoted this phrase; He chose this quote because, in a case in which he was the prosecutor, letters started pouring into the courthouse from parishioners in support of a Pastor who had used his position of power to sexually abuse a young girl.  

The quote really jumped out at me.  I mean, I have heard the phrase "Ignorance is Bliss" - and in some cases I tend to agree with that; However, for someone to so boldly, and dare I say blindly, stand behind someone who committed such heinous acts without fully comprehending the details is ridiculous.   

I pray that my eyes remain opened so that I can make clear, well-informed decisions.  Everything around us caters itself to allowing us to be "sincerely ignorant".  We are groomed by the government and the media to choose specific political leaders.  We are taught that it is acceptable for everyone to get a break, financially or otherwise, except for the regular honest, hard-working common citizen.  Our nation has become so politically correct that it creates the opposite effect: an even greater division among the races.  As a white woman, I am judged for the color of my skin and gender just as much as anyone else. Why can't race, gender, politics just be put aside?  

The way these two, seemingly different, topics (a pastor abusing his power and leaders over a people) coincide for me is that as a nation we have always allowed a small group to speak on behalf of the whole, which is a great system when the whole is benefited; but, as the years have progressed -at least since I've been alive - that small group, that is supposed to represent everyone, uses that power to make promises to the whole, yet in the end, only helps themselves.  We, as the whole, have been "sincerely ignorant" & "conscientiously stupid".  We know that, while our taxes are increasing and our country delves deeper into debt, we cannot, and will not, do a thing about it - so we sit by and watch as the small, powerful group lives "fat and happy" on our dime, doing nothing for the people who are barely surviving, who can't feel safe walking down the street, for the people in Chicago where there is gang wars raging all around and innocent people dying everyday.  

I don't want a socialist government, I believe that there can be a powerful nation with the different classes.  I love America and am extremely proud to be an American.  I just think it's important that the people who live in the country should be allowed to really have their voices heard.  I believe our nation has strong, capable leadership - and there has been, and still is, a lot of good that has come from our leadership and this system. I just hope that in the days to come, we can all veer away from doing and saying what "looks good" and start doing what we know is "right".

"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.' "

I share that dream with you, Martin.

Justifiably Julie
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Spring Cleaning

Spring is the time to open up the windows and clean up that dingy house that's been closed up all winter.  This year I'm going to do some "Self-Spring-Cleaning".  

I have always struggled with my weight.  With the exception of my brother(s), and people talking about me behind my back, I was never really made fun of because of my weight, I always had a good group of friends, so I didn't realize how big of a deal it actually is.

In January 2011, I was fed up with how I looked and felt.  I had absolutely no self-confidence and just hated what I saw in the mirror.  My friend and I decided to start a weight loss journey together - and we did great!   Over the course of 8 months or so I lost 50 pounds....50 pounds!!! I still wasn't where I wanted to be weight-wise, but was feeling so much better about myself, and I had so much more energy.  My mom and dad were so proud of me, especially my Dad - because he struggled his whole life with weight as well.  I literally felt on top of the world.

Well, As with all people who struggle with weight, My friend kinda backed off and I slowly became complacent and stayed "stuck" at my 50 pound loss for a long time.  I wasn't gaining so I was okay with it.  Over the course of 2012, I wavered between gaining and losing 10 pounds; but overall maintained the weight-loss.  

In October 2012, I lost my Dad. Devastated beyond comprehension, this was the crutch I needed to completely give up and just eat myself into oblivion.  I used that crutch - and I knew just what I was doing to my body - and even worse, I didn't care.  I just wanted to feel some form of comfort.  Unfortunately, food is my poisonous source of comfort.  So from October up until just recently, I pretty much ate whatever and however much I wanted without exercising.  Now, I haven't weighed myself, but I don't need to.  That same feeling I had back in January 2011 has crept back in.  I am not happy with what I see in the mirror.  I don't have that energy that I once enjoyed.  I'm on an unhealthy road.

I have decided that Instead of using the loss of my Dad as a crutch, I am going to use it as a stepping stone.  My Dad loved me very much and I know he would always be proud of me no matter what - that's just the kind of Dad he was - but nothing can beat the excitement he had when I lost the weight before.  He would always say "Little lady, I know what it is to diet, and I know it's not easy, your gonna hit numerous plateaus, and even gain weight back, it'll be frustrating but you gotta stick with it."  Well Dad, here's what I have to say to you, Thank you for your support and encouragement - Thank you for being the best Dad I could've ever asked for.  I now know what it is to diet, and I know it's not easy - but I'm gonna stick with it!  Please watch over me, Dad, I need you as I restart this life-long weight-loss journey.  

Here goes nothing....

Justifiably Julie

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Worries

One of my all time favorite quotes is:

Worry is advance interest paid on troubles that seldom come.  

Whenever I am stressed out, ESPECIALLY when it comes to work, I always go over this quote in my mind and give myself a pep talk. Inevitably, life brings stressful situations that we cannot always control.  I know these situations will occur more frequently than we'd like, and I am certain, worry will start to seep in with each situation.  The best challenge I can recommend to anyone is to remember this quote and and say it over again in your mind. Just Relax. Don't Worry.  What is meant to be will be - regardless if you worry about it or not.  Save yourself a few wrinkles and a lot of stress and just enjoy each day for what it is - a blessing! 

Justifiably Julie

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What Really Matters....

I've had a lot of great times in my life.  Looking back, a large majority of those times were spent with family. It's so easy to put casual 'friendships' before family- but at the end of the day - the ones who love you unconditionally and will be there for you no matter what are  Family.  

So next time you want to skip out on that family BBQ to hang out at a bar with your 'friends', remember that 5  years down the road, you probably won't even talk to those people (excluding the friends you truly consider family)- and you will never get back the time you could have spent with the ones that really love you.

The Joys of Shoveling Snow

It's so important to take pleasure in life's simple things - like shoveling snow.  Now, I know what you're thinking - "Did she just elude to taking pleasure in shoveling snow? Seriously?"  Just hear me out.

Today we had the biggest snowfall of the season, probably going to end at about 10-12 inches.  Needless to say there's a lot of shoveling going on around here.  The task of shoveling snow isn't necessarily what I'd consider a 'blast' - but the experience itself is rewarding, and here's my reasons why:

• First of all it's the camaraderie; all of your neighbors - no matter what their status is in life, or if you love them, hate them, or don't even know them - will be right out there with you, facing the same daunting task.  All working together to achieve the same goal.  Plus, if you have (amazing) neighbors like mine, they might even help you!
• Secondly, it's exercise - no explanation necessary.
• Thirdly, it's the sense of accomplishment when you are finished.  The work may be hard, but at the end you get to see the neat outline of the sidewalk/driveway in between the mounds of snow; not to mention, you don't have to be "that house" that the mailman, and neighborhood kids walking to school, detest because there's ten feet of un-shoveled snow in front of your house.
• Lastly, it's the reward.  Not just the reward of accomplishment - but the actual reward that you allow yourself.  Today, after I shoveled, I took off all of my wet clothes, and put on my most comfortable pajamas.  Then, I made a nice, warm bowl of chili that had been simmering in the Crockpot all day and ate that steamy bowl of goodness while watching one of my favorite movies.  Ah, the sweet reward.

So now you see?  Take pleasure in life's simple things; You will be a happier person because of it!

Justifiably Julie

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Thinking Differently

I always have to remind myself that everyone does not think like I do.  For example, I was watching a movie with some of my friends, and there was a part that came on that I thought was kind of funny, meaning I let out a small chuckle, but mostly I thought it to be raunchy and perverted.  When I took a moment to look around me, there was several reactions: embarrassed, straight-faced, and dying-on-the-floor laughter.  I guess if everyone thought alike the world would be an extremely Boring place to live.  In the near future I fully intend to elaborate on, and potentially contradict, my thoughts and experiences with this very topic of 'different thinking' -But Today, Right Now- I just want to express my gratitude that everyone is different and has something unique to bring to the table.  When someone is talking about "You"  - it is the only "You" there is - enjoy it.  That is it.  That is all.  Good Day!

Justifiably Julie

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No Words.

I have a lot on my mind today, but not much to say.  Sometimes things happen in life that just don't make sense.  At the end of the day, everything happens for a reason.  So just learn from the past, go with the flow, and strive for great things in the future.  I'm certain that is a recipe for success.  

Justifiably Julie

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