out of no where...SMACK!!

There are days when I am going through my daily routine, just minding my own business trying to get on with life. When all of a sudden, SMACK!!! I am hit out of nowhere with an impulse to wander, or a longing for far away people and places.

I have no international trips on the horizon. I don't know when the next time is that I will be on an airplane going anywhere. My frequent flyer status is expiring as the months pass.

I have spent many days longing for "normal." Normal is now what I've got and I find myself wishing for adventure.

Is it just part of our human condition to want what we don't have? Or am I just an ungrateful and discontent fool? (it's okay, I give you permission to call me a fool)

Thoughts?

just Sheri, a place bound wanderer

Found: a female dominant profession

I know that I have mentioned it before, but my new job is in a hospital. At orientation the male to female ratio was 9 females to one male. I continue to notice the landslide gender imbalance in my favor. The president of the hospital where I work is a female, as are most of the VP's.

I work for a foundation and at each meeting I attend with others in my field I am keenly aware of the female dominance.

This is VERY new to me. I started my career in technology, which is heavily male dominant...it seems that since then women in my chosen professions seem to be the minority. Not anymore. I have found a profession where women rule - health care. Yes, most of the doctors I have seen are men, but that is a topic for another day.

just Sheri, part of the dominant group (for the first time)

honoring International Women's Day

March 8 is International Women's Day...so I realize I am a bit behind on posting. I will have to ask for some grace as I have recently started a new job, and as a result spend hours a week commuting...the combination of the two has left me little unscheduled time. Add to that a nasty case of allergies and I have been rather useless at the end of the day and am certain my writing would be incoherent. So, now that my head is starting to come out of the clouds I wanted to share with you a bit about an event I was a part of recently in honor of International Women's Day...

On an evening in March a small group of women got together. They convene often, I was an invited guest. I had been asked to speak on women's empowerment from a global perspective. This was not a group of academics, though they were intelligent. It was not a group of socialites, though there may have been some with means and all were generous with what they had. No. This was a group of women from the local baptist church. To be honest, I wasn't sure how to approach the topic of women's empowerment to such a gathering. Here is a summary of my message:

There is systemic oppression of women in many countries around the globe, especially outside the Western world.

In some places women are not viewed as human, but instead as property.

In some instances, access to money for materials or resources is restricted for women.

There are even times when the profits of her labor are not hers to control.

The earth is full of systemic oppression of women. Since women are most often the primary caregiver of the family, it has an effect on her children too.

The results of such systems are; rampant domestic violence, epidemic rape, a lack of educational attainment or opportunities, generational poverty, untapped potential and a loss of productivity for society.

In my approach to women empowerment, women are the primary recipients, yes, absolutely. However, men are not the enemy. Rather, they are important allies. As the power brokers, they are needed as party to change if change is going to be long-term. Also, men play an important role of protector as daddy, brother, neighbor and husband. Men need to be included as change agents.

I shared a popular video called The Girl Effect.

Since I don't like to do a talk without including a tangible action step, I encouraged them to "think globally, but act locally." I asked them to give to the Women and Girls fund at the Community Foundation where I had been volunteering. They gave and I delivered the funds to my new friends.

So, in honor of International Women's Day - invest in making the world a better place.

just Sheri, an honored spokesperson for the cause

A poem

One by one He took them from me

All the things I valued most;

'Til I was empty-handed,

Every glittering toy was lost.

And I walked earth's highways, grieving,

In my rags and poverty.

Until I heard the Voice inviting,

"Lift those empty hands to Me!"

Then I turned my hands toward heaven,

And He filled them with a store

Of His own transcendent riches,

'Til they could contain no more.

And at last I comprehended

With my stupid mind, and dull,

That God cannot pour His riches

Into hands already full.

~ Author Unknown

just Sheri, empty hands hoping for renewed purpose

Everyday Heroes: greeting cards

Since moving to Virginia I have been witness to a letter writing campaign. This isn't to petition the government to do something or not do something on behalf of voters. It isn't for the purpose of getting big business to pay attention to social issues. I have witnessed a letter writing campaign of another kind...for the purpose of encouragement.

There is a small church in small town Arkansas. At least twice a week (sometimes more often) a new greeting card arrives at the home where I am staying. I recognize the cards because the address is hand written script with a Arkansas postmark. The inside is some kind of encouraging words.

Week after week, month after month the cards keep coming. These cards are sent to my friend who is battling a chronic illness. The faithfulness of these individuals is noteworthy. The joy (and hope) it brings is apparent.

just Sheri, witness to kindness

NOTE: the Everyday Heroes series on this blog is an idea to share stories of normal people engaging in acts of kindness. I want to draw attention to kindness because I believe it is what changes the world.