Facebook has been crazy today with all the posts by people upset with the recent news regarding the Komen Foundations withdrawal of support for Planned Parenthood.  Reportedly they pulled funding because of pressure from the pro-life side as well as stating that they have new guidelines to abide by in regards to who they support.  Whatever the case, everyone is talking about this and I could see this breaking the Komen foundation at some point.  Maybe.

I’m no expert, but I’m certain that the reasons for this move by Komen that we’re hearing reported by news outlets all over the world are not the whole story.  More will come out soon and yes, there’s always a bigger story waiting to be told.

From the minute I heard this air, several thoughts came to mind, which I share below.  Included with these will be a little advice to anyone jumping on the band wagon and hating on Komen.

KOMEN CAN DO WHAT THEY WANT WITH THEIR MONEY

The Komen Foundation has been a strong leader in the fight against breast cancer and has helped hundreds of thousands of women around the world in their effort.  They have had a long standing relationship with Planned Parenthood and until today, I bet many people didn’t even know that they were a big donor to Planned Parenthood.  I didn’t.

In the end, Komen has the right to pick and choose who they want to support.  It’s their money and their cause and even if some may not like the reason for this decision, it is what it is, and it’s their choice.  If you were a regular giver to the foundation and you gave because you knew they were helping Planned Parenthood, then yes, you have reason to be upset.  But if you never gave a cent to either the foundation or Planned Parenthood, what should it matter to you.  Planned Parenthood is well funded and they will find a replacement donor.  Someone will step up and fill this gap for them.

So rather than complain and hate on Komen, just write a check to Planned Parenthood.  If not, then just go back to updating your facebook status and twitter accounts with pictures of puppies and youtube videos of drunk mexicans dancing at Quinceaneras.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD, THE ABORTION KINGS

If you hear the name “Planned Parenthood” the first thing that comes to mind is abortions.  While I’m not an advocate of murdering unborn babies, it’s sad that this is all that they are known for.  Yes, they offer a lot of great services for women but unless you actually take advantage of those services, you would only know them as the “abortion clinic”.

A story like this brings lots of attention to Planned Parenthood and almost makes them out to be the “good guys” while Komen is the evil right wing christian strong arm.  While PP still offers great services to women, a large number of people around the world can’t support them because of the abortion factor, including myself.  They will always be known as the “abortion clinic” and it’ll always overshadow anything “good” that they offer to women.

KEEP ON GIVING

I don’t know anyone personally that donates to Komen or PP on a regular basis.  I know a few that run the marathons or participate in charity events, but that’s about it.  Because of this it’s hilarious to read posts from people bashing Komen and giving praise and showing support to little ole helpless Planned Parenthood. People who i know never give to either one of these organizations don’t realize how foolish they sound when they say they’re never going to give to Komen or they’re going to “take their money elsewhere”.  Cracks me up.

If you give to any organization because you believe in what they do and what they stand for, keep giving.  Don’t let something like this discourage you or lose hope in the “good work” that you’ve chosen to give to.  Not every organization is perfect and for the most part even charities and non-profits have to operate like businesses.  Just do what you can and give what you can to causes that you believe in.

I don’t give to Komen and I’ve already explained why I can’t support PP.  However, I give to causes when i can and i give in different ways and it’s not always in the form of money.  So keep doing what you’re doing and if you’re not doing anything, get off your butt and make a difference.

I leave you with the words to a new song I found today:  “tonight, we are young . . . so let’s set the world on fire, we can burn brighter than the sun”.  Go burn bright my friends.  Set something on fire, as long as it’s not your hair or your friend’s car.

- Hector

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New Years eve is tomorrow.  Yeah, I forgot about that until this morning on my Chickfila coffee run.

Everyone is already preparing for their resolutions and most of those have to do with either eating better or losing weight.  Well, I want to encourage you all to do things different this year.  Make some resolutions that will actually matter and make a difference in your life.  Here are a few suggestions or tips.  Do these for at least two weeks straight and they’ll become habit.

1.  GIVE MORE HUGS

People love hugs.  I remember a friend of mine several years ago introducing me and all of his friends to the 2 or 3 minute hug.  It was very very uncomfortable and to this day if anyone tries to give me a hug like that other than my mom or girfriend, they will get punched.  ha.  However, the moral of this story is to hug and show more love.  A hug is powerful.  Much better than a hand shake.  And it will always make someone’s day a little brighter and make a person feel loved.  Do more hugging and spread the love.

2.  TALK LESS, LISTEN MORE

Become a better listener this year.  Apply this to your relationships and you’ll see a big difference in the way you communicate with others, especially your spouse or significant other.  I’m learning to be a better listener and learning that I don’t always have to have the last word.  Sometimes your friends or family just need you to listen and not say anything or offer any advice.  We have all been in a position where all we needed was to be heard.  Become a better listener.  Talk less.  A good listener will understand better and with better understanding comes better relationships.

3.  RIDE YOUR BIKE

There’s something about being on a bicycle and just cruising around the neighborhood or further.  Yes, it’s a form of excercise but don’t do it just for that.  Do it to get out of the house and simply do it for fun.  Kids love their bikes and if you watch kids riding their bikes you’ll see how much fun they’re having.  There’s something very freeing about being behind the power of your bicycle.  Adults, ride your bikes more and allow yourself to be a kid on a regular basis.  Ride with your kids and family but also take some time to get out and ride with just your partner.  Ride to a restaurant or bar for a drink.  Get out.  Have fun.  Live on the edge.  haha.  ok, maybe not on the edge, but you get the picture.

4.  DO SOMETHING YOU’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO

I’m realizing that I do have a bucket list and I’m taking note of it.  One of the things that I’ve been wanting to do for a while is to get involved with theater or community acting.  Since being involved with drama in high school I’ve always had an interest in acting or at least giving my acting chops a try.  And it’s all just for fun, not to pursue a career  or anything.  So this year I will check that off my list as I pursue this and get plugged into a community theater or some type of acting class.  I may do great or I may get kicked out, who knows.  I can still recite Hamlet’s “to be or not to be” soliloquy so that’s a start.

There has to be at least one thing you’ve always wanted to do.  Step out this year and give it a try.  Start a new business.  Build something.  Learn a new trade or skill.  Go somewhere.  Visit that city or country that you’ve always wanted to visit.  Whatever it is, make plans to do it and stick to it.  Don’t let another year go by without doing that one thing or two or three.

5.  GIVE MORE

There’s a blog post somewhere in here that I posted about Christmas and how difficult it is for me to get into the “spirit”.  It has to do with feeling forced to buy gifts for people because a holiday says I should.  I love giving gifts, but I like doing it for no reason and for people that deserve it.  The best gift you could ever receive from anyone is a gift that you don’t deserve or expect.

This year, start giving more and taking less.  Start practicing with putting others first and thinking about yourself less.  A good way to start is to put some money aside every week or month and begin looking for needs to fulfill.  You may here of a family that’s struggling and all they could use help with one week is groceries.  Since you have that cash put aside you put yourself in a position to help immediately.  Your help doesn’t always have to involve money either.  Give your time.  Your love.  Your good looks.

6.  PANDAS

This last one is free.  Simply fall in love with pandas and look at their pictures everyday in a google search.  Will always, always brighten your day and make you feel awesome.

Have a great New Year everyone.  Do great things and live like this could be your last year on earth.  The world needs you.  Find out how and then do life with everything you’ve got. Happy New Year!

- Hector Garcia

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