27 Feb - WOD

Snow days

Am I the only person who marvels at the manner in which a snow storm can render an entire metropolis helpless? Think about it, meteorologists begin tracking the path of a storm days in advance. People flock to nearby grocery stores to stock up on food, shovels and salt for their walkways. Schools and government agencies shut down in anticipation of a wintry precipitation. Eventually as promised ...the powdery, white substance blankets our streets, cars, homes, and everything else within panoramic eye shot. Then for at least a few moments in time, everything around us seems still, calm, unhurried... tame even.

What if you had the ability to create your own snow days? Are your project deadlines at work beginning to consume you ... perfect time for a snow day. Do your students make you feel nauseous... sounds like snow day material to me. Is your cuddle buddy considering going home (to his/her own place) for a couple of days... bring on the snow. Shamefully, the busy body in you would likely prevent you from sitting still long enough to even take advantage of a nice relaxing snow day. Sunday felt as if it were my first true snow day in ages. I didn't concern myself with housework, preparation for the work week ahead, recreation, relationships, or any of my normal routines. I simply enjoyed the opportunity to do absolutely nothing. Every once in a while I welcome a snow day to mellow my otherwise hectic regimen. You might want to do the same. But since today is not one of those snow days, it's probably in both of our best interest to return to doing something productive.

Corey R.

13 Feb - WOD

"Free Pass"

In the spirit of Black History Month, I have spent a great deal of time reflecting upon the single most coveted inalienable right sought by our ancestors... FREEDOM. I find it ironic that historically, freedom has never actually come without tremendous cost to our kinfolk. Our ancestors sacrificed limbs, lives, and other immeasurable losses in pursuit of the sweet taste of freedom.

Fast forward to modern day 21st century, AD and many of us still find ourselves caught in some form of personal bondage. Perhaps you are chained to the shackles of your very own financial holding cell. Maybe you are stranded on lover's Alcatraz. It could be that you are an inmate of 'workplace penitentiary' ... stuck in a piss poor job situation and lacking the skill set to make yourself more marketable. Maybe you are a 'Vice City' convict... constantly held captive by a personal vice such as gambling, drugs, sex, money, etc. Regardless of what the issue is that arrests your freedom, one thing holds true in every situation; you will eventually be forced to sacrifice something significant in order to obtain the freedom you seek.

Our forefathers did not toil on our behalf so that we could later neglect our right to freedom. As the descendants of such strong willed individuals, we need to remain steadfast in our quest to relinquish personal bondage. I leave you with a two fold rhetorical question to ponder: What is your personal captor and are you willing to make the sacrifice(s) necessary to obtain freedom? "Let freedom ring!"

Corey R.