Confessions of a Podcast Addict

Recently, I've found myself getting bored with the music in my iPod. Being that I'm surrounded by music everyday and all day, this is not surprising (although a little sad..). Another conflict is the urge to make the most out of the time I am not in classes or studying, but am still busy. Not surprisingly, this boils down to be a larger amount of time than I thought. This includes things like walking to class, working out, washing dishes, cleaning my room, eating, etc., etc. Presented with these two dilemmas, the obvious solution for me was to turn to podcasts, a long lost friend. This began about three weeks ago, and I don't think I've listened to music on my iPod since.

My favorite podcast to listen to is called Vegetarian Food for Thought. It is produced by Compassionate Cooks and is the best podcast out there for vegetarians and omnivores alike who are interested in eating healthfully, decreasing your carbon footprint, and/or animal rights. With over 100 episodes, they really offer something for everybody. Colleen, the founder of Compassionate Cooks, is extremely knowledgable and well-researched. I find myself listening to certain episodes for the third or fourth time and always find something new and inspiring. Her podcast can be found by searching "Vegetarian Food for Thought" in iTunes, or by visiting Colleen's website.

So if you've never listened to this or any other podcast, I highly recommend making the most of those hours spent in limbo - not fully focused on one task, but not relaxing either. I get through 4 or 5 podcasts a day, and they average about 45 minutes each. That's a lot of time spent on free education each day, something we could all use more of.

What's Wrong with Average Joe?

Hey there, hope this October 9th (happy 10th birthday Bud, my little baby) finds you well.

I've been waiting for some profound topic to gnaw at my brain so terribly that I must ponder, wrestle, and finally defeat it and turn it to debut blog-form, but...no luck (I'm really not surprised). So, I figured if I don't start now, when will I?

Erin came to visit me in Athens a few weeks ago. Among other things, we hashed out the pro's and con's of my big school (OU) vs. her small school (Wittenberg). This conversation always brings an interesting point to my attention. One of my favorite things about a big school can also be one of the things I like the least, that is, nobody knows me! This is great when I: have lots to do, have somewhere to be, don't feel like talking to anyone, am content to listen to myself think, am late for class, need to get work done, it's just one of those days, don't feel like being nice (hehe), etc., etc. This is not so great when I: just want to be friendly! I should say, not knowing the majority of people on campus makes it easy to just look after yourself, which is not so great.

Last week I ventured up north to 43920 for a few days. Mom and I were stuck in Pittsburgh traffic and a guy was walking up and down the lanes selling flowers (they really were beautiful, but I had no need for said flowers). As we were in conversation, semi lost, hungry, and in a little bit of traffic, as we saw the man approaching, we subtly rolled the windows up a little and tried no to make eye contact *gasp!* How rude! Come on, I know you've done it before. It sounds horrible, but the reality is, that's probably what many of us would do. Our excuse: we didn't need flowers and didn't want to get his hopes up. Okay, so our reasoning was legit..but how about our actions? Not so great.

I got to thinking about this and brought it up a few minutes later. Now, anyone who knows my mom knows she is probably one of the nicest people you'll ever meet - that puts her in the way above average category. Me, well I didn't quite get that gene, but I try hard and have good intentions, so we'll put me on the high side of average. So, between the two of us, we fall into the "nicer than average" category. I mentioned this to mom, adding that if that's all the better two "nicer than average" people can do, he must've had a pretty dismal afternoon. Maybe I didn't want any flowers, but I think I could've indicated that with a little more compassion. Like maybe a smile, and a "no, thank you." (For the record: inviting strangers over to your car is a little sketchy, especially if you're alone. If safety is a concern, be smart first and kind second.)

I've since then returned to the grind only to find myself slipping right back into the "look after yourself" routine, like most college kids (and adults!) - I mean after all, don't we have enough to worry about?? Thinking back to that day in Pittsburgh, though, makes me realize that I have so many opportunities to be kinder than average that I don't take advantage of. Things like holding the door for people in that awkward "technically, you're far enough away that I don't have to hold it..." situation. Or maybe striking up a conversation with the custodian that cleans your bathroom. How about giving a genuine smile to strangers that you pass on the sidewalk? Yes, these are all simple things that could easily be done without at a big place like OU, or even in a small town like EL. But frankly, I see no reason why we shouldn't be nice to each other, even if it does take a little extra effort. No matter what motivates us, we can't believe it's our responsibility to make the world a worse place. Au contraire, my friends. Let your little light shine, cause goodness knows, everybody needs a little kindness every now and then.

Challenge: be "nicer than average" in at least 3 encounters today.

P.S. Don't be fake about it! They'll know :)

Happy weekend, everyone!