Protecting Children!

I sit this morning, having just finished my morning radio show, challenged by the topic. Today we discussed Child Pornography or as it should be called Child Abuse and Sexual Images. My heart aches for the countless children that are being exploited. This is a billion dollar industry and sadly it's only increasing.

I read that in 2003 20% of all pornography traded over the internet was child pornography, and that since 1997 the number of child pornography images available on the Internet had increased by 1500% (comparison coming just to help understand). This is now a billion dollar industry and among the fastest growing criminal segments on the Internet (according to the USA The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children).

Since beginning my research on this my blood has been boiling. I'm sure my blood pressure is at an all time high (maybe that's why I have a headache and heart ache). Friends, we can't sit any longer. Our children, their children need us to use our voices. We need to make noise, we need to stand up for injustice and stand against violence towards children.

My status on my Facebook update today says, 'If you think you are too small to make a difference, then you haven't spent a night in a tent with a mosquito.' We can all make a difference, we were are on the planet at this moment in time for a reason and one of those reasons is to protect our children. To be the strong voice that they need to say STOP HURTING ME!

Join us as we do what we can to make a difference because I know we can.

Have a listen (On Demand) to the show http://www.blogtalkradio.com/susanjsohn

Where's the Manual?

Today I found a few minutes for myself. Well actually I don't think I found minutes rather I created space to do something for me.  I decided I would watch Dr. Phil. I found myself watching his show last Friday (March 20th) and it was his show on Domestic Violence (listen to my radio show today if you're interested in how that show impacted my life http://www.blogtalkradio.com/susanjsohn).

Today's show was all about troubled marriages. He has three young couples living in the 'Dr. Phil House' and they were trying to sort out their troubled marriages. I watched these (very) young couples and I was reminded about a conversation I had today with a friend and other conversations I've had with couples and friends who are all navigating their/our way through life, love and marriage.

Sadly, our marriage licenses don't come attached to a manual for success. For some there are marriage classes taken before the 'big day' however for most it is trial and error and doing what works. How do we keep our marriages together? How do we keep the love alive and how do we make it past that 7 year itch, the 10 year challenge and the 25 year milestone?

According to Dr. Phil there is a formula and it looks something like this:

you+me+commitment from both of us = a successful marriage

I hope you all remain open, let the communication flow and together let's work to build strong, happy, healthy marriages. Our children depend on it.

Susan

Fight For Life

Well friends I apologise for being so quiet on the blog this week. I have spent the last 7 days at the hospital in a fight for life.

My father went in for surgery. He needed 2 bypasses and a valve repair. He had had similar surgery 11 years ago however at that time he had 6 bypasses. The doctors were confident, my father in great humour and glee, understanding that this was just something that needed to be done in order to sustain his life. Thursday morning arrived and the surgery began. My mother, sister and older brother tried to busy ourselves throughout the day and finally gathered at the hospital to await his return from the operating theatre.

After 7 hours under the knife the surgeon finally made his way to the waiting room. Still in his scrubs from top to toe he explained to us that he had done 6 bypasses and repaired a valve. He said the surgery went well and that we could see him in 1 hour. The relief we felt was unexplainable, like a weight of 1000 years had been lifted off of our shoulders. Our furrowed brows turned to smiling lines across our faces. Our conversation began to flow. Stress was lifted.

We went in to see him and were all caught by surprise. He was in much worse shape than he was coming out of his surgery 11 years ago. We understand that he is now a much older man (72) however he is strong and healthy. Our joy quickly turned to concern. Looks were being shot back and forth between siblings. My mother was strong but the concern on her face could be read by all.

It was at that point we entered into a FIGHT FOR LIFE! 

To Be Continued.......I will post more tomorrow and will continue to share this journey with you. For a sneak preview feel free to listen on demand to my radio shows from this week. I did share moments on there with listeners. This story is truly one that will inspire, challenge and breath hope into the seemingly hopeless situations life throws your way.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/susanjsohn

Keeping Kids Safe!!!!!

Hey all just want to let everyone know that tomorrow, on blogtalkradio, we are doing a show about keeping kids safe. We would LOVE to hear your thoughts and comments.

We need to keep the children in our lives safe. Let's share ideas on how to do so, let's open the conversation and let's make a difference in this big world.

I can't wait to hear from you. To join the conversation or simply listen in click here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/susanjsohn.

Have the best day.

Susan