The Security of a Teddy Bear

On February 15, 1903, Toy store owner and inventor Morris Michtom placed two stuffed bears in his shop window, and advertised them as Teddy bears. Michtom had earlier petitioned President Theodore Roosevelt for permission to use his nickname, Teddy. The president agreed and, before long, Teddy bears were being made by toy manufacturers everywhere.

I read that in “Vintage” Magazine. Since I’m “vintage”, I thought about the stuffed bears that I have. When my husband was travelling a lot, he gave me a 5-ft, stuffed, grizzly bear "Buxley" to keep me company while he was away. He also gave this adorable Teddy girl for Valentine’s. She sings: “L” is for the way you look at me. “O” is for the only one I see. “V” is very, very, extraordinary. “E” is even more than anyone that you adore. Love is all that I can give to you........"

Be still my heart. And, my little white bear was a gift from my granddaughter. There is a science behind a “Teddy bear”. Yes, it’s a stuffed bear with fur, a sweet face and has sentimental value for us for a long time (i.e., ME!) But, it is much more. It is also a transitional object that provides a sense of security when a baby is separated from his/her mom when she goes to work or takes the baby to a daycare or has a baby sitter. Science has proven that children who have a transitional object, like in the case of my grandchildren who needed their “blankies”. They always handled those moments easier than those without it. The theory is like a mother holding and caring for her baby, the baby cuddles his/her Teddy bear or soft item and associates it with his/her mother. The bear or blankie becomes the security and comfort needed when mother isn't present.

It makes sense, but where am I going with this blog today? Seems like a far-fetched stretch of the imagination to segue to OUR need for a sense of security, no matter how old or how young we are. Everyone experiences insecurity at times. I know what's it's like to feel insecure about myself. I grew up as that girl who was shy and not really feeling safe and secure throughout my childhood. My daddy was very sick and I was a latch-key kid. That's why it's very important for me to feel safe and secure in my life now. The good news is, I learned how NOT to live an insecure life. I know it’s God's will for us to be very secure and not to live in fear. He created us to feel safe, secure, and confident. It's part of our spiritual DNA as believers in Christ. The key to living a secure life is knowing who we are in Him, receiving God's love for us, and basing our worth and value on who God says we are, not on what we do.

I define self esteem as having confidence that I am who God says I am. It’s not dependent on my own abilities, but on knowing that God will equip me for the work He has set out for me to do. I was having one of those “I’m not enough” moments a few days ago, when lo and behold, a friend sent me this text message: “I want you to know how much I love you and am so grateful for the beauty of who God made you to be and all the gifts and talents He has given you. Thank you for loving God the Father so much.” WHAT? How did she know I was having feelings of inadequacy? Oh, I know the answer. She knows my Father and He knows me and her. He nudged her to extend her love to me that was just what I needed that day.

I’m long past having the need to have Teddy bears, though I still love them as mementos. But I’ll never outgrow my need for my Father God Who daily assures me “Donna, you are enough for me and I am enough for you." Maybe today you need to hear those words, too. YOU ARE ENOUGH! God said so!

"And you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security." Job 11:18

Burying Your Head?

Day 223 of Photo Inspirations -- Burying Your Head?
This photo crossed my path so many times that I finally had to check it out. It looks to me like it's a clear signal that someone doesn't want to be disturbed.  But the inventor says "Sometimes all you need is a power nap -- after a stressful day, to counter jet lag, or for a chance to relax. The Ostrich Pillow is a dream come true. Burrow your head and arms into its cozy “cocoon” and you’ll be in dreamland before you know it." Recognizing that people spend so much time at work or in transit, the pillow was created to help disconnect and dream. They say power napping increases productivity by 34%.  

You've got to hand it to those who find a need and do something about it.  Perhaps the inventor was one of those travelers that needed to grab some shut-eye when he could, and he found a solution.  It certainly makes sense but I find it hard to believe that women with their well coiffed hairdos would stick their heads in there for any amount of time -- not to mention that it sure looks like it would be hot in there.

It's obvious that the inventor called it "The Ostrich Pillow" after the ostrich because that's what ostriches do -- they bury their heads in the sand.  And isn't that what some people do, too.  They don't want to deal with situations that represent conflict or they hide from helping their neighbor or they rationalize "ignorance is bliss" -- it's just best to not know or not to get involved.  A lot of folks "bury their head" in the sand when they don't want to take the time to learn a new way of doing something, even though they'd save lots of time, energy and money in doing so.  I was talking to a gentleman in my community whose son just bought him a new cell phone.  He was so frustrated because it had some new bells and whistles on it and he'd have to take the time to learn how to use it.  I was quite willing to show him because I have the same phone, but he refused and said he was taking the phone back to the dealer and going to ask for his old phone back.

This man rejected the information.  Like him, some people would rather ignore a problem than trying to solve it.  They'd rather hide within their walls than recognizing the needs of a neighbor who they just might be the load lifter for them.  They'd rather complain and remain in the same situation that keeps them waaay behind in time and productivity.

Wouldn't this world be a better and kinder place if, instead of burying our heads in the sand, to stand tall -- raise our hearts and our hands  and say "Pick me!   I'll step up and make a difference."   By the way, if you want to bury your head in the Ostrich Pillow -- it's just $99 -- you'll find it online!