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My Attempt at Wisdom (16)
I see it in your social media posts everyday. Some have a real heart and love towards each other and show it. Others are so full of hate they can't recognize their hate is as bad as the ones they talk about.
My grandmother looked after and took care of me throughout my childhood. Tucked away in her drawer was a hand written copy of this poem. It was how she lived. Show each other kindness.
Bring Me All Your Flowers Now
I would rather have a single rose
From the garden of a friend,
Than have the choicest flowers,
When my stay on earth must end.
I would rather have the kindest words
Which may now be said to me,
Than flattered when my heart is still-
And this life has ceased to be.
I would rather have a loving smile
From the friends I know are true,
Than tears shed 'round my casket,
When this world I've bade adieu!
Bring me all your flowers,
Whether pink, or white, or red.
I'd rather have one blossom now
Than a truck load when I'm dead!
-R.D. RICHARDS
The lighthouse has always been a guide to lead ships at sea through dangerous waters. Be a lighthouse for those around you.
If I concede that I have never walked in your shoes and faced the problems you have, will you concede that you have never walked in mine?
If I concede that you have the right to kneel in protest when the National Anthem is played will you concede that I have the right to stand and put my hat and hand over my heart?
One of my go to movies is "An American President". I don't necessarily agree or disagree with the politics of the movie, but there is a moment in there when the actor playing the part of the presidents says, "America isn't easy. America is advanced citizenship. You've got to want it bad, because it's gonna put up a fight."
The quote is longer, but you can look that up yourself. What I do know is that rights carry responsibilities, responsibilities to our country and each other. It doesn't matter if you are republican or democrat, or something else. We must stop the blame game. Our so called leaders in Washington are an absolute mess. The only thing they want to do is point fingers at each other and blame. And they do that for one reason, if the opponent looks bad enough they will look better. It is numbers and only numbers game. No solution, only blame.
Can we not rise above that and respect each other? Rioting and looting is not justifiable, but it points to deeper problems with our government. You know, the ones in Washington too busy blaming each other to do their jobs and protect the people of this country.
We are better than that.
“There's a sunrise and a sunset every single day, and they're absolutely free. Don't miss so many of them.” ~ Jo Walton
We have a way of not understanding nature. There is panic when the smallest things in our lives are out of balance. Sit and watch a sunset. Slow it down in your vision. The world will slowly come into focus and balance restored.
Teach yourself not to look at the world as viewed through the headlines, but through the people around you. The headlines only want to make you afraid of something. The people around you will reflect the beauty and love this world has to offer.
Do you find social media overwhelming with negativity? Don't you just want to shut your computer off, put your phone down, and find the real beauty in our world? What are you waiting for?
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2nd Chronicles 7:14
Stand out from the rest with kindness
Until we learn to respect each other we will forever be locked in a dance of hate and mistrust, orchestrated by competing media networks.
We are not enemies, you and I. We are merely pawns pitted against each other by the privileged elite who place themselves above the law. If they can keep our attention on each other and not them, perhaps we won't notice they are sacking the country of its wealth. We are not enemies, let us not act like we are.
"Therefore, my advice to you is, endeavour as much as ye can to show kindness toward all men, deal with perfect love, affection and devotion with all the individuals of humanity." – Abdu’l-Baha, Star of the West, Volume 1, p. 2.
This is also known as Grandma's Rule, "If you can't say something nice say nothing at all."
It seems we have forgotten how to show each other kindness and respect. Our posts and comments are filled with hate, half truths, misinformation, and accusation. Can we not change the rhetoric and give consideration to our friends on social media?
I photographed this flag on a sailboat a few years ago. It had immediate meaning to me but I have never shared it. I recognize, as we all do, that flying a battered and torn flag is contrary to our flag etiquette as well as federal law concerning the proper handling of flags. A battered and torn flag like this often evokes feelings of anger in vets who will naturally see it as disrespectful. Being a vet myself I treat the flag much differently than others I know who haven't shared that same military experience. I mean no disrespect here.
Today, though, today that deeper meaning for me sings through. Our country is battered and torn, much like this flag. We seem to be coming apart at the seams and we stand by helplessly and watch the madness unfold. Today though, today this battered and torn flag tells me "We are still here."
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