It is a beautiful day. On each afternoon, and into the evening millions, billions of us amble about. Worldwide, we are busy people. Even when we are out for a casual stroll we walk, we talk, and yet we see little. Most of us hear less. The birds fly above. Wings flutter and flap. The sound made is a silence. It fades delicately into the background. These little creatures chortle and chatter. Each sings a sweet song. Bees, beetles, beasts of all sorts hum as they travel hither and yon. These beings communicate. They create communities carefully. Yet, humans intent on instant and tangible gratification are unaware of what is ethereal.
Flowers twist and turn gracefully with the wind. The gentle breeze whispers to us all. Each of us is touched tenderly and still not moved. Trees also commune with other forms of nature. Limbs bend; they extend towards the sun. All entities exist as part of one, except perhaps, humans. Egos separate us from so much. People frequently unite to what they consider matters of consequence.
Little persons may be swept away by a moments delight. However, as they age, they too learn to ignore the beauty that surrounds each of us. In time, children become adolescents. They no longer play and revel in life. There is too much to do. School work, homework, and the work that will provide an individual income becomes more important than the birds, the bees, or even you and me.
As tots, we learn to talk, to walk, to worry, to work, and to war. We are taught to forget the beauty that surrounds us. Words become ways to express who we are, what we want, why we believe as we do, and not a means for a greater connection.
Rarely do people ponder the power of a phrase. Few of us reflect upon the ways in which others hear what is said. Countless do not consider how a written communication might be received. Nor do people imagine how the unintended impression influences an interaction.
Humans engage in exchanges, and most feel as though no one listens or understands.
Too often people think of self first. They miss the miracles that surround them, that are within the wind, the words, or the person who sits in front of them. No matter how gorgeous the morning, afternoon, evening, or the individual, most are blind to the exquisiteness of what is.
Nonetheless, if we choose to, any of us can take the time to stop, to share, to speak in a manner that evokes an evolution. We might engage in a way that brings us closer together. People can be profound, or would be if they only stopped to consider the story of every sign, the meaning of each moment, the essence of all.
It is a beautiful day. Might we see it, hear it, feel it, and share it.
On April 15, as Floridians rush to file tax forms few think of more than the burden. The cost of living in the Sunshine State is high. Levies are higher. Each year, the toll these expenditures take on the lives of individuals and families increases. Many citizens in this Southern State cry, "We need some relief!" Representative have heard the call and responded. Yet, the reaction may not be as thoughtful as it first appears to be.
He was a beautiful bouncing baby boy. He was born to two parents that love him dearly. Even before his birth, indeed, prior to conception, this little fellow was the apple of his parent's eyes. His biological beginning was carefully calculated. As the seeds of life developed into a bright-eyed baby, the people he now knows as Mom and Dad thought of little else but Maxwell. The soon to be proud Papa and Momma anxiously anticipated the day they could hold this bundle of joy. Each of his parents was eager to meet and greet the small, sweet face of the guy that they would call Max. Maximum value, supreme significance, marvelously magnificent, all this was and would be their son. After Max was delivered and during any political season, such as this, Mom and Dad feel certain Max is issue number one.
Americans are at odds. As a nation, we are splintered. The parts do not function as a whole. Some wish to control and command. Others prefer to work for the common good. As we stand, we are a country divided.
Today, I was reminded of how deeply divided this nation is. I read School Diversity Based on Income Segregates Some. I discovered in an attempt to offer equal opportunities, indeed, schools discovered discrimination remained a dominant force. School Boards, Administrators, and the community-at-large concluded educational institutions would be more diverse if learners were assigned to schools based on family incomes. A plan was introduced and implemented. The outcome was mixed; however, the pupil populations were less so. Some races, colors, and creeds were abundant within a given institution; others were not well represented.
It happened again. This time it was bigger and bolder than all the times in the past. At present, this was the worst massive gun massacre on a campus, in a community, since the inception of this country, unless you consider the numerous deaths that occur during war. In combat, a single shooter or a pair of gun totters can destroy many lives. Few are any the wiser. American soil has seen many a battle throughout its short history. Nevertheless, in recent times violent clashes, in quiet neighborhood are more abundant. Today's carnage is the most recent example.
At least 33 people were killed today on the campus of Virginia Tech in what appears to be the deadliest shooting rampage in American history, according to federal law-enforcement officials. Many of the victims were students shot in a dorm and a classroom building.
The investigation continues. For now, details are scant. The shooter or gunman is deceased, assuming there was only one. The armed man took his own life. He was not carrying any identification. Until families of the deceased are notified, names will not be released. The circumstances were horrific.
Again, I received an electronic communiqué that left me feeling nauseous. This one is titled, "Can A Muslim Become A Good American Citizen? Can they be a good person?"
This communication is from an individual that barely knows me. She is a devout and practicing Christian. This woman attends church regularly and speaks of the Lord religiously. She often states she would never wish to hurt another; yet . . .
On the holiest of all Christian holidays, on the day that believers, throughout the globe honor their Lord Jesus Christ, this religious disciple sent me a bigoted letter in support of "racial profiling." In truth, this "epistle" seems to justify "ethnic cleansing." This patriotic preaching professes, people are not created equal, or after birth, they become evil. According to this missive, in America, the Constitutional right establishing freedom of religion is unwise. Muslims must be damned. Please ponder the passage and decide for yourself.
In the last few weeks, school shootings have dominated the news. The frequency of these seems to be increasing. People throughout the nation are panicking; what are we to do? President Bush spoke of this situation in his Saturday, October 7, 2006, radio address. He proclaimed, "We will bring together teachers, parents, students, administrators, law enforcement officials, and other experts to discuss the best ways to keep violence out of our schools." Conferences have been called. The problem has been discussed for years.
President Clinton convened such a forum in 1999. Educators, policy-makers, law enforcement officials, and adolescent-development specialists came to the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study on May 21, 2002. Each group was equally intent on investigating the causes and effects of Lethal School Violence. In the symposiums, experts sought solutions. Everyone wanted [and wants] to protect our progeny.
The traditional, elegant pearls graced her soft white skin. They hung comfortably around her neck. Her simmering silver-gray hair was perfectly coiffed. She spoke with the dignity and the wisdom of a grandmother. Her words were harsh, though understandably so. She and the rest of this country were overwhelmed as they reflected on hurricane Katrina and the community it devastated. This was perhaps, the nations largest natural disaster.
Everyone was tense; however, few were given the opportunity to talk publicly. Yet, she was. The former First Lady Barbara Bush had the ear of Nation Public Radio,Marketplace listeners.
Mrs. Bush stated, "What I'm hearing, which is sort of scary, is they all want to stay in Texas. Everyone is so overwhelmed by the hospitality. And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway so this is working very well for them." At the time she spoke, in September 2005, the nation was uncertain of how to react to her words.
Was her comment a flippant slip of the tongue? Did it demonstrate the difference between the classes and the masses? What were we to make of this terse judgment? One year later, we know. Mrs. Bush was speaking for her fellow citizens; they want the Katrina evacuees to go home!
Americans were under attack. It was September 11, 2001. Ultimately, this peace-loving country initiated all out war. The United States sought a broad coalition; however, the President and others were willing to go it alone. This nation, its leaders, and citizens concluded their safety and stability were being threatened. Our countrymen thought enemies were everywhere and thus, the battles began. Policies were adopted. The idea of privacy was altered. The Patriot Act was drawn and passed. The National Security Strategy for the United States of America was accepted.
People throughout America were ready to protect themselves no matter what the cost. Aggressive reactions were booming. Americans declared loudly, "You are either with us or against us." If you choose to terrorize me or mine then you will be taken, "Dead or alive!" Thus, the cycle begins again. America believes, we must aggressively attack.
Days ago I was scanning My Left Wing and saw a diary that drew me in, "I Look at All the Lonely People." The author, Eugene, stated "I've never been one to have many close friends . . . I am very, very choosy with who I care to spend my time with, who I open up to." I thought, "Me too!" I have been very selective all of my life and it has served me well. Eugene's words peeked my curiosity; thus, I continued.
As his article expanded, I discovered that he was discussing a recently released study, "Social Isolation in America: Changes in Core Discussion Networks over Two Decades." This report revealed people in America no longer have the close ties they once did. A quarter of the population has no one they confide in. Most persons are fortunate to have one close friend, perhaps two. Intimacies within families are not what they once were, or at least they are not as they were once believed to be. People in America feel alone and isolated. Interesting; now, I am among the "norm" and yet, simultaneously, still far from it.
More often than not, life is personal. Journalist, authors, and bloggers write of politics, economics, education, and the law; however, their interest is individual. They, as people personally respond to a particular policy, position, or practice. Writers also respond to people. In this writing, I am. Days ago I received an email from a friend; she wrote in desperation. This woman sent out a mass mailing apologizing for the practice and stressing the situation is dire.
Mary [not her real name] wrote,
I know this is a mass email, but at this point, I will try anything to help save the jobs of not only my husband but also the other 249 families. Please help and thanks for your support.
Days ago, I published a piece that I knew was controversial. I posted it here at Be-Think and at Village Blue. In my original writing, I examined the vocal discussion surrounding a child's molestation. A group of twelve boys, all between the ages of eight and six were responsible for this attack, though many said negligent teachers were. Few if any spoke of the boys' parents or more importantly, in my mind, what we, as a society teach. I did.
I suspected my stance might not be considered correct by some, even though my intent was to teach peace. The incident raised the "hackles" of one reader; s/he did think the teachers needed to be more vigilant. Possibly, that may be true. However, for me, this all too frequently stated focus was distracting.
I felt and feel there was so much more to discuss. That brings me to this writing. I want to expand my sharing. I think it may be helpful if I offer examples that are more practical. I would like to present ones that most anyone can relate to. I have decided to make public my reply to the person that thought my stance unsettling. I invite you, dear reader to discuss, to offer opinions, and to help me reflect.
Today the news is flooded with reports; a second grade girl was molested. She is eight years of age. Her attackers, twelve boys, were between the ages of six and eight. Adults, nationwide, are in a tizzy. Interviews are being conducted with the principal of Columbia Accelerated Community Educational Center. Board members are being consulted publicly. Parents are speaking out. Neighbors are in an uproar.
In this north-side St. Louis school, 400 students, pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, were exposed to an awful crime; aggressions of the most awful sort were inflicted upon a young girl. There is much uproar and repeatedly the words are stated, "Where were the adults?"
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