Holding Hands

There is something closely akin to a civil war going on in our country these days.  We are so firm in our own beliefs and many people prefer not to accept those with differing opinions into their circle of friends.

We see this on Facebook on a daily basis, and, perhaps, this is part of the problem.  We are all so much on the lookout for Fake News that we fail to take note when something has a ring of truth. When we communicate with our peers, we do things that we feel will intentionally make them angry.  Why, as grown people, are we less interested in the wellbeing of our country, of our friends and family, than trying to make others angry?

At this point in time, we must let loose of the notion of getting a rise out of those of differing opinions and consider what is in the best interest of our country.  We must.  Why? you say.  If we continue to have such derision among our circle of close friends, the concept of a civil war is not just possible, but it will be likely.  Our demonstrations have already begun to be violent, with looting and damage to businesses and people alike.

In addition, we have separation of the races like never before. Even in the heyday of the post Civil War era, there were not the murders by the enforcing populace as we are seeing today.  Or, there were, but without the kind of reporting that we have in this day and age, it is getting more attention. Entirely possible.

To keep our country together, we must begin to do things that are based in the respect of all persons.  Are you angry? Tell someone why. Acknowledge that your friends and family are intelligent, reasonable people.  I know it doesn’t seem that way sometimes, but it is true. Use that to express what you believe and why in a respectful manner.  Don’t just save that concept for the people who agree with you. It will pay off quickly. The more people who put this into practice, the more it will become the norm instead of the exception.

Respect is a simple thing.  Listen with your heart and give someone the floor to finish his or her thoughts.  If you disagree, wait until they have finished and then state your beliefs in a calm voice.  Acknowledge that you come from a different place when it comes to opinions, but acknowledge it anyway.

If you are getting your news strictly on Facebook, may I suggest that you pay close attention to the nightly news on one of the networks.  Or look up the newswires. Get your information without a spin on it that could, in fact, come from a place that is intentionally trying to cause separation among our people.  Call it Russia or China or Hell’s Bells, but be aware that there is a faction out there who is rejoicing in our separation.

Lastly, think of who you are as a person.  What do YOU want with your life, with your country?  Don’t just accept what is being said by anyone without checking the facts.

May you be richly blessed.

Heroes

     Historically, when we think of heroes, names like Hercules, Wonder Woman, Batman, etc., come to mind.  We may also think of our public defenses, thus making heroes of soldiers, police, and medical personnel.  What about our sports heroes?  Yes, them, too. What surprises us is when our fellow, meager human beings do fantastic things and get the application of hero.

     What does it take to make a hero?  Does a hero have to save lives?  Does he or she bring excitement and make us feel as if our own status is raised, as when we align our thinking with sports stars or political figures?  Arguably, that makes us heroes by proxy, because it is not actually ourselves who are the heroes, rather, we gain prestige by becoming party to the team, so to speak, of the individual who is the actual hero.

     Let us consider the dictionary definition of hero:  “a person noted for courageous acts or nobility of character.”

In this regard, anyone of characteristic behaviour that benefits others, including emergency rescue workers, firemen, doctors and nurses, all fit this description.  So what does Joe Schmoe have to do to accomplish recognition as a hero? 

     Perhaps the thing that stands out in our minds as heroic is going the extra mile to change someone else’s life in a positive way.  How about the teacher who spends extra money to get needed classroom supplies?  How about the stranger who, walking down the beach, notices someone sinking beneath the waves and runs out to save him or her?  What about someone who knows there are children trying to get out of a burning house?  All of these circumstances are opportunities to influence someone else’s life for the better.  But let’s dig deeper.

     Think of the person standing in line at a grocery checkout who notices the person ahead counting out a handful of pennies to pay the last little bit of what is a small grocery bill in the first place, and chooses to pay the balance for him.  The person for whom she pays is blessed by the act and may, in time, be moved to pay for someone else who is struggling.  Also, those who witness this act may be moved to help others in the same or some other kind way.  This kind of act is not only heroic, but it starts a ripple effect that needs never end. 

     How about someone who sees a person fumbling with heavy packages and offers to carry some of them or helps with a door?  Maybe he or she had to cross a road to get there, but the important thing is that they helped.

     Seemingly small efforts that bring smiles, lifts burdens, and opens the way for better things to come into someone else’s life are heroic, and each one of us can find an opportunity to do so.

May you be richly blessed.