Mea Culpa

Oh, yes, I admit that I can dip speedily into negativity. The news bombarding us is loaded with strife, killings, rivalries, and constant tearing down of everything and everyone. I looked back at my last blog and my recent battles to save our VA and our environment for future generations. Some days I feel the futility and hopelessness.

Then glimmers of hope shine out of the gloom. I read of those who work to making this a better world. I talk with friends who enthusiastically forge on to help others. I watch documentaries on PBS about the guys trying to save the animals from extension due to logging and development in areas sensitive to their habitat.

There is more beauty and humanity in this world. This does not have the instantaneous media coverage as does the sensationalism and glitzy "feel good" that many glom onto on the internet, TV, Twitter, etc. Much of the positive-ness occurring in our world is buried in lengthy literature visited by the patient few.

A thought for today: " "God" is understood as the supreme expression of love. God is love and whoever abides in love abides in God and God in him or her. The Great Commandment instructs us to love God with all our heart, all our mind, all our strength .... and our neighbor as ourselves. This is either utter nonsense -- since loving God with all our energy leaves nothing for the neighbor, or it is the greatest religious insight of all time --since loving the neighbor must simply be loving God, and vice versa."   Larry Goodwin, President of the College of St. Scholastica

Reminder to myself: Spend more time in the company of the hopeful and respectful and make the effort to watch, read and listen to the in-depth stories of the lives of the many who respect human dignity, cherish our world and continue to work to change the social structure and, most importantly, continue to better themselves.

It All Began at the Beginning

The news shouts from the living room. I can hear bits and pieces from the kitchen: Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Ukraine, Russia, Nigeria, Sudan, France, etc., etc. The media bombards us with war,  terrorism, sectarian violence, refugees, missing girls, rescues and attempts at peaceful solutions. It never ends. We hear signs of hope dashed by protests, riots and uprisings.

The question was asked, "Will there ever be peace between the Jews and the Muslims?" One can wonder. It all started ages ago, according to Biblical history, with Abraham and Sarah. Abraham was promised a son who would become the beginning of as many descendants as the stars in the heavens. Abraham was very old. His wife, Sarah was far beyond child-bearing years. Neither of them could believe the promise from God. Sarah gave her servant, Hagar, to Abraham to bear him a child since she was young and could bear children. Hagar had her child, Ishmael, and Sarah became pregnant with Isaac. For whatever reason, jealousy, birth rights, or whatever, Sarah banished Hagar and Ishmael to the desert. As recorded, Isaac was the forefather of the Jews and Ishmael of the Arabs.

Ever since, up to the present day, the descendants of Isaac and Ishmael have been rivals. They do not forget since their memories seem be everlasting. I am not an expert on the Bible and anyone may read and interpret for him/herself but it appears that the hostility began centuries ago and seems unlikely to be abating any time soon, at least not during my lifetime.

So, it all began with Sarah and Abraham. Further back, if we look at jealousy, rivalry, hatred, suspicion and even murder, it all began with Adam, Eve, Cain and Abel.

As I see it (purely personal musings), not much has changed.

How Cool is That?

One of my favorite comic strips is about an ordinary couple living an un-extraordinary life. Arlo and Janis hit a chord of remarkable similarity to the life Bob and I lead. In today's comic strip Arlo asks Janis if she minds staying home on Valentine's day. She responds that she can't think of anything better than a cozy evening spent at home together. Arlo tells her that they do that most nights. Janis replies, "I know. How cool is that?"

How cool is that? It hit home. In our marriage it is difficult to leave our home at night. We both enjoy being home together more than anything. Long ago we agreed that we would not go out on those special nights when restaurants are filled. Those were the nights when Bob pops pop corn and we turn on the TV or read and curl up by the fire.

This Valentine day was different. Bob knew that I was exhausted from weeks of planning a Polar Plunge event for our community municipal pool and he said, "I think I should take you out tonight. You are too tired to cook and if we go out early we will avoid the crowds."

We went out early, avoided the crowds, had a lovely three course Valentine meal, talked over the success of community teamwork in making our Polar Plunge a fun-filled success and came home to a clean kitchen....no dishes. After reading, some TV and sipping hot chocolate, I have the energy to write this blog. I feel renewed. There are times when a vacation is nothing more than an early dinner, and a quiet evening by the fire with the one you love the most.

Trying Teamwork

"That's my spot." Those familiar with the TV show The Big Bang Theory recognize those words.

Going further back to the school yard: "I go first." "No way." "Choose me." "I won't play with you." "I'm the leader." "My way is the best." "You cheated." "Not fair." "I'm boss."

Later in the classroom: "Teacher, look at my paper. Do you like what I did?" "Will I get picked?" "It was my turn." "I was pushed." "I want the credit." "Look at me, look at me." "Me, me, me."

At times I believe not much has changed. As adults we protest if we don't get our way. We may choose to fight back, opt for compromise, say nothing or leave the group. In the daily struggle to lead, say our piece, have our way, we often lose the focus of why we are part of the group. Why did we join in the first place? What was the goal of the group? Can we be satisfied with taking a lower place or not having our idea being accepted? Can we accept a middle ground?

My guess is that ego or insecurity are often involved (the hallmark of the bullies)...or maybe we just get weary of the battle. Some stay in the game, others choose to leave. At times a smaller sect evolves. Teamwork is difficult at best, even in a group as small as a marriage.  It means keeping one's eyes on the final goals.

In the end, each must decide whether it is worth the effort, or at this time in one's life it may be best for all if we just go home, read a magazine, knit a shawl, write a book or work a crossword.

There may be more than one way to save the world.