I sense an arising in some around me. I have often said to my wife that times like these can be a good thing to go through.
When I was in college one of my jobs was as a cook’s assistant. One of the jobs I had in that job was to do what was called “clarifying” butter. Many sticks of real butter (it was still allowed in those olden days) were put into a small pot and melted. The more solid stuff that floated to the top was skimmed off leaving more liquid, more pure butter as a result.
So I say to my wife that maybe, hopefully, times like these are akin to clarifying butter. Get everything out there in the open. Set it all to a boil and see what rises to the top and then skim it off. See what and who people are and then move from there based on what it is you think you want from them, from your life, from your country and its leaders. Are you liking what you’re seeing?
If you said yes then you need read no further. You must have the society, the culture, the economy, the government, and the leadership that you want; or at least it seems headed in a direction you like. So read no further. Simply rejoice in what has been brought so visibly and swiftly to the surface.
But also beware the skimmer.
For those not so happy or satisfied- some even tending to terrified or disgusted at times- read on and do not lose faith. No, never lose faith. Even if faith is considered a violation of the separation of church and state.
Speaking of that for a moment I know that there are a lot of folks who are concerned about allowing too much or even any church into the state but there are also those of us who really want to get the state out of our churches. If you have faith even the removal of that Nativity scene from the public square will not remove the belief in your heart. You can legislate away the physical representations of it I suppose but you can never legislate away the faith of the heart- been tried before; epic fail as my kids would say.
If by chance all of what is happening is what a majority of the folks in this country want then so be it, but even that does not mean you have to give up the fight for what you believe to be right. Arguments are not successfully made by avoiding the topic. You have to speak up for what you believe and you have to start doing so now, today. I know that it could never happen here- it could never happen anywhere where it actually did wind up happening- but just in case you might want to make sure you did what you could to fight back for what you believe to be right.
Speaking of religion: I know what Christians would do if there were no atheists- they would continue to believe and seek expression through prayer and worship- but what would atheists do if there were no one who believed in anything? Silence. And, also, is atheism allowed in the Muslim faith? Maybe that’s why atheists only seem to attack Christianity. That or they’re chickenshits.
So what the heck is it that I am trying to get to here, what is it I am trying to say? Hell, I don’t know but I will try to get to it nevertheless.
If someone throws a stone at you do you get it and throw it back, run away, or stand and ask why he did it?
If someone insults your spouse in public do you defend, defer defense, or just chuckle it away?
Your kid doesn’t get enough playing time on a ball team that you spent a lot of money to get him on; in fact you pay just the same as the kid who plays all the time. What do you do?
A woman with a baby in the car has skidded off the road on the morning after an overnight snowstorm- probably texting. You see the car, and her, and the baby, but you are way late for work. It’s no longer snowing and it is not that cold and it is daytime and it is not an extremely remote road. Do you pull over? Do you ask if she wants you to call for help or do you offer to help get the car back on the road? Do you just drive by?
You know a friend has cheated on a test and wound up getting a better grade than you do- a lot better. Are you mad? Are you ambivalent? Do you tell the teacher or even talk to the friend? Does the friend remain a friend? Do you decide to just cheat on the next test yourself?
You’re coaching a youth baseball team and you are in the finals. You told the team and the parents that every player would get about the same playing time even though it is the championship but you never thought you would have a chance to win this game against a team that everyone knows is far superior to your own- they all think your team got lucky in getting to the finals and deep down you agree. Lo and behold though it is the latter innings and it is a tie game. You still have your two worst players on the bench and need to sub them in if you are going to even get close to equal playing time; and you would have to sub them in for your two best players, one of whom is your son. What would you do?
Decisions and choices. That is life. Sitting back and doing nothing is a choice and a decision. Usually not a very good one of either.
If you don’t like what is happening then help to change it even in some small way.
Take the time to raise your kids the right way. Take the time to be with them and teach them all you can. Encourage them to try many things- safe and healthy of course- and to learn for themselves.
Challenge the schools and teachers- there are a lot of problems there in case you didn’t know. Make sure you know who your kids are hanging with and what they are being taught. Just allow them to trust you enough so that they can open up even a little and talk. Your job is mainly to be there and to listen. Be patient and don’t pass immediate judgment. Love them and let them know that you do.
Vote. Even if there are no perfect candidates (and there aren’t) you need to vote. Even if you think the election is a foregone conclusion you still need to vote. If you have time help out a campaign and get out to talk to folks and win them over, even if slowly, to your own beliefs.
Lend a helping hand to someone in need and be thankful when doing so. Give a buck or two or a can of food or two to a local food bank. Attend a PTO or school board meeting and let them know how you feel. Turn off the tube and computer; shut down the iPods and phones; lay the tablets and eReaders aside; spend time with your parents, your kids, your family, your friends. Don’t download that objectionable MP3 or watch that movie which stars someone whose views you adamantly disagree with. Fly the flag whenever you can but especially on days that you should. Go to church if you believe. Help coach a youth sports team or offer your free services as an academic mentor. Stop swearing, don’t do drugs, and don’t drink so damn much. Set a good example in at least some of what you do; at least try. On your way to work perform at least two mannerly acts toward a fellow motorist or pedestrian- three or four would be better and help lead you toward forming a habit. Say one nice thing to someone you don’t like. Notice a kid who never seems to get noticed. Compliment someone on something. Give up your seat to someone who needs it- or even someone who doesn’t. Let someone get in line ahead of you. Act like you’re not in such a hurry even if you are. Buy a raffle ticket or cookies from that kid at the door who really isn’t having much fun selling no matter what you might think. Offer to work for a colleague. Offer to help someone who needs it with their homework. Smile or laugh, genuinely and at the appropriate time. Hug someone you know and hold the hug a second or two longer than necessary. Do someone else’ chores around the house just because. Help a teammate to get better even if you think it threatens your position on the team. Dress a little nicer than normal; wash well and comb your hair. Shovel a neighbor’s walkway, driveway, or both; then offer them a beer in your garage to celebrate the weather. Spend a few more minutes petting your dog. Thank the Lord, if you believe, for all that you have in life and ask His help to show you the way where you need it- likely things could always be worse and, maybe, just maybe, they could become a good sight better with a little faith and a lot of effort. Educate yourself in as many areas as you can but especially in regard to civics and politics. Read the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution; read them again; explain them to someone else or ask someone else to help explain them to you. Study history and learn from it. Get some more sleep and don’t worry so much about absolutely everything. Exercise, even if it’s just walking or using the stairs more often. If you beat your spouse or kids stop now; get help and stop now. The next time you want to yell at someone, don’t; walk away or just bite your lip. Do a bit more planning in your life as a lack of planning often impacts others negatively, especially your family and coworkers. Don’t procrastinate so much- getting something done often leads to the confidence to get something else done right afterwards. Realize that kids are very sensitive, even if they don’t show it; do something, say something, to boost their confidence every day- it should be genuine and not contrived. Get rid of a hatred. Don’t let your pet peeves make you angry. Do a few pushups or sit-ups when you feel stressed. Eat a bit more healthy. Join in on celebrating someone else’s success. Lend an ear to a friend in need of one. Listen to things you plan to say in your head before you actually say them; amend as necessary to make them sound as positive and non-cynical as possible. Watch a happy movie with your family. Shop for something small and then buy it; while you’re at it buy something small for someone else for no reason. Sleep in a bit on a rainy morning. Try to stay off drugs- and here I mean prescription ones- as much as possible; doctors these days just love to process and prescribe and it’s you who possibly winds up paying the price in the long run. Sing a song; out loud if you can. Take a nice warm bath or shower and relax. Go and eat your favorite food if you haven’t had it in a while and do so with a nice glass of wine and someone you enjoy talking to. Hold a newborn baby. Hold a new puppy. Both help to celebrate new life and new hope for those who hold it.
On an on. Things to do to make you feel better; things to do to make someone else feel better. Hopefully you will continue and those you influence will shine it on.
These things can make a difference my friends and the more people who do it the more impact it will have. If you disagree just do me a favor and try it for a day or two and see if you change your mind. I’ll bet you feel better.
If nothing else if you find yourself in a position to choose then choose this way- be nice, be kind, and you really can’t go wrong.
