Ok, I originally had a completely different topic for my blog today. But as I sit here in a crowded Panera trying to work, I'm unable to concentrate due to the loud conversation next to me. As I think more about it, this conversation is indicative of one of the major problems I see in our society as a whole.
Two very expensively dressed women are sitting next to me. After complimenting one another on their latest plastic surgery (I kid you not!), they have proceeded to pick apart every friend and family member that appears to disagree with them.
Their politics are quite definitely liberal. Frankly, I have no problem with that. The reason I know their politics are liberal, is that anytime they finish picking apart someone's looks, clothing, and religion, they finish up with, "and you know, she's a Republican!" They then finish how there's no reason to talk to "those people" since they don't believe in "facts."
Now honestly, I don't care whether someone is a Democrat or Republican. I have very close friends who are solidly in both camps, and I consider myself an independent. My problem, is with extremists in any form. Recently, I confronted some men protesting in front of the post office. They had doctored a picture of President Obama to look like Hitler, and then written "Obama Sucks" underneath it. I explained to them that regardless of politics, as a Jewish person and as a mother, I found it completely offensive that I had to drive by that display with my children. One gentleman actually seemed to listen. Another kept getting in my face, trying to bait me into a fight. I spoke my mind respectfully, then left.
For me, these two scenarios illustrate one of the most pressing problems for our country: the complete inability to put ourselves in another's shoes. The Right accuses the Left of spreading lies and manipulating statistics. The Left accuses the Right of the same. Does anyone take the time to listen anymore? I mean REALLY listen, not just listen to the extent that you can form your next argument. What is more important to us? To "win"? To be "right" at all costs? What does that really accomplish? What if, instead, we sought to understand one another, to find common ground with one another, and build on that common ground to find real ways to work together to improve life for all people?
So, in retrospect, was I a little hard on my fellow diners? Perhaps. Perhaps I was a little hard on the Post Office protesters, too. I guess it just gets under my skin to hear someone, anyone, harshly and vocally judge another person, and then accuse that person of being judgemental. But aren't we all guilty of that at some time or another? Don't we all "look at the speck that is in [our] brother's eye, but...not notice the log that is in [our] own eye? (Mat.7:3)
Perhaps I should thank my lunch neighbors. Even though I dismissed them as shallow and self absorbed, listening to them (eavesdropping doesn't count when the other parties are speaking above a certain decibal level, right?) taught me something about myself. Perhaps if I'm more inclined to honestly try to understand another person's heart and love those who, to me, seem unlovable, my attitude might rub off on others. Maybe there would even be a domino effect that could start some sort of positive revolution! Well, maybe not. It doesn't matter. The only one I can be responsible for is me. From now on, I want to choose to love. At least most of the time.
But just for the record, Peggy and Elena, whoever you are, watch your backs! Your friends secretly think you're ignorant and they don't think you chose the right plastic surgeon either!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Blessed Are the Poor...
Earthquake. Wildfires. Tsunami. Wars. Sound a little overwhelming? I know it does to me. Whenever there is a new catastrophe somewhere in the world, I'm glued to the news. I feel terrible for the victims and I want to help. Yet at the same time, I feel overwhelmed, paralyzed. After all, who am I? I'm just one person. I'm not rich or famous or influential. What can I possibly do? Well, it turns out, maybe I can do more than I think.
The images and reports from Haiti are devastating. Most of us cannot fathom a level of destruction on this scale. Perhaps some of you have been through an earthquake and have just a tiny taste of what it's like. I've never experienced one, but I'm sure I would feel fear, loss of control, grief. Now multiply that by about a thousand, and you have Haiti. If you haven't looked at the images of the destruction or read any of the stories, you should. I know it's sometimes frightening and depressing to read such things. But isn't it our responsibility to know what goes on in our world (and not just our little corner of it)? Don't be afraid to look. You will be impacted, yes, but perhaps you will also be led to act.
So, what can we do? Well for starters, we can realize that although we're each just one individual person, we are not alone. There are thousands of other people just like us, wondering how to help. If we coordinate our efforts through organizations such as Compassion International, World Vision, etc., we could make a sizeable impact.
And then what? Let's not stop there. Proverbs states "He who despises his neighbor sins, but happy is he who is gracious to the poor" (Prov. 14:21, NASB). It's easy to think of serving our neighbors (global or local) when they're splashed all over the news. Yet what about when the headlines fade? What happens when the latest celebrity indiscretion or political scandal takes its place? Do we just move on, having assuaged our guilt and patted ourselves on the back for being such fine, upstanding human beings? I certainly hope not, because that might be an even bigger tragedy.
I hope we all find a way to reach out to the people of Haiti in their time of need. I hope those images and stories stay with us, to remind us of all we have; and more importantly, of those around the world who have little to nothing to call their own. Most of all, I hope the desire to serve those in need stays with us. I hope this event develops within all of us a heart for each and every one of our neighbors, right next door or around the globe. Imagine what life could be like if each of us "[did] not merely look out for [our] own personal interests, but also for the interests of others" (Phil. 2:4, NASB).
The images and reports from Haiti are devastating. Most of us cannot fathom a level of destruction on this scale. Perhaps some of you have been through an earthquake and have just a tiny taste of what it's like. I've never experienced one, but I'm sure I would feel fear, loss of control, grief. Now multiply that by about a thousand, and you have Haiti. If you haven't looked at the images of the destruction or read any of the stories, you should. I know it's sometimes frightening and depressing to read such things. But isn't it our responsibility to know what goes on in our world (and not just our little corner of it)? Don't be afraid to look. You will be impacted, yes, but perhaps you will also be led to act.
So, what can we do? Well for starters, we can realize that although we're each just one individual person, we are not alone. There are thousands of other people just like us, wondering how to help. If we coordinate our efforts through organizations such as Compassion International, World Vision, etc., we could make a sizeable impact.
And then what? Let's not stop there. Proverbs states "He who despises his neighbor sins, but happy is he who is gracious to the poor" (Prov. 14:21, NASB). It's easy to think of serving our neighbors (global or local) when they're splashed all over the news. Yet what about when the headlines fade? What happens when the latest celebrity indiscretion or political scandal takes its place? Do we just move on, having assuaged our guilt and patted ourselves on the back for being such fine, upstanding human beings? I certainly hope not, because that might be an even bigger tragedy.
I hope we all find a way to reach out to the people of Haiti in their time of need. I hope those images and stories stay with us, to remind us of all we have; and more importantly, of those around the world who have little to nothing to call their own. Most of all, I hope the desire to serve those in need stays with us. I hope this event develops within all of us a heart for each and every one of our neighbors, right next door or around the globe. Imagine what life could be like if each of us "[did] not merely look out for [our] own personal interests, but also for the interests of others" (Phil. 2:4, NASB).
Thursday, January 7, 2010
New Year, Same Old Resolutions?
So here I am again, back on the blog wagon. I'm sure you (yes you, my one fan!) noticed I dropped off the face of the blogosphere for quite a while. Well, now I'm back and I'm ready to try again. After all, it's a new year, and that means resolutions, right?
Truth be told, I don't have the greatest track record when it comes to resolutions. Over the years I've resolved many times to lose 10 lbs., quit drinking caffiene, workout more, paint more, write more, etc. Most of these last all of about three to four weeks. Well, some of them anyway. At least the ones that involve the price of a gym membership or a treadmill.
So this year, I'm making only one resolution: to stop making resolutions. After all, what are resolutions but campaign promises to ourselves? We've just come off the excesses of the holiday season (or the previous administration), and we promise ourselves if we will only believe in ourselves, we'll be different this time. We'll be wiser, stronger, more dedicated to our betterment. But alas, at the end of the day, or month, or election year, all we're left with is the same old thing. Eloquent promises and pretty packaging are unwrapped to reveal an empty box.
So what's the answer, then? Do we just sit down in self pity and give up? No, I don't think that's the solution. For me, the solution is what I choose to put in the box. If I really want a better me, a better country, a better world; then I need to dig deeper than the packaging and bows and external trappings. I need something of real substance, eternal truth, to put in the box. I need to seek and support others with something real and substantive in their boxes too, who will challenge me to keep mine full. Otherwise, an empty box will just become trampled and crushed over time, and ultimately discarded.
So here's to filling our boxes with that which is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely and of good repute; all things excellent and worthy of praise. Here's to a new year, a fresh start, and mercies that are new every morning.
Truth be told, I don't have the greatest track record when it comes to resolutions. Over the years I've resolved many times to lose 10 lbs., quit drinking caffiene, workout more, paint more, write more, etc. Most of these last all of about three to four weeks. Well, some of them anyway. At least the ones that involve the price of a gym membership or a treadmill.
So this year, I'm making only one resolution: to stop making resolutions. After all, what are resolutions but campaign promises to ourselves? We've just come off the excesses of the holiday season (or the previous administration), and we promise ourselves if we will only believe in ourselves, we'll be different this time. We'll be wiser, stronger, more dedicated to our betterment. But alas, at the end of the day, or month, or election year, all we're left with is the same old thing. Eloquent promises and pretty packaging are unwrapped to reveal an empty box.
So what's the answer, then? Do we just sit down in self pity and give up? No, I don't think that's the solution. For me, the solution is what I choose to put in the box. If I really want a better me, a better country, a better world; then I need to dig deeper than the packaging and bows and external trappings. I need something of real substance, eternal truth, to put in the box. I need to seek and support others with something real and substantive in their boxes too, who will challenge me to keep mine full. Otherwise, an empty box will just become trampled and crushed over time, and ultimately discarded.
So here's to filling our boxes with that which is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely and of good repute; all things excellent and worthy of praise. Here's to a new year, a fresh start, and mercies that are new every morning.
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