AR – Page 86 – intramuralist ™

10/23/2016

baseball, politics & respect for one another

All it takes is one small whirl through the posts and pages of social media to sense the levels of varied passion and perspective. One thing is most certainly true: we have a lot of opinions. We have a lot of passion. And our levels of passion regarding various opinion are different than one another.

It’s actually fascinating. We can learn so much from varied opinion and perspective… if we are willing.

One unquestionable, seemingly significant obstacle — and I get it because I’ve felt and believed it deeply at various times — is that it’s incredibly difficult to learn from varied opinion if we have no respect for the holder of that opinion. If we don’t esteem another, we will struggle learning anything from them. We may even, somewhere in the back of our minds, actually deem the other as unworthy to listen to.

That’s hard. Let’s continue with our straight talk for a while…

Some of us have no respect for a person who will vote for Donald Trump.
Some of us have no respect for a person who will vote for Hillary Clinton.
Some of us have no respect for a person who won’t vote for either of the two, suggesting they are throwing their vote away.
Some of us have no respect for a person who kneels during the National Anthem.
Some of us have no respect for a person who’s upset at those who refuse to stand.
Some of us have no respect for a person who supports partial birth abortion.
Some of us have no respect for a person who supports a pro-life position, even in cases of incest or rape.
Some of us have no respect for any perceived, pro-choice/pro-life position.
Some of us have no respect for those who want to increase entitlements, arguably helping the hurting.
Some of us have no respect for those who want to tighten spending, believing continued deficit spending will only drive the eventual downfall of this country.

Some of us, still, have no respect for the Cubbies. Ouch.

Let me not cast any judgment upon any of the above. There are times I, too, have admittedly struggled with various opposing positions. Because I have struggled with a position different than mine, I have struggled with another who would come to such an opposing conclusion. They see circumstances differently than me.

But let me offer something that’s a little bit hard for me. It’s also something I know to be true…

This electoral season, I have met good persons who hail from each of the above.

Allow me to restate… I have met persons I deeply admire and respect, who hold each of the above 10 stances. While I, too, certainly have well-crafted opinions — and I have opinions that differ than many of those above — my empathy and compassion for the different has grown me incredibly.

It’s allowed me to focus on someone other than self.

It’s kept me (mostly — touché) humble.

It’s made me recognize that I don’t have all things all figured out.

And along with my guiding, empowering, authentic faith, it’s given me peace.

Years ago, I could not stand the Chicago Cubs. I’m sorry; I mean no offense. I’m just being honest. My friends who are Cubs’ fans — including several actually within my family — would go on and on about this woeful team from the north side of Chicago, and I could care less. I would not listen well. I didn’t like those Cubs. I did not like them in a box; I did not like them with a fox. I did not like them, Sam I Am, even if their infield was anchored by significant Law and Grace.   But a funny thing happened, when I was willing to listen…

I’m still not really a Cubs fan. The Cincinnati Reds will always be dearest to my heart; the two compete fiercely against one another. But I see my friends and family, cheering this talented team on. And I get it. They have valid reasons to cheer. So I sit back, silently, watching the games. My team isn’t there; my team isn’t winning. But I can see why they like their team; and I can see, yes, why they don’t prefer mine. It’s not how I think, but I am intentionally taking the effort and stillness to understand.

Funny… when they cheer, I cheer, too. But it starts with a commitment to listen to those who feel differently than me.

Respectfully…
AR

10/20/2016

50 things

Let’s face it. This election season has been ugly and trying and nauseating and any-other-yukky-word-you-really-want-to-insert-here. Woe to our teens and ‘tweeners’ who are studying American government for the first time. (And I’m sure our respected teachers are letting them know this is in no way the norm…)

Due then to the current, undesired challenge of being seemingly far harder to focus on what’s good and true and right, I thought it might be more uplifting to intentionally redirect our focus.

Thus… 50 things I’m thankful this election season…

Friends
Family
The fall changing of the leaves
The Intramuralist & our diverse audience
Authentic, deep communication
Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling”
“Saturday Night Live”
Clinton and Trump singing “Now I’ve Had the Time of My Life”
Great candidates’ faces for caricatures
The fact that this election season will actually come to an end
The ability to be in touch with friends via Facebook
Friends who refuse to rant and rave
Friends who DO rant and rave — but know the beauty of grace, apology, and forgiveness
God’s mercy
America the Beautiful
Disneyland
The Cubs in the playoffs
The NFL and fantasy football (even though my fantasy team stinks)
Common ground
Technology
The fact that my kids keep in touch via that technology
Respectful dialogue
Differing opinion
Banter that leads to growth
The fact that I’m not alone in people who can’t stand pumpkin
Charlie Brown
The first Christmas/Hanukkah/holiday TV ad (seen on Tuesday)
Oooooh… that new show: “Designated Survivor”
College football
A new coach
Cooler temperatures
Cooler tempers
Unbiased news
Being able to discern unbiased news
RealClearPolitics.com
Listening without judgment
Friends who would never trump (LOL) political position over relationship
Getting to the bottom line
Solution
Walking my dog
Puppy posts
Funky hair hidden under helmets
Avocado toast
“In God We Trust”
The meaning behind the Statue of Liberty
Individual liberty
The high school girls’ soccer team doing great
My special needs son’s weekly cooking show
Being willing and humble enough to still grow as an adult
And… regardless of what happens on November 8th, regardless of what anyone says, there will be a peaceful transfer of power on January 20th.

Desiring to always encourage a focus on what’s good and true and right… regardless of the season.

Respectfully…
AR

10/18/2016

complicity

As reported by Reuters over the weekend…

“The local Republican Party headquarters in Orange County, North Carolina, was struck overnight with a flammable material thrown through a front window of the building, local authorities said in a statement on Sunday.

Someone also spray-painted graffiti including a swastika and the words ‘Nazi Republicans leave town or else’ on an adjacent building, the town of Hillsborough said on its website.

‘The flammable substance appears to have ignited inside the building, burned some furniture and damaged the building’s interior before going out,’ the statement said. No damage estimates were yet available.”

While the office is described as a “total loss,” praise God that no one was hurt or killed. And as the investigation into what actually happened and who is responsible continues, there’s an angle I would like to get to today.

Without a doubt, people will immediately point fingers, attempting to project or defer blame… “those amoral liberals… those intolerant conservatives…” Right. Like all people groups are somehow, exactly the same.

My question today is not about the specifics of the firebombing. Yes, the incident should grab our attention; it should make us pause, humbling each to the point of refraining from pointing any fingers.

But my wondering this day instead surrounds how we are deserving of blame. Sorry. I realize I just threw far more under the bus right along with me; I mean no disrespect. But my question today is simple: how are we complicit in the current volatile, polarized state of politics in which we now live?

How are we complicit?

This is a tough question. For months, many of the politically active and interested have become quite proficient in the projection of blame. We’re pretty good at that. I am actually sadly astounded at the number of rants and raves that social media has provided space for — and so many have taken the bait and followed suit. We make a bold statement, proclaiming our perceived rightful attitude of “I’m mad as hell and not going to take it anymore*$&#%!!!”, and then we never have to wrestle with thoughtful interaction. Many thus see no need for respectful dialogue.

Maybe it’s not our public activity. Maybe we’re ranting and raving in private. That is, until someone breaks, supposedly looses it, and does something as awful as they did in North Carolina.

In the last few weeks, in fact, with the presidential campaigns ratcheting up before winding down (thank God for the winding down, at least), it seems we’ve heard multiple, loud choruses of “I am woman, hear me roar” combined with “shut up and dance with me.” We keep forgetting that both the roar and call to shut up are conversation killers. Neither is typically laced with respect.

I am not suggesting that there is no time to ever cry out; there absolutely is. What I am observing, however, is that we are increasingly justifying expression in our desired means — whatever that looks like — and we are doing such in place of reasonable, respectful dialogue… dialogue that leads to understanding, empathy, and solution.

What happens on November 9th? What happens 21 days from now? When the election is over, are we then finally all going to get along? Will we then start offering respect? Or… will those who align with the electoral victor greet us with more roars and calls to shut up? Will those who lose the election increase their blaring screams and shouts?

Those who firebombed the political headquarters are guilty of a criminal act. We are not engaging in criminal activity, but we are, I’m afraid, encouraging disrespectful expression. We are encouraging no longer listening to anyone other than the likeminded and no longer generously offering respect. Our potential complicity lies not in the “I’m mad as hell” proclamation; rather, it lies in what comes after the not being willing to “take it anymore.”

Respectfully…
AR

10/16/2016

speaking someone else’s language

One of the things I don’t believe we’re all that good at doing is speaking the language of another. I’m not quite sure what it is, what the reason is. Is it pride? Is it arrogance? … unwillingness? I don’t know. But for some reason it seems like a significant part of the population feels no need to speak the language of someone else.

I wonder for a moment, if many feel it’s simply unnecessary…. “There here on my turf; they can learn to talk like the rest of us.” I get it. They came here. There are consequences that accompany that choice.

But please don’t mistake my point to be about the official foreign languages of the world. I’m not talking about German, Spanish, etc. I mean, if I choose to go to France, I need to learn to speak French. I can’t expect the rest of the world to accommodate me. In fact, I have some great American friends living/working in China, Russia, and Papua New Guinea. I admire that each is thoroughly invested in learning the culture and language of which they are immersed in. They know that if they are going to communicate with the people around them — really communicate — with the people around them — their audience — then they need to learn to speak the language of their audience. Knowing the language of your audience demonstrates empathy, showing deep respect for someone other than self.

I admit: this isn’t easy to learn. It means I put communicating with another person over the right to rant and rave in my own language. We so like to rant and rave.

But what if the ranting and raving only pushes people away? What good is it? Is it simply an exercise in emotional venting or vomit? (Sorry, but “vomit” was really fun to write right there…)

I want something more. Sorry. But yes, I want something more. I want to really connect with other people. I want authentic fellowship. I want to learn from the UN-likeminded. I want to encourage. I want to be mutually sharpened. And I want to find solution to some of these nagging, ongoing problems, rather than demand everyone think like me. The first step in doing that is connecting with other people. The first step in connecting with other people is learning to speak their language.

Is their tone more gentle?
Is it more conservative?
Is it more liberal?
Is it more respectful of faith?
Is it more vulgar?

And am I willing to sit and speak their language? Or do I just get too hung up in the language itself?

Years ago I had opportunity to spend some time at a summer camp for teens and young adults with special needs. It was a beautiful, unusual, eye-opening weekend. As a person who would became the parent of a special needs child, I would later reflect upon this time as invaluable.

It is very important when learning to effectively interact with persons with special needs to communicate authentically. If we are going to make a difference… if we are going to connect… If we are going to communicate in such a way that spurs both of us on… then we need to communicate clearly. But let’s face it: we need to speak their language, ceding all thoughts and judgments of our own.

Their was one young man who especially caught my eye that weekend. He was active. He worked. He liked to be with people. He would even dance. While his facial expressions never changed from anything other than seemingly somber, I loved communicating with him. Communicating with him meant spurring him on to tasks and accomplishments he (and others) once deemed impossible.

But this young man spoke a language far different than me. In fact, he actually spoke very little. When he did say something, it was a single word. That word was only expressed in moments of intense emotion; it could be grief, frustration, or even joy. I loved it when he said it — because it meant he was being transparent, trusting us with how he felt, letting us know his emotions were deep. But the only way authentic communication was possible was if I surrendered my right, my thinking, and my judgment, that he should talk and think exactly like me. Remember: it was a single word…

“Shiittt”, he would calmly utter. Almost dead panned. It was his only word… from cutting his knee to cutting it up on the dance floor. It was the only word I ever heard him say. Yet how thankful I was, that this young man was willing to communicate with me. A privilege, without a doubt.

May we always be willing to speak and understand the language of another more than self.

Respectfully…
AR

10/13/2016

wiser than we

Here’s one thing I love that perhaps others can’t always see…

We share a post. We invite conversation, dialogue, even disagreement — valuing how we can be sharpened by differing opinion, respectfully stated. And then on Tuesday, for example, over 2,000 people read our post… wow… thank you… Thank you for engaging in real, respectful dialogue!!

I don’t know all those who read and participate… not even the half of them. But here’s what I do know…

I heard so positively from so many. There were affirmations from the following:

… men…
… women…
… gay…
… straight…
… black…
… white…
… Latino…
… Asian…
… Christian…
… Jewish…
… agnostic…
… married…
… single…
… young…
… old…
…. somewhere in between…
… Republican…
… Democrat…
… Libertarian…
… Independent…
… Feminist…
… Meninist…
… People I know…
… People I don’t…
… from America…
… from elsewhere…
… from the heartland…
… from the coasts…
… from the country…
… from the city…

Such a beautiful, sweet, diverse group. I treasure that. It is a humbling privilege to hear from so many.

And what’s more beautiful? We found common ground… real, authentic, common ground.

Are you willing to pursue common ground?

Or… are you only ok if everyone else adopts your opinion… assuming, that is, that you know what’s totally, rightly, best?

If we are going to navigate through this polarizing season humbly, wisely, and well, then we need to recognize none of us have life all figured out. We need to cede all ego and arrogance.

And we need to get off our political high horses, foolishly waiting for everyone else to adopt our opinion. Surely there exists something better and more… as evidenced by the 30 varied people groups listed above.

Praise God. He is good. And he is wiser than we.

Let’s start by acknowledging that.

Respectfully…
AR

10/11/201610/11/2016

let’s be real. can we?

Let’s cut out the crud. Let’s remove for a moment all expression of passion and perspective that sometimes impedes respectful dialogue and communication. Please hear me… I am not in any way denying the validity of your passion or perspective. I’m not denying mine either. What I am saying, however, is that sometimes the way we express how we feel gets in the way of others hearing us clearly. Believe me, if I feel something deeply, I want others to be able to hear me. I’m not out to merely affirm the likeminded.

So let’s be real. Let’s pause for a moment. Let’s come and reason together. Can we?

This election cycle has been trying. It started a long, long time ago, in sometimes seemingly a galaxy far, far away. We began with two first-name-only candidates on the left, and about 37 would-be candidates on the right. In fact, part of me wonders if our current scenario would be different if the left didn’t feel like a coronation and the right didn’t feel like a dogfight. But alas, I digress. This is the situation we are in, and I intend for us to navigate through it humbly, wisely, and well.

The situation, as I see it — and friends, I could be wrong — but I see the American people having a choice primarily between two unpopular people. We are gauging who is the least unpopular.

I hear you. There are good people arriving from all angles who love “their person”… Hillary Clinton… Donald Trump… even, for some, Gary Johnson, and for fewer still, Jill Stein. That is ok. I have complete respect for any who are passionate about the above. Unlike many, I don’t believe that all or most of any of the above’s supporters are ignorant, illiterate, racist, sexist, unpatriotic, or deplorable. I realize that’s not a popular thought. I also believe that to ascertain such about entire people groups is unfortunately a form of judgment.

But just to make sure I’m being real with you, I don’t have “a person,” so-to-speak; I don’t have a candidate that I am completely comfortable with as President, considering past behavior, current assertions, and all the consistent inconsistencies. Sadly but sincerely, my current, desired choice is thus “none of the above.” My challenge is that “none of the above” isn’t actually running. But I believe in voting — and so I will — but I’m not looking forward to it.

And so I come to the conclusion that prompts my plea to be real. Join me. Agree for a moment to put away the rhetoric and rants. Here’s the fact: assuming no unforeseen circumstance, either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump will soon become the President of the United States of America. One of them will be inaugurated at noon on January 20, 2017.

For the record, regardless of victor, I will not be moving to Canada along with the every-four-year entourage that threatens such a ploy. No matter my comfort level or desire, either Clinton or Trump will be my President. And here’s the unconventional kicker: I have great peace with that. As a person who cares for neither, I have peace with either.

My peace does not come because deep down I believe that either Clinton or Trump is “not all that bad.” No, with hesitation that this, too, may seem judgmental, I do believe that both candidates are significantly, ethically compromised. I know people would like to have me rail on Trump’s nothing less than misogynist comments, Bill’s rampant infidelity and treatment of women, and Hillary’s handfuls of lies and chastising those women — and truthfully, it’s all relevant — that’s what compromises each of them. My peace, though, truly, comes from elsewhere.

I believe in a sovereign God. I believe in an omnipotent, divine Being that is totally aware of all that’s going on. I don’t like all that’s going on and I certainly don’t understand it all, but my lack of comprehension does not change who God is. For whatever reason, God has allowed this current scenario to exist. He is not surprised by the evolution and awfulness of this election cycle. He is not surprised by how we’ve gone after one another on Facebook and social media. He is not surprised.

And so I must ask what he wants us to learn…

Is he giving us opportunity to learn to scream and shout and shove our opinions down one another’s throat? Is he teaching us how to point out the glaring lack of integrity in someone else without first wrestling with it in ourselves? Is he hoping to divide us more and even justify the rants, raves, and disrespectful name-calling?

Doubtful. My sense is he always desires from us something better and more. I’m just afraid we’re missing it.

Maybe he wants us to look at things in a new way. Maybe he wants to confront us with our own arrogance and judgment. Maybe he wants us to think outside the box. Maybe he desires we come back to our first loves. Maybe even, as a nation, he wants us to finally focus on what’s most important and get off our political high horses. All those “maybe’s,” all that wrestling… well, it can be unsettling indeed.

So why then do I have peace?

Because regardless of what we do or how we act — regardless of all the “maybe’s” — God remains unsurprised. My trust is in him. Not in anyone running for President.

Respectfully…
AR

10/09/201610/09/2016

questions for the candidates – part 2

When the latest crude comments relevant to the 2016 Presidential campaigns arose on Friday, my heart sank; I detest disrespect to anyone. As I watched the media and social media response — and all the justifications for “no more civility necessary, dam*&$%^!!” — my heart sank even more. It’s as if even the most intelligent among us believe respect is not always necessary. Friends, I am not talking about respect for the candidates. I am talking about respect for one another. The Intramuralist will always advocate for such. We advocate for a civility in discussion that currently seems secondary to the “I’m-mad-as-hell-and-not-going-to-take-it-anymore” attitude.

Hence, today, allowing passions and perspectives to cool down somewhat, we will continue our two part “Questions for the Candidates” post, as debate #2 is tonight. Remember: these questions are from a diverse, active group, a group that is concerned about this race, a group that no doubt is concerned about the latest revelations of behavior, but a group that is committed to civility and respect. Also, even with the crude comments and questions of spousal activity relevance, the below questions remain the things I’d rather know most.

First, questions targeted to individual candidates… To Hillary Clinton…

You have experience dealing with ministers of foreign countries. They and we have changed leadership and policies while ensuring agreements made by predecessors. What would you say to ease their minds and those of Americans at home concerning American commitment to our longstanding treaties should the Executive Branch change from Democrat to Republican?

Your husband was unfaithful. What did you say to or about the women Bill was involved with that was untrue?

Are you open to accepting members of the Republican Party in your cabinet? Will you picking the most qualified person over party loyalty?

To Donald Trump…

With world leaders concerned about your diplomacy changes, how would you ease their minds and Americans at home by explaining the “Trump Doctrine” in a clear and precise way?

If you are elected, will you appoint intelligent qualified women in your cabinet?

Over your lifetime, honestly, specifically, how has the way you’ve felt about women changed?

questions for the candidates – part 1

There’s a debate going on; perhaps you’ve noticed. There’s actually more than one… there’s the debate over who should be President, the debate whether each/either has the necessary integrity, and then there are the actual, formal debates between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Due to the observations that substance seems secondary to style and objectivity seems scarce, I solicited the help of 10 likely voters, each persons for whom I have tremendous respect. They are a diverse group — in all demographics — including equally left, right, and somewhere in between. But they are each politically active and interested, committed to education and respect, and earnestly desiring of solution. I asked them what they’d like to ask the candidates. Here is Part 1…

One side is never all right; the other side is never all wrong. Tell me something the other side has right.

What do you believe are America’s top 2 strengths and top 2 weaknesses? How would you invest in America to improve in all of these areas?

Many people claim that they don’t have faith in either nominee. If elected, how would you unify the country so we can make progress both in our areas of strength and weakness?

In your professional life, have you ever faced a decision that was at odds with your religious beliefs, and if so, what was it and what was your decision?

Do you support term limits for members of Congress, and if so, how committed are you to fighting for that legislation during your first term?

Do you think it is necessary to limit the amount of time a person can serve in elected government, and depending on your answer, why or why not? What should the proper time frame be if your answer is “yes”?

Candidates and incumbents discuss how they are for campaign finance reform, and as soon as the election is over, it is ignored. What are you willing to pledge to do to ensure that real reform happens and that these changes are enforced?

Where do you stand with abolishing Citizens United and getting the money out of our political process?

Is reversing Citizens United v. FEC necessary to purify the election process and get rid of all the impurities of special interest? If not, please explain.

Based on recent traffic statistics are you willing to push for a nationwide ban on hand-held devices while operating a motor vehicle?

Do you believe that the cost of higher education is out of control, and what if anything do you plan to do about it?

Why is the interest rate on student loans higher than that of buying a home or a car?

With the decline in manufacturing jobs and good paying jobs for non-college bound high school graduates scarce, how are we creating livable wage jobs for that segment of society?

Please discuss our crumbling public school systems and what type of ideas you have to work with local and state officials to help stop the brain drain in our schools.

Do you believe that the current level of standardized testing in our public schools benefits the students?

Explain how bureaucrats in the Department of Education are more qualified to determine curriculum than the educators at the local level?

Do you think it is appropriate to use children that are not yours in campaign ads to vilify another candidate?

Do you feel it’s appropriate to vilify your opponent? Or is it a necessary evil? If the latter, please explain your justification for evil.

What would you do to improve very strained race relations in our communities? What are three steps that can be taken to implement your idea?

How do you reconcile the concepts of black, blue, and all lives mattering? How do you lead wisely, making all groups feel valued and heard, violating no one’s civil rights?

Do you believe in reparations for slavery? Please specifically explain your answer.

Is white privilege real or really a partisan talking point?

How are your policies going to make life easier for the middle class?

How will you balance keeping us safe without becoming “Big Brother” and compromising our freedom and privacy?

How is it conscionable to leave our children $20 trillion in debt? What specifically are you going to do not only to get the federal budget under control, but to start paying down the debt?

There is quite a spirited debate concerning illegal immigrants and the rights and services that should be extended to them. With a national debt that is spiraled out of control, what are you willing to cut to offer those services and how is that going to affect those with legal citizenship?

How is a plan to cut taxes not going to increase our national debt?

Social Security and Medicare have no prayer of being solvent after the tsunami of Baby Boomers hit retirement, yet any politician who even brings up trying to address this is immediately portrayed as trying to take away seniors’ benefits, to their political ruin. How can this problem be fixed in this political environment?

Are you politically brave enough to stop kicking the “reduce-the-debt” can further down the road?

Can you stop arguing about climate change? What is fact and what is not? What can we do that doesn’t burden us with increased debt?

Politicians used to campaign hard against each other, then govern together. Today, politicians are in constant campaign mode. If the other side has a good idea, it is automatically opposed, because we can’t allow them to get political points. How will you roll back the vitriol that is the current state of politics?

Stay tuned for more on Sunday… gun control, terrorism and more will be covered…

Respectfully… and with great respect and gratitude to our 10 diverse contributors…
AR

10/04/2016

redemption

First, from Dictionary.com:

redemption

[ri-demp-shuh n]

noun
1. an act of redeeming or atoning for a fault or mistake, or the state of being redeemed.
2. deliverance; rescue.
3. Theology. deliverance from sin; salvation.
4. atonement for guilt.

Then from other, more blog-oriented, subjective sites:

… “the act of delivering from sin or saving from evil.”

… “the act of buying something back, or paying a price to return something to your possession.”

… “It means bought back, redeemed.”

Best I can tell, colloquially speaking, it means a person screws up — meaning a significant, seemingly character-defining, severely negative mistake — and then over some course of time, they change. The change is marked not only by the grieving of their own error/sin/offense, but they also make amends (as able), ask forgiveness, and they commit, as best as possible, to “sin no more.”

My sense is the scenario that allows for redemption is an incredibly ugly thing. My sense is that it also has the potential to be incredibly, amazingly powerful.

Here, though, is the problem…

While personally when we screw up (because yes, we all do), we believe in redemption — we know we’re capable of better and we want to grow and become wiser — we withhold that from other people, especially public personalities.

It’s like we say “I saw them when they said ______… I watched them when they did ______…” And then we forever put them in that box, so-to-speak. We forever act as if we know who they really are… and we don’t give them the grace and space to grow and change… even though we reserve that grace and space for ourselves.

Chuck Colson is the first person I think of… a man who was known to be politically ruthless, termed by one Slate Magazine writer as “the evil genius” of the Nixon administration. When he later repented and even founded Prison Fellowship in 1976, “the nation’s largest outreach to prisoners, ex-prisoners, and their families” today, I wonder how many held onto their own, previously held position, the “in-my-box” idea that Colson was still that ruthless man, because “I saw them when…”

I think, too, of Pietro Maso, the Italian man — 46 now — who bludgeoned his parents to death with heavy kitchen pans and then suffocated them, all to receive his inheritance when he was 20. For such a crime, I’m certain many would aver “no way is that guy ever changing!” … except in prison, he repented. In fact, Pope Francis called him after he was released, acknowledging his changed heart. Maso has now dedicated himself to helping others.

It makes me wonder… who else are we putting in a box?

Who else are we withholding the right to grow and change?

Who else do we believe is incapable of redemption?

(Scary thought. We can be a little judgmental sometimes…)

Respectfully…
AR

10/02/2016

piercing the “normal”

Sometimes a day interrupts the “normal.” It interrupts the “normal” so much, it shocks us back into remembering what’s most important.

I imagine that’s what it was like the day JFK died. I wasn’t born yet, but I know the news spread quickly, as the sitting American President rode through Dealey Plaza in downtown Dallas, assassinated just after noon. It was November of ’63, and while Kennedy had not formally announced his re-election plans, it was clear he was gearing up to run again and seemed confident he would win. That moment, though, pierced the “normal” of the time, thinking our leaders were always respected and safe, when they were not.

It’s what obviously happened on 9/11. America had always, so beautifully embraced the idea of being a “melting pot,” a land that lauds its diversity, welcoming all tired, poor, and people with their accompanying demographics and beliefs. But that “normal” was disrupted by 19 men who took terror into their own hands in the name of their religion. Not all religion is the same. Not all adherents are wise. We were reminded that not all believe in a good and righteous God.

It happened, no less, again last week. There was a young, major league pitcher who played for the Miami Marlins, José Fernández. The 24 year old lost his life in a boating accident. Fernández was a star — the ace of the pitching staff. But Fernández was more than just a focus of the far-more-than-casual-sports fan. Note the below excerpt from ESPN Magazine’s pre-season cover story…

In an interview with rising MLB star, Bryce Harper, Harper was discussing how baseball’s “unwritten code” dampers self-expression. He singled out Fernández:

“You can’t do what people in other sports do. I’m not saying baseball is, you know, boring or anything like that, but it’s the excitement of the young guys who are coming into the game now who have flair.

José Fernández is a great example. José Fernández will strike you out and stare you down into the dugout and pump his fist. And if you hit a homer and pimp it? He doesn’t care. Because you got him. That’s part of the game. It’s not the old feeling — hoorah … if you pimp a homer, I’m going to hit you right in the teeth. No. If a guy pimps a homer for a game-winning shot … I mean — sorry.”

In other words, Fernández’s flair was not a sign of one-up-manship; recognized or not, it was instead a manifestation of the joy of playing the game — what should be the “normal” of baseball. When Fernández’s boat and body were recovered early Sunday morning, it reminded us that a game is just a game; life is more important. The tragedy thus pierced our “normal” that gets so out of control, as contemporary society focuses far too much on celebrity, status, and winning. The Marlins cancelled their game that day; winning didn’t matter. They were shocked into remembering what’s most important.

What strikes me this day is the potential for other “normals” that may also be pierced one day… shocking us at our core. You see, the piercing elevates the important.

Perhaps you, too, are struck by the “normal” in the current political environment. Sadly, there exists a glaring lack of civility. There is such a demandingness; that is our “normal.”

There seems this crazy, disrespectful acceptance of “if you don’t think like me, you’re either (a) wrong, (b) an idiot, or (c — and most likely) both of the above.” Our “normal,” friends, is that we have lost the ability to respect the person who doesn’t share our perspective. The current election season, the reaction to “Black Lives Matter,” the debates over gun control, socialism, minimum wage, a living wage, abortion, healthcare, centralized government… our new “normal” is that good-thinking people justify thinking “both of the above.”

I’m concerned.

What’s it going to take to pierce that normal?

It will be something. I’m fearful of what it may be. But I do pray it shocks us into finally remembering what is most important.

Respectfully…
AR