Month: November 2013

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false integrity

Gotta’ love our leaders.

 

We choose men and women to lead us because of their ideas and intelligence, courage and creativity.  However, sometimes all of the above veil integrity — or the lack of it.  Yes, sometimes we perceive our leaders’ actions or orations as so brilliant, we forget that actions and orations cannot substitute for what is deeper — for those motivations of the heart and soul that are often repackaged and massaged for the world to see in a more pleasing form, even if the ethical motivations don’t truly exist.  In other words, perceived integrity is often false; it isn’t authentic.  It’s more a personal marketing scheme.

 

The challenge is that we aren’t capable, consistent barometers of discerning those schemes.  In fact, I often wonder if it is our emotions that cause us to assume integrity… because a leader makes us feel a certain way when they speak — when they do something good — they must be a good man… they must be a good leader.  And so we allow their ideas and intelligence and courage and creativity to cover up for what most needs to exist.

 

I had to laugh seeing such on the NBA floor last week.  And truthfully, since the context was on the hardwood and not affecting so many people or policy, it was far easier to chuckle and almost applaud the creativity; the creativity was brilliant!

 

According to USA Today:

 

With eight seconds remaining and the Nets with no timeouts left, [Brooklyn Nets coach Jason] Kidd subbed in Mirza Teletovic for Tyshawn Taylor.  As Taylor headed to the bench, he bumped into Kidd, spilling Kidd’s soda on the court.  The liquid needed to be cleaned up, giving the Nets, who were trailing 97-94, time to huddle and draw up a three-point shot…

According to amateur lip-readers, Kidd said, “Hit me,” to Taylor…

“Sweaty palms,” Kidd explained after the game. “I was never good with the ball.”

Taylor also tried to say it was an accident.  “It might ice a free-throw shooter and be a timeout when you don’t have one.  But that wasn’t the thought process,” Taylor said.

 

So Kidd can’t lead his team within the rules, so he designs a masterful way to accomplish what he desires anyway — and then, lies about the incident.  He’s dishonest in all immediate, succeeding interviews.  Even more remarkable, the player involved, Tyshawn Taylor, a loyal follower of this leader, also lied in all immediate, succeeding interviews.  He even exasperated the lies, saying, “Coach was in my way…’Coach, get outta my way, bro.’”

 

Again, the leadership is brilliant!  Way to be creative!  Way to accomplish what you feel needs to be accomplished!  Way to get your loyal followers to toe the party line!  Ah, but the end result is more important than the integrity of the process.  I wonder if that’s wise.

 

I wonder where else that happens… when else that happens…  when integrity is so brilliantly veiled by actions and orations… when those actions and orations cover all else up… when we are seduced into thinking that’s wise leadership… when we applaud the creativity because of how we feel… when we are again inaccurate barometers of authenticity.

 

At least Jason Kidd’s intentional deception was caught on camera.  My sense is that such isn’t always the case.

 

Respectfully,

AR

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thanksgiving

I wrote this post about Thanksgiving… about all we have to be thankful for… and I had lists of all the places and spaces where we need to humbly submit ourselves and give God thanks… where we need to recognize we’re not in control… where we need to give credit to the power and presence that designed us, created us, and still empowers us today — thanking him for all the awesome things which he has so generously bestowed upon us.

 

We can be such an arrogant people.  I can be arrogant!  We like to do so many things for ourselves… we think we’re so smart… think we’re so intelligent… think we have no need of any higher power.  Geepers.  I am learning.  I hope we all are.

 

My encouragement today is thus simple:  slow down.  Pause.  Quit filling up all the empty moments of our day with app’s and applications and people and policy and effort and activity.  Quit investing in criticism.  Take time instead to be still… to rest… to think… to think of others… to give thanks.

 

My related “a-ha” is that we’re typically too busy to give thanks; our busy-ness actually gets in the way.  We spend so much time doing — even doing good things — but all that doing keeps us from giving thanks to someone bigger than ourselves.

 

So slow down.  Give thanks.  Let’s be intentional.

 

Happy Thanksgiving… with an awareness of the incredible blessing God makes available to all…

 

Joyfully,

AR

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origin of thanks

[The primary content of this post first ran on Thanksgiving Day, 4 years ago.  In preparation for the week ahead — and noting all that currently surrounds us, all that makes us busy, and all the news that tempts us to shift our focus to things of lesser importance — my sense is it would be wise to remember the origin of Thanksgiving… and put such into personal practice…]

 

After a treacherous transatlantic voyage during the fall of 1620, the adventurous Pilgrims landed at what is now Cape Cod, Massachusetts.  Their original destination was somewhere in the northern part of Virginia; however, stormy winds blew them off course.  The succeeding winter on the Cape was then grueling and harsh.  Few families survived in tact.

 

The following summer, when life abounded with a fresh hope and rich harvest, the Pilgrims hosted the first Thanksgiving dinner in America.  Legend has it there was no turkey, but there was pumpkin… boiled, I believe.  According to the account written by the leader of the colony, the feast included ducks, geese, venison, fish, and berries.  (No disrespect to the beloved Pilgrims, but I much prefer fresh baked rolls, mashed potatoes, and apple pie… lots of it…)

 

The original feast was designed to thank God for his unmerited favor.  After surviving the rigorous winter and witnessing significant death in their close community, the settlers were grateful for a life in which goodness still obviously existed.

 

In 1789, after approving the Bill of Rights, Congress then “recommended a day of public thanksgiving and prayer” to thank God for blessing America.  On November 26th of that year, President Washington declared said day as the first national day of prayer and thanksgiving, proclaiming:  “Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.  That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks…”

 

75 years later, after the Civil War ended, President Lincoln established the last Thursday in November as a day to acknowledge “the gracious gifts of the Most High God,” recognizing that “No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things.”  Every president repeated this acknowledgement until 1941 when Congress officially made Thanksgiving a national holiday.

 

The Intramuralist finds it interesting that according to Wikipedia, “Thanksgiving is now primarily identified as a secular holiday.”

 

Perhaps the practice is now secular, but if Wikipedia is accurate, cultural developments have altered the original meaning of the Thanksgiving celebration.  The original meaning is to give God thanks.

 

As the retailers and some irreverent quietly creep increasingly more into the sacredness of the celebration — all the more as we see the day approaching — may our motive this week be simple and pure…  to slow down… following in the footsteps of Washington and Lincoln…

 

… and thanking God for his blessing… for his gifts, available to all.

 

Respectfully,

AR

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JFK

Over the course of the past week, we’ve heard many tributes, remembrances, and questions about the life and death of JFK.  Friday was the 50th anniversary of those shots reportedly heard ‘round the world, the assassination of Pres. John F. Kennedy.

 

I never heard those shots.  As a person whose most significant ‘I-remember-when’ moments are 9/11 and the explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger, my thoughts on JFK stem most from the impressions shared by others.  I was not alive on that fateful November day in ’63.

 

Hence, with all due respect to the many who have far more knowledge than me, I thought it would be interesting to share/wrestle with my perspective.  Let me be more specific…  I thought it would be interesting to share my perspective, which I know is limited and incomplete.  (Wouldn’t we be more respectful and respected if we each knew and acknowledged an incomplete perspective??)  My observations are as follows:

 

JFK seemed iconic…  There seemed more fascination with him than with other presidents.  Maybe the iconic status manifested itself due to being so young… maybe so handsome.  Maybe it was that he had such young, playful children in the White House.  Maybe being the first Catholic president was a factor.  Maybe, too, his iconic status was more cast and preserved via his shocking, untimely death.

 

The nation didn’t know him…  Granted, in the days before TV and celebrity were synonymous — far before Facebook — much less was known about our leaders.  Kennedy was the first president regularly seen on TV, but there were some things people didn’t see.  The rumors of Marilyn Monroe, others, the unfaithfulness… I don’t know what really happened there.  I don’t know how faithful or ethical the man really was.  I don’t think those that were alive then truly knew either.

 

His liberal affiliation didn’t mean what it means now…  Many seem to enjoy the debate as to whether Kennedy would be a liberal or conservative if alive today — not this semi-humble blogger.  I am far more interested in thought-provoking dialogue.  No doubt JFK supported several stereotypical, liberal positions, such as Keynesian Econ (an Intramuralist “egad”) and the expansion of Social Security.  But Kennedy also advocated for more conservative ideas, such as limited government, a reduction in taxes for the wealthiest Americans, and more autonomy given to cities and states.  While it seems incomprehensible to suggest JFK would definitely be a strong Democrat or definitely lean Republican, the reality is that Kennedy was a moderate.  What he stood for 50 years ago is not wholly in sync with the current platform of the Democratic National Committee.

 

And my final, perhaps most poignant observation about Pres. John Fitzgerald Kennedy…  We’ve forgotten what he taught us.  Kennedy shared some incredible wisdom which has been generously repeated over the past 5 decades…  “ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.”  How refreshing in a debt-ridden country that appears plagued with a growing entitlement epidemic!

 

But Kennedy taught the generations one more thing, more in his death than his life — one thing I believe we’ve forgotten far too quickly.  We’ve forgotten that we’re vulnerable… that we’re not in control of all things.

 

People die — sometimes in their prime.  Too many are taken so early, and no matter their power or influence or money or other earthly matters, we are a vulnerable people.  We are not God.  We are not in control.  If we truly realized our own vulnerability — and yes, limitations — my sense is we’d be wiser… nicer… more respectful, compassionate, and empathetic.  We’d be kinder, humbler, and better.  We certainly would not be so arrogant.

 

Like I said, there are people who have far more knowledge than me.

 

… working on that humility… always before knowledge…

 

Respectfully,

AR

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why/when race matters

Tell me:  why does skin color matter?  When does it matter?

 

In an interview with the BBC to promote her new film, “The Butler” — a film about race relations — Oprah Winfrey discussed race relations and the White House.

 

The BBC interviewer asked:  “Has it ever crossed your mind that some of the treatment of Obama and the challenges he’s faced and some of the reporting he’s received is because he’s an African American?”

 

Noting the celebrity status and thus power of Winfrey, there is ample credence to the notion that Oprah’s public relations team most likely provided this question to the interviewer beforehand.  Nonetheless, here is Oprah’s response:

 

“Has it ever crossed my mind? … Probably it’s crossed my mind more times than it’s crossed your mind.  Just the level of disrespect.  When the senator yelled out, ‘You’re a liar’ — remember that?  Yeah, I think that there is a level of disrespect for the office that occurs, and that occurs in some cases and maybe even many cases because he’s African American.”

 

While the timing of Winfrey’s public assertion may have more to do with her theatrical release, it’s interesting indeed that the claim comes simultaneously with Pres. Obama’s approval ratings sinking steeply.  With the flawed rollout of Obamacare and the recognition of unknowns, mistruths, and broken promises, Obama has plummeted to approval numbers comparable to Bush after Katrina and Bill after Monica (… sorry, that line flowed off the keyboard just a little too quickly).

 

But my point today is not about approval numbers.  In fact, my personal impression is that our leaders and their staffs pay far too much attention to polls and perceptions; too much decision-making is guided by their perceived image.  My question today centers more around race.

 

Regardless of whether the question was posed prior by her own PR staff, I have little doubt Oprah said what she meant and meant what she said.  She believes that Pres. Obama has been disrespected many times because he is black.  In other words, she believes skin color matters.

 

I struggle with that.  I don’t struggle because I disagree with her.  No, the reality is that there exist people in this country who dislike and disagree with this President and his policies solely because he’s black.  The reality is equally true, however, that there exist people in this country who like and agree with Obama and his policies solely because he’s black.  Neither of those scenarios represents objective, critical thinking.  In both select situations — regardless of opposition or advocacy — skin color matters.

 

Where I hesitate is when a person asserts a definitive conclusion from a limited vantage point… when someone such as Oprah concludes a motive exists, which may be based more on their own passion and opinion than on a complete and comprehensive perspective.  For example, when the congressman yelled, “You lie,” what logical, irrefutable information do we have that ties the assertion of falsehood to the color of Obama’s skin?  Note that no president should ever be chastised like that; no leader should be chastised publicly, so disrespectfully.  Let us also note that the comment was in response to an Obamacare promise, a subject which we are painfully now learning was enacted with some significant mistruths.

 

It is well known here that I believe the Affordable Care Act, in totality, to be an unwise law.  It’s too big, too costly, and too prone to corruption.  Let me also state unequivocally that my perspective has zero to do with the color of anyone’s skin.

 

Race does matter in our country.  It matters to many blacks, whites, Hispanics, you-name-it.  We don’t always know why.  But unknown to Oprah, we can’t tell you when.

 

Respectfully,

AR

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bomb threat

Last week, unfortunately, my son’s school ended up being added to the growing list of schools where someone did something stupid.  Sorry, I don’t really care for the word “stupid.”  Yet with a faint but intentional acknowledgement of the existence of evil on this planet, a bomb threat was communicated to my son’s middle school administrators.  While the school system responded admirably indeed, I continue to stand amazed at all the disruption and distress caused by the foolish actions of one person.

 

Thankfully, the threat was nothing more than an empty call for chaos.  Most students were diverted before the busses ever arrived; the school was then searched, and no actual explosives ever materialized.  School was cancelled, as a separate building was then designated as the pickup point for all affected students.  Thank God the threat was nothing more.

 

But as the mind of the Intramuralist often feels as if it’s continuously circling, there was an additional aspect of this process that couldn’t escape my attention.  It was actually rather amazing… fairly fascinating… not really disturbing, although perhaps so to some… as I was especially struck by the actions of a few of the parents.

 

As we rushed to the school, understandably, several ran.  Several sprinted.  We were eager to swoop up our 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders as quickly as possible.  When we reached the pickup point, we then had to wait in line, offer proper identification, and one of the teachers would bring us our child.  I was fascinated by the frantic few who refused to wait in line.

 

When I arrived, came to a stop, waiting my turn, there was a middle-aged mom who ran up directly behind me.  She paused for a mere moment, and then uttered, “@#%&^!!  I’m not waiting in any line for my kid!”  She then swiftly maneuvered around me and all others who proceeded her, boldly barging to the front of the line.

 

Many times since I’ve thought of that woman.  She had to be at the front of the line.  It didn’t matter that the rest of us were each there for our children, that we, too, were facing similar circumstances, nor that we, too, wanted to ensure the safety of our kids.  To this mom (and a few frantic more), all else was irrelevant.

 

Obviously, her passion was pure.  She was passionate about her kid’s safety.  But it struck me how her own passion — which was beautiful and wonderful and yes, for an excellent cause — allowed her to be blind to the needs and causes of all others.

 

Was she arrogant, as some have suggested?  Maybe, but I don’t think so.  I’m not certain we can discern that via such actions.  Rather, I think she was blind.

 

How often, friends, do we allow passions — which are beautiful and wonderful and yes, for an excellent cause — to blind us to the needs, wants, emotions, and passions of other people?  Is our passion so important that all else pales in comparison? … or should pale?  Is it ok, even for those good causes, that we deem all else irrelevant or insignificant?

 

Is this not once more, an example of how intelligence and wisdom collide?  Where a passionate, excellent cause, even among the intelligent, may blind us to other valid circumstances and concerns?

 

Where are we blind?

 

Last week, unfortunately, my son’s school ended up being added to the growing list of schools where someone did something stupid.

 

Respectfully,

AR

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this used to be my playground

As we watch the events of the past 6 weeks — the flawed rollout of Obamacare and the resulting rhetorical responses — the opportunists who partisanly pounce on perceived Armageddonish, administrative activity — and the loyalists who adhere blindly to minimizing or even dismissing the negativity — I struggle with how to discuss this well.

 

As said, I believe the Affordable Care Act makes government too big, costs too much, and allows for too much potential corruption.  There are better ways to care for those in need of affordable health insurance, as a one-size-fits-all insurance policy does not actually fit all.

 

Let me repeat, too, that I am disturbed at the unprecedented enactment, as no law of this economic magnitude has been previously passed without at least some bipartisan support.  This isn’t a game.  More than one point, one vote, or one run-batted-in should be necessary to enact such major legislation.  However, Pres. Obama advocated and executed this approach, and I thus respectfully hold him responsible.

 

I’ve learned, however, from my thoughtful friends who consistently camp on a distinct side of the partisan aisle that when a like scenario unfolds, many lose respect and trust in our nation’s leaders.  Many, for example, lost trust in Bush 43 due to the Iraq invasion and/or his response to Hurricane Katrina.  Many now are losing trust in Obama due to the way he’s handled healthcare.  Throw in the fact that the trust of 2 more of our most previous presidents, Bush 41 and Clinton (1) also was eroded.  Bush 41 promised not to raise taxes, but did so anyway.  Clinton, no less, split microscopic grammar hairs attempting to alter the definition of “is” via his extra curricular Oval Office activities.

 

And so, yes, I struggle with how to discuss this well.  I must thus again return to what is elementary.  If our leaders only governed with the basic, ethical, elementary rules, perhaps then our trust would not evaporate so dramatically.  Let’s go back to what we learned in kindergarten.  Let’s return to the playground…

 

Healthcare, etal., should have been handled like this (with my semi-subtle, editorial comments in between):

 

  1. Let everyone play.  (Not just those who think like you.)
  2. Don’t judge a kid who’s different.  (Yes, we’re all kids.  You’re kids.  And If you can’t  talk nicely to a kid who’s different and consider how they feel, you’re acting superior.  When you act superior, you’re being judgmental.  Judgment is ugly.  Even in kids.)
  3. Let the children run.  (If they fall and scrape their knee or break something, they’ll learn from it — and be wiser in the future.  We don’t have to make a rule that prohibits children from running.  We don’t have to legislate everything!  Geepers.  Let all of us learn!)
  4. Say what you mean and mean what you say.  (Lying is bad.  We learned that in preschool.)
  5. No throwing dirt.  (I repeat:  no throwing dirt.)
  6. Know your job and respect authority.  (Recognize that you are not an authority on all things; and refrain from doing things that are not within your job description.)
  7. Be a good sport.  (In the minority or majority.)
  8. If you choose to lick the monkey bars during cold weather, don’t blame anyone else.  (Don’t blame the person who dared you; don’t blame the weather.  Take responsibility for your own actions.)
  9. Remember these rules are only for the playground.  (Our job is not to establish rules for the bathroom and the gym.  We don’t have to govern every area.)

 

And the number one playground rule Obama, the Bushes, Clinton, and Congress should have learned:

10. If you can’t abide by the rules, then don’t play on the playground.

 

Respectfully,

AR

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grrrrrrrrr…

Reason #387 why government can be so frustrating:  the response to Obamacare.  First the facts:

 

  • During Oct. 1st – Nov. 2nd, 26,794 people enrolled on the federal website.
  • When state exchanges are included, 106,185 people enrolled.
  • The 106K number includes persons who put a plan in their cart but never paid  (think Amazon.com, in which “in cart” does not equate to actual “sale”).
  • 7,000,000 people are forecasted to be enrolled by March of 2014; this equates to 1.5% of the forecast currently, partially enrolled.
  • In regard to plan cancellation, an estimated 5 million people have already been notified they are losing their desired plans.
  • As recently as September, Pres. Obama said repeatedly that people could keep their plans.
  • Premium prices are skyrocketing for many.  Specific factual data on this aspect remains ambiguous.

 

Instead, however, of transparently acknowledging the above negative results — and the inability of being financially sustainable — our elect choose spin instead of governing.

 

Do both the Democrats and Republicans contribute to this?  Of course they do.  Some act as if it’s the end of the world, while others act as if it’s insignificant; still some suggest it’s only a flawed website.  In my opinion, one of the primary problems with this law is that it was not bi-partisanly crafted.  No Republican supported the totality of this law.  While aspects have been previously supported by both, the massive extent of this law was written and enacted by one party, which is not consistent with the way this country has ethically governed.  There exist huge problems.  Here then, are my questions for Pres. Obama, Congress, and Health & Human Services Sec. Kathleen Sebelius, that I’d like them to publicly, honestly, and concisely answer:

 

  • Why did you promise repeatedly that people could keep their healthcare plans?
  • Was it because you believed without the untrue promise, the bill would be too unpopular? … that the legislation might not pass? … that your own re-election might be dependent on that lie or faulty promise?
  • If it wasn’t a lie, how did you not understand the implications of the policy you advocated?
  • Is this current mess all part of the plan — just a necessary, negative step on the way to universal, single payer, or socialized healthcare?
  • Have you been truthful and transparent?
  • Where have politics entered into play?
  • Why the numbers only now?
  • Why include those who have not paid?
  • Is it appropriate to raise men’s premiums to pay for the more costly women’s care? … is that fair?
  • Is it appropriate that the young and stereotypically healthy pay for the elderly and stereotypically more expensive care?
  • Does what the public thinks on this matter?
  • Does the opinion of persons from any other partisan stance matter?
  • Is that ethical governing?
  • And does a one-size-fits-all healthcare plan make either economic or ethical sense?

 

As the Intramuralist has articulated since the introduction of the Affordable Care Act, there are some serious, sobering actions and implications within this bill.  In my semi-humble opinion, it makes government too big — and exponentially increases the potential for corruption and incredible cost inefficiency.  Call it far more than concern #387.

 

Unfortunately, however, we don’t seem to be dealing transparently with the concern.  The President, Congress, and Sec. Sebelius seem too focused on the spin.  The words change daily.  Watch them.  And depending on one’s partisan persuasion, the words either minimize or maximize the negativity… and the lack of truthfulness and transparency in Washington.  That is not ethical.  That is not governing.  That is not ethical governing.

 

Respectfully,

AR

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veterans & heroes

With all the rhetoric and broken promises…

With all the valuing of celebrity and materialism…

With all the focus on that which is less good…

 

Thank God for yesterday.

 

Something about Veterans Day is incredibly refreshing.

 

It wasn’t yet another holiday in which retailers or radicals have somehow zapped the sacred… like how Christmas becomes about Santa… or Easter about rabbits and eggs.  (P.S.  Rabbits don’t even lay eggs.)

 

For the most part, Veteran’s Day has remained pollution-free.

 

At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, the armistice ending World War I began.  While May’s Memorial Day honors those who’ve died representing America, Veterans Day, November 11th, honors all those who’ve served.

 

In the wake again of all that is less good, Veterans Day gives us hope, highlighting those who have sacrificed more than most of us have ever even contemplated…  honoring men and women who made choices in consideration of others, arguably more than consideration of self…  honoring — lest one could say any better — our authentic heroes.

 

I am convinced that society knows not what a hero truly is.

 

In the days where the Lady Gaga’s and Miley Cyrus’s of the world get far too much attention — where politicians actually encourage division in order to advance their own initiatives (and selves) — and where too many believe they are entitled to too much too often — we are a country in need of heroes.

 

We are a country in dire need of bona fide examples of humility, valor, selflessness, faithfulness, integrity, courageous leadership, and quiet strength.

 

My sense is that’s what we honored yesterday.

 

The Census Bureau reports that there are approximately 21.2 million veterans in the United States.  Along with those who’ve passed away, those are our authentic heroes.  We’re in need of them.

 

Thank God for Veterans Day.  Thank God for our veterans.

 

May we always honor you well.

 

Respectfully,

AR

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pausing

I intended today to post an epilogue to our government repairs series.  No worries; we’ll post it here soon.  But some of life’s events make me pause and reflect on what’s most important.

 

From Reuters:   One of the most powerful storms ever recorded killed at least 10,000 people in the central Philippines, a senior police official said on Sunday, with huge waves sweeping away coastal villages and devastating one of the main cities in the region.

 

Super typhoon Haiyan destroyed about 70 to 80 percent of structures in its path as it tore through Leyte province on Friday, said police chief superintendent Elmer Soria, before weakening and heading west for Vietnam.  As rescue workers struggled to reach ravaged villages along the coast, where the death toll is as yet unknown, survivors foraged for food or searched for lost loved ones.  “People are walking like zombies looking for food,” said Jenny Chu, a medical student in Leyte. “It’s like a movie.”

 

Most of the deaths appear to have been caused by surging sea water strewn with debris that many said resembled a tsunami, leveling houses and drowning hundreds of people in one of the worst disasters to hit the typhoon-prone Southeast Asian nation.  The national government and disaster agency have not confirmed the latest estimate of deaths, a sharp increase from initial estimates on Saturday of at least 1,200 killed by a storm whose sustained winds reached 195 miles per hour (313 km per hour) with gusts of up to 235 mph.

 

“We had a meeting last night with the governor and the other officials. The governor said, based on their estimate, 10,000 died,” Soria told Reuters. “The devastation is so big.”

 

We have a couple ways we could wrestle with the reality.

 

We could quietly concede we live on the other side of the globe and thus pay little attention… kind of the out of sight, out of mind strategy.  We could feel bad, but not take things too much to heart.

 

We could also focus on the fact that these people are different than us… different language, different ethnicity.  It’s sometimes easier to have compassion only on the likeminded, like-lifestyles, and like-demographics.

 

Or…  We could wrestle with the fact that the deceased had little forewarning that this would be the hour and the day they exited Earth.  Certainly, when they awoke that morn, they did not know this would be their time.

 

If we awoke each morning not knowing the time, how would we live differently?

 

Would we be kinder?

Less judgmental?

More compassionate?

 

Would we practice what we say we believe?

Would we be quick to say “I’m sorry” and even quicker to say “I forgive you”?

 

Would we quit fighting for only the Democrats, only the Republicans, only the blacks, only the religious?  Would we quit fighting?  Would we eradicate the hypocrisy from our own lives?

 

Some of life’s events make me pause.

 

Respectfully…

AR