AR – Page 125 – intramuralist ™

05/08/201405/08/2014

respected

This week I’ve wondered if we have a harder time being respectful than we think we do. It seems if just the right issue or experience arises, we are far too willing to sacrifice respect in the name of passion, emotion, or justice… far too willing. In fact, my growing sense is that even in more emotionally-grounded moments, we may actually conclude that on given occasions, throwing respect right out the nearest window might be the absolute right thing to do.

From our leaders who rhetorically fail us in their own examples…

From our own cyberspace moments when rants become our routine…

People are not sincerely respected.

The most poignant example came for me yesterday at the polls.

I decided some months ago to throw my political hat into the primary ring. For me it wasn’t about politics or any perceived unworthiness in my opponent; it was more about being an ordinary person involved in local government. How often, I ask, do we sit back, take note — frustrated with municipal ongoings, but refuse to get involved, still firmly maintaining the right to complain? Feel great grace, friends… I have often done the same.

And so I decided to get involved. Let me share with you from the onset that I did not win. While a novice, I ran against an older gentleman who has served for decades, belongs to a family of career politicians, and has significant name recognition. Let me also share that even as an enthusiastic newbie, I received an encouraging, far-more-than-forecasted number of votes. It was a great, competitive race.

When I arrived in those early hours to greet people at the polls (also known in some circles as bombarding voters with more information than they really want), one of the first persons I met was my opponent. I had not met him previously. I didn’t know much about him, save what I knew publicly about his family.

When he shared his name, I was so excited… “Richard, I’m so thankful to meet you! I’m eager to get to know you today — and know how you think and what you truly believe.”

You know, I wonder now what his initial thoughts of me were; he seemed a little guarded, surprised, and no doubt pondering the sincerity of my words. I really respected him, but then again, he had no way of knowing that. Most likely to him, I was merely the opponent. In some cases (as evidenced especially at national levels), that equates immediately to “enemy” or “adversary” or “person we must always disagree with.” Hence, such also oft equates to that justification for throwing out respect.

Over the course of the day, Richard and I shared our similar values… our commitment to integrity… our appreciation for family, faith, and our mutual love of the Indy 500. We spent hours getting to know one another, interrupted only by asking for the votes of those we semi-subtly bombarded with information. Throughout the day, I learned to appreciate Richard. And hence, allow me to say more as an observation than a boast, it was obvious that not all candidates nor supportive citizens shared that respect. Perceived adversary status seemed more prevalent.

At the end of the day, as the results were unknown but both Richard and I knew it was a competitive race, I shook his hand, wished him well, and sincerely shared, “Please know I say what I mean and mean what I say.”

He knew I meant it. He also knew he was respected.

Respectfully… always…

05/06/2014

ignorance?

With current event monitors focused sharply last week on Sterling, Sharpton, and new Benghazi information (sigh), there was this small, perhaps trivial incident that flew somewhat under society’s radar. Reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Jameis Winston, a 20 year old soon-to-be Florida State sophomore, walked out of a Publix grocery store with $32.72 worth of crawfish and crab legs that he never paid for.

Expectedly, social media and sports reporters experienced a bit of an editorial heyday…

“Just a shellfish act on Jameis Winston’s part.”

“At least be classy enough to go for the Lobster tail…”

Or my personal favorite:

“Really wonder about Jameis Winston’s decision making. This entire episode was high-bisque, low reward.”

I must subtly, gleefully acknowledge that sarcasm is sometimes simply too tempting to sidestep.

But as the Intramuralist resists the common-to-man temptation, I was struck by Winston’s immediate apology. Remember that this young man stands to net millions of dollars in the immediate future, as he’s projected as nothing less than a top — or the top — 2015 NFL draft pick. Hence, image is everything. A positive public image equates to millions in potential endorsements. Note here are excerpts from his contrition… granted, only stated after caught:

“As reported in the news, last night I received an adult civil citation for petit theft from a local supermarket. I went to the supermarket with the intent to purchase dinner but made a terrible mistake for which I’m taking full responsibility. In a moment of youthful ignorance, I walked out of the store without paying for one of my items.

… I make no excuses for my actions and will learn and grow from this unfortunate situation. I hope and pray my friends and family will view me as the 20-year-old young man that I am, and support me through this unfortunate situation.”

[emphasis mine]

Friends, there is no reason to pick on Jameis Winston; he is an incredibly gifted young man, and he has is being watched by many of the next generation, continuously craving, I believe, positive, public role models. The lingering discomfort embedded within his contrition is the identification of shoplifting as “a moment of youthful ignorance.”

Certainly most of us can relate… (FYI… thank God Facebook and Instagram didn’t exist back then). I do believe there should exist generous grace for our mistakes. But this is Winston’s 4th known brush with the law… the serious rape accusation… the more petty BB gun fight… reports of stealing a soda. Each of us makes mistakes, but my question is for how long can the incidents be attributed to the ignorance of one’s youth? I don’t believe “ignorance” is the correct word.

Ignorance means “not knowing.” For an athlete who wants us to treat him like a man in so many other areas — earning potential, leadership, relationships, responsibility, etc. — are we to believe he did not know shoplifting was wrong?

I am thus wondering when it’s appropriate to call behavior “foolish.” When do we acknowledge that such behavior may be a pattern? And when do we caution our kids as to the possible jeopardized status of yet another athletic role model?

I do hope Winston becomes an excellent role model for my boys, but I have a hard time believing his shoplifting was based on ignorance. I also have a hard time believing his image isn’t most in play. And yes, being sarcastic about shellfish would be easier.

Respectfully…

05/04/2014

higher learning

On Saturday, former Sec. of State and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice announced she will no longer offer the commencement address for Rutgers University. In a letter to the university’s president, Rice wrote:

“Commencement should be a time of joyous celebration for the graduates and their families. Rutgers’ invitation to me to speak has become a distraction for the university community at this very special time.

I am honored to have served my country. I have defended America’s belief in free speech and the exchange of ideas. These values are essential to the health of our democracy. But that is not what is at issue here. As a Professor for thirty years at Stanford University and as it’s former Provost and Chief academic officer, I understand and embrace the purpose of the commencement ceremony and I am simply unwilling to detract from it in any way.”

After the school’s Board of Governors invited Rice to speak and award her an honorary degree, several faculty members and students protested, wanting the invitation rescinded because of Rice’s role in the Iraq War. Signs at last week’s student-staged sit-in included: “No honors for war criminals”… “War criminals out”… and “RU 4 Humanity?”

Once again members of a place that considers itself an institution of higher learning and academic excellence choose to learn by drowning out contrary opinion. My sense is that these students and faculty believe they are wise and smart and keenly intellectual. They understandably disagree with any involvement in the Iraq War. But let the Intramuralist be clear… agree or disagree; agree or disagree on the legitimacy of America’s stated purpose in Iraq. Such is the valid prerogative for each of us. Saying, however, that a person should be silenced because we passionately disagree with their point of view is an exercise in foolishness… no matter the supposed excellence of any institution.

Friends, I speak not about the validity of passions regarding the Iraq War; there exist wise people from all parties who feel strongly on all sides of that issue. What concerns me is the growing number of people who feel justified in silencing those they disagree with — and in the case of Condoleezza Rice, acting as if this remarkably accomplished African-American woman is somehow unqualified to speak.

Note that…

Rapper Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs will speak at Howard University on May 10th.

Former MLB manager Tony LaRussa will speak at Washington University on May 16th.

PBS’s Gwen Ifill will speak at St. Mary’s College on the 17th.

Bill Nye, the Science Guy, will speak at Umass Lowell.

Forest Whitaker will speak at Miami University.

World-renowned chef, Jose Andres, will speak at George Washington University.

Katie Couric will speak at Trinity College…

Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards is scheduled at Barnard College…

John Legend, Joe Biden, Barack & Michelle Obama, Bill Gates, Brandi Chastains, Diana Nyad… even Peyton Manning and the founder of Chobani Yogurt will be speaking at a college commencement this spring.

Each of the above has been deemed “qualified,” even though some also have made some very controversial comments and decisions.

Rutgers’ students and faculty most likely wish to believe they qualify as members of an institution of higher learning and academic excellence. Remember again, though, that wisdom and intelligence are not synonymous, and by drowning out opposing opinion, what they are learning remains in question.

Respectfully…

05/01/2014

what have we learned?

After a week of storms — via both the atmosphere and articulation, what have we learned?

That racism unfortunately still exists…

That civil rights can still be an issue…

And that bigotry is not indigenous to any one ethnic group.

Friends, bigotry will only cease to exist when no one fights solely for a single group of people no matter the prudence of a particular situation.

Hence, I find it absolutely ironic that on May 15th, both LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling and Rev. Al Sharpton were set to be dually honored by the NAACP in Los Angeles. Sterling was to receive their “Lifetime Achievement Award” and Sharpton an award for “Person of the Year.”

And yet it was Sterling, who spoke so offensively this week, privately asking his mistress not to bring black people to his games.

And it, too, was Sharpton, who for decades has refused to apologize for publicly, vociferously chastising multiple white men for the cover up of an assault on a black teen girl, that the teen admits making up.

Bigotry will only cease to exist when no one fights for only for one group, all the time, no matter the prudence of the particular situation. Bigotry will only cease when…

… the guilt or innocence of an OJ Simpson is not presumed by the color of his skin…

… the effectiveness of a President Obama is not gauged by his ethnic heritage…

Bigotry will not cease to exist as long as white, black, Asian, Arab, Jewish, Christian, gay, straight, disabled, etc. … until none of it matters.

Unfortunately, as a society we still seem to hypocritically pick and choose which prejudice to pounce upon. Someone like Sterling, who for over 30 years has displayed aspects of racially discriminatory behavior, has been banned for life and may actually be forced to sell his property. Someone like Sharpton remains celebrated on a weekday, evening newscast, even though only 20 years ago, the Rev. Sharpton made this college address:

“White folks was in the caves while we [blacks] was building empires … We built pyramids before Donald Trump ever knew what architecture was … we taught philosophy and astrology and mathematics before Socrates and them Greek homos ever got around to it.”

We must always remember the prudence of the particular situation. We must not pick and choose the prejudice.

Hence, I again ask, what have we learned?

Respectfully…

04/29/201404/29/2014

stupid

In an audio recording between a woman and allegedly NBA team owner Donald Sterling:

“It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you’re associating with black people,” the voice attributed to Sterling says. “Do you have to?”

“You can sleep with [black people],” he allegedly adds. “You can bring them in; you can do whatever you want. The little I ask you is not to promote it on that … and not to bring them to my games.”

And for these words, the Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling is being investigated by the NBA — and is expected to be punished today.

Now never mind that Sterling has long exhibited questionable character. Never mind that such is no secret in the NBA. Never mind, also, that the woman who made the recording is Sterling’s mistress and is being sued by Sterling’s wife. Never mind that he is 81 and she is 31. Never mind, too, that she has been accused of extortion and that both her character and motives are questionable. Sterling’s comments — even if taken out of context — are disrespectful and highly offensive.

While never supportive of such sobering disrespect, the Intramuralist is also intrigued by society’s response. It’s been swift, serious, and especially strong.

Understandably, many have called for extended discipline. Some have called for Sterling’s suspension; others have called for a boycott of Clipper games. The players association wants Sterling banned from playoff games this season in addition to the league’s maximum punishment. Still more have called for Sterling to lose his team; many have said Sterling should not be allowed to own a professional franchise. His ownership should be taken away.

Therein is where the intrigue arises. I have two, sincere questions:

One, (sorry to be somewhat crass, but attempting to cut to the point…) are people no longer allowed to say anything stupid? Are they allowed to even believe something foolish?

And then two, who decides what “stupid” is? After all, as a culture, are we consistent in what foolishness we will allow?

My honest question is whether we are overly sensitive to specific subjects — and if sometimes we dilute the credibility of both our emotion and point because we pick and choose what to tolerate. Make no mistake about it: Sterling’s comments reek of foolishness; reportedly, he has long been known to be a man of questionable moral, discriminatory character; he’s owned an NBA team for over 30 years. But for some reason, this issue is heightened now. And for some reason, it seems we ignore that reeking aroma when the insensitivity is blatant elsewhere.

I think of Bill Maher, who has routinely slammed God, women, people of varied faiths, and even the city of Boston after last year’s bombings. And yet Maher continues to host a regular talk show spewing daily disrespect. Should Maher be allowed to host a show? Should he be allowed to spew foolish opinion? Should we take that right away from him?

While the Intramuralist will never knowingly support foolishness, I am equally concerned about a world where we feel we must punish the opinion holder by eliminating individual liberty — a world in which we feel the need and even capability to police moral opinion… believing, it seems, that we have the discernment to assess all foolishness. A wiser approach, I believe — as I practice with Bill Maher — is to intentionally opt not to reward such persons with our time, money, or attention. I won’t be paying attention to Bill Maher any time soon… nor to Donald Sterling.

Respectfully…

04/27/201404/27/2014

oil or soda…

Let’s tackle a new topic today. But prior to our respectful tackling, allow me to humbly opine that what may appear to be our subject matter should not be confused with the bottom line. In fact, too often I believe, our specific subject matter prompts us to venture off onto emotionally-led rabbit trails, that while certainly significant, cause us to lose sight of the bottom line. Thus, in order to encourage avoidance of the aforementioned rabbit trail temptation, I will initially exchange the word “soda” for “oil,” as no petroleum product has anything to do with the point of today’s post.

First the facts… 6 years ago, our neighbors to the North began discussing a new soda distribution system with the United States. Canada had already developed 3 phases of sharing their indigenous flavor, but there is a final phase intended to ship soda more efficiently to the rest of the waiting world. The most direct, transportation route meant constructing a new conduit through the corner of Montana, western South Dakota, and central Nebraska. Note: phases 1, 2, & 3 of the conduit have been built, flowing through Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana. The soda is already flowing.

The supposed “win-win” scenario proposed by Canada to the United States government is that while it allows Canada to ship more soda, the conduit construction would create thousands of new jobs and infuse billions of dollars into the U.S. economy. Yet for 6 years, the Obama administration has not approved nor rejected the proposal.

Let’s get to the bottom line and why such serves as today’s subject matter…

As Intramuralist readers, you are aware that our desire is to highlight the wisdom and integrity — or the lack of wisdom and integrity — in any current event. The Keystone XL Pipeline proposal is an excellent example of something lacking.

This is not a conservative/liberal dilemma. This is not because I believe the pipeline should or should not be built. The conspicuous lack of wisdom and integrity lies within the fact that no decision has been made for 6 years. Two weeks ago, the Obama administration announced they still needed more time, extending the review of the pipeline indefinitely — or at least until after the November 2014 midterm elections.

Here’s the problem: it lies not within Obama’s stereotypical political opponents; rather, it lies within his most ardent supporters. Two of Pres. Obama’s more loyal voting blocs are labor unions and environmentalists. The labor unions want the pipeline built; the environmentalists do not. His decision is incapable of pleasing both blocs. That means that if the decision is made before a key election, one group will logically be less enthusiastic about voting for candidates aligned with Pres. Obama.

Let’s add one more, integrity-diluting detail…

As reported by USA Today, two months ago billionaire, Democrat donor Tom Steyer, pledged $100 million to struggling Democrat Senate candidates if the Obama administration rejected the pipeline.

Again, the Intramuralist does not have a strong opinion on whether or not any pipeline should be built. The challenge is the lack of integrity in the process.

Regarding the announcement to again delay the decision, White House spokesman Jay Carney said no politics were involved. The Democratic National Committee Chair added that politics “didn’t factor into” the decision.

Approve it or reject it; act with integrity. Just don’t lie to us… no matter if it’s oil or soda.

Respectfully…

04/24/2014

resilience

As I’ve pondered the week’s events, it seems a recent theme here has been resilience… from Josh’s story to the Easter story to the storied history of the Boston Marathon, I am amazed by what a blessing resilience can be.

I remember years ago reading excerpts from Rabbi Kushner’s bestseller, “When Bad Things Happen to Good People.” And while I still don’t always understand the “why,” I am amazed at how many good things immediately seem to succeed the bad. It’s the rainbow after the storm… the sunrise after the midnight… and the rose that blooms after the thorn.

Will we wallow in our negativity? Will we get lost in dire circumstances? Or will we persevere — growing from that which has only left a scar, but not an open wound?

I borrow now from Kevin Cullen, an articulate writer from the Boston Globe, poignantly sharing a few thoughts this week, after the Boston Marathon was run once again…

… A year after a pair of refugees who spurned all the opportunity offered to them by this country allegedly attacked the Marathon, a refugee who embraced what they rejected triumphantly won it. It was a poignant reminder that the vast majority of immigrants who come to America aspire to be Meb Keflezighi, not Tamerlan Tsarnaev.

Last Patriots Day, Dr. Ricky Kue, the son of immigrants, was working the Alpha tent next to the Boston Public Library, around the corner from the finish line, when he heard two distinctive booms. Kue, an emergency room physician at Boston Medical Center and a major in the US Army Reserve, found himself in an almost surreal hospital theater, treating in Back Bay the sort of injuries he saw in Iraq years before.

On Monday, Dr. Kue was working the Bravo tent, on St. James Avenue. For much of the day, he was almost bored, and it was a beautiful thing to behold.

At other times, he got a little busy. There were a couple of runners with chest pain. “I tried to reassure them, telling them they had just passed the hardest stress test of all,” he said.

Some runners were profoundly dehydrated. But he didn’t see lives destroyed. He saw and heard what he always saw and heard before last year.

“A couple of times, I stepped out of the tent and I saw all the runners, all these families, with kids, just walking, relaxed and happy, and it was just like I remembered it,” he said. “It was just so . . . normal.”

This year’s Marathon took place on Easter Monday, a day replete with symbolism in Boston and beyond. There is no day on the Christian calendar more attached to the idea of redemption, rebirth, and resurrection than Easter.

On Easter Monday in 1916, a group of ragtag rebels marched down the main drag in Dublin and took over the General Post Office, launching a quixotic rebellion that eventually led to Irish freedom. People died on the main street in Dublin all those years ago, just as they died on the main street of Boston last year.

The poet William Butler Yeats was alternately appalled and awed by what transpired on Easter Monday 98 years ago, leading him to write “Easter 1916,” a meditation on the pain and suffering and death that gave birth to something Yeats called a terrible beauty.

What happened last year on Boylston Street was terrible. People were killed and maimed, bodies and souls grievously injured. And yet when the sounds of the bombs faded, when the smoke lifted, what followed was beautiful, more powerful than a bomb. Police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics and ordinary people ran headlong to help the wounded, without any regard for their own well-being. They tied off legs. They comforted the traumatized. They moved 90 seriously injured people in less than a half hour.

Everyone who was stabilized by marvelous medical people like Ricky Kue and transported to the hospital that terrible day was saved. More than one was brought back from the dead.

Reborn. Resurrected.

On Monday, Easter Monday, we had our own Easter Rising.

Back to being normal.

Back to being Boston.

And it was terribly beautiful.

Well said… what resilient people… the beauty and blessing after the storm.

Respectfully…

04/22/201404/22/2014

one of the zillion things…

I was struck by a conversation I had with my youngest son the other night. Sadly, young Joshua had a classmate pass away a few somber weeks ago. Liam was a year older, only 13. I can’t imagine. It makes me think of that song where the young gal soberly sings, “To think that providence would take a child from his mother while she prays… is appalling.” It makes little sense… so hard to understand. This week Josh and I were speaking of where Liam may be now and what life might be like. The reality is — with each of our budding adolescents — that we can’t always control the questions that come. That’s a good thing…

I shared with Josh that I was fairly certain Liam was now free from his once ever-present wheelchair. Josh’s face lit up — thinking of his friend now running so wistfully and free. Josh beamed, and we laughed and smiled and thought of all Liam could do now that previously confined him on this planet. Those special needs kids are special people. Thinking I was on a celebratory roll, I said to Josh, “Just think… when you get to heaven, you won’t have Down syndrome any more!”

Josh’s joy immediately changed to a subtle scowl.

Realizing I may have been somewhat ambiguous in my parental encouragement, I attempted to re-address the situation and the ceasing of Josh’s joy. After all, at 12 years old, Josh is aware he has Down’s (just like he’s right-handed and has blonde hair) but it has never seemed significant to him (just like being right-handed and having blonde hair).

“You don’t care that you have Down syndrome, do you?” I humbly but directly asked.

No response. My affirming attempts were failing fast…

“Josh, I’ve never seen you care about having Down syndrome. Do you care?”

At that point, my delightful young son looked me straight in the eye and said loudly, “I do care!”

I was a little surprised. It has never seemed to bother him before. There are approximately 400,000 Americans with Down syndrome, and Josh has always embraced this delightful community. But before I could quickly offer any seemingly intelligent articulation behind my thoughts, my wise young son spoke again, “I do care. I like it! I like the way God made me.”

Once again this young man who has taught me more than any encyclopedia or advanced college class ever could, put life in perspective…

So many of us when experiencing perceived misfortune, focus on that perception; we focus on the misfortune — on the negative — on how we are different in ways that appear to many to be bad. We begin to think of ourselves as “victims,” focusing on what we don’t have as opposed to what we do. We then may become quickly paralyzed in that mindset, allowing our victim status to prompt additional unhealthy responses, such as bitterness, judgment, or feelings of entitlement.

One of the zillion things I appreciate about Josh is how he doesn’t see his disability as a negative. He has never allowed what the world views as misfortune to negate the joy nor purpose of his life. I’d like to tell you that such is also the result of incredible, humble, parental encouragement.

Well, maybe… maybe a little… It’s actually the way God made him.

Respectfully…

04/20/2014

the body

I have studied the world’s religions. Granted, I am no scholar, but I have invested extensive, intentional hours researching Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, etc.. I must confess: the study is fascinating. Add to that Judaism, the Bahá’í Faith, New Age Movement, and atheism, which also serves as a religion for some.

Amidst the years of study, there is one aspect that continually causes me the greatest pause…

Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha, meaning “the awakened one” and the leader of the Buddhist faith, died somewhere between 400-483 B.C. (the exact timing of his death is disputed).

Muhammad, the founder of Islam, considered by Muslims as the last prophet of God, died in June 632 A.D.

Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith, died in May of 1892.

Hinduism has no identified single founder… neither does Judaism, the New Age Movement, nor atheism.

The point is that there is no religion other than Christianity that claims a resurrected leader. Every other religion either boasts a leader whose body has decayed in some sort of tomb — or has no leader, thus existing as an established system of organized, human-created concepts. There is no disrespect in that statement; rather, it’s a statement of fact. It is therefore my sense that the reason so many have worked so hard for centuries to discredit the resurrection is because it’s the one aspect that no other religion can ever claim.

Remember that with the exception of atheism, all of the religions mentioned above agree that Jesus Christ was a real person who walked this planet. Most all also acknowledge that Jesus was a wise man who had a special relationship with God. Their response to the resurrection? Mostly silence, as the resurrection has not — and cannot — be disproved. Jesus appeared to many after his death, and his body was never found.

On this Easter, let me offer an exchange from a respected author, Josh McDowell, whose original goal was to actually disprove the validity of the Christian faith. He worked tirelessly to refute the life and teachings of Jesus Christ…

A student at the University of Uruguay said to me. “Professor McDowell, why can’t you refute Christianity?”

“For a very simple reason,” I answered. “I am not able to explain away an event in history — the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

Please note that the Intramuralist will always advocate respect for each person’s faith and point of view. We are each entitled to that. Let me also point out, however, that respect does not equate to accepting as equally true.

Respectfully…

04/16/201404/17/2014

live strong

The images were poignant. Somber and silent, the nation paused on Tuesday to honor the fallen and remember the day. No, April 15th was not cause for revering the IRS’s massive, annual tax collection. It marked the one year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing, a day in which tragedy heartbreakingly took over our TVs, as more than 270 were wounded and 3 persons died… Martin Richard, only 8… Krystle Campbell, 29… and Boston University student Lingzi Lu, age 23. MIT police officer Sean Collier died 3 days later, allegedly also at the hands of the bomber.

Former Boston Mayor Tom Menino, who is currently battling his own serious health issues, stood boldly before Tuesday’s reverent crowd, sharing the following: “Now, I know some of you can’t hear me very well, and it’s not just because of the fancy way I talk. It’s because you lost some of your hearing that day. I want you to hear this solemn promise: when lights dim and cameras go away, know that our support and love for you will never waiver… We will never forget what this day means to you… this place will always be strong…”

Strong. “Boston Strong.”

Then it donned on me… what makes us “strong”? People love that word. They love to speak it, say it, and use it to describe someone they admire. “You are so strong,” we enthusiastically affirm. But I’m struck by what actually makes us “strong.” Note that it typically isn’t an idea, issue, or some polarizing policy approach. No… I get the keen sense that anything that makes us “strong” is not accompanied by any division or derision. Such disharmony does not equate to a strength.

I think of NFL coach Chuck Pagano. Only 3 games into the 2012 season as his first year as head of the Indianapolis Colts, Pagano was forced to take a leave of absence after being diagnosed with a cancer of the blood and bone marrow cells. As the season without him began to evolve, so did the inspirational movement that carried the Colts into the playoffs. As both fans and momentum amassed, they cheered and chanted and repeatedly hash-tagged “CHUCK STRONG!” … “Chuck Strong…”

What made them strong? An idea, issue, or policy approach? No way. In the wake of tragedy, we are once again united — on an issue in which there is no so-called “other side.” Tragedy unites us, as it causes us to recognize and prioritize what is truly most important.

Years ago I read the perplexing but simultaneously peace-giving, divine promise that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him. Truthfully, that concept is sometimes a little hard for me. It’s challenging to see the good embedded within trials and tragedies that are so grievous and make seemingly so little sense. We would wish those heartaches on no one.

Yet when we witness such a resilient response such as in Boston and Indianapolis, we begin to grasp a glimmer of where some good may actually exist. Without a doubt in those two cities, there is a strength that otherwise the people would have never known.

Yesterday I quietly pulled out my favorite Starbucks Boston mug in which to drink my morning coffee. It tasted good. It felt good, too.

Respectfully…