And we are put on earth a little space, that we may learn to bear the beams love.
William Blake
It's difficult to be hopeful in the current climate of distrust, opinions and passions. Freedom comes at a cost but sometimes not the black and white price tag we've known. Let me say this before I even begin; I am authentically thankful to live in this country, please understand that my gratefulness runs deep. But if we want freedom, we can't pick and choose what freedoms to condone without questioning our belief system. Yes, morals need to be involved. Morals based on scientific facts, true data and last but not least, compassion for all individuals. Humans are very powerful creatures and it's scary to see that clearly. We have the power to give life and take life. To heal and to torture. To oppress and set free. The question is, are we willing to take the risk of what freedom has to offer?
I certainly don't have answers. The crisis at our borders has become increasingly intense and complicated. Politics has used this, yet again, to play the powerful we/they games to manipulate people into taking sides. And of course what I hear from truly caring people is, "surely there has to be a better way". I, for one, have ideas and opinions, but no answers. Is it possible that people who are legitimately concerned could sit down and discuss the issues in a civil manner? Is it possible to find common ground?
When Obama was in office, I read a great deal of hate speech towards him, tons of skewed interpretations of his policies and many personal insults about his life. Me being the "love your enemies" person found the views and comments, particularly on social media, infuriating. Then, at the time of the '16 election, a friend asked me if Trump became president would I practice what I preached. Huge question; loaded question! Putting it mildly, my opinion of Trump is certainly not favorable. However, I believe I am willing to put my subjective view of him aside in order to find some sort of peace in times of troubles.
A few weeks ago I served jury duty. The person on trial was arrested for a DUI. Yes, he was drunk, yes, he was in his car but the clincher is, he was not driving. there is no proof he was driving, no one saw him driving. He was sitting in his car, at a gas station, in the front row, sleeping it off. He was arrested because the assistant manager of the gas station saw he had been there for hours. She even went outside to see if he was okay. He gave her the thumbs up. But after a few hours she called the police, they came, gave him a drug and alcohol test and arrested him. Did a friend drop him off at his car after a night of partying?
A friend of mine told me that she had been at a party drinking on a Saturday night. Feeling she shouldn't drive home, she called an Uber, went to her car to get her purse, and a cop showed up. So did the Uber. But because she had her keys in her hand, she was arrested and had to serve time. Let me reiterate, she WAS NOT driving. Yet because our laws can be so screwed up, she was still arrested, still served time. You may not believe it, but it's true. And such is the case with this person who was on trial.. After three hours of deliberation, and three people not sure about the person's innocence, I told the other jurors that we could continue to fine tooth comb this, but I was not able to find the person guilty of drinking and driving. Final answer! Within five minutes we came to a not guilty verdict.
The moral of that story is, things aren't always as they seem AND sometimes laws need to change. Sometimes we need to invest our time and thoughts rethinking things that appear "black and white".
Are people afraid to open up to different mindsets as opposed to staying in their own version of reality? Is it ego? Is it hanging on to something they feel will offer them personal security?Are some not able to see beyond the world they know and love? I don't get it. This whole crisis truly concerns me on so many levels so I had to vent. I don't think it will do any good, or put a dent in anything. But it takes the load off my mind, if only for a minute. Choose wisely, watch your words, don't let fear decide for you! Most importantly, always move towards love! Best advice I was ever given. It's not safe, but it's good! And there ya have it.
“Aslan is a lion- the Lion, the great Lion." "Ooh" said Susan. " Is he-quite safe?" ..."Safe?" said Mr Beaver ..."Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. ”
― The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
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