Then I hit the mute button..

Six years ago this month I wrote the following article. For some reason, I ran across it this morning and realized I needed to say these things again. Not so much for my readers as for myself. In this post I state truths that I believe, but have not been practicing in recent times. I have "strayed from the path" so to speak. 

So many of the events taking place when I first posted this are occurring again today -- with additional people involved in them. Good news is that Bill Gates and Warren Buffett and their philanthropic organization The Giving Pledge are flourishing. The number of billionaires who have pledged to give half of their worth to charitable causes to improve the world has grown. If one looks at all the good that they and others like them working on behalf of the betterment of our world, their accomplishments far outweigh the actions of those we hear about in the media trying to promote the negative and hate that seems to run rampant in today's politics.

I am continuing my efforts to refrain from listening to and reading the worst of the news. It is difficult to catch what little news that does not cover the election campaigns or the atrocities of war taking place. I'll keep trying. But then I think of "nonresistance". I feel that sometimes I'm "damned if I do and damned if I don't". When I hear something now that raises my hackles or strikes fear in my heart, I try to let it just run off me like water off a duck's back. My version of nonresistance. Then I hit the mute button.

"..I'LL DEFEND TO THE DEATH.."

Lest some of you think from reading my last blog entry that I condone censorship, I must fall back on my French ancestry by quoting the famed philosopher/writer, Voltaire: "I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it."

(Photo of First Amendment [free speech] Zone at 2004 Democratic National Convention)

I was half-joking when I remarked that Warren Buffett and Bill Gates would be doing us all a favor by paying some of the more obnoxious people who's voices are so strident in the land today to "stay home and shut up." Of course, they have a right to speak their minds.. even when they are spouting lies and half truths, and even when they are advocating violence, as some do. If I truly supported censorship, I would not have suggested they "pay them"!

In light of this, I'd like to state that I am sorry if I offended any of my readers of this blog. I did not start this blog to be a forum for dissension or political debate. If some of my words create a need for such, I suggest these debates take place in a different forum, such as Facebook or one of the many political blogs already doing so. Or... you may start your own blog. I am happy to print your comments, but I will not be dragged into a heated discussion on issues that are important to each of us. My own opinions, as I am sure yours have as well, have been formed over many, many years of study, observation, and personal experiences.

I have suffered many experiences that would cause most people to view the government, law enforcement, and the "establishment" in general with much suspicion and indeed, fear, as so many seem to be doing today. I choose not to live my life in fear. I choose not to believe the "voices of doom" or the conspiracy theories so loudly proclaimed in our land. I choose not to believe President Obama or the current administration - whom I proudly voted for - have anything but the best interests of this country at heart. I choose not to view with suspicion people of color who may or may not be in this country legally. I choose not to believe that people of a different faith than mine are somehow unacceptable anywhere in this country.

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"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross." Sinclair Lewis, 1935
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I choose not to believe that rallies that are prone to incite violence and promote dissension are the way to solve the enormous problems we face in our country. The voting booth is my preferred way, and words spoken in an honest, calm, and deliberate way by me as well as the candidates I support.

I choose to believe in the edict issued by some religions to practice "nonresistance". What we resist, we do maintain. That is often very difficult to practice, especially in today's world. Carrying signs proclaiming the power of love is very different from those proclaiming anger, hate, and ignorance. As Mother Teresa said, "Let me know when you give a march for peace." Do not ask me to support a march to "take back our country", especially when many of those making these statements vow to "carry a gun"..and some blatantly do so.

I suggest that many of those would do better by arming themselves with facts and the truth of the issues they think they are supporting.

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Enough of that. I had a delightful visit yesterday with my "boys". We ate a huge "brunch", then - even with full stomachs - they decided to play golf anyway. Craig later returned and told me that they had a really "fun" game, putting aside their initial competitiveness about half-way through the 18 holes, and just plain old enjoying themselves. I wish I had been on the golf course to photograph them, but I located an older photo of another time they played golf. I might add that Matthew does not wear a beard now. (I don't think!) Craig, however, still does.

I am indeed a proud mom. We had some really good discussions, and I have great hope for the future of both of my sons. They are both intelligent, warm, loving human beings, who are raising children to be the same.

I love you guys,
Mom (Marilyn)

Butterfly Wings..

For years I saved a yellowed newspaper clipping of a short poem that began:

"Look small, into the wings of things.

Concentrate time.."

I've either lost or misplaced that little clipping during one of my many moves. I wish I could find it. The huge events taking place in our world today make me want to "look small" and "concentrate time" to only the present moment.

During the past year I have gradually strayed from routines that kept me in positive, optimistic moods. In going over some of my older blog posts, especially from a few years back, I realize I have changed. I no longer see the world events through innocent eyes; no longer am I able to readily summon my alter ego, Pollyanna. My spiritual and/or inspirational books lie gathering dust on my night table, only partially read. I've cut my daily devotional readings from several books down to only two publications. I have become more and more isolated.

I suspect some of the above have to do with growing older, coupled with physical ailments that limit my personal interaction with positive people. I am most thankful for the technology that has brought instant contact with others through our many devices. It doesn't take the place of personal touch and interaction, but it is reassuring to be able to reach loved ones quickly and easily. However, these devices come with drawbacks. The computer and television keep us connected not only to friends and loved ones, but also to the world at large. Therein lies my problem.

"BREAKING NEWS"

I have become a news junkie! Sights and sounds from everywhere in the world are always at my fingertips. Morning, noon, and night I watch the TV broadcast and PBS news.. Thank goodness, I don't have cable. I would probably keep the news channels on all day, and never get anything done. When the TV news is over, I turn to the Internet. Wow! News is always available -- faster there than the broadcast news can present it.

I have tried to limit my news intake. I have wonderful "good news" sites I read to break the hold the often dreadful happenings around the world have on me. In the U.S., the presidential campaigns of the past year seem to monopolize the news, and draw me back in to practice my addiction. The campaigns and the mass shootings that have been taking place here and abroad can traumatize one with the violence and hatred being transmitted on a daily basis. Particularly now in the election campaign being run by the GOP candidate. The world thinks we are crazy to have someone like him running for the highest office in the land of the most powerful country in the world. Personally, the things he says makes me believe the man is a little bit (maybe a lot) crazy himself.

"Whoever relies on the Tao in governing men

doesn't try to force issues

or defeat enemies by force of arms.

For every force there is a counterforce.

Violence, even well intentioned,

always rebounds upon oneself."

...Tao Te Ching

When I recently was sent a political email by an old classmate who is obviously a Trump follower, I found myself going into "attack mode". What is happening to me? I discovered a partial answer in an article by George Lakoff, a cognitive linguist, Understanding Trump. 

It seems, according to Mr. Lakoff, it has to do with our brain circuitry. According to his research, we each have "two moral worldviews that in general contradict each other" characterized by the neural circuitry in the brain. In other words, a conservative may have some progressive positions and a progressive might adopt some conservative opinions. According to Lakoff, these two are linked together by a common neural circuit he calls "mutual inhibition." Apparently, the language one hears (or reads?) activates one or the other, strengthening it...and weakening the other.

Here it gets interesting. "..The more Trump's views are discussed in the media, the more they are activated and the stronger they get, both in the minds of hardcore conservatives and in the minds of  moderate progressives.".."This is true even if you are attacking Trump's views....It doesn't matter if you are promoting Trump or attacking Trump, you are helping Trump."  (He's a Braineater!)  In other words:

"What you focus on, increases."

Yikes! No wonder I've been in such a pessimistic mood lately. On the one hand, Trump keeps pounding his message that the country is going to hell in a handbasket, and on the other, his detractors (including me) are incessantly reminding us of the doom we face if Trump is elected. No wonder Trump is everywhere! What we don't need  is more Trump. I must begin to mute every mention of Trump's name on the TV news, and skip over articles that give every detail of his every move and tactless blunders. Fat chance, huh? Maybe I won't need to bother if it's true what many pundits are saying -- that Trump is on his way out as the GOP nominee. 

Mr. Lakoff's article explains the Trump phenomena in great detail. It gives one pause when we are listening to any candidate. It explains a lot how dictators such as Hitler and Mussolini rose to power. I encourage you to read it, no matter how you view yourself, conservative or progressive.

I added a couple of my devotionals to my reading today. I feel better already. As for "time", the present moment is all we have. To all my dear friends and loved ones, even when I'm not blessed with your physical presence, I spend time with you in my thoughts and prayers. I dedicate this song to you. 

Peace and love,

Marilyn