No Need to Fear?

I’m an avid supporter of the underdog, even when it comes to life on the Serengeti. I saw an animal show where five baboons chased down a baby gazelle. The babies aren’t much of a meal, but I guess food was scarce. The baboons played a gruesome game of Keep-Away, while the mother tried to rescue her baby. Finally, one of the baboons carried it up into tree. The mother stopped, looked around, and ran circles around the tree. Looking confused, she ran from one spot to the next, searching for the little gazelle. 

I felt like snatching the baby from the baboon’s mouth and handing over to its mother. But, there’s the other perspective. Maybe the baboons were close to starving. Life is hard for both sides. Consider another scenario. Who would you cheer for in this match up? 

                                          https://youtu.be/TBpu4DAvwI8  

   

Although the lions’ faces made me feel bad for them, I’m in favor of the men feeding their families.  Considering all the facts, the hunters did leave part of the kill for the lions, and they get loads of bonus points for their bravery. Kudos to the first guy who decided to use that hunting technique. In the presidential run-offs and elections, what key, underlying factors determine who you support?       

Say Something

Two songs, “Say the Name” by Martha Munizzi and “Say the Word” by Christy Carlson Romano, underscore the fact that words matter. You probably already knew that. Words encourage, words hurt, and as we’re seeing in the news, they can get you in a whole lot of trouble. Everyone’s talking, but rarely face-to-face. Instead we use Facebook, Twitter, and hordes of other social media sites. Some chatter is downright horrendous while other parts, like crowdfunding, is constructive. When little people start wielding words—watch out! Listen to this:         

                                       http://youtu.be/l-gQLqv9f4o

 Well, he has personality! That young man is going places and sharing his message with the world. Given the technology at our disposal, it’s never been easier to send a message to the pope, the president, or Pink. Just be careful what you choose to say. Remember the children’s rhyme about how sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me? Not true. Let’s be encouraging face-to-face and on the Internet. Perhaps there will be a pleasant message for you the next time you log on to your favorite social media site. What good news are you waiting to hear?

Heart Murmurings

I’m convinced it’s not too late for one more election campaign comment. In fact, this post has more to do with the 2016 election than this past one, especially since we’ve heard far too much post-election analysis already. In 2016, who assembles the questions the candidates answer in the debates? I have a question for the list, but you’ll need a little background information first.

Earlier this week, one of our kids had a mini-discovery about words. The comment was, “Tap is pat spelled backwards. This world is kooo-kky!” What!? I don’t know what led to that conclusion, but I can’t argue with it. Kids offer more insight and wisdom than we realize. For instance, let’s consider the past three months of news or just the past three weeks. Was there more kookiness in the news than usual? One of the online newspapers features a regular section on weird news and Anderson Cooper has the RidicuList. Are there that many kooky happenings? Possibly. Listen to this story:

                                        http://youtu.be/8H-u6t-QgZYeo

There’s one line in the video that grabbed me. The neighbor said, “It’s ridiculous when you look at it, but….” Focus on what follows the “but” because that’s the meat of the story. It represents the quiet murmurings of the heart where we get to hear a more logical explanation.   

Earlier I mentioned a potential question for the 2016 debates. (Drum roll) The question is: As a nation, are we kookier now than we were four years ago? Watch the candidates squirm with that one. here's toaday's question: Are we kookier now than we were in 2008? Why or why not?        

                 

Closing the Great Divide

The leaves took forever to change color and fall off the trees this year, so I colorized our surroundings by plopping a little mum in the yard. At first the plant stood straight and tall, but after suffering a brief assault from Hurricane Sandy’s wind and rain, half of the flower’s stems slouched sideways causing a split right down the plant’s middle.

Does this description sound like a metaphor for the country’s condition? As our battle-weary candidates awaited polling results, pundits debated about how voter choices underscored our nation’s political split. In the ballrooms where the term “haves and have-nots” took on new meaning, reporters captured the contrast between the party supporters’ expressions. While the haves celebrated and shouted for joy, the have-nots shed tears of disappointment and disbelief. In anticipation of a new presidential term, let’s put divisions behind us and focus on unity and cooperation. Take a look at how these people march to the same beat:

                                     http://youtu.be/s-poQaPPJbQ

It is possible to work together, even when it feels like we’re going in opposite directions. How does the country reconcile and move forward? Who or what will stand in the gap to close the great divide(s) that threaten our society?