I’ve always enjoyed watching sunflowers at different times of the day. It’s interesting how they move, toward the sun when it’s bright and inward when it’s not. Until reading this Thursday Thought quote, though, I didn’t understand that they were teaching us something.
We are surrounded by people we touch and we don’t even know we’ve affected their lives, as today’s Thursday Thought quote points out.
To get us ready for tomorrow, I thought it appropriate to send you to the HufPost’s Four Thoughts for the Fourth. This short article points out what the day actually signifies, how our people have changed since 1776, how the 4th became a real holiday, and what the [blank] fireworks has to do with it! I found it interesting and hope you do, too.
Happy Independence Day!
I did some people-watching on my shopping trip yesterday. What struck me was how often someone avoids eye contact or moves away from another person who doesn’t seem quite “normal.” I put myself in the avoider’s head, and this is what I came up with..
Who is that strange person? The smiley one who moves and talks slowly while cleaning the tables at the hot dog place. That scruffy-looking guy in the army fatigues asking for donations for veterans outside the grocery store. That strange old man sitting in Starbuck’s who keeps trying to talk to me when I’m in a hurry to get my morning coffee. The pregnant girl with all that black makeup—can she even be 15? Who are all those weirdos around me?
The answer is that they are people. Each is a human person with a story, a life, and, as such, each deserves dignity. Try having an actual conversation with them. You may be surprised at how interesting they are. Out in public like that, you’re certainly in no danger. The only risk you’re taking is learning that these people who seem weird can also be wonderful. In the process, you will have given them the dignity of being recognized as actual people.
I AM OUTRAGED!
Whomever is telling the truth, Christine Blasey Ford or Brett Kavanaugh, is NOT the issue. The Senate Judiciary Committee has treated both of them unfairly.
Ms. Ford was not allowed to present witnesses who would be subpoenaed to substantiate her claims under direct questioning and oath. Yes, some submitted short statements, but, as any attorney will tell us, that doesn’t bring out as many facts that in-person, under-oath questioning does.
Judge Kavanau may have benefited from those witnesses, because they may have contradicted each other or said something to prove his side when under the heat of direct questioning. He, too, did not present in-person witnesses which could have bolstered his side of the story.
On both sides, a thorough FBI investigation would have uncovered truths, half-truths, and inconsistencies. Or a history that made one or the other or both suspect. That’s their job–the job they’ve done for accusations made in past nominations. But the Judiciary Committee decided to take on most of that task themselves.
Remember that this is a committee that is supposed to be non-politically biased, like a court. Yet they were drowning in political accusations, blame, and verbal fights. Both sides had political motives. So how could they make an unbiased decision, especially without knowing the whole story that an FBI investigation would foster?
Why are both parties being harmed? Neither has actually had their day in court. Neither is vindicated. Neither has had their good name cleared. Both have had themselves and their families go through a demeaning experience in these hearings. These are people, not pawns.
And our country loses, because we’ve added a person to the highest, most important, citizen-protecting court in our land who will always be surrounded by a cloud of suspicion as he makes serious decisions that affect our lives.
Why would a delay of a couple of weeks–with a vote still before the November elections–have been a bad thing? Both of these people, and America, deserved it!
Feeling frustrated and fearful about a present world that seems hell-bent on destruction? Wonder why you bother to do little things to protect the environment and help people in need? That’s because all we hear is how bad things are. And that’s why I really like this upbeat, encouraging video that gives reasons we can and should be optimistic about our world.
(Note: The video takes a short while to load, and you’ll probably have to right-click on it, then select “unmute” to get sound.)
https://www.facebook.com/PachamamaAlliance/videos/10155967448238305/
I just learned of a program starting up in my area. It’s called Showers to the People. The organization has a mobile shower-truck that alternates among several locations. It parks and invites homeless people to come in and take a hot shower. The people also receive a hot meal and clean clothing.
This is so important. You know how you feel when you’re grungy and smelly and in dirty clothes after work, gardening, or whatever. You don’t feel “human” again until you’re cleaned up, right? People living on the streets or in their cars are no different. A shower, fresh clothes, and a full stomach pick up their spirits and allow them to endure another day of a hard life. It makes a big difference, too, for those who are searching for work–not only in presenting a fresh appearance but also in building their confidence so they have a chance at employment that will turn their lives around.
Showers to the People–a fantastic idea!
Even if you’re not a member of a faith that believes in the principle of Solidarity, for all of us it’s an important part of getting along in this huge world of ours. And it simply begins with getting to know other cultures. One way to do this fits in with what we do anyway. Go ahead and watch TV, surf the net, browse through the library, help the kids with homework. Before starting, though, choose a third-world or impoverished area you know little about (from Africa to Appalachia) and plan to learn all you can about its history and its people, including the hardships they face. Compare your own family’s beliefs and values with theirs. Make a habit of watching for newspaper articles and TV programs about that area and listening for news stories about it. But don’t be surprised when you start feeling a kinship with those previously unfamiliar people. That’s the idea; that’s SOLIDARITY!
We often don’t know what’s going on with people we encounter in the course of our day. So today’s Thursday Thought quote is good to keep in mind.
I don’t have a quote for today’s Thursday Thought, just a musing…something that I’ve been thinking about:
How can it be that someone who marvels and delights in the myriad colors and hues of various flowers don’t have the same attitude toward people?
Just wondering….
