House of Cards

Balance, is askewed in my life lately. As so often happens with many of us, I have allowed work of one kind or another to dominate. It is probably because I like the work I choose whether it is teaching, painting, sewing, gardenening, cooking or writing. Nevertheless, I am reminded that when I view these activities as work within their structured and goal-oriented nature, I relegate them to my workaholic tendencies and create an imbalance that I want the rectify.
In the painting, House of Cards, by Charles Hunt, a group of children are balancing cards into a tower. This is an activity in futility to those of us who are goal oriented because no sooner will the cards stack up than they will come tumbling down. But that is the point. The children take time to discover the care they must use to place each card which ensures the tower's position and contiuned growth. In the end they will joyfully knock down that which they so painstakingly built. It is a lesson in balance in more ways than one.
Without balance, we become boring and not only tire ourselves, but those around us. What can keep us from this wretched prognosis? Perhaps we can stave off the duldrums wih exploration for exploration's sake. This idea gives credence to "art of art's sake" and any other creative practice indulged in for its pure essence, whether it be travel, poetry, music or simply seeing.
Playing a trivial game with our family or dearest friends becomes more significant in the interior beauty of our lives than any successful business merger or ambitious accomplishment. A sunrise, the silent and yet monumental moment of new promise when viewed without expectation for the day's events, enlivens all who participate in its arrival.
Balancing the cards of my house for the pleasure of the doing is a child-like enjoyment I intend to pursue.

What are you Growing?

     In his newspaper article, Deflection cannot hide the guilt, Leonard Pitts Jr. reminds us that the climate we create with words and media does impact our individual hearts even if psychologsts say they do not inflame unstable people into hateful acts, like the recent Arizona shootings which killed six and left Rep. Gabrielle Giffords critically wounded.    
     He states, that the violent rhetoric of hate ". . .was not the seed, but was the soil," and yet the guilt from their angry words prompted the need to make excuses for such verbal brutality. To my thinking, this indicates the personal responsibility our words carry. 
     Words have energy. To truly show remorse for spreading malevolence, it would be wise to choose carefully the energy our words promote.

Gripped by Fear

This blog is in response to comments about the tragic Arizona shootings. What can we tell our children in response to such situations? What does this say about our country?

Our nation is gripped by fear and anger these days. These attitudes are fueled by those prominent speakers who voice violence and feed stable and unstable people's anxieties. Yes, this country has many serious issues with which to deal and much depends on the cooperation of others for successful conclusions to our difficulties, yet the path of weakening our resolve from within with heavy doses of hatred is not an effective way.

          How can we make our country calmer and more rational? The freedoms in the United States were established to ensure the continuous development of this nation. Today, Americans need to  learn to be less reactionary and more responsible to secure our progress. Individuality is a concept and privilege which is written into the fabric of the United States. Our country's sense of order is based on ideas of individual freedom and rational thought promoted through the educated populace. History can verify that the pivotal point of success begins with attitude, individually and nationally. Loud, obtrusive voices unsettle confidence and create irrational thought using unbalanced perspectives and emotional triggers to incite others. This is no way to build a nation; rather, these tactics tear it apart. Each individual is responsible for what they say and do and our own intelligence tells us that freedom cannot stand without personal responsibility and integrity at its foundations.

Building up our country is what is needed. What can we tell our children and our students when citizens take vigilanty tactics to promote their own agendas? Tell them that the words they speak have power—power to build or destroy. Irresponsible leaders and public figures as well as those who choose to use their liberties without considering their responsibility to the well-being of others can be destructive. We can tell our children to choose their words wisely. Teach them to ask, "Is what I am about to do or say what I would want for myself?" The Golden Rule is a principle of healthy living that is being ignored. When we remove any concern for the other from our heart and mind, we impede justice for all.

Be truthful and gentle and cautious to act.

Where did we lose the ability to act mindfully? If we forget we are individuals within the whole we separated ourselves from the means to make ideals realities. It is not just about me, but it is about us who live, work, act and think amongst others. To live this successfully we must consider the other as important as ourselves and reach consensus in our decisions and actions. What happened to "win/win" solutions? Are they being killed by greed, fear or just thoughtlessness?

Fear, anger, greed, one-sided perspectives, and dishonesty cannot build up. Our educated, intelligent citizens can rebuild this country with each thoughtful word and action that comes from a self disciplined heart. The only successful and lasting change comes from that self-controlled place. Let us open our eyes and hearts and see that revolutions, assassinations, violent speeches and acts lead to devastating results, whereas: truth, consensus, and responsible actions will help heal the nation and instill in each of us the courage to do what is right for the rebuilding of our country.

Do we want to choose to go on destroying ourselves through this inhumane rallying of people to causes using hatred and rash, reactionary tactics, or are we ready to examine ourselves, individually and nationally and act thankfully for the privileges we have in a country where we can speak and create situations which are good and reasonable for all?