Went downtown last night to celebrate the Fourth of July, Independence Day fireworks show with friends, and although I must say I had a great time, I couldn't help but wonder ...
Just like how Christmas is 'supposed' to be the celebration of the birth of the Christian Messiah (although its not at all what he wanted), Independence Day is the celebration of our independence from the foreign soils ...declaration that we can and WILL govern ourselves. Yet, it seems to me, the Fourth of July is more today about a show and a party, commercialized like Christmas has been. Has the American populous lost touch with or forgotten what it means to be an independent people celebrating freedom?
As I stood (with a beer in my hand) watching the fireworks display, I could feel in my heart a pride welling up. Proud to be an American. Proud to make the choices that remind me 'I'm free.' The fireworks are supposed to be a display of the battles fought to gain independence ...yet as I look around on the streets, behind me at the bar, and watch commercials on television, I feel a disconnection. What is this holiday now? A day off from work (for some); an excuse to party; a commercial convincing us to buy?
Don't get me wrong. I do enjoy the show, and hanging with my friends, but I can't help but wonder, "where is the pride? What are we doing here?"
Today's global scene is anything but order. The citizens of every nation have lost sight of what it means to be a part of the human race. The only race, it seems to me, is to be the first with and last without. Selfish 'anti-them' attitudes are prevailing over the cause of humanity ...and it scares me.
Not to borrow a pageant cliche, but where is world peace? Is it my neighbor's job to keep, or mine? Are we approaching an impasse where all things fail? Or, can we push a reset button somewhere and get back on track?
Just some thoughts. I'm probably wrong. Guess we'll see in a few short years. Oh, and by that, how does one prepare?
Showing posts with label today. Show all posts
Showing posts with label today. Show all posts
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
You and me and the rest of the world
The past (say, 10) years have been quite a learning experience for me. As I'm writing this, I'm trying to figure out how to start. I know where I want to go, the introduction is not quite coming to my fingers.
Mary had a little lamb ...no, thats not it.
I have involved myself in some open discussion social groups recently (and plan to continue them for a little while) about life, the choices we make and how they progress. I have noticed in these groups that too many people so easily blame others or the system for the sh*t that goes on in their life. Not that i just noticed it, but how rampant it is. Like no one is being taught personal responsibility anymore. Now, in no way am I saying I've got life figured out or am perfect in anyway (my ego has been stepped on a few times). What I am saying is, most of life's 'troubles' are not the fault of others, but of our own choices. I've made some really dumb mistakes in my time, but learning from one's mistakes is the best way to progress thru life.
Cause and effect: Science class in primary and secondary education teaches us that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. What I think is failing in the education of this property is people aren't being taught (or realizing) that it not only applies in the books, but also in life ...everyday. Every step we take, individually and socially, every breath we take, every decision we make, every action we involve has an effect.
Personal responsibility is realizing that effect, working thru the consequences, and learning as you go. When a mistake is made, we should be learning from those mistakes and not repeating those same mistakes. Do we blame others when things are going well? The vast majority of life's problems could be eliminated if responsibility was taken by each of us for the lives we lead.
Man, all this sounded so much more eloquent in my head, lol.
A challenge to the world:
Live life responsibly. Think before acting. Accept the consequences of your choices and actions. Learn from your own mistakes and the mistakes of others. Turn mistakes into lessons. As many mistakes as we all make, we should be good at this stuff by now. No wonder we aren't more advanced as a people than we are. It's too easy to say its someone else's fault.
Sorry, for the rant. Its just that some people's mentalities annoy the crap out of me.
Mary had a little lamb ...no, thats not it.
I have involved myself in some open discussion social groups recently (and plan to continue them for a little while) about life, the choices we make and how they progress. I have noticed in these groups that too many people so easily blame others or the system for the sh*t that goes on in their life. Not that i just noticed it, but how rampant it is. Like no one is being taught personal responsibility anymore. Now, in no way am I saying I've got life figured out or am perfect in anyway (my ego has been stepped on a few times). What I am saying is, most of life's 'troubles' are not the fault of others, but of our own choices. I've made some really dumb mistakes in my time, but learning from one's mistakes is the best way to progress thru life.
Cause and effect: Science class in primary and secondary education teaches us that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. What I think is failing in the education of this property is people aren't being taught (or realizing) that it not only applies in the books, but also in life ...everyday. Every step we take, individually and socially, every breath we take, every decision we make, every action we involve has an effect.
Personal responsibility is realizing that effect, working thru the consequences, and learning as you go. When a mistake is made, we should be learning from those mistakes and not repeating those same mistakes. Do we blame others when things are going well? The vast majority of life's problems could be eliminated if responsibility was taken by each of us for the lives we lead.
Man, all this sounded so much more eloquent in my head, lol.
A challenge to the world:
Live life responsibly. Think before acting. Accept the consequences of your choices and actions. Learn from your own mistakes and the mistakes of others. Turn mistakes into lessons. As many mistakes as we all make, we should be good at this stuff by now. No wonder we aren't more advanced as a people than we are. It's too easy to say its someone else's fault.
Sorry, for the rant. Its just that some people's mentalities annoy the crap out of me.
Monday, January 26, 2009
WooHoo!
Ladies and gentlemen ...
I have made some adaptations to the blogspot to hopefully make things a little more appealing, lol.
I've added a poll, which I'll try to keep up with, and a couple other gadgets, including a new template.
Some of you get this post by email because I put you on a list (got ya suckas), but I'd love it if you would go to the blogspot and check out the other blogs and gadgets. Let me know what u think. Comment. Lol, do something. Spread the word; there's a lunatic on the web and he's got his own blogspot.
Here's to hoping tomorrow is always brighter than yesterday, and today we have each other. SALUT!
I have made some adaptations to the blogspot to hopefully make things a little more appealing, lol.
I've added a poll, which I'll try to keep up with, and a couple other gadgets, including a new template.
Some of you get this post by email because I put you on a list (got ya suckas), but I'd love it if you would go to the blogspot and check out the other blogs and gadgets. Let me know what u think. Comment. Lol, do something. Spread the word; there's a lunatic on the web and he's got his own blogspot.
Here's to hoping tomorrow is always brighter than yesterday, and today we have each other. SALUT!
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