thoughts on the news of the day: opinions

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            Keith Obermann aired his final broadcast on MSNBC last night, the Presbyterian Church is being sued over a sexual abuse case, and the state of Vermont has chosen not to  appeal the ruling that gives the right to display religious sayings on a state vehicle license plate.  All controversial topics.

            As a rule, I generally try to stay away from controversial topics; most every one has an opinion about them and this column is probably not going to change many minds.  But the question is: would I really want to?  I have lots of friends who live on many broad points of the political spectrum; they span from the very liberal to the quite conservative.  Even in my own family, some spouses find themselves adamantly on very different planes and they invariably cancel each other out at the polls.  I love the variety of the different points of view that inhabit my world. 

            I prefer to be the leaf that gently floats down the stream, going with the flow so to speak.  It’s gentle and peaceful and it generally gets me where I want to go.  Many folks aren’t like that.  They love to stir things up.  There is room for both positions – and there is a time for both.    A time to tear down and a time to build up; a time to throw rocks and a time to gather them up; a time for war and a time for peace. Now is your time, what will you do with it?

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thoughts on the news of the day: rope

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            What are the ten best places in America to work for in 2011?  Fortune Magazine asks that question every year.  This year the top winner was a company called SAS.  When asked why people love working there, a manager said: “…I would argue that people don't leave SAS because they feel regarded — seen, attended to and cared for. I have stayed for that reason, and love what I do for that reason."

            I am also fortunate and privileged to work for one of the best “companies” on the planet.  It is a place where I feel empowered, esteemed and loved.  Oh, sure you might say, “You work at a church.”  Well, I know from first hand experience that churches are not always nice places to work at.  Sad to say, but there is backbiting, manipulating, and unfairness even in Houses of God. 

            Right now, all over America, jobs are being downsized, employees are being asked to do their jobs with less support and less resources and in some cases less pay.  My daughter is a teacher in Texas and the legislature there has drastically cut education funds affecting even small school districts like hers.  You probably have friends who have similar stories, you may have one yourself. 

            You might be at the end of your rope. But if you are, tie a knot on the end of it and hang on; it will get better, it always does.

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thoughts on the news of the day: apologies

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            Alabama Govenor Robert Bentley proclaimed to the audience at Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church that only Christians were his brothers and sisters.  But yesterday he apologized for saying that and vowed to work for people of all faiths and colors.

            It’s hard to say, “I am sorry, I made a mistake.”  But in order to change and to grow, we must occasionally apologize for errors we have made.  When we are in authority, it is an even much more difficult task to ask for forgiveness for our blunders.  Parents occasionally goof up and have to say they are sorry to their children.  Teachers slip up with students.  Political officials sometimes report inaccurate facts or make decisions that do more harm than good.

            But the measure of a person is their ability to face mistakes and offer atonement for sins committed.  The first step in the process is to become aware of the error.  That is sometimes problematic.  How do we know we were in the wrong when we thought we were so right?  How can we change if we aren’t even aware?  How do we admit to mistakes that we don’t even know we made?  To Governor Bentley’s credit, he listened to what his advisors, the media and his constituency were saying about his blunder and he made a change. 

            We all make mistakes; we all need loving friends to point out those mistakes to us.  Who in your life will always tell you the truth no matter how bad it hurts?  Cultivate that relationship, it will help you grow.

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thoughts on the news of the day: unplugged

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            It may be time for another media fast.  Several years ago, I put away my television and all my other electronic media for a few months and sort of unplugged.  It was an interesting experiment and one I might repeat.  The biggest surprise to me was that I really didn’t miss that much.  Once I adjusted, not only did I not miss my favorite television shows, I really didn’t miss much of the real news of the day.  Even when the tsunami hit, I was well informed by the news I read and heard from friends commenting on the disaster. 

            I am thinking about it because I read an article this morning about a mom who “unplugged” her kids.  Susan Maushart wrote a book called, “The Winter of Our Disconnect” in which she describes life without electric gadgets for herself and her three children. The Experiment, as she impressively called it, took place over a six month period.  Much of what she found out is pretty predictable: the kids were more communicative, did more things together and read more.  All good things.

            Now, maybe a total electronic fast is not for you.  But you might try a night or two without the television blaring and the iPhone beeping.  An amazing peace came over me when I “media fasted” and it’s a peace I am craving once again.  Dare I give up television for Lent?  It’s coming up soon … anyone out there want to join me?

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thoughts on the news of the day: more kindness

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            It’s a true story you will probably read soon in your email inbox.  It will have an Fw. in front of it and you will almost delete it before you read it.  It goes something like this:

            A three year old toddler was murdered by the mother’s live in boyfriend but the child was placed on life support in order for the organs to be harvested.  The grandfather of the child desperately wanted to be at the daughter’s side when the machines were turned off and booked a flight in order to get there in time.  Finding himself at the mercy of long lines and security issues, he realized he would be late in boarding the flight.  Most likely he would miss it.  No one at the airport seemed to be sympathetic to his plight.  But when he arrived at the gate, to his amazement and relief, the pilot of the flight met him at the plane and said that he needn’t worry, the plane wasn’t going anywhere until they boarded it.  In a bold act of kindness, the pilot risked reprimand but had held the plane for take off until the grieving grandfather had arrived. 

            Kindness is what we do.  We think that acts of kindness are unusual and random, but really kindness is what we are made to do.  Our Spirits were given certain traits such as faithfulness, joy and patience, and being kind is listed among them.  Birds sing, flowers grow, and humans are kind. It’s just the way it is.  So, today, be who you are, be kind!

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thoughts on the news of the day: ponies

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            It would be simple to take the easy way out today.  Commenting condescendingly about Ricky Gervais harsh and insensitive so called humor at the Golden Globes last night would be a no brainer.  He is after all the antithesis of what this blog tries to be all about:  kindness, positive thinking and spirituality.  Getting on my high horse would be not be difficult.

            But, I have to admit, in some ways, the Golden Globes show last night was a snapshot of our world today.  The meanness that pervades the world, the lack of responsibility and accountability among those who have national media exposure, and the unfair riches that are bestowed upon an elite few are some of the ugly truths that come to mind. 

            Then it occurred to me that, duh … life is not always about light and love and little butterflies floating along.  There are harsh realities in the world, like poverty, war, anger and cruelty.  Life is not fair.  Bad things do happen to good people.  Death comes to pass.  We have to face those truths.

            My hunch is that Ricky Gervais doesn’t care so much about all that though, and maybe that’s the difference.  Meanness exists in the world, but it doesn’t have to be glorified.  We don’t have to honor it with animated movies, prime time TV shows and talk shows disguised as hard news.  It’s hard enough living through it, glamorizing it is just wrong.  I still say it’s true: “We may regret many things in our lives, but we will never regret having been kind.”  And that’s a pony I’m gonna get back on and ride.      hmmm…..

thoughts on the news of the day: beauty queens

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            Miss America 2011 was crowned last night.  A 17 year old young lady named Teresa Scanlan from Nebraska won the contest in a rapid and focused airing on television yesterday.

            Now it’s just another 2 hour reality contest, but I remember when it was an evening long EVENT.   Always held in mid-September, it came about the same time as the new television shows and new cars. All of us little girls held our breath that night, waiting for the announcement of who would win the crown.  We had slumber parties and dressed up, inventing our own contests to see who would get to walk down the runway to the tune of “There she is, Miss America” always sung by Bert Parks.

            It never occurred to us that it might be accused of being superficial and exploitative of women.  No, we just thought that it was cool that someone young and pretty would be recognized for their talent and their beauty.  After all, boys had their football, why couldn’t we have a contest, too.  Today is different; women have so many other avenues of recognition that putting on a swimsuit and being judged seems almost archaic.

            Thank goodness for all those who forged a path for those of us who came later.  Whether it be doctor or lawyer, minister or even beauty queen, we can be grateful to all the women before us for the beauty, the grace and the brains that they possess and were confident enough to use.  Thank you Miss Americas and thank you Bert Parks!

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