Long story short, I didn't like who I was becoming. I was seeing the ills of society and of the government. I was becoming very angry and felt a great deal of hatred toward a lot of people. That is not who I want to be.
Make no mistake, there are a TON of horrible things going on and I honestly and truly believe that the Constitution has been run through a shredder. I believe there is nothing of honesty left in Washington or in countless other places. I truly believe that we are all digging our own graves and have little hope that things will stay as comfy as they are in this country.
That being said, after studying the New Testament, I could no longer be that person. I couldn't live my life feeling such distain for President [sic] Bush & Co.
That puts me in an odd spot. How do I, knowing and believing all these things, NOT scream from the mountain top and shoot laser beams out of my eyes? How do I bring about change and still maintain my soul? This is not rhetorical. If anyone has ideas, please share them with me.
I've started reading The Power of Positive Thinking and am enjoying it fully. I got a few other girly books about one's soul from the library to check out. I really need a big change. Living life full of anger and stress is no way to live. Stress will certainly do me in as sure as anything, unless I figure out how to get rid of it. That is my goal for the year.
4 comments:
Think globally act locally. Don't try to change the big world - focus on changing your little corner and try to inspire others to change their corner as well. Eventually all of the corners can connect to fix the whole. Write your congressperson, vote in all elections, not just the "big" ones. Become active in local government.Remember the serinity prayer. Make no mistake change is coming. Some good books to check out- any thing by Robert Fulghum. Start with All I Really Need to Know I Learned In Kindergarten.
One of my favorite stories is in the Book Of Mormon where Moroni is the captain of the army and they are a wicked army and losing and so he quits. And we all can understand why he quits, heck we would too. But then he rejoins them and becomes captain again, because he realizes he can only do anything by working through the establishment, even if the establishment is wicked and doomed to failure. I guess he felt it was better to work in the flawed system than sit on the sidelines and do nothing. I always keep this story in mind.
Let me try to give you a view through a pair of 62 year lens.
I remember well both elections when Dwight Eisenhower was elected president. The 1950's truly were a peaceful and tranquil era. Yes, the "Cold War" was always in the background but we really believed our leaders were sane enough to keep us safe.
As a young adult, I saw society seemingly turn upside down. While I was in the military service in Germany during the 1960's, I kept hearing and reading about this alien movement going on back home. Peaceniks, hippies, weed and other drugs. What in the world are they talking about, I thought.
I soon understood that much of this unrest was caused by our involvement in the Viet Nam war and the flagrant lies and deception from the Johnson administration.
I also believe this is the beginning of the secular progressive wave that is so pervasive today. Up to this time, America was a very patriotic and religeous nation.
After Lyndon Johnson came Nixon. He was a much better president but squandered everything with his covert attempt at burglary.
When Nixon resigned, Ford was elevated to the office. I can't say much good about him. He allowed America to be disgraced when the North Koreans captured one of our naval vessels and held the crew captive.
Ford didn't last long and Carter was chosen to succeed him. Carter, in my opinion was probably the very worst president in my lifetime. His pacifist and inept attitude and administration allowed other nations to walk all over us. It was no coincidence that when Reagan was elected, our hostages were immediately released from Iran. Reagan instilled a sense of hope in our nation that I had not seen since the 1950's.
Bush the elder succeeded Regan. His was a rather not memorable presidency. I felt he was vicously maligned by the press for one simple sound bite.
Clinton succeeded Bush, probably because of that on sound bite. I believe that Clinton, more than anyone else, is the catylst that polarized this nation to the extent we are experiencing today. It was he that showed the nation that lying under oath is OK. Infidelity is OK. Basic moral values that we used to hold dear no longer meant anything. Hollywood and the other secularists were all to eager to approve and glamorize his decadent lifestyle.
Now, as ex presidents, both he and Carter are violating a long honored tradition of not campaigning or talking ill of other presidents and candidates.
America is a resilient nation however. In spite of everything that seems to be not going the way we would like, America does and will survive and in the process probably become better for it.
What we're experiencing today is by no means unique to this generation. If you have the opportunity, read the writings of the 20th century political humorist, Will Rogers. His humor is every bit as relevant today as it was back in his time. We certainly could use his type of humor today rather than the vitriolic attacks that are so prelevant today.
So, stay informed and active and above all, try to maintain a sense of humor in all things.
And most importantly, pray to our heavenly Father to give our leaders the insight to govern us as He would approve.
I really appreciate everyone's comments. I just feel despair when I realize how corrupt the system and the government are. Our country has been sold to the highest bidder. One cannot even have faith in the voting process anymore.
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