You know, like when there is a spirited election coming up and the two candidates have radically different approaches to solving public problems. There is always someone who will smirk and say "All politicians stink, that's why I don't bother to vote." When someone says that to me, what I actually hear in my head is "I don't know right from wrong, I don't want to think about the issues, so I am just going to act like nothing matters. I hope you think I'm cool" I don't.
It is easy to be distrustful and negative. Life is simpler if you tune out the noise of the modern world. The hard part is listening to all that noise and trying to make sense of it. The truth is, life is complicated and requires a certain amount of intellectual rigor to figure out right from wrong. Mainstream American culture encourages citizens not to think. The more passive we are, the more compliant we will be. Don't fall for it.
This is why we are thrilled by heroes. They seem to have thought long and hard about right and wrong. They are incorruptible and keep going when the going gets tough. They take a stand. They DO things. They give us hope, and inspire us to be our best selves. Doesn't everyone want to be a hero? If not, why?
Here's a sweet little piece from an Emily Dickinson poem to help us all recharge our batteries:
We never know how high we are
Till we are called to rise;
And then, if we are true to plan,
Our statures touch the skies—
Returning (but not back) from my three month sojourn in lala land, I find it wonderful to engage with the world again. I've realized, though, that back there was the land of the obese, the racists, the bullies, and I simply did not care to care about social ills. As little as I do, it's something. Just think, what if everyone voted.
ReplyDeleteYour health concerns and healing process are paramount right now. But yes, what IF everyone voted?
DeleteThank you thank you thank you for writing this down. I just read it out loud to Roger. Could you hear us clapping and shouting out our thank yous? What a time we are living in. Discouraging and heartbreaking, but yes, we must rise up to the skies.
ReplyDeleteI thought I heard something! Ha. Thanks, Robin.
DeleteIf nothing else I believe that my vote reminds those elected that I am watching. Do the job right or my next vote may not go the way they hope. How's that for cynicism?
ReplyDeleteThat's not cynicism! That's standing up to be counted.
DeleteSometimes hero's inspire me and sometimes make me feel inadequate. (but that's my thing to deal with) Always though, there is something to learn - a good take away to clarify purpose on this human journey.
ReplyDeletePurpose is a while other topic to consider. The kind that wakes us up in the middle of the night.
Delete"A phrase used by a Roman writer to deplore the declining heroism of Romans after the Roman Republic ceased to exist and the Roman Empire began: “Two things only the people anxiously desire — bread and circuses.” The government kept the Roman populace happy by distributing free food and staging huge spectacles."
ReplyDeleteThings haven't changed much have they?
People don't like to think hard about things, even myself at times. I just recently turned down an opportunity to add my signature to a letter being sent to the human rights watchdog in my province, complaining about treatment of staff by the medical director. I was scared. Scared it would make me life awful. Scared of retribution. And that made me feel awful as well. I didn't stand up to a bully because I have to work with him everyday. Which sucks. The working with him and my own fear.
I'm not that brave of a woman.
I love the quote. I'm concerned that you work for a man so awful that you are afraid of him. I hope the human rights watchdog in your province does something about him. If there is an investigation, you will have a chance to speak your mind privately and safely.
DeleteWhile I have never missed a vote, I admit I have stop donating any money for political races, choosing to now donate to people and causes that politicians have screwed. I suppose that's a type of cynicism but I look at it as eliminating the middle man.
ReplyDeleteI do think that much of our problems are because we are no longer asked "to rise". Generations before us made personal sacrifices to help the common good and it made them stronger. Today people seem so self centered I'm not sure what they will ever "rise" to or for. (Sorry, more cynicism)
Good point about not being asked to rise these days. Food for thought.
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