Hi. I made it through November 11th (for this year anyway). I didn't disappear into some super-phantasmagorical realm or something to that effect. How do I feel about it? It wasn't really that big of a deal, now that I have the benefit of hindsight.
Worrying over something so trivial got me really thinking over the weekend: I'm scared. I'm really, REALLY scared. There are days when I feel like people are messed up to the point where we/they can no longer be straightened out.
In the past month, I listened to a bunch of people run campaigns about getting back to "values," and then proceed to spend millions of dollars to run someone else's name through the mud.
I've listened to too many news reports about the who/what/where of Tomas Crazy and his hypnotized/mind-melded fiancee's wedding; who will sing, how much her dress will cost, blah, blah, blah.
I've silently cheered at a young woman's choice to divorce the trashy, flea-bitten parasite whom she should never have married in the first place... only to then be blackmailed by same parasite if she doesn't give him more money. And I don't even like HER.
I've seen all those steps that women like Gloria Steinem paved for young women -- to be taken seriously, to be seen as human beings and not objects-- flushed down the toilet, because it's ever so much better to be sexy and act like a bimbo.
I've read tons of blogs about people obsessed with celebrities, obsessed with themselves, obsessed with ANYTHING that makes you feel good, no matter what the human cost.
And I have to be honest... I'm really distressed (quelle surprise). I worry about my kids and what they'll have to endure. I worry that NOBODY ELSE worries about what really matters anymore.
Yeah, sure... I freaked out about a number. A little bit. When it came right down to it, it wasn't on my priority thought list. It was a funny, little freaky thing that was more entertaining than upsetting.
I'm a lot more freaked out about where we'll be in a couple of years if all our country can do is to pit red states vs blue states... or push the blame for society's ills on to the "Scapegoat of the Year" .... or God forbid... allow Jessica Simpson to make another movie.
What I wish for... what I truly want... is for people to reflect upon what really matters.
...to give a little break to that idiot who just cut you off in traffic, who maybe isn't the arsehole you think she is... maybe she's not there to make your life difficult. Maybe her life is hard, too.
...to consider donating to or working at a safe house or soup kitchen... instead of griping that you have to serve both turkey AND ham at Thanksgiving this year to appease everyone.
...to stop making everything out to be a conspiracy and find a way to work together toward a common goal.
...to smile at that punk kid who skateboards over your lawn, because you might be the only person who shows him any sign of kindness today. And because you wouldn't want to live in his house.
We don't have to come together and sing Kum Ba Ya... but we do need to figure this out. Little things could make such a difference. So, why don't we do them?
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13 comments:
You have some very valid worries.
I often think if I were looking at our country from somewhere else in the world, I'd understand why they think we're at the least nuts and at the worst, assholes.
We are so spoiled that we need soap operas 24 hours a day just to keep us entertained. And if we can't get them on the TV we'll make them up in our own lives.
PS - I must admit I am someone who calls other drivers names when they cut me off, but lately I've been trying to give them good excuses for doing so, like, he's going to visit his sick mom or she's rushing to give her child it's lunchbox, unless of course it's someone driving an SUV with a soccer ball magnet on the bumper; D
i totally agree, especially on the politics point. We may not have "red" and "blue" states here but we certainly have politicians who are more interested in finding the quick way to the top - i.e running their opponents through the mud, making noise over sensationalist topics, etc, rather than informing people about what they really intend. I get so annoyed when the people with power use it to make descisions that are popular or easy over the decisions that are best for the people they are supposed to represent. They say arms-dealing and manufacture is the most corrupt industry - politics would have to be running along right behind it.
that said - Australia has to be one of the best places to live (politically speaking... and lots of other ways too) in the world.
It's hard to remain calm and poise when the world is spinning out of control around us. I can only imagine the feelings when you have kids to worry about...
So many people talk about "wanting" to help others, being good, etc. and actually do nothing but think of themselves. We are way too selfish, too self-centered to take the time to be kind, if only to say thanks; so forget about giving others a break or to smile. THe intentions might be good, but the actions aren't quite there... sadly enough...
I can't comment on politics and I admit that I use the f word a little too much in traffic, but I'm all for spreading the love. I heard someone say once that smiles are free but very valuable, so why not give them away?
And I do have quick comments on 3 of the little things:
1. NO MORE JESSICA SIMPSON MOVIES! PLEASE!
2. I'm not a big fan of the Pop Tartlet, either, but yay for Fed-Ex shipping out!
3. Glad to hear you survived 11/11. I left to go to watch my brother march in the parade in my hometown and guess what time was displayed when I turned on the car? Funny.
I fear that we'll have peace in the Middle East before Papa Joe lets Jessica Simpson stop making movies. Hee.
Seriously, though, lots of good points.
Aww, this post is so nice, DCMM! I agree. And I'm just as guilty of focusing on the crap as everyone else. Incidentally, how are you enjoying The Thirteenth Tale? Borders made such a big deal over its arrival, I can't help but be curious.
Amen Sister...and I don't mean that in a Red State or Blue State sort of way! The world our kids are growing up in is increasingly bizzare, corrupt and self-absorbed, but it also has the potential to be whatever we make of it by the way we choose to live our lives.
Well said.
Is this the problem?
...me and all my friends
we're all misunderstood
they say we stand for nothing and
there's no way we ever could
now we see everything that's going wrong
with the world and those who lead it
we just feel like we don't have the means
to rise above and beat it
so we keep waiting
waiting on the world to change
we keep on waiting
waiting on the world to change
it's hard to beat the system
when we're standing at a distance
so we keep waiting
waiting on the world to change
now if we had the power
to bring our neighbors home from war
they would have never missed a Christmas
no more ribbons on their door
and when you trust your television ...
looks like john mayer has invaded yet another blog :)
I always had the same problem with 11:11. As a kid I had a dream that Baltimore would be blown up by a nuke on 11/11/2001. I never gave it much thought until 9/11 happened, then I freaked out and took a few days off work. Luckily, it was all for naught, and I just got a vacation.
You kno, no doubt I have my celebrity faves, too (hello, George!!) but I'm with you about this OBSESSION. Remember the days when People magazine used to be abuot ordinary people doing wonderful things? I loved those days. All these people who are getting famous for doing nothing scare me. I mean it. I was SCARED when I went to the Cabaret premiere here by all the people who think they're something. ALthough, if I'd known Polanski was there, I would have gone hunting for him, just for a peek. But by that stage, I just wanted out!
I admire your post. Too often we forget that we're not the center of the universe, that someone else's day might be just as bad. I often have to remind myself of that, so I don't go batshit on someone.
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