Today I see and hear so many intelligent, professionals... ..and renowned public figures... ...with all their intellectual knowledge... ...and with all their worldly observations... ...and yet they seem to lack the ability... ...to form strategic and effective plans... ...that would successfully win the humanitarian wars. The wars created by humankind... ...and also by natural disasters. And so the battles continue over and over... ...with the same outcomes... ...as if it were all designed this way. But why and for what? Well profit of course. That's no secret. It has always been this way. Perhaps that is how the world of business works. I mean if we as citizens, were to end the cooperate powers that be... ...then where would that put us? We the people? Without creature comforts and modern conveniences, that's where. Oh, I get it... Me too. Guilty as charged. However, a certain, shall I say', more sensitive ideology... passionately "feels", that we need... ...to get back to nature first. They feel that nothing can be done... ..without a healthy world to live in. Hmmm? Valid point. And we need to feed and protect the impoverished of the world. Ummmm? Another good point. I believe that is what Jesus wanted us all... ...to do. To take care of each other. Our brothers and sisters. But another, shall I say', more reserved ideology... ...believes, that we all must take care of ourselves first... ...before we can take care of anything or anyone. I personally think, as a centrist and independent... ...that neither ideology is misrepresented... ...and that but both are factually true. Perhaps it is a matter of which action to take first? Should we take care of ourselves first? So we can be secure in our efforts... ...to get the job done? Or in love and compassion... ...should we take care of others first... ...so that the rewards from of Good Will... ...can give us the spirit to do more for... ...those who cannot take care of themselves... ...and that has very little or nothing at all? Most of us here in this country, by the majority,... ...as citizens, have so many blessings... ...or priveledges as some may prefer to say... ...where our cup runneth over... ...and, in fact, we have more... ... then we could ever need. No, I am not referring to only money. I am also referring to the very basics... ...water, food shelter. How blessed are we? Everyday! To have all that we need, to have life, and live well? But do we not have the hungry, poor, addicted... ...suffering, homeless, impoverished, abused... ...sick, hopeless, and alone... ...right here, at our own front door? Should we start over here? Or over there? Do we do both? At the same time? Well, that is outstanding and unselfishly. caring idea! But can we? Do we have the resources to give to all the world? So that all human beings may have what we have? "The Government Does! They Should Do It!" Yes, they do have it, and yes they could, but... When? Will they? Have They? Even if someone has the responsibility... ...to do the right thing... ...it is an expectation that we have... ...of them to do it. And don't be angrier than you already are... ...when humans do or don't do, what they should... ...particularly when they never have. Why have they never? Well, maybe they have. But no matter what they do... ...if they do... ..it would never be enough to satisfy... ...everyone's expectations... ...especially considering, that everyone... ...has their own ideas about... ...how things should be done... ...according to them and in the way... ... that it should. At least we may all agree on that. So two things that I must ask myself. Am I willing to give away most of all that I have... ..my possessions, and opportunities... ...that I have earned, or have been given to me... ...so that others can have the equity... ...and equality that I say... ...that I want for them? What am I willing to sacrifice? My new car? My college scholarship? My nice home? My clothes and jewelry? Hmmm? Maybe I could just share my home. ...open my doors and take down my fences... ...so all are welcome to move in when they choose to... ...and give freely all that I have... ...with those who have very little... or nothing at all. Welcome, all who flee from dangerous and oppressive, environments? But if we really wanted to do this, then why haven't we already? So the idea behind, the ideology of, ..."We must take care of our own first"... ...is another question. How can we give away,... ...what we don't have, to give away? No, I am not referring to all the advantages... ...and resources that we have. I am, however, referring to, self-will, mental health... ...cognitive fitness, emotional stability... ...energy, time to spare, and, yes, the money... to buy supplies and medicine... ...for all the people in need... ...around the world. It is clear, to me, that... ..."We Must Take The Very Best Care Of Ourselves First... ... To Give The Very Best Care To Others!... Now there are millions of folks around the world ... ..that actually does roll up their sleeves... ..and leave behind their loved ones, and creature comforts... ...to live and work among those suffering... ...and in great need, around the world... ...In some of the most horrific and dangerous... ...places on earth. All Kinds Of Humanitarian Professionals With Careers That Serve People. International Volunteer HQ Peace Corp U.N. Volunteers VSO (Volunteer Services Overseas Go Abroad.com Global Volunteers Global Vision International Habitat For Humanity Save The Children Doctors Without Borders Mercy Ships Green Peace Red Cross And on, and on and on, So imagine all of this money and all these accumulated donations? Why then, do we have the poor and suffering right where live? Can you imagine how many Billions and Billions of dollars that is... ...generated annually? GEEZ! No, I am not going into Government waste spending... ...or greedy corporation corruption... ...even that is a story post topic I won't make... Although I could easily! Not Today Satan. So yet another question is... ...that may appear as very insensitive,... "If You Had A Choice To Feed A Child... But You Only Had Food For One Child... Would You Feed Your Own Child First? Or Give The Little Food You Have... ...To Another Child Far Away? "Oh, Clay!" You're Just Trying To Complicate Things! Your Twisting It All Around... ..Because You Don't Care!" Ok, so what your saying is that I don't care... at all? Or as much as you do? But I ask again. What have you given up? What have you sacrificed, or were willing to go without... ...in your own world of comfort and convenience? No, not only 50 cents per month to feed a child. So you can feel unguilty about all that you have. But are willing to go where the suffering is? To live in, what they live in? To roll up your selves and plant seeds? And/or dig water wells in the hot sun... ...and carry water? "Oh, Clay!, There You Go Again! Twisting Everything Around!" "Whose twisting the reality around here?" All your screaming at me is your own emotional denial... ...because the questions I ask... ...are about personal responsibility... ...and accountably... So my version of reality seems, more likely true... ...in my own opinion. And all the soapbox emotions... ...about how we neglect the world... ...and what it is we need to be doing about it all... ...is just a protesting poster sign... ...or a podium on a celebrity award show... ...where there are gifts for celebrities that cost thousands... ...while they give speeches about how the powers that be... ...do nothing and the people starve. "I bet that I could feed 10 families for 6 months with... ..the money it cost for only one award show designer dress... ...that will only be word One Time! Am I making this up or what? OMG! No, I'm not, because they are gleefully telling you... ...all of this themselves on the Red Carpet! LOL! "Well, Clay It's Better Than Doing Nothing At All Ya Know?" Yes, I agree, wholeheartedly, that's true... ...but you may be missing my point... ...and, Yes, my question was about... ...what we are giving away? But is only cutting a check-in alignment... ...with the glamourous stage speeches... ....about how other people are responsible and accountable? Are all the speeches and checks, for us to feel better... ...about ourselves... Or for the suffering to feel better? Ummmm, both I suppose. Yes doing good things for others... ..is a motivation to do more! But is this only apart of the solution? But I ask once again... ...what are you sacrificing of all your privilege? The privileges that you say, you don't deserve... ...or that you feel so guilty about? ..because so many have very little or nothing at all? Do you really feel guilty about driving a nice car... ...while on your way the way to go shopping... and meeting friends at the new trendy cafe? I am asking what are you doing to make the difference... ...by your own willingness to create equity... ..and equality so we are all as one? So as to know from personal experience the pain and hardship... ...and to feel first hand the joys of accomplishment, achievement,... ...and reaching goals, so as to see the joy... ...on the impoverished faces that we want to serve. "Well, Clay! I Don't See You Doing Anything Or Sacrificing Your Privileges!" True. But you also don't hear me loudly that I wanted to... ...or that I should or could. "So See!? Your No Better Than Me!" "Well, I never said or suggested that I was, did I? Because I am no better than anyone... ...and I am only just one child of God, my creator... ..and what I have found is that a simple prayer to God... ...to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit... ...and ask in sincerity that The Lord please take care of them. Give shelter and safety... ...and provide them with food and medicine... ...give comfort to those who suffer... ...and who have very little... ...or nothing at all... For me? This is the most powerful way to serve anyone... "Oh Clay...What, A Cop-Out!...Mr, Holier Than Thou!... ...So You're Saying That You Can Just Pray... ...And Everything Just Goes Away! Right?" "No, once again, I am not saying that... ...nor am I suggesting that either. However, what I am saying is, that I don't feel guilty... ...or solely responsible... ...or emotionally compelled to do anything... ...other than turn to God for help... ...and accept his grace and will... It's not about being right or wrong... ...it's just a choice to be angry or at peace... ,...you may "feel" that you need to do something... ...but when I pray, I feel that I did... ...the most powerful something... ...I believe... ...because God can do, what I am not able to do... ...and through the compassion of Christ... ...I am able to do what I can do... ..and do far more than I could alone... ...together with my Lord and Savior... ...and do the very things that... ...that he asks me to do first. And as I had mentioned earlier in this story post... I must gather the strength, health,... ...mental and emotional clarity...... ...so as to know what to do next... Because if I feel that only "I" alone, must... ...fix and solve everything in the world... ...then I would not need God for anything at all... ...and all would be fixed and solved by now. "So Then Why Hasn't God Fixed And Solved Everything Wrong" "Well, if he did, then how would we know what is right... ..and what is wrong, if there was nothing to compare with? And what would we know? How could we learn... ...what love, giving, and compassion are... ...if we did not have an adversity to overcome? "Well, It Still All Sounds Like A Cop Out To Me!" "Of course it does. "If You Ask Me. This Story Just Shows How Jealous And Resentful You Are!" Ok. Go in peace... ...I do hope for you an open your mind... ..so to be still and rest... ...get out of yourself, and then return to yourself. Reflect, contemplate, and let go. It's a daily practice, my friend. But you have to be willing to do it." Before you can find out how freedom from surrender feels. BULLS---! YOU THINK I'M BUYING THIS LOAD OF CRAP! YOU'RE AN IDIOT! $#%@! *#&^! Hey, Look A Big Squirrel! What!? Where!? BAM! Ugh Oh! Where did that branch come from? And it landed right on this guy's noggin. What are the chances of that? Hey Man? Are you Ok? Can you hear me? Poor guy. He's just sleeping. He looks so peaceful now after all that anger. Glad I could help... NO! I meant to say that, it's horrible that squirrel knocked that branch down and Cold Cocked him! A lesson to us all. Don't wait until it's too late. Find some inner peace, before a squirrel drops a big branch on you. Thanks for letting me share again.
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AuthorHowdy there. My Name is Clay Burton. I was born in Galveston County, Tx in 1963 and have lived in Hitchcock Tx. for at least 40 years now. but only the past year or so I have become a very active volunteer in local community services here in Hitchcock. Categories |