BE The Change you want to see in the world ...

I am loving all this activity in political arena lately.  It has been a healthy distraction for me . 'They' say never talk religion and politics, but those are often the most interesting subjects, I think.  The key to being able to converse on the subjects of religion and politics is to keep an open mind and to be willing to listen to the points of view of others from the perspective of an honest interest in becoming more enlightened,broadening your mind and horizons so to speak.  I often try to put myself into the place of others in an effort to see where they are coming from.  And sometimes, let's face it:  you just have to agree to disagree.  Our differences are part of what makes this world so dynamic, varied and wonderful.   You can disagree with someone and still strive to find a common ground of mutual respect for one another' it takes a bit of effort, but it can be done. 

Mutual respect seems to something that is sorely lacking as the "Occupy Wall Street" movement has evolved.  When you lose sight of mutual respect all you are left with is a nebulous cloud of chaos and discord at best, and in a worse case scenario you are left with violence and destruction which serves no good end.  Once you start down the road to violence and destruction, you move the objective beyond free speech into revolution and potential anarchy.  I have to wonder if this where the "Occupy" movement truly wants to go and if so, to what end?

I suspect that those who are calling for violence and destruction on Wall Street today do not speak for the majority, but right now they seem to be the ones speaking the loudest.  Unfortunately, horrible things have been done in the name of group dynamics ... "group think" ... You don't have to look back far into current events around the world or history at large to find them.  So I urge you in the silent majority of the "Occupy Wall Street" movement to speak up, be heard ... be the lone voice of reason if necessary.  One voice of reason can make all the difference; sometimes, it just takes the courage of one man ... one woman, one child ... to speak up and lead, instead of merely continuing to be led.

"Moonlight Reflection"

@Copyrighted Photograph, 2011.  All Rights Reserved:  Isabelle Black Smith.

Well, today is still early morning ... late night.  So let us pause in the silence of the tranquil night, reflect, regroup and act towards a greater end.  Say "NO" to violence and destruction, and help the "Occupy" movement regain some of its credibility and direction.




"You must be the change you wish to see in the world"  ~Mahatma Gandhi 





You know, I have to wonder if perhaps a lot of what is driving the "Occupy Wall Street" movement stems from a lack of leadership at the presidential level.  It's hard to keep your morale up when you can't find work, you've got mounting personal and national debt weighing on you, your future and your children's future look bleak, our nation is no longer respected in the world as we once were and our own commander in chief is treating us as if we, the American people, are to blame for the current state of affairs in our nation ... stating that "Americans have gotten soft" ... "American have gotten lazy."   Now, more than ever, I think we need a strong leader with a clear vision for the future of America and an unwavering pride in our nation.  Perhaps the Republican field of candidates would do well to adopt "Pride in America" as campaign strategy?  It might just give them the edge that they need to surge ahead in the polls .... Just a thought.


12/7/2011 ... A friend of mine posted this in my ART group early this morning.  I Think that it fits nicely with my last thoughts on pride in America ... Pride in anyone's homeland.


"Breathes There The Man"


By, Sir Walter Scott


Breathes there the man with soul so dead
Who never to himself hath said,
This is my own, my native land!
Whose heart hath ne'er within him burned,
As home his footsteps he hath turned
From wandering on a foreign strand?
If such there breathe, go, mark him well;
For him no minstrel raptures swell;
High though his titles, proud his name,
Despite those titles, power, and pelf,
The wretch, concentred all in self,
Living, shall forfeit fair renown,
And, doubly dying, shall go down
To the vile dust from whence he sprung,
Unwept, unhonored, and unsung.