Very few bat an eye these days at the violent, negative, and
often-times sexually explicit messages and images that inundate us daily, but
you smoke one cigarette in public, and everyone goes ape.
I had to kindly explain the meaning of the word ‘acquiesce’
to an alleged-adult the other day, who in turn told me to ‘chill-ax’ with ‘all
those fancy words.’
We’ll march ourselves, children in tow, into the streets in
order to protest some cause that quite frankly doesn’t affect us in the long
run (unless we allow it to do so), but don’t offer our kids much in the way of
spiritual or moral guidance.
Is it just me, or does our society suffer from misplaced
priorities?
I ask the question because it seems as if we’re dumbed-down
and hyped-up on all the wrong things. We know the names of every Kardashian (who
seem to multiply like head lice), but can’t recall the names of our founding
forefathers, the twelve disciples, or the Rat Pack.
We can certainly point fingers and blame public education,
the media, or changing times, but it really boils down to one thing: us. We
simply must step it up, Sweeties. We’ve
become too lax and too forgiving of behaviors that don’t serve our society
well.
But I do believe there is hope for us and for future
generations, and it most likely will only take a tweak or two…
Turn of the television
and pick up a book.
Get to know your
neighbors as well as you know the Kardashians.
Stop looking for the ‘big
bang’ and realize the ‘big bang’ occurs during those simple times.
Listen more, talk
less.
Express yourself
through your words and deeds, and not with body art and unflattering clothes.
Go outside and sit
quietly for a few minutes each day.
Love and accept others
no matter their ethnicity, culture, religion, sexual orientation, or political
leanings.
Help a creature in
need.
Living fully, correctly, and enjoyably doesn’t have to be
difficult. It’s all about taking ‘pride
in ownership’ when it comes to our lives.
It’s about keeping ourselves positively productive. It’s about surrounding ourselves with uplifting
and entertaining individuals – even those who may live differently than
you. (Side note: tolerance and acceptance are big in my book,
and I’m blessed with many friends from many walks of life. Try it, you may just like it!)
If you found today’s musing a bit harsh, that’s okay. You may, in fact, be fed up with my
oh-so-elegant rants, and that’s fine, too.
Go forth in peace and stay ‘chill-axed’.
I’ll be in the corner with a few like-minded souls who take pleasure in
the little things and can communicate at-or-above a seventh grade level.
And I won’t even mind if they’re smoking while doing so.
Beth Newman
Newman Image
Look, feel, and LIVE your absolute best!
