Lessons from my childhood prepared me for coping with GWB

[democrank]

Early this morning I was sitting on the porch staring out at the stillness. When I glanced toward the compost pile on this very first day of 2007,I thought about the possibility of making something good out of something gone bad. It`s a notion I have fiercly held onto after a childhood of abuse and neglect. It`s what saved me then and it will save me now as I struggle to cope with the cruelty and neglect of George W. Bush`s policies. My childhood taught me that people who hold power over you can sometimes do horrible things, but what they can`t do is rule your soul unless you let them.

I still believe there`s power in hanging a lost mitten up in the Post Office or in carrying a bag of groceries out for an elderly person. I can pass on goodness by genuinely thanking the attendant at the laundramat or helping the stock clerk pick up cans that dropped from his heavy carton. I can bend over and greet a child or shake hands with a Vietnam Vet. Most importantly, I can continue to believe in the power of people caring about people.

There has been a bombardment of criticism against "bleeding heart" liberals, as though working for peace and lifting others up are shameful, unAmerican activities. Some in the media and in our government have tried to foster the idea that true patriotism comes in only one acceptable form.... the choice of brute force over diplomacy. Like chest-puffers are the mainstay of American democracy and the rest are riffraff. When fear is used as a weapon to alter thinking or behavior, pretend it`s a boomerang....grab hold of it and send it back with a firm "no thanks." That`s what civil rights marchers did. That`s the way of Veterans for Peace.

This year I won`t be concentrating on media stories about Rosie O`Donnell or which candidate won the Most Gravitas poll. I`m going to seek out more and more of the little people, hook up and hitch on. Together we`re a force to contend with, as George W. Bush will no doubt find out. It`s a beautiful thing....making something good out of something gone bad.

[peacebird]

1. Beautiful. Thank you for posting this.

:hug:

[terip64]

2. Honored to be the 5th recommendation!

[Sydnie]

3. Inspiration for all of us at the beginning of a bright new chance

New Years day always brings a new chance. A chance for shedding the old skin of things unrealized and begin again. We would all do well to heed your words and follow your example in our own lives and at our own local level.

Thanks for the inspiration this bright new day. I like the light reflected from your new skin very much. I can't only hope that mine can shine as brightly to inspire someone else as you have inspired us. :hug:

edit - typo

[InvisibleTouch]

4. K & R n/t

[H2O Man]

5. On seeking out the little people .....

"If I could persuade myself that I should find him in a Himalayan cave, I would proceed there immediately. But I know I can not find him apart from humanity. ... I claim to know my millions. All hours of the day I am with them. They are first and last, because I recognize no God except that God that is to be found in the hearts of the silent millions." -- Gandhi

[Kadie]

6. Thank you.

Beautiful. Great way to start of the new year.

:hug:

[Jeanette in FL]

7. Thank you, as well

I hope that I can follow your example. Excellent thoughts. I can truly relate to what you said.

Great Inspiration. Thank you and Happy New Years to you.

[Tommy_J]

8. You have warmed my heart.

Thanks for that.

[rosesaylavee]

9. I like that first metaphor...

Let the composting phase of this administration begin!

My heart is proud to 'bleed' with you and others here on DU. Happy New Year!

[MasonJar]

10. Great thesis for living a good life. Do you remember "To Althea,

from Prison" by Richard Lovelace from high school English? "Stone walls do not a prison make/Nor iron bars a cage./Minds innocent and quiet take/That for a hermitage./If I have freedom in my love/And in my soul am free,/Angels alone that soar above/Enjoy such liberty." (Last stanza)

[NanceGreggs]

11. Well said!

:kick: and Rec'd!