This past week has been somewhat of a blur. There are so many monumental events happening in the world today, and I think it’s very important to be aware of what’s going on around us. It’s easy for many people to be far removed from events, because their effects haven’t come knocking at those individuals’ doors just yet (let me reiterate “just yet”), but events that affect humanity should, in actuality, connect and affect us all.
I must say that I haven’t been glued to the internet and television in excessive amounts of hours upon hours, but I’m highly aware of what’s been going on, and it’s heartbreaking to see injustices perpetuated upon certain groups of people and no (or a lack of) ramifications or negative consequences imposed upon those in error. But, this world has carried a lifetime existence of such occurrences. And I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of it, since this world is full of soulless, heartless individuals, who continue to forward their agendas of hatred throughout the ages.
But, I’m encouraged that there’s always a chance to improve . . . to do better . . . to effect changes for the positive. And, we can all start at home — with ourselves and those around us.
When we look back at the beginning of 2020, I think most of us were quite hopeful for the new year rolling in and were fixated on all the resolutions and goals we’d set for ourselves to pursue over the course of the year. Of course, there will always be high expectations for new plans, because it almost feels as if you’re on the verge of entering into a new phase of life. Exciting stuff.
But, I’m sure none of you planned for a pandemic (I know I didn’t), the crumbling of infrastructures, world tensions and unrest between countries, senseless acts of violence upon people who were helpless to fight back, social unrest, and all the other life-altering influences we’re dealing with on a daily basis. Are you feeling any newness of life right about now?
It’s a lot to internalize. And, some of it I have to guard my spirit against because it’ll tear me up inside. See, I belong to a group of people who have received the brunt of hundreds of years of mistreatment in the country in which I live — a people who have dealt with injustices ever since we we’re brought over here in slave ships. My family is among this group of people — a people who are constantly profiled, handed unjust weights, and hindered. And, my husband and I are one of those couples (out of many) who’ve had to have talks with our children (at a young age) about how to conduct themselves when they leave the house because it could mean their lives.
Not everyone has these experiences and you may not understand the frustration that some people have, but let me assure you that it’s real. I didn’t even intend to type out the words I’m typing in this post today, but the old heartstrings were tugged on a bit too hard today. I had a totally separate title ready to go and content ready to share, but “Know Your Platform and Audience” just didn’t quite do it for me today. Maybe next Monday.
Anyway, I’d been pretty quiet up until now, but eventually deeply-rooted sentiments come out. Don’t they, for you? So, I’m just sharing, therapeutically writing, tamely getting some things out in this post. It was necessary for me to do so, so I can get on with my regularly-scheduled programming.
No. Seriously. I don’t think there’s going to be any serving up “the usual” anymore. At least, I hope not. I think the public outbreak of social unrest, on the backdrop of COVID-19, has put the world in an unprecedented place in world history that can’t be ignored. Business as usual will no longer do.
And as I’m typing this up, I’m reminded of the many times that reformation has been on the verge of breaking out only to fizzle out under peoples’ short-term memory banks. We get so easily distracted and lose momentum when fighting the wrong-doing or assisting others during catastrophic events that affect humanity the world over. Once the dust settles, then we seem to settle down and settle in. No, we just seem to settle.
We might eventually say things like “Okay, I guess that’s good enough for justice served.” Or say something along the lines of “At least something was accomplished. Something was done about it. Now, let’s move on.” Well, unfortunately, not everyone gets to move on in some cases. There are a lot of people hurt and not just hurt temporarily when horrific things happen. They hurt long-term.
Furthermore, I’m not one of those individuals who can separate herself from the hurts of mankind just because I may not be personally suffering from those same hurts myself. I feel the pain of others just as many people do. I feel the anguish and despair of my ancestors so long ago and can only imagine the dreadful existences (at the hands of heartless people) they experienced day-in and day-out. I can feel it, because it still resounds loudly in 2020. Slightly different methods of hatred taken out on a group of individuals, but the same diabolical outcome. I understand the plight of my people today and am highly aware of what’s going on from a natural and a spiritual perspective.
And my thoughts are this. Things are changing. I don’t believe that the status quo is going to work anymore. Not for many of us anyway. I also know that change starts with one person — Me, myself, and I. If we could all look at life that way, then I think we wouldn’t feel so helpless and inept to affect change in the world. We don’t all have to be world leaders and celebrities to do something about the mess we see going on in the world. We don’t have to be all things to all people either. We just need to start looking from within and fixing what we have amiss in our own lives. Then, we can start reaching out to our spouses, children, our neighborhoods and communities, and so on.
Change starts with each and everyone of us, even if you’re not specifically affected by the world events surrounding you. Wait a minute. Let me take that back. I think EVERYONE was affected by Coronavirus in one way or another and it’s not over yet, people. I don’t care how much our countries have reopened up their systems. The plague (as I like to call it) is still around, so don’t let short-term memory syndrome settle in. Wake up!
Everyone is affected by something and whatever that something is that’s shaking your foundation, it’s time to figure out what you can do to move the pointer further in the direction of a positive outcome — not just for you but for all affected. I don’t know what your thing is. So I say, figure it out. And do something about it.
And what I just stated was not for the hate-mongers out there. I’m ABSOLUTELY NOT talking to you! You’ve already chosen your path, but be prepared to be the minority. I think those of us who want to help people instead of hurt people will rise up bold in this hour we’re living in. I also think that those of us who want to see some righteous justice and judgment done on this earth will start seeing some of our prayers answered in a major and on-the-regular way.
CONTROL WHAT YOU CAN CONTROL!
THIS TIME IS THE SEASON FOR CHANGE!
degreesofmaternity.com 
Too many adults are stuck in their ways and their prejudices, but kids are not, so starting with them and trying to raise a whole generation of them seems like the only way to really teach people to love each other. My mom laid the foundation for me, so I’m just hoping to be able to continue and expand on her work and hope that one day there will be a generation full of love instead of prejudice.
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Kat – you are always such a breath of fresh air. I appreciate your words more than mere words can truly express. Just knowing that there are people out in the world (like you, dear lady) who are starting from within and with teaching their children appreciation for life and the opportunity for others to live their lives rightfully and peacefully. You’re so spot on in making sure you raise up children that have a heart for people. I also strive to do the same in my household. And if we do that much, we do well. Thanks again for your kind and encouraging words.
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It hurts my heart so much that this is going on right, that it has to happen right now because there’s still so much intolerance and prejudice in the world. I grew up in a large, diverse family and attending a diverse school, so I learned to appreciate and love the differences between people. They were bright and happy and such beautiful people, and not one of them talked about the prejudices others held against them, the specific ways they had to conduct themselves in public. I wish it had been discussed more so I could be aware of it, but at least it has come out now so I can teach my children better, to teach them to love others regardless of any differences, to stand up for and beside everyone, and to fight to end intolerance.
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