'Tangled' started as a doodle watching my news feed, seeing the anger, the intolerance, the lack of civility, rage and jealousy sweeping our country. In truth, so many are consumed by baser instincts that they have lost sight of our common humanity. Sadly, the smarter and better off we have become, the more we seem to have lost. The beauty of modern genetics tells us we may be a mixed pool, yet we all come from the same distant 'Eve'. Some might even say we are 'all equal in the eyes of our creator', yet as humans we know there is no intrinsic equality, no equity, no fairness; In truth we are born into a bell-shaped curve of possibilities parsed razor thin in all matter's human... health, stature, talent, brains, beauty, skills & aptitudes. Some are gifted far more than their 'fair share' be it with beauty, brains or athletic prowess combined, while others seem bereft of any talents save life itself. But in truth we are all human and our individual uniqueness makes for the delights of life itself. A caring spirit calls us to reach out to those less fortunate and celebrate those who can enrich or entertain us with their ingenuity and talent. To be human is laugh and sing or just smile as we look into a stranger's eye and yet see ourselves looking back.
If there be but two commandments, it's said the second is 'love thy neighbor as thyself'. Sadly, too many have no love of self, consumed by envy for those who have more and by what they are lacking in the pit of their soul. One might say, uncomfortable in their bark as they don't fully embrace who they are and the gifts they have been given, and the opportunity to pursue their dreams unencumbered. Our baser instincts needn't dominate, but it starts from being at peace from within and growing to embrace our common humanity. It's been said we are all but one link in a vast chain anchored in the dawn of time. Our ancestors have all struggled with the hope that tomorrow will yield to a better day for their children, free from the shackles of poverty, ignorance, hate and persecution, a chance at a better life in the American experiment. It's ours to choose how to fashion our link to a future generation of greater possibilities. As I look out from my porch, I see the dream of Dr King playing around the neighborhood: black & white, mixed race and adopted... a new generation and one hopes one on a better path to embrace his message of our shared common humanity. I have come to appreciate his vision with age. I have also come to know a forest is an organism made up of individuals, tangled, with each tree - its roots and branches - supporting the others against the buffeting winds. Clear cut a swath, and those on the edge of the forest will snap and uproot taking down one then two then scores as they fall. Each tree is supported by others, and others rely on their fellows to reach for the sun. It's a message that has been taught for ages, yet one mankind often fails to embrace. Maybe in the next lifetimes... among generations yet born, there is always hope despite our baser instincts that simmer below.
'Tangled' started as a doodle watching my news feed, seeing the anger, the intolerance, the lack of civility, rage and jealousy sweeping our country. In truth, so many are consumed by baser instincts that they have lost sight of our common humanity. Sadly, the smarter and better off we have become, the more we seem to have lost. The beauty of modern genetics tells us we may be a mixed pool, yet we all come from the same distant 'Eve'. Some might even say we are 'all equal in the eyes of our creator', yet as humans we know there is no intrinsic equality, no equity, no fairness; In truth we are born into a bell-shaped curve of possibilities parsed razor thin in all matter's human... health, stature, talent, brains, beauty, skills & aptitudes. Some are gifted far more than their 'fair share' be it with beauty, brains or athletic prowess combined, while others seem bereft of any talents save life itself. But in truth we are all human and our individual uniqueness makes for the delights of life itself. A caring spirit calls us to reach out to those less fortunate and celebrate those who can enrich or entertain us with their ingenuity and talent. To be human is laugh and sing or just smile as we look into a stranger's eye and yet see ourselves looking back.
If there be but two commandments, it's said the second is 'love thy neighbor as thyself'. Sadly, too many have no love of self, consumed by envy for those who have more and by what they are lacking in the pit of their soul. One might say, uncomfortable in their bark as they don't fully embrace who they are and the gifts they have been given, and the opportunity to pursue their dreams unencumbered. Our baser instincts needn't dominate, but it starts from being at peace from within and growing to embrace our common humanity. It's been said we are all but one link in a vast chain anchored in the dawn of time. Our ancestors have all struggled with the hope that tomorrow will yield to a better day for their children, free from the shackles of poverty, ignorance, hate and persecution, a chance at a better life in the American experiment. It's ours to choose how to fashion our link to a future generation of greater possibilities. As I look out from my porch, I see the dream of Dr King playing around the neighborhood: black & white, mixed race and adopted... a new generation and one hopes one on a better path to embrace his message of our shared common humanity. I have come to appreciate his vision with age. I have also come to know a forest is an organism made up of individuals, tangled, with each tree - its roots and branches - supporting the others against the buffeting winds. Clear cut a swath, and those on the edge of the forest will snap and uproot taking down one then two then scores as they fall. Each tree is supported by others, and others rely on their fellows to reach for the sun. It's a message that has been taught for ages, yet one mankind often fails to embrace. Maybe in the next lifetimes... among generations yet born, there is always hope despite our baser instincts that simmer below.