A Few Random Thoughts To Ponder

Dearest reader, I must apologize.  I feel as of late I just use you to vent.  I feel I must rant again tonight.  I am so frustrated with politics being infused into every part of our lives.  It has long been a pet peeve of mine when famous actors/singers use their position to spout their political views.  Do not get me wrong, I am a FIRM, let me emphasize again, FIRM believer in our First Amendment rights to freedom of speech.  I have been known to defend vile speech I don’t agree with because it is a person’s right to voice it.  However, I do not think it is right to beat us over the head with it.  Are you an actor?  Is your job to act?  Or are you a politician?  Pick one.  Unless your name is Ronald Reagan, I suggest you stick to the former.

That being said, my frustrations are similarly piqued by artists and craftsmen I follow on Facebook and/or Twitter who do the same thing.  I feel like I’ve had a bait and switch pulled.  I followed you because your bio said you blog/tweet about crochet (or whatever it is).  It did not say that you were going to continually thump your political drum…daily.  Multiple times a day.  Once again, please pick one, or at least be up front about it.  I understand there maybe newsworthy events you feel you need to lend your voice to.  I’m cool with that.  Let your opinion fly.  Please just do it once in a while, while keeping your content on point as advertised (I would like to point out that my blog was advertised as RANDOM so haha!  I have cart blanche). 

With that, I would like to give you some insight on how I see the world.  First and foremost, I think history is important.  I think it vital we know and understand was has happened in the past.  One of my favorite quotes is “Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it.” -Edmund Burke (to clarify George Santayana said, "Those who ignore history are bound (or doomed) to repeat it”).  Bottom line – LEARN history.  Heed the lessons already learned.  Be original and make an original mistake!

Secondly – I don’t know about you, but I have enough to say grace over.  I am way too busy running my life to be up in your business.  Similarly, please keep to yourself.  If you don’t have enough to do and you are tempted to dabble in my life, get a hobby.  I would like to clarify that I feel it is also our responsibility to take care of our neighbor.  I define our neighbor as the person near us.

Let me give you an example.  Not long ago I was in a mall department store.  When I’m dealing with “new” stuff (aka boring stuff), I’m on a mission.  I am there for what I need and I’m outta there (antique stores, DSW, and Hobby Lobby are completely different stories).  I was on point and headed toward the objective. As I passed a rack of clothing I saw a small child whimpering and looking distraught.  I could have walked on by and minded my own business.  However, I knew this child was in distress, so I stopped and asked her if she was okay.  I got a sobbed “No, I can’t find my mom."  We’ve all been there.  One moment Mom is there in the store, next minute she’s gone, which then causes us to panic.  So I introduced myself to the child, asked for her name and what her mother looked like.  I had a height advantage and thought maybe I could spot her over the rack of clothing.

No such luck.  Time for plan B.  An employee with an intercom was needed.  I asked the little girl to take my hand and told her we were going to get an employee to help us locate her mother.  Long story short, just as the enlisted employee is about to make the announcement, I heard the little girl’s name being called and saw a panicked mother walking down the aisle.  I got her attention and mother and child were reunited.  

Was helping this child a big deal?  No.  I was simply helping my “neighbor”, lending a hand to someone close by in need.  Was this a situation to call the police (i.e. involve the government)?  No.  This was a situation that could be quickly resolved with some common sense.  Did I admonish the mother for doing such a poor job as a mother for losing her child?  No, it happens to the best of us.

If you’ve stayed with me so far, you know I’m gearing up for a point (okay points…I warned you, this is random, but trust me…these are all connected).  Here it is: 

1 - Freedom of Speech is important, but politics doesn’t have to be in everything you do.  Do tell me what you are an expert in.  I follow you for a reason.  

2 - Mind your own business.  We don’t need the government to regulate everything.  We are all adults (some of us just need to start acting like it).  We can all be responsible human beings and look out for our neighbor WHEN they need help.

I will close this blog and get off my soap box with a quote from our jelly bean lovin’ former President, Ronald Reagan.  “Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.”

Until tomorrow - Melissa