7/25/06
Back to Birdwell
This year I have been able to reclaim my before children persona...my inner Birdwell. First off I felt myself coming back...I felt my true self coming back. I have been collecting my scarves and head wraps again. I dyed my hair back to red. I bought a jaunty, very Birdwell hat. And darn it...I am even dusting off my soap box. I am sure this is freaking out my mom...she didn't much like Birdwell...she thought I was bipolar because I cared too much about the horrors in the world around me and I would be easily upset by them.
I have been reading a lot of biographies and documentaries. I also watched two really awesome shows, Shaking Hands with the Devil (about the Rwandan genocide that the world ignored) and the premier of The Messengers. I have always been the sort that wants to save the world--I have always taken world events personally. I definately believe if they can happen elsewhere...they could always happen here. But it's also hard...what cna I do..I am am just a Stay At Home Mom...I have a fmaily to look after...I can't stop the horror.
I really don't like getting on my soap box on my blog...I hate coming off preachy. But...so many other blogs are and why not share my views other than the vexations of a messy house. But I endeavor to keep the preach out.
Charity. I hate how hollow this word has become...when it fact it is a hallowed word. Charity is god's love...pure, unselfish, unending, non-judgemental love. Now the word brings to mind high dollar celebrity CHARITY balls, that really raise no money for the "cause," but just enough to pay for the event itself. Or giving a few dollars (if that) to a homeless person on the street or into the Salvation Army bucket at Christmas. In today's lexicon Charity is giving money. A hollow act that is shrouded in mystery. Who knows if that money we give is going to any one in need, but to a administrative heavy organisation that has an alterior agenda.
This beautiful word has become a pariah. Oh many times have we seen someone's lip curl when they say "charity-case?" We doubt the sincerities of the Charities. We give our "charity" but it does nothing...you don't recieve the that special blessing of selfless service and the reciepent, who knows if the money goes to him or to adminstrative costs.
Benjamin Franklin in his time was a very rich, powerful, well known man. Of all the founding father's he was the only one that dined the Kings and other world leaders..and today he is still more recognisable than all the founding fathers. He is known for his wisom, innovation, and giving spirit. He was the son of a candle maker. The very lowest of the low when it came to the trades...not even a merchant, but a poor tradesman. In that day and age, America was not known for the upward mobility that is known for today. You were born to a place in life and you stayed there. Most of the other founding fathers were born in the place that they ended up. Ben Fanklin owes his success in life to patrons...people that that saw a very smart, very hardworking, very good man and wanted to help him accomplish his dreams. They used their contacts to get him jobs in printing, helped him set up his own newspaper, helped him see the world. It may not be the true essence of charity--I am not sure if love had anything to do with it...but it was selfish and it was a choice.
I'd like to see that sort of system come back today. In no other time in history has our civilization been so free. As a whole, we are well fed, clothed, we have secure jobs...there is nothing that we need that we don't have. But along side that we still have those in abject poverty--stuck and hopeless. I know some people say--well they gotta get out of that rut themselves. But that's not what being human is. We are not animals that only look out for ourselves; we were born with empathy and compassion--we see the need in others. What would our world be if no one gave a hard working man like Ben Franklin a leg up? Think of the innovations and wisdom that poured from that man...bifocals, the Franklin stove, how elctricity works, the Poor Richard's Almanac, the statesmanship--where would our country be with out him? How hard is it for us to take someone under our wing that just needs someone to encourage them, so one to help finance their enterpise, help them get on their feet so they can climb out of the ditch.
I am not taking about socialism...where the government does this--no I want every one to take that upon themselves--reap the blessings that can come from that...because when you give selflessly, no matter what god you believe in--you know you get a special feeling in your heart. It's not the governments job to do this...it's our has individual human beings. To step out of our cushy world, our world cluttered with material junk and enter a world of substance.
And it's hard....we also live in a world of fear...a world of what if he's an ax-murderer...or rapist...or...or...or. It goes on. Look inside your heart and look into his eyes. Find his soul...find a soul that needs your special help. Heck we may only do this act of patronage once in our lives...but we the comfortable far our number those that are not...it only takes us helping one to make a difference. I am not talking about just the homeless or any particlar group of people...but just keep your heart and mind open to the possibilty of patronage and you might just find that one to help.
This is just something to get you to think--let me know what YOU think. Am I nuts? Am I over optimistic? Am I right?
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