TEACHABLE MOMENTS

For an all too brief period in my life I was blessed with a magic kingdom. It was a local park of many acres and miles of paved and unpaved trails. I went there daily, soaking up the negative ions from several creeks that flowed freely and other energies from the various flora and fauna. What made this place even more precise were the other members of The Tribe. They were from all over the world – Asia, Africa, South and Central America, Russia and Central Asia. Weather permitting, I’d find 3 elderly Asian women doing tai chi along the creeks, or listen in on conversations in Spanish that I didn’t comprehend but got a hint of the possibilities after hearing their laughter and seeing their gestures.  

Then one spring day in 2011, as I walking back to “my spot”, I encountered a sweet looking elderly woman strolling toward me. As is my nature, I made a passing remark about the wonder and beauty of the day. Unfortunately the first words out of her mouth were about news of a Hispanic male raping elderly women in S. California. I mumbled something to the effect of “Sorry to hear that” then turned to walk away. She immediately called out “But I’m not a racist.”

You have to understand that I have zero tolerance nor understand how fellow Humans can despise an individual based solely on the color of their skin, religion, or other factors. So her comment stopped me in my tracks. As I watched and listened to the Hispanic families, cooking and playing with their children, I turned back around.

As I looked at this petite white haired, blue eyed grandma, I calmly replied “But yes you are. The first words out of your mouth to a total stranger were about horrible acts perpetrated by a person of color.” I went on to explain that at one point I had been married to a Peruvian, that his very large extended family were all hard working and devoted to their families and to America. In fact my ex brother in law and his cousin serve in the military and between the two of them have done several tours of duty to Iraq and Afghanistan.

As our conversation was coming to a close tears started to well in her eyes. I gave her a gentle kiss on her rosy cheek, smiled, and said “We’re never too old to learn something new or change our ways.”

When confronted with unenlightened points of view silence only serves to condone ugly, negative thoughts, emotions, and actions. By dealing with them head on, in an emotionally mature manner, all of us can win over hearts and move mountains.

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Gandhi.

MY HERO’S HAVE ALWAYS BEEN WORDSMITHS

Only 3 more days left for the second annual Tweak Leslie’s Twat Day! Unfortunately it happens to fall on a Sunday so there’s some leeway for Batman, Capt. America, Wonder Woman and the rest of you whose words can only be experienced Monday thru Friday. In those cases I expect you to rock me out of many panty liners either this week or early next.

For the print members of The Tribe like Bumble Bee, Green Lantern, and Green Arrow, you guys should know how I “like it” by now. If you need hints, check out Al’s column’s for the past few days. Many ticklers! And Joel, sorry, Green Arrow, has been doing a bang up job by accurately aiming at the absurdities and lies of Israel policies, both foreign and domestic. And ABC news has also been presenting interesting word energies that are “being the change we wish to see in the world.” Like Jake Tapper pointing out the White House hypocrisy on journalists or his colleagues bringing pink slime into our common lexicon! Talk about “Where’s the beef?”

As for topics of interest, pick your poison, literally! As our collective nears planetary collapse because of greed and fear as a business model, your word energies are of the utmost importance to assist Humanity with their next stage or evolutionary leap from that of an ethnocentric society towards one that is Kosmocentric in nature.

Speaking of nature, Spaceship Earth might be an important starting point for this year’s competition! Utilize the concept of the elements: EARTH, WIND, FIRE, and WATER.  For instance, in regards to Earth, Fire, and Water, you could be creative and develop gas fracking stories with titles like “Man can’t live on flaming water alone.”  Speaking of living…starving, how about this one – “Monsanto – the other lean meat.” I’m sure Sec. Vilsack will love that one!

Or a Fire and Wind essay’s on the insanity of Nuking ANY country - brings down all the surrounding ones, including Israel. Oop’s, spoiler alert! Duh! Btw: Wonder Woman, you’ve been doing a FABULOUS job on the Nuke topic. The Tribe owes you, big time.   

You get my drift, putting out words that energize The Tribe to change their worldview so they can take charge of their reality. Last year’s winner was Wonder Woman, no competition! So make me proud Wordsmiths. The Tribe is counting all of you to be a counter balance to the forces of evil!

THE ABOVE "WORDS" ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE FACTUAL STATEMENTS