And the right isn't the only segment of our population that has lost it, the leftist liberals are enjoying their time in the rubber room as well. They have been going after Rand Paul as though he were the devil incarnate - probably at the behest of the Cruz campaign, of course. And then there's the whole California drought situation. The right says that it could be a man-made problem, the left is blaming it on climate change. Look, if you move to a place where there isn't much water, STFU about not having water. Move to where the water can be found. (I still think we should give California to Mexico for a 12-pack of Pabst Blue Ribbon and a couple bags of Doritos.) OR, work together to find a solution and shut the hell up. You want to live there? Fine, let's find a solution TOGETHER.
Just stop it. STOP IT. %@%$# stop it.
Yes, I have been a conservative cat for a while now, and I used to be a complete ass where politics is concerned. Those days are over and that is it for me. I may have strong opinions, but I just can't understand all of the useless debate, arguments, rending of clothes, and the gnashing of teeth.
Just stop it. STOP IT. %@%$# stop it.
I saw a video on YouTube of a child no older than 5 years old who was crying because Obama got elected. 5 years old. 5! What in the hell are we teaching our children? Maybe I'm old fashioned but I remember my days in the United States Navy like they were yesterday and you don't go running your mouth about the POTUS just to be a dick. Today, we're teaching our kids to have such amazingly strong opinions about things that they shouldn't even have to worry about. What should be consuming that 5 year old? Not politics, that is for certain. Our daughters should be consumed with playing with her dolls, beating up her big brother, and playing with insects.
Just stop it. STOP IT. %@%$# stop it.
Maybe it's because I wake up every day, look at myself in the mirror and consider my mortality. I know that my days are numbered and the last thing I want to do is to check out with bile in my mouth. We are all human, we are not the sum total of our political leanings. It's abject silliness to think otherwise. So, what really does matter in life?
- Family: That doesn't necessarily mean blood-relations, but rather those whom you call "brother" or "sister" because there is love, concern, and a connection that transcends just a beer at a cookout.
- Friends: We can't live without friends, that's just the way it is. Isolationism is a bitch and will take the human mind to horrible, scary places. Our friends keep us balanced, provide us with unique insight on circumstances that perhaps we never saw before.
- Flowers: Have you ever walked through a meadow and just smelled the inviting aroma of fresh flowers? Don't give me any of that crap about allergies, either. The life that flowers represent is cyclical, that no matter what, they'll be there for us next year.
- Religious Affections: For many of us, spirituality is a driving force in our lives. I'm not talking about going to some megachurch where you watch the entertainer/pastor bloviate about nonsensical, borderline theology. I mean that spirituality, that connection with the Creator that is intimate, personal, and just between you and Him.
- Children: I don't care if you have children of your own or not, we have to remember that we are leaving a pile of steaming cow poop for them to clean up, and that's just wrong. If we can only pass down one thing to our kids, it should be the ability to love and forgive. Everything else is just jibber jabber. It's true - we need to teach our kids to act and live responsibly. We have to teach them that the environment is, in fact, important no matter what Rush Limbaugh says.
- Forgiveness: The world, humanity, needs more forgiveness. I say this because if anyone needs forgiveness, it's me. I have learned to forgive because it's just the right thing to do and it takes one hell of a load off of our shoulders. It takes enormous amounts of energy to get mad and stay mad. It's goofiness. Sure, I am far from perfect and I still have a truck load of stuff to work on, but darn it, I'm trying.
- Love: I've learned that the epitome of love is the overwhelming desire to see the person who is the focal point of that love be truly happy. It may cost us, but in the long run to see others happy is a reward in and of itself. We are capable of amazing love, the kind of love that can change lives. If we would choose to look at others through that lens, I think we could truly transform our communities.
I am a 225lb pile of mess who makes mistakes almost hourly. Nothing about my existence is of any more value than yours, friends. The truth is that most days, I feel like the gum we get stuck on our shoes at the movie theater. We all suck and the sooner we realize this, the sooner we will begin to see the true value of folks around us.
Where there is life, there is hope. While we still have breath, we can reconcile, we can forget and forgive and just appreciate the NOW and let the future come as it may. I know I am sounding like a hippie, but let me tell you, I would much rather spend my waning hours laughing and enjoying my friends and family rather than bitching about how bad others are. Got it?
Of course, y'all know that I could be wrong, and often am. I don't think so this time.
Butch "Gorilla" Black
