Temper of Our Times

Turn on the radio and listen to the news. Better yet listen to an open mike radio news discussion program. You will hear reports of accidents, wars, murders, robberies and other heinous crimes. Taken together these news stories may give you the impression that all is falling apart and not much good is happening in the world. The discussion shows will provide no end to blaming others for all of these ills. It may seem as though no one is doing their job. Nothing but mistakes are being made. What will become of us?

The same temper of reporting and interaction on news panels is found on the major TV channels and cable news network programs. Some specialize in only reporting from the conservative perspective while others purport to represent liberal views. In truth they report a skewed perspective. See if you can find the middle road in any of these programs!

No. It would seem that are tempers are flared and we are of a very negative mind. We see little good. Of greater importance ~ we hear very little constructive discussion of ideas that would solve some of the problems reported.

The act of judging others has become a high art in the broadcast industry. There is no shortage of people willing to go on the air to bad mouth someone else. One wonders why. Do they feel so poorly about themselves that they can only feel good if they feel superior to someone else? Is that it?  Maybe so.

On Facebook there is a site named ‘The Optimism Revolution’. Here’s a quote they shared the other day:

            “Never look down on someone else unless you’re helping them up.”

That’s a good place to start a positive campaign. Get down and dirty with those in trouble and help them improve their lot. Help them get out of trouble whether it is financial, health, legal, or emotional. If we assume the role of brother’s keeper, then we are to help others. In doing that we become close enough to them to understand their situation. How then could we possible look down upon them?

Another quote that is a building block for good is:

            “Never let another person dictate the terms for living your life.”

The life you live is yours to direct. You are the one person who has to deal with everything connected to your life. No one else is. No one else therefore can. Only you. Others may help, but only you live the life. Accordingly you must do it your way as much as possible.

www.rawforbeauty.com is a website with this thought to consider:

            “Not everyone will understand your journey. That’s fine.

             It’s not their journey to make sense of. It’s yours.”

A good thought to think about. It goes well with the other two quotes shown above. The temper of our times demands we handle our own affairs but temper it with the compassion to help others without judgment. Their journeys are as complex as our own. They are little different from us. We can help and should help. It teaches us about our inner selves as well as a broader view of humankind.

To do otherwise is to deny the other person their dignity and their freedom.

As Abraham Lincoln once cautioned America:

            “Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.”

The next time you hear ill tempered rhetoric on TV or radio broadcast, give these ideas some thought. Then turn off the program! You may find the calm you will need to tackle our problems intelligently and compassionately.

Shalom!

September 17, 2013