I have something to say…

And it’s not because I actually think anyone cares (in fact I’m pretty confident I am the most ignored person on social media, and that is perfectly fine with me) but because I need to say it for myself. I am sad, and heartbroken.

I cannot begin to tell you how many times a day I find myself with tears in my eyes. What is happening to us? Why is everyone so hell bent on hating everyone else? Personally, it does not matter to me what color your skin is, what religion you choose to follow or not follow, what your sexual preference is, or who you voted for. I am not going to assume you are a criminal because your skin tone differs from mine, nor am I going to assume that because you choose to follow/not follow a specific religion that you are evil. I am also not going to assume that if you choose a same-sex partner that you are perverted or going against God, or that if you voted for President Trump then you are a white supremacist, likewise, if you voted for Hillary Clinton I won’t assume you are a terrorist hugging liberal. Why do we have to label everyone?! This doesn’t help anything. The more we place labels on people who “differ” from the “norm”, the more separation we are causing. And what is the “norm” anyway? Aren’t we all just human? Shouldn’t that be perceived as the “norm”? Everyone right now is basically just yelling over each other, and calling each other names, and for what? To prove you’re right and they’re wrong? Well guess what? You are all wrong. You’re wrong because you won’t listen. Arguing solves nothing because you can’t hear the other person when you are screaming at the top of your lungs. And if you can’t hear, then you can’t learn. And if you can’t learn, then you can’t grow or evolve. You are stuck. You are stuck with your stubbornness, while screaming that you are right. And here I sit in silence, willing to listen, wanting to learn, but afraid to speak because I don’t want to be screamed at.

We have to stop attacking each other for having different points of view, because at the end of the day we all want the same thing. Don’t we? Don’t we want peace? And happiness? And kindness? And respect? Well those things do not come from judgement and hostility. They come from understanding, and a willingness to accept that we are all different, and that we will never all see things the same way, but that we can all work together to make things good. Can’t we? Or am I just so far gone into a state of delusion, that a happy world is an impossible feat? I hope that is not the case.

All this anger, and hostility, and madness breaks my heart. People are trying to get their points across, but no one will listen. And so what do they do? They resort to actions. Are their actions right or wrong? I believe that is for each of us to interpret for ourselves. Obviously anything criminal is never the answer, but right now there is so much upheaval over our beautiful flag, that I am devastated. I think that if you are someone who feels that they don’t want to show respect for the flag, then that is your choice and your right do so. I do, however, wish that you would not disrespect it. I say this with fear because I know so many will have missed my point, and turn this into something it is not, but what it is is honesty. My father, grandfather, uncles, cousins, and friends have all fought to protect our country, and that flag is a symbol of their sacrifice, hard work, and our gift of freedom from them. Maybe things aren’t perfect right now, maybe we aren’t getting along as well as we once did; but we are all with the freedom to voice our opinions, scream our demands, and cry over the hatred we see because so many men and women fought for us to do so. So, again, if you don’t want to stand and honor what our flag represents then that is certainly your right to do so, but all I ask is that you please do not disrespect what it stands for. For me, I feel that taking a knee is the equivalent of spitting in my father’s face, and let’s be honest, no one wants anyone to spit in the face of their family members.

Again, I really only write this for myself because everything is weighing on me so heavily. I know others will pick it apart and look for reasons to ridicule and judge me, just as they do everyone else, but all I can do is just be here; silent, waiting to listen, waiting to learn, and hoping someday you will all join me.

Peace & Love,

`glo

©Gloria Tassen and Life According To G, 2017. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Gloria Tassen and Life According To G with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.