My, by now, rather common recovering from pneuomia, Thots

I was going to write that we need to be careful not to over react, like three year olds, but Lennon is three and he tends to view most things very calmly and closely. He is interested in what is going on and does not jump to conclusions quickly. Of course that is how his father responds too. Children mirror the people around them. Hysterical child generally means hysterical grown-ups behind him. Most of us are no longer children, that gives us some responsibility to consider.

We have become a country of people who run around looking like that kid in Home Alone. Our eyes bug out, our mouths hang open and we are ready to be shocked, upset and over react. Ready to leap into action at the slightest provocation, shout out whatever is on the tip of our tongues, and throw rocks before asking questions. Not a particularly attractive thing if you ask me.

There is a time to leap into unthinking action. When a burning car falls on someone, the baby has one foot over the edge of the grand canyon, or Aunt Maisie‘s cat is about to lick the sugar bowl. Most other dire emergencies respond better to a more rational approach.

One small teaspoon of calculated hype from the newsroom of a well known television station, or an Internet email and people fly into a panic. It is almost like we thrive on hate and despair. As if the chance to vent does not come around every three seconds or so.

For example: there is a billboard on I 26 near Charlotte, SC that says, “Do you believe in god? If you don’t, you are not alone.“ Contrary to popular belief, not believing in god is not the same thing as believing in the devil. In fact, believing in a devil is more likely to come from religious people. Not that this is the question any way. The question is tolerance, understanding and a willingness to allow other people to express their own views. A rational approach might include dialogues, meetings, even debates if you feel so inclined. A more common approach seems to be hurling accusations and a hateful refusal to consider anything more than angry, unthinking invectives.

In order to get cattle to run up the ramps to the abattoir, someone with an electric prod just stirs them up and they begin mooing and snorting, sometimes stamping their feet, but still rushing straight up those ramps where they are supposed to go. Isn’t that a horrible thought?