…before we change format/topics… There are very few people out there anymore who care about others more or at least equal to how much they care about themselves. My friend with the creatively dressed Dalmations was one of them, though. He was a wonderful and amazing person and taught me a lot about how I wanted to live my life. I now have four kids, 5 if you include the husband (like person), and I am struggling every day to show them that other people have feelings and matter, too. (Part of my problem is a domineering, narcissistic 2 year old). Anyway, there is in reality a huge difference between people who care and those that don’t. I shall mention Oprah, Ted Turner, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Elton John, etc as people who care. The level of antipathy at the most “regional” zones is crazy, but isn’t it funny when you see the ones with the most giving back? Do you know why? They have the ability to relate to people and understand how truly gifted they (Oprah, for example) are…and they want to share their gift, not to “take someone else out” but to raise someone up. Some people are taught “their shit doesn’t stink,” others are taught they “deserve something better,” and some are just taught nothing. I truly hope all of us, as parents, adults, people, HUMANS understand the power we have. The power of our words, our thoughts, our actions, our intentions.
The Arizona shooting vs. Sarah Palin thing is a good example. Do I think Sarah Palin intended anyone to die from her verbose rhetoric? No, actually I don’t. But did she say how sorry she was her words may have incited a riot? NOpe. And words are so truly the most powerful thing you have. What if I spent all day telling my kids they were “stupid,” or “pieces of shit?” Would they be motivated to do better in school, or would they just decide they were stupid” and give up? Words. How powerful are words?!?! I love you, I hate you, I want you, please hold me, Watch me jump, mommy, you are so smart, can I have a hug from you? Watch this, hold me tighter, see what I can do? You are so smart, you are trying so hard, you are so creative. Ahhh, words…
People, hopefully not my kids, arent taught anymore how to take responsibility for their actions and then move forward. “I am sorry I stepped on your toe. I am sorry I hurt your feelings. I am sorry i just ran into your living room with my 18wheeler. I shouldn’t have disobeyed. I am sorry I yelled at you. I am sorry you didn’t get to go to the show. I am sorry you are sad. What can I do?”
Antipathy is truly ugly, in my opinion, the ugliest emotion. If you are happy, awesome; angry – not great; sad is painful; shameful is waaaaaayyyy sad; hopeful is incredible, excited is wonderful; lonely is regrettable; jealous blows; unappreciated really hurts; but these are all feelings. At least there is a “feeling” and an engagement in life, for better or worse. Joyful or painful, you are a part of what is going on. When you can look around and say, “I don’t care” and mean it? Antipathy – the lackof emotion at all – that is the worst.

« »