What's Changed?

As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect.

    The thing about cleaning spaces is that sometimes you come across objects, papers, etcetera that bring back memories. Sometimes positive, sometimes negative. This is how I felt when I found the following diagram / drawing I created after writing a thought post to clarify my ideas. 

     After thinking and reflecting, I wondered - what has changed? We hear of the same evils being committed on a micro and macro scale. The cycle continues to repeat. We are also seeing a new type of tool for destruction. It is probably not new, but much more pronounced that it used to be. This is the tool of knowledge and personal belief that is being used in public classrooms, as well as the higher education level to influence students. I would go so far to say that this is a type of indoctrination that must be avoided as much as possible. We all have political beliefs, however a pedagogue must never be the one to enforce / force a view upon a student. Especially those from the k-12 level. Yes, use political topics for debate, discussion, or lesson planning, but never to indoctrinate.

    With regards to that of the higher levels, I find it interesting to debate about the political scene of America. It gives me more to talk about, because why wouldn't I want to talk about America? Why wouldn't I protect and defend America? I would take the opportunity to engage in a discussion about American politics. 

   What we are seeing is academics who probably possess Democratic views still resisting the new presidency. It bothers me to the point of being frustrated. Of course we cannot shut others up. We can only hope that they will realize how important it is to unify America, and understand that this is also part of the work that President Trump is trying to do. Also it boggles my brain as to why any academe would still be democratically inclined knowing full well about Hillary Clinton and the previous administrations involvement, and investments in major terrorist groups? Why would anyone support hate, or murders?

     These thoughts are related at the national level, but what about the international level? I can't speak for the institutions, but with regards to terrorism or hate groups who desire to instill fear or kill, I think that it is also a time to think about what are we achieving through this? Yes you could say suggestive messages are being sent through these acts, but at the cost of human life or natural disaster. The cost of human life, disaster, and tragedy is far greater.

     If anyone wants their opinion or belief, or the fact that they like or dislike something to be known, isn't  it easier to engage in dialogue or discussion with political groups or allies, or whoever is of concern? For cycles of violence or evil to shift, we need to think about what we have in common with others. How will we seek and strive to reach points of peace? It is easy to get frustrated, angry, but power is nothing without control, and that is something that is learned.

Dedication: These thoughts are dedicated to all those who died and are injured in Nepal after a bus crash. And to all who have suffered loss, injury or suffered. We continue to pray for love, peace, and healing. My thoughts to share with love & kindness. 

Notes: These thoughts were originally hand - written on October 28th, 2017.

Image 1 - Web Link
Image 2 - Photo
Image 3 - Web Link