Skip to main content

Day 209 Not an Ostrich!

I am struggling this morning. I feel this seed of hatred wanting to bud in my heart. I am having I trouble focusing my mind on my own life.

I find myself inexplicably drawn to Twitter, Facebook and the news. Trying t o make sense of the mass shootings. In particular this latest tragedy in San Bernardino. It is unique in the fact that it was a husband-wife team.

It is sounding like he was radicalized online or perhaps through his wife, or with her. I am sickened, yet fascinated. I do not want to think about these things.

But my faith teacher's not to judge, but to love. And there is a tiny grain of compassion for the people who are vulnerable to indoctinization. A very small grain. But it is there.

I do want to be aware. I want to understand their motivation. Why? Perhaps I am thinking the answer to preventing more attacks is in understanding their ideology and motivation. It makes my heart beat way too fast, however.

So what will calm and center me?After 9-11, like many, other Americans, I felt shattered and helpless. But then I resolved to do the best job possible in my own little world. And hold my children  close.

 You know, I think our country suffers from a kind of societal PTSD. It subsides after each tragic event when the dust settles, if we weren't directly effected. But when another one occurs, all those feelings resurface: Shock, rage, fear despair...no wonder many people have chosen to bury their heads in the sand.

I loved ostriches when I was a kid. I thought it was so comical how they would bury their heads in the sand. Do they really think no one can see them if they can't see? They are REALLY big birds after all, lol! :)

But I do not want to be like an ostrich. If I were a bird, I would at least want to fly! I played a board game with my kids last night. It was good clean funky was called "What Were You Thinking?" (http://www.amazon.com/What-Thinking-whether-think-same/dp/B00000IV49). And the healing began. At least for now.

One of the questions was, "What would you rather be-an eagle or a dolphin? We all chose eagle.

Don't we all wish we could fly?

On that note, I am off to the gym. Then a piano practice session before I teach this afternoon. No more internet for me today. Keeping my head up and keeping it real!

Happy Friday!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Year Three, Day 58: Marilyn Monroe's Measurements

Day 24 of daily hooping. I am determined to shrink these abs, if it is the last thing I do! Perhaps I should have that written on my tombstone: "Here lies Zita". Flat abs at last!! Well I certainly hope to attain my flat abs goal BEFORE I am dead and gone! Today's video was another rush job. But I downloaded some fun tunes to my Kindle last night.  I enjoyed my hoop session more listening to the Punjabi music. It reminded me of the "Maritime Bhangra Dancers".  If you haven't heard of them, you should look them up. They never fail to put a smile on my face! I am not smiling so much looking at this video. My hooping skills have improved a bit, but that menopot has got to go! After my hoop session, I walked 3/4 mile to the bus stop. I was planning on attending the 10:00 a.m. Mass at the Grotto, but it was cutting it close. Plus, I was feeling the need for a Starbucks iced tea.  Today was Iced Passionfruit/Black Tea, no sugar whatsoever.   The ic...

Year Two, Day 274: I Like Me. RIP Packy!

Today's fruit of the spirit that I am focusing on is patience.  This I need more of. And coincidentally (or not), I read in my book Challenge: A Daily Meditation Program Based on the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius by Mark Link, S.J. the following: "I asked God to give me happiness, and God said, 'No.' He said that patience is a by-product of tribulation. It isn't granted, it is earned." Well, not to sound smug, but I am certainly earning my patience award!  :) I am having a good day, however I am a bit over caffeinated. I earned (patiently lol) a free latte today at Starbucks.  On a side note, I love being a regular customer. I walked into my regular Starbucks today, and one of the barista's yelled, "Zita!" from across the room. I felt like I was in an episode of "Cheers"! I love being recognized in a friendly manner. I had a venti "Smoked Butterscotch Latte with soy".   I have found the per...

Year Two, Day 201: "I"

Before my first meeting with "I" I had a wonderful first date last night! We had a lot on common. The conversation flowed easily. We laughed. It was so lovely, that I think I shall not blog about him. Not yet anyway. I am just going to call him "I". I like I. 😉 Today was a long, wonderful family day. Went to church with my daughter and son-in-law. Very powerful, uplifting service. After that we went to the horse races. Had a blast. Broke even. Essentially had a free lunch and four hours of entertainment. After the horses, we had yet another Thanksgiving dinner at my niece's place. It was her first turkey. It was amazing! But thank God I had enough willpower to resist the pie! Tomorrow I go for my first physical therapy appointment. Tuesday it is back to the gym!! Happy Sunday!