Here at home we learned our borders are not secure–we are infested with a breed of beings filled with enough hate to terrorize a town and mow over those who don’t subscribe to their vision for our country.
This got me thinking about termites. Two years ago I had a termite problem in my dining room. For the longest time everything in my house appeared normal. But then one day I noticed a wave in my wall, a softening of the plaster. And then I touched the wall and put my hand through it to reveal an ugly nest of termites.
It’s like now. What looked like a fine and stable dining room wall painted yellow and decorated with Japanese prints was actually unstable and infested with termites that were trying to take over my house. I think our beautiful country, much like my walls, seemed stable for a long time because we weren’t looking closely at the ripples and waves in the walls, the things hidden in the hallowed halls of our history. Maybe it is time to root out what’s wrong, tear down some walls — instead of building new ones– before the entire house begins to buckle and crumble.
I send blessings to all who are hurting. We are better than this and we can work together to create a better, more peaceful country, even with our differences. I will not subscribe to hate, even righteous hate because it spreads like a virus, or worse, termites. I don’t want to be infected or infested.
So instead of platitudes, I say let’s work on our attitudes and make sure we aren’t inadvertently spreading hate. Because that hate hangs in the air waiting to latch on to something so it can create more of itself.
I called my son from an airport Sunday and I brought up what happened in Charlottesville. And all I could say as a mother to a grown son was this–“Look for any opportunity to do good to offset the angry energy that is sweeping our nation right now.” I added, “Watch your words too because they matter.” Like Oprah’s list, “What I Know for Sure”, I am certain of the importance of these two things.
Now, I have said my piece, I can sleep. It was a stressful day at work where I didn’t fully take my own advice. But tomorrow is another day to do good, to offset the anger. And I think I will start my day by writing another check to The Southern Poverty Law Center. I feel certain they can help with the clean -up work needed on our home.
If you are interested in more of my thoughts on integrity, harmony and grace, check out my book, Tao Flashes, available on Amazon.
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