history

I recently watched “Older than America.”

This is new to me or at least much more detailed than I have known. Apparently, as recently as 1975 Native Americans were forced to send their children to boarding schools. Those in charge claimed to be teaching savages to be cultured. Sadly, not only were they stripping people of their traditional language and customs, there was widespread abuse reported.

The white men who took this country also write the history books. We need to add the parts they left out.

We also need to make sure that such practices do not continue. Every human deserves to live life according to how they see fit. We need to stop people who try to squelch differences. We need to encourage the celebration of differences. We need to appreciate ideas and thoughts that are new to us.

Let us not be the “melting pot” where we all blend into one. We should be a tossed salad with lots of flavors tasted individually.

science

The three-part series from the BBC as seen on Netflix, "Sex, Death and the Meaning of Life" has given me some things to consider. The presenter, Richard Dawkins, looks to science to explain the topics typically explained by religion.

I believe in God because it comforts me to feel I have someone with me always, not to explain the world.

I don't need God to tell me right from wrong. I don't do good things to get into heaven. I don't avoid bad things to stay out of hell. I do what's right because it makes me feel good. 

I believe in life after death because it comforts me. But if this life is all we have, that's okay. This world alone is pretty amazing.

I don't need God to give me a purpose. I determine the meaning I give to my life. We are important, not because God put us here, but because our actions affect the world. And ideally, we want to make the world as good as we can.

Science helps us make sense of the world. Spirituality helps me feel comforted, strong and able to improve myself and the world around me.

What do you think?

dream

Do you have a dream? Did you have one when you were six? Did it change? What did you dream of in high school? How about 20 years after that? Did it stay the same? Did it come true?

When I was six I wanted to be an artist. When I was in high school I thought about teaching and architecture. Along the way, I became a teacher. After that I became an artist. And of course I dreamed of a life similar to my parents. Go to school. Get a good job. Get married. Have children. But beyond that, I didn’t give it much thought. I had expectations for myself until about age 30. But then what?

Education and art are still important to me. I found a wonderful husband but decided not to have children. And then I wrote a book! So now, I have met my goals. I’m proud of what I have accomplished. I’m happy with my life.

What is my dream now? I’m reevaluating. I want something new. I want to continue having an effect on the world. Writing and art will probably be involved. But I think I am going to pursue a more active role with organizations that are working to improve the world. I want to be sure that our current political climate does not go unchecked. I want to do whatever I can to increase kindness and respect for all. My actions may be small but I hope they will be effective.

What do you see for your future? Wishing you all good things!