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Health & Fitness

More Compassion, Less Blaming

In recent years I’ve noticed a pattern in our public discourse.  Lots of polarization, “attack ads,” and blaming.  Now we’re at a crossroads in our public conversations.  Either we take a few moments to reflect on our own shortcomings  (and privileges), or we just continue to “lash out” at the other folks.  Pretty simple.

I pick up a lot of trash in my community and a couple of others.  There are many folks out there who are perhaps ignorant or miseducated.  They toss trash from their automobiles at night or leave litter everywhere on public fields, trails, roadways and parks.   Many people claim (with justification) that they’re slobs, fools, or bad citizens.  I view it another way: based on the items they toss out, it looks like a lot of sadness, lost hope, escape….cafeeine, whiskey, beer, vodka, nip bottles, cigarettes, lottery tickets, fast food, styrofoam. 

If you’re lucky enough to be raised in a family / culture that values each other, your community, and education, do you think end up doing this?  I strongly doubt it.

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So the next question: what do we do?  My hunch is that we reach out.  We try to find ways to engage these folks who are disconnected from us, from our community and the earth.  Not all that simple, I realize.  Many are fairly entrenched in their destructive ways.  Sadly many wouldn’t even admit that what they’re doing is destructive.  Raising awareness is never easy.  But it can be done.  Look at what HS students are doing in Wayland and Natick.  Come join me; we can do this. --pat  

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