FACING ADDICTIONS - ATTITUDES & ALIBIS - RETHINKING THINGS

Television, salt, sugar, sex, shopping, sleeping, sports, gambling, gaming, gossiping, hoarding, holding, eating, entertainment, drugs, violence and other so called dependencies are some of the addictions we deal with in today's world. Naturally the metrics we use to evaluate ourselves are biased. "It's not that bad." "What about him and her or this and that?" We tend to exercise our "always ready to defend our-self" defensive mode. "Better than," does not necessarily mean good, It is simply a comparison or measure by some standard we set. Of course "All lives matter," but that does not call attention to the distinct crisis facing a particular segment of our society! When the ,most insignificant lives matter, all lives matter too! Violence is an addictive reaction to frustration when the perception is that there is no other way of resolution. It is important to advocate on behalf of those who appear to have no voice of their own. All citizens should embrace the concept that majority rule should never supersede minority rights. Glorifying aggressive behavior, beatings, brute force, or any other type of violence depicted whether by cops or criminals, in sports or entertainment penetrates into minds and permeates the consciousness of all exposed to it. The civil rights movement focused on the rights of those systemically denied the freedoms of our society. The women's liberation movement was specifically designed to bring issues women faced to the consciousness of our nation. Even the gay rights movement brought attention to the plight of the LGBT community way before the acronym ever existed. The history of our nation tarnishes the words of our constitution and bill of rights. It is fortunate that the consciousness of the black culture has been one of forgiveness and reconciliation. We should shudder at the thought of how things could have escalated out of control during this present crisis. Who else was better suited to identify with the contrasting positions and offer consolation to all parties involved than President Obama. Maybe the wisdom of the electorate foresaw the need for new diversity in the oval office. Knowing that history tends to repeat itself should serve as a warning to all! Without a black president, attorney general, various police chiefs, and other people of color in positions of authority where would we be? We are now at a new consciousness crossroad that wears the disguise as a racial,  economic and political crisis. However we submit that we suffer mostly from a lack of ethical and moral integrity. Injustice against any person regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation or any belief is a mark against all humanity. When all people embrace this thinking we create a culture of unity regardless of diversity.  It is not as much a fight for individual causes as it is a fight for a collective consciousness.

Addictions to opinions, views and positions are some of the worst disorders we face.  Whether it is political, religious or cultural, we must recognize the condition to deal with it. If we marginalize our addiction to detrimental dependencies we become fixed in our minds, stunt our growth, stop evolving and seal our fate. Foolish pride is simply foolish. There are many points to be made, argued and debated on both sides of any spectrum. Anyone can hold fast to their view and take a stance. There once was a time when everyone believed the world was flat. We must open our ears and eyes simultaneously with our minds. It takes a real strength of character to admit to an error in action or thinking. There are spirits lurking behind the scenes influencing division among us! We must find and hope to continually find our own errors as we evolve. It is possible to be so heavenly minded and no earthly good. It is possible to be so legally minded and not socially sensitive. Our behaviors and attitudes are interconnected across the full gamut of our existence. If there exists a problem in diet, finances, organization or social interaction it is a sign of a lack of balance in our lives. As we've stated before and reiterate again, we are spiritual beings in human bodies with intellectual minds. It falls in that order! Let's not point fingers at the drug addicts, the alcoholics, obesity or poverty.  Look at their conditions and see them as individuals suffering from a disease. At some level we are all guilty of behaviors that are closed minded or apathetic. Looking  away or ignoring the problems only means that it will wax worse. There is no true rational for ignorance, only twisted logic that perpetuates our worsening conditions. We must address our individual faults and shortcomings in a manner that publicly depicts the new posture achieved. Error and/or evil can only flourish when good women and men keep silent. The culture and consciousness of society declares what is acceptable and allowed. It reaches beyond the rule of law. There is an intangible aspect to it that can somewhat be defined as an invisible force energy or spirit that rules and restrains attitudes and behaviors. It begins in each home, expands to every community, encompasses a nation and can reach the world. "To make the change we want to see that the change must first begin in me."