the message, the messenger, & the delivery

DO "BIG THINGS REALLY COME IN SMALL PACKAGES?" THIS IS AN IDIOM used to say that people or things do not have to be large to be good. THE PROVERB ALSO SUGGESTS THAT Small gestures of help and kindness matter more than costly and exorbitant bestowals. IN A SOCIETY THAT JUDGES THINGS PRIMARILY BY APPEARANCES AND APPEAL THIS SAYING IS NOT THAT HIGHLY REGARDED.

​​Sometimes we hear but we don't listen. Other times we see but we do not properly perceive. Many times we are "there" but we are NOT necessarily "present." Is it easier to remain within the comfort zone of a closed mind then it is to consider the possibility of ideas, concepts or beliefs unfamiliar to us? Do new or different practices and policies threaten us? Historically we have the tendency to resist change. Although we believe we are open minded, the truth of the matter is that most of us are NOT. In our experiences, hasn't it generally taken a major crisis to cause us to open our eyes and transform our minds? Are we not as a society more remedial rather than preventative? Is it really difficult to figure out by wondering why we behave this way? Is it simply because that's what we're used to, secure in and comfortable with? Why do we tend to only embrace a new message when it coincides and agrees with an old one? Is it that our "cognitive and confirmation biases" along with environmental conditions have created this syndrome? Perhaps it's because we can only accept a certain type of messenger and through our biases reject all the others. Maybe it's because we find their methods of delivery offensive? Or is it that this particular message from any source is too difficult to accept.

THE CRITERIA FOR ETHICS, LEGALITY & MORALITY CREATES OUR STANDARDS 

Why do we embrace so many illogical superstitious beliefs over logical facts?" Would we have supported crucifying Jesus? How could we ever as a people have supported slavery or the persecution of others different from us? How does anyone adopt or take part in this mob mentality? Are these the results of a fervor or fanatical mindset with emotional responses? This is a phenomena we see again and again. What have we become? Have we lost our way? Remember 911? The majority of people wanted revenge. Our governments response seems to have been misdirected. It wasn't until a decade later that we found the alleged mastermind! Did we ever stop and think to question what makes a person, a people, or a culture believe that death for a cause is better than the present condition of life without it. The state motto of New Hampshire is live free or die. "Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death." Those were the words uttered by Patrick Henry, The first governor of Virginia and a slave owner.  Were those the words of a revolutionary, an activist or a terrorist? The price of progress is so often paid with the blood of humans. Even the crusades, fought in the name of religion, can never be justified with the carnage inflicted upon people. "By any means necessary," was a speech by Malcolm X that expressed resolve without limitations. That sounds radical. Does the end really justify the means? 

THE ROAD TO HELL IS PAVED WITH GOOD INTENTIONS

Today's post is about listening, processing and understanding. Did we say agreeing? No we did NOT. Opening a channel for communication, creating a dialogue and acknowledging grievances are the prerequisites to solutions. Truth has no bias or color. Life is actually quit impersonal. Biases are created through beliefs. We color the pictures in our life's experiences through personal preference. If truth had a color it would not be black, white or any color in between. The color of truth is transparent. "Truth's" desire is to be crystal clear.

The messenger is responsible for the delivery of the message. A properly represented message should have a higher probability for reception. Remember, our messengers are human. These messengers have faults, failures and shortcomings. The job of the messenger is bringing the message. Any partiality, agreement, interpretation or deciphering is not within the scope of the mission. The messenger may cloud the presentation of the message through poor delivery, but truly inspired messages have a life of their own. Inspired messages contain immutable principles that may be temporarily suppressed but never destroyed. Most of the most important messages are NOT fully perceived or embraced within the lifespan of the messenger. What messages of today are we missing? Which messengers are we failing to listen to? Hide the message and someone will find it. Change the message and someone will decipher the original. Bury the message and it will rise from the ground. ​