Slip-Slidin’ Away
If you’re intrigued with the notion of living a legendary life, you have to be aware of (and beware) slippage.
In olden times they referred to it as “backsliding”–allowing oneself to back away from principles once held dear because the temperature of the times have changed.
In the past ten years, we’ve allowed a streak of meanness to become acceptable. I’m sure this is no surprise.
But the meanness brings about a slippage in the attitudes of people toward each other–and even in the passion for life.
It’s like the proverbial rolling stone:
Those who were once merciful have slipped into being merely open-minded, leaving mercy abandoned.
The open-minded people have slipped to being generous–but only to people they know well or who are related to them.
Generous folks have backslidden to being kind–hoping that flashing a smile will suffice without having to commit to action.
And kind people, who used to think up ways to be contributors, have slipped to nice. If at all possible they will offer a pleasant countenance to the world around them–unless something odd happens.
At that point, nice people become careful. They will swear that the reason they become careful is because the world is screwed up and “you can’t trust anybody.”
And of course, careful people drop into being suspicious. They talk about animals being more trustworthy than humans.
And those who were naturally suspicious before become downright grouchy. They don’t even pretend to lead with a sweetness of spirit. It’s too risky.
And it goes without saying, there were people who were grouchy to begin with. They have become edgy–ready for a fight. Unfortunately, edgy people usually find that fight, and end up being bullies.
Bullies have become fighters and fighters are more violent.
The Republicans blame the Democrats and vice versa–but this problem of slippage did not come along with Donald Trump. Even if he exacerbated the problem, you have to admit that during the two terms of President Obama, there was a mind-boggling amount of fussing, arguing and struggling
You may consider this a “conservative” problem, or the “liberal media.”
But here’s something we all need to face: If we’ve done everything we can do to improve our nation, our states, our cities, and there’s nothing more we can do, then perhaps it’s time for us to just work on ourselves.
Where have you slipped to?
Where have you fallen?
If even 10% of the population would raise their human effort up one notch, to the position they occupied before 2016, there would be such an improvement in the climate of this country that the other 90% would not be able to ignore it.
Now is the time to stop backsliding.
Let us lead the leaders. After all, there are no indication that government, business, education or religion is going to lead a resurgence in civil behavior.
No–it’ll be up to us. Let’s just take a look at our own slippage, and climb up one notch toward civility.
And my friends, it’s a necessary step if we’re going to lead legendary lives.
Jonathots Daily Blog 
From the Stacks … November 13th, 2020
In November of 2016, Jonathan found himself contemplating the initial difficulty that always appears whenever there is talk of “repairing the breach.” His thoughts are oddly applicable today. See if you agree.
A great book once alleged that there is great power in “repairing the breach”–finding that break in etiquette or sensibility that can be covered with a multitude of grace.
It is a noble notion.
The difficulty with the mission is that people will often argue with you about whether there’s a breach in the first place. After all, a common conversation with fifty Americans will render much different responses:
If we cannot agree that there’s a breach, then the repairing will be considered foolish or intrusive.
What can we agree on about our pain before we seek a relief?
It is not so much that our problems are complicated–it’s more that they’re denied.
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on November 13, 2020 at 10:39 pm Leave a CommentTags: America, denial, Humanity, politics, religion, repairing the breach, social commentary, social healing