Something to Think About: Really Cool Graphic

 A friend brought my attention to this awesome graphic and I had to share it.

 

Grateful For Your Community?: What We Can Learn from the Death of Trayvon Martin

It's now all over the news: Young black male, Trayvon Martin, murdered in his Florida community by self appointed neighborhood watchman, George Zimmerman, who justified the shooting of unarmed Trayvon based on suspicion and self defense.

Trayvon was seventeen.

 

I have read numerous articles that quote Mr. Zimmerman in saying, "He looked like he was up to no good."

You can read on for hours across various media outlets about the developing case, but I was left asking many questions. Does your appearance determine whether or not you will be accepted and therefore grateful for your community? Is it realistic or even a smart move for minorities to "get comfortable" in diverse or ethnically different communities? If we were to associate a portrait of America's perception of 'suspicious' with a face, what would that face look like? What would that person be wearing? Where would that person come from? Am I viewed as "suspicious" when I wear a hooded sweatshirt to walk to my local grocery store?

Having a sense of community is important for most people, but what is an individual or family to do when perception literally relegates them to being 'suspicious' before they even unpack their belongings?

George Zimmerman was wrong but, due to the Florida legal system, his defense may ultimately be deemed sound and righteous under the law.

John Stuart Mill wrote, "The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant."

Mr. Zimmerman, an armed adult, took a boys life because he believed that boy was a personal threat.

I, for one, hope he is given the opportunity to think alone and quietly about his actions for many, many years.

You Are Billions of Years in the Making

This is an image taken by the Hubble Telescope of a cluster of stars. I would not want to be the one responsible for counting each and every one, but it never ceases to amaze me that most of these massive bodies of energy are billions upon billions of years old. Our sun is billions of years old and the earth is approximately 4.5 billion years old. 

If we dare to assert that in all this time, we were part of some greater plan, that would mean that we are billions of years in the making! How amazing is that idea? 

With such effort, time and energy going into producing us, we certainly have a lot to be grateful for. In addition, we had better make good use of ourselves while we can, because in the grand scheme of things, our lives are merely nano seconds on the timeline of the Universe.

You're in the Front Row!

They who lack talent expect things to happen without effort. They ascribe failure to a lack of inspiration or ability, or to misfortune, rather than to insufficient application. At the core of every true talent there is an awareness of the difficulties inherent in any achievement, and the confidence that by persistence and patience something worthwhile will be realized. Thus talent is a species of vigor.
- Eric Hoffer



I would wager that most of us have attended a play, sporting event or concert of some sort. Have you ever purchased tickets for a show where your seats were in the back or way up high in bleachers or stadium rafters? I have. The experience is not so bad, but sitting in the back is a far cry from sitting front and center. 

When sitting up front you're able to take in so much more; facial expressions, highlighted solos, lightning fast moves, detailed displays of incredible talent that you would never be able to experience from sitting near the exits. Unfortunately, most front row event tickets are exorbitantly expensive, but there is one show that we all can see up front and for free. That show is Life.

Think about it. We wake up every day in the front row of Life. Are you paying attention to what is happening around you? Are you seeing all of the beautiful details? Are you participating? It is the greatest drama we will ever have the opportunity to experience, yet some people treat Life as if it was worthless.

Whether you like it or not, you are in the front row, right now! There are no cheap seats. You can either choose to fall asleep or be aware and present for whatever may happen. And that is precisely the beautiful thing about Life. Anything can happen! Yes, Life could potentially throw you a curve ball of disappointment, struggle or heartache but overcoming those challenges makes the show even better.

If you fail to find anything to appreciate about Life, well, perhaps you should give up your seat.

Here's to Life! May the show go on and on.