This is a column I just submitted to The Chart. It might run in a couple weeks, or it might not. Either way, here it is for you to check out. Comments are encouraged.
Does it feel like we’re frantic? When people feel backed into a corner, they panic, and when they panic, they react. Americans were enraged by Bill Clinton’s moral lapse and reacted. Now, many of us regret our decision to elect Bush. Looking back, it seems like a reaction. We were on board with him right after 9/11, but later wondered if we made the best decisions. Was war the right answer? Maybe we all just reacted again?
When I think of a truly wise man – a man I’d like to be someday – I picture a man who stops and thinks. He makes decisions after looking through many lenses. He views a situation through spectacles of rationality, compassion, mercy, justice, and all in light of the past, so as not to repeat the mistakes of history. This man is not emotionless, but he is master of his emotions and not vice versa. He knows they are deceitful.
Yet, how often do I react in everyday situations? If someone says something stupid in class, I usually can’t fight the urge to correct him. When someone hurts me, I immediately declare social warfare on her. We do this all the time, whether in small decisions like insulting a classmate or large ones like electing a President.
People give our generation a lot of callings. We are asked to be the generation of change, to be a generation of peace, or to be a generation of progression. Instead, what if we became the generation of wisdom?
This is a call to stop reacting. Just because our country isn’t what we want it to be under a leader at one end of the spectrum does not mean it will be better under one at the other end. The same goes with the economy at the moment. Yes, things seem bad, and we all want and need change, but let’s make sure we are not just reacting again. Let’s be wise in our decision-making. If we fight our way blindly out of this corner like the leaders before us, will we just have another regret?
Posted by lancelot on September 25, 2008 at 3:05 pm
I wrote out a little piece on this predating the semester:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=d8q4zdq_188srvxmcck
Posted by c.l. williams on September 25, 2008 at 3:24 pm
well written and probably express’ the feeling of most of your generation. us older ones have the same feeling and see a need for some drastic changes. Even the Lord does not want us to following blindly, He staes to study to make yourself worthy. The current yough 40 and below will carry the load our government is now about to put upon you and its is not your debt. only a few created this debt and they should have to pay it.
Posted by Camille Lancaster on September 25, 2008 at 6:35 pm
The regrets, if any, go far beyond who’s been elected to the presidency in the last decade. Instead of blaming a man or a party on circumstances taking place in our country – let’s go further back. Maybe we made mistakes such as Roe Vs. Wade that led up to now. Maybe taking prayer of of schools was at fault. Maybe the Supreme Court decisions based on personal beliefs rather than interpreting the law as it was written was an injustice to society. Maybe offering special rights based on the gender of the person you choose to sleep with is the root of the problems we face. Maybe allowing our society to live well beyond their means is the cause. Maybe this, maybe that – but a series of events has led us up to now – not an individual, not a political affiliation, not a war. As we prepare for the days ahead, let’s not hope for change – but let’s be intentional. Determine what really matters – life, family, morality, GOD. Don’t be deceived by the empty promises or vows of change that may or may not ever take shape. Put your beliefs in what we know to be right, true, and noble. Instead of vying for widespread change that we have very little control over, let’s change ourselves – because we can be responsible for our own actions. Make good choices as an individual. Love mercy, live justly, and walk humbly with the only One who can truly bring about the Change we all crave.
Posted by c.l.williams on September 28, 2008 at 5:07 pm
again I know we need some change and currently we are not seeing anythng new. just remember how ever you feel this country is still the greatest in the world and if you don’t think so ask all the thousands who keeptrying to get into the USA. No one party can solve all the problems we have and empty promises are just that empty. The American people will always stand for whats right and will make the stand needed to get the job done. Following the example of Jesus is the only way to get to the right path and make the correct decisions. True reacting creates its own set of problems “but” sometimes you just don’t have enough time to do anything else. Blindly following someone who talks changes but has never really changed anything in his whole career is wrong. Search your heart and mind on what you would like to see for your future children, nieces, nephews, friends, sisters, brothers, parents then see what looks good. This nations has never had it so good as these last few years.
Posted by Mark 9schwander on October 6, 2008 at 7:58 pm
I think there is definitely some wisdom to not just reacting- especially when so many of us react simply because the people around us react. Look at any of the radical political forwards you get in your e-mail- then think about how many people take those seriously. We just like to get excited and act on feelings without thinking for ourselves.
As for wisdom itself, (and I am approaching this completely from a Christian perspective, so this is just personal belief) I recently heard it said that truth is simply God’s perspective and wisdom is seeking that and acting on it. If we can make even one small effort to look at things from Gods’ eyes with the issues that we are so tied to with our petty emotions, things start looking different and priorities begin changing. Not to make us ‘react’ in a crazed “Look at all the sin! We must stop all the sinning!” kind of way, but in a way that puts things in perspective and helps us realize how rash our decisions are and how ridiculous are our motives.
Anyway, that’s my little rant. Back to it, and regardless of your religious views, I like the idea of being a generation of wisdom… being one of change doesn’t really mean anything. Well put, Colby.