Few probably remain alive today who can remember initiation of the advent of television–in black and white and hardly distinguishable but for the dialects and sounds of voices. Among the great tragedies of life to date is that this revered nation can still be so emotionally divided politically, despite all legal and other progressive changes.
“Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced,” James Baldwin.
How frequently are needless adverse situations created from failure to face adverse situations that fester into major problems. How often the problems constantly demanding solution or the complexities of life that crowd upon us that cannot be denied. To those who attempt to solve these problems or unravel the complexities relying upon their own experience and wisdom there can come periods of despair which overwhelm. It is the great bounty of this enlightened era that a new Light has been diffused to illumine the hearts of men and to bring understanding-–and with that understanding, peace; to bring perspective to the battlefield, and with that perspective, assurance of ultimate victory; to bring a knowledge of the ocean’s depths while being tossed upon its surface–and with that knowledge a divine tranquility, even while the tempest is raging.”
It is ironic and sad that in this beautiful comparatively new nation, the devisive and destructive spirit of competition and confrontation has been so popularized and deeply instilled from infancy that we seldom become attracted to or familiar with the more unifying C’s of courtesy, compassion and especially consultation, the very bedrock of Baha’i administration- and the embryonic blueprint for World Peace. Such respectful consultation among couples, families and within community, religious, social and other gatherings, is the most effective way to minimize problems that can too soon become insurmountable when left unfaced.
With the loss of so many close family members during the past year (including five within as many weeks last Fall), it was my primary desire to assemble as many as possible around my Christmas dinner table–that proved most successful. I refer to it as my “Blue Blood” table as each episode of that popular series of three generations of family police officers ends at the dinner table where all family members engage in family discussion, -a lost art unheard of in today’s modern family in which each lives within one’s own social media or other cubicle.
I was fortunate enough to duplicate the rare situation on Sunday, at least in part, as all four of my grandchildren who live here (+ my son, Stan and a friend of his daughter) joined me at a Valentine’s (“Blue Blood”) dinner table at which we all engaged in hilarious mutual fun and conversation. I would hope to encourage the tradition among as many families as possible as frequently as possible. You can’t imagine the difference such personal communication makes, especially with the youth, in this new (secret) world of “social media.”
On Sunday evening I watched for the first time the entire Grammy Awards, the most spectacular, diverse and unifying event I’ve witness (beginning to end) for such lengthy time span. It seems that music and musicians, always the leaders in transcending barriers, are continuing the tradition. It was a spectacular display of musical diversity and artistic pageantry honoring and including past and present famous legends while introducing new ones.
I would strongly encourage all to create as many “Blue Blood” dinner table situations as possible with as many family members as possible (especially including youth). Be sure to make each a happy Valentine (love) tradition to extend throughout the year and be long remembered and treasured by all present. Each family needs this for We are the world!
