"Not all Sneetches are Snitches"

     I have an odd way of viewing the world. Because of that, I have had many people call me unsavory names, make assertions that simply aren’t true as well as attempted to defame my character. Nevertheless, I know who I am, what I’ve done and said so I remain true to myself while ignoring the naysayers. One of my abhorrent pet peeves is when a person slanders or is libelous to another while they have absolutely no recollection of their own shortcomings. They want forgiveness and mercy for themselves, yet refuse to offer the same to others. Instead, they point out the weaknesses and mistakes of others to deflect their sins refusing to fine tune their own lives.

      I was taught by those who would most definitely be considered racist and obstinate; but I refused to adhere to their prejudices. I knew who they were, how they acted and what they said about others. Therefore their viewpoints gave me pause and caused me to examine my own values. I have probably have always bucked authority in the sense that just because someone says something, that doesn’t necessarily make it true. Actions speak so loudly at times, that I can’t even hear what the person is attempting to say.

     When I was in grade school we had some interesting faculty members who went out of their way to teach the children about acceptance of others regardless of their race, sex, differing abilities or any other subcategory people tend to compartmentalize others into for the sake of feeling superior to people unlike themselves. A college group traveled around the different schools in our district to share a lively play based upon Dr. Seuss’ “Sneetches and Snitches.” They explained that the Sneetches thought themselves to be loftier than the plain Snitches because the Sneetches were born with a star on their bellies. While the Snitches were simply ordinary folks not worthy of much, which made them sad, depressed and unloved.

     An opportunist, a man by the name of Sylvester McMonkey McBean created a machine whereby the Snitches, the ones without stars, could indeed become just as special as the original Sneetches who were born with stars. He charged the Snitches minimal amounts of money to give them their hearts desire, to become a Sneetch for three whole dollars. The Snitches flocked to the machine to be just like the adored Sneetches and got their star, finally proud to be like the adored Sneetches.

      As the story goes, the Sneetches were very much dismayed that they were no longer considered special anymore because now anyone could be just like them. The marvelously deceitful, but obviously astute business man told the Sneetches that he could make them an original again by removing their revered stars for a mere ten dollars. The Sneetches were elated to be able to prove that they indeed were superior to the former plain Snitches who now adorned the coveted stars of the original Sneetches. The Sneetches lined up to give their money to Sylvester McMonkey McBean to rid themselves of the now hated stars that adorned their bodies. He gladly took their money and appeased their desires by removing the offending stars that everyone now had.

      On and on this circus-like fiasco went, Sneetches removing stars, Snitches obtaining stars, then vice versa and so on. By the days end, Sylvester McMonkey McBean packed up his worn out machine, having pocketed all the money he received from the Sneetches and Snitches and left them to deal with the aftermath, broke and confused. Some Sneetches had their stars back on their bellies while others had theirs removed. Many Snitches were star-free while others were sporting their new stars. No one knew who was a “real” Sneetch or who was a “real” Snitch. And the professor had left town with his machine and all of their money.

      This entertaining story as told by Dr. Seuss in his unique way was a satire of the state of our country many decades ago. The prejudices long since passed down over the ages pitted sexes, social classes, cultures and all other abominations against one another as a way to divide, not unite. Everyone has something that makes them utterly unique, worthy of praise and respect. The great divide isn’t something that we are born with; rather it is something we are taught, along with other revolting things.

      Not all Sneetches, just because their lives have been blessed in different ways than some of us wish ours had been, are superior to anyone else. Furthermore, not all Snitches are bad or less than worthy, regardless of what we’ve been taught to believe. So, now all Sneetches aren’t Snitches and not all Snitches are Sneetches. There are very few absolutes in our world. Indeed, gravity may be considered one of them; but even gravity can be manipulated under certain circumstances. The only real absolute is that everyone who has been born must die. That’s the only absolute we have to adhere to.

      Not one single person who has lived is better, or worse than anyone else. Some may have been more privileged perhaps through ease of money, having excellent parents, the ability to assimilate much knowledge, discover then develop their talents, or any number of different blessings. But that just simply makes them unique. It doesn’t make them better than anyone else. When we gauge our progress against ourselves, rather than that of others, we will realize whether or not we have lived up to our own potentials. Acceptance of everyone and their contributions no matter how great or minuscule, are meant to unite us, not divide us. If we remember this logic and apply it to our own lives, imagine what changes we can make that would create harmony, peace and a sense of self-worth that we’re all so desperately seeking.

"The Unexamined Life"

      It’s just another day in the life of me. Where the unimaginable happens at record pace and I have a stunned look on my face, thinking WTF was that? For the record, I tend to keep it real. Many people are offended by what I write, how I write, my tone or words I use when writing or simply that I write at all. I like to believe that alone gives me purpose. If I feel it, witness it or am affected by it, I will write about it; even though many think I shouldn’t write about controversial things. But I don’t live to impress anyone; at least not anymore.

      When I was a young girl, we had a music teacher (whose name I’ve long since forgotten) who would explain the story behind the songs she would attempt to teach us. Not being musically inclined, though I often wish I were, I listened with rapt attention. As visual person, I always saw the stories play out inside my mind. My teacher said I was a daydreamer, and I said in response, “But I'm not the only one.” (John Lennon).

      One of the most captivating stories I remember her telling us was “There’s a Hole in My Bucket” between Henry and Liza. As I envisioned Liza’s no nonsense logic to Henry’s undeniable dilemma, the story seemed utterly hopeless. Henry needs water to fix the literal hole in the bucket and Liza, with all of her sense and sensibilities tells him to go get some water to fix the bucket. I also imagine Liza rolling her eyes and thinking “duh?” to herself, because I can be sardonic as well. Henry, on the other hand, sings to her about how he cannot get water to fix the bucket along with the many legitimate reasons as to why not. Liza, still not buying the inconvenience, keeps up with the chorus that he has to fix the hole, no matter what, so find a way. The stalemate has been set and the resolution is simply another stanza proclaiming what the chorus has continuously aforementioned.

      It has been decades since that teacher told us this story. I’m sure that in all of her wisdom, she probably never gave it much thought as to how it would continue to affect her students long after her career as a music teacher ended. But isn’t that how lessons are usually learned? Someone somewhere felt inspired to share a story with others. Their intent may be to educate, to serve as a warning, or give a background to the story so that it was made clear but it’s the lasting impressions that hit home. The lasting impressions are different for everyone, as all have a unique path to walk. Perhaps not one single person in all of her classes may even remember that particular day when this teacher taught this lesson. But I never forgot it.

     Throughout my life, I’ve had many examples of quandaries much like Henry and Liza. An impasse ensues as someone declares something is utterly impossible to resolve while another person adamantly exclaims that the solution simply hasn’t yet been ascertained. Who is right? I believe that depends upon the situation. I hold dear another adage, “Use it up, wear it out, and make it do or do without.” If the something that is impossible to fix must need be replaced, then just replace it if at all possible. But if it can be repaired, then do whatever necessary to repair it instead of throwing it away; especially if that something isn’t a thing, but rather a person or a relationship. However, be prepared to walk away from something (or someone) that or who no longer improves your life, but rather adds to the heap of adversity you have to deal with already. Toxic people and relationships only serve to further harm you and your loved ones. In this case, the hole can never be fixed no matter how hard or long you try.

     “The unexamined life is not worth living,” Socrates. The vast number of people I’ve come across during my sojourn who always find the need to place the blame onto others for their unfortunate circumstances is impossible to tally. I stopped counting long before I hit age twenty. That’s not to say I cannot feel empathy for others, regarding that their upbringing may have had such a negative influence on them that they were unable to pull themselves out of a tailspin to find their way. For most others, it was merely an excuse for their deviant behaviors. There are horrors that no one should experience, but many do. I have found the ones who have endured the most serious hardships are the most resilient people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. It seems to me only the weak in spirit refuse to examine their own lives in order to take responsibility for theirs words and actions. The strong ones continuously do so, as they adhere to the Hippocratic Oath, “First do no harm.”

      If there is a hole in your bucket, then do whatever is necessary to fix it. If it cannot be fixed, then replace it. If you don’t have the means to replace it, then make do. But under no uncertain circumstance, ever place the blame onto others if the ability to repair, replace or change a situation that is well within your grasp to do so. Take the time necessary to examine your own life. Heal your hurts, your disappointments, your failings or misunderstandings before one day you find yourself standing all alone wondering what happened and why?

     Because if you cannot be happy in your own skin, then who will be happy standing next to you? And know that wherever you go, there YOU are and one day you will be made to examine your life. You won’t be able to run, hide, blame or deride others. Unless and until you come to terms with your own hole that’s deep inside of you, you cannot even fathom how to repair it. You have been given this life, these experiences to learn from and grow into a better, more compassionate individual. And you cannot do that if you refuse to take the time to examine the insatiable hole within you. 

In Whom Do You Trust?

            Life is full of challenges, achievements, and sadness’s that can be overwhelmingly debilitating at times. No one can expect to be live without facing unique circumstances meant to stretch our understanding and test our faith in others, especially in ourselves. It’s not a matter of if something negative will happen, but only a matter of when. Sometimes, once your first breath of air has been inhaled, your adversity has already begun. At other times, you may seemingly go about your life without much in the way of NOT having your needs and wants satisfied; but that in and of itself may actually be your challenge.

            In this diverse world with which we live, with over seven billion souls occupying it, there are way too many mathematical combinations to even begin to sort through the sheer number of issues, problems, trials and adversities. By the same token, there are just as many, if not so many  more, reasons to not give up hope and continue onward persevering while helping others do the same. What may seem like an endless array of moaning and lamenting through images, song lyrics, novels, movies, or any other artistic outlet is simply a form of expression to share their own story. What a difference it makes to know that others have felt the same way as we have and managed to survive.

            As a child I had the wherewithal to understand that I had been blessed to be born in this country of my inheritance, so to speak. It was easy for me to understand that so many other children were so much worse off than I. At least I didn’t live in a hut, have to work in a factory or sweatshop or live with a barrage of constant military attacks that left my community in ruins. I faced my own hells, but compared to those I’ve seen in various images, I had truly been blessed. I learned to appreciate reading at a young age and loved to learn about new things. My insatiable appetite for acquiring knowledge couldn’t be quenched, as the more I learned, the more I needed to know. And I needed to know about everything I could find out whether it was good, bad, happy or sad; I simply had to know stuff.

            Because my parental beings weren’t as, let’s simply say for the sake of decency, as enlightened as they should have been prior to having children, I wanted to know what had happened to make them so inadequate. It would take multitudes of volumes, countless hours of therapy and years of torment before the understanding would finally come to me. It turns out they merely chose the path of least resistance. It takes a lot of chutzpa to admit that one is broken, has issues that need to be addressed and then have a desire to change. But not everyone is willing to do so as our society; and as the societies before us have revealed every single day throughout our world’s history, neither have they. Nevertheless, and most thankfully, there were (and still are) numerous folks who have had the courage to change the course of their destiny; thereby, changing the course for others’ destiny as well. For those who have had the tenacity to stand against the tide and say, ‘No, this is not supposed how the story is supposed to go,’ I give thanks for their shining examples.

            Because the path of least resistance is easier, many go about their days without bothering to comprehend that they can make a difference in their own lives and the lives of others. Instead of using the challenges they have been given, as well as the tools already given with which to remedy them, they chose to ignore the harder ways in lieu of just getting by. Getting by is never enough; at least it shouldn’t be. To discover ones’ talents, develop and then hone them to share with others is one of the utmost essential elements to changing the world as we know it. Because nothing changes, if nothing changes. We must be prepared to not only accept that we should rectify areas in our lives that are deficit, but to do so willingly. Our world is in constant motion, and it’s alive with more moving parts and elements than we could ever imagine. And we have all been blessed to be a part of it.

            Many chose to remain steadfast in their known hell, believing that they cannot change anything so they don’t bother to even try. The unknown blessings are beyond scarier to them than the known chaos they’ve become accustomed. That’s why people remain stuck in a rut; simply out of fear of the unknown. Edison’s tenacity has allowed us to enjoy light bulbs, phonograph or other inventions that we now take for granted every day. Newton understood and then explained the laws of motion and gravity so that it could be further expanded upon. Galileo’s inquisitiveness also played a huge part of the scientific revolution. Mother Teresa is the proverbial icon for selfless charity, encouraging everyone to serve others; not only in order to feel better about themselves, but as a way of serving God. Joan of Arc is one of my favorite heroines of all time; took upon the English at such a tender age, remained steadfast and true to her faith in God and her country until she was burned at the stake. There are endless numbers of people who through their own curiosity, tenacity, faith, and understanding were willing to step out of their comfort zone and say, “No, this is not how the story is supposed to go.”

            Not one single person, who has lived, is alive or will be born, has led a perfectly safe life devoid of issues, challenges and trials. We have come here to learn, grow, and share. But it’s entirely up to you to decide whether to stay within the confines of your known hell, or to challenge it. You alone choose your paths or destiny that may very well help others change theirs as well. So, do you turn inside yourself, feeling despair, hopelessness, and depressed over your circumstances? Or do you trust yourself to know that the unknown blessings of your future are superior to your known hell? Everything you need to overcome any adversity is already within you to do so. But in whom do you trust?