It's More Than Just Words...

Ron Howard has a new movie coming out called The Dilemma.

Recently there was a big brouhaha regarding a scene in
the trailer in which Vince Vaughn's character talks
about a car being so "gay."

The trailer came out about the same time that there were
many news items about gay youth dying. As a result, the
studio decided to cut the scene from the trailer.
Apparently it was/is up to Ron Howard as to whether or
not the lines stay in the movie at all.

I read today that after much reflection and consultation,
he has decided to keep them in. Among the reasons, it
is an adult movie. While it could be argued that if it
somehow reinforces an adult's view on the topic, it
could trickle down to the youth. After all, where do
youth get their beliefs generally speaking?

However, in addressing some of the issues around the
topic and the film, Ron makes some valid points. I
admire him for the way he looks at the stand he has
taken.

If we are so sensitive as to edit all language that we
find objectionable in the media, it doesn't mean it
will go away, and it doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

Might it be better to paint the pictures that we
paint, and then address them instead of pretending
like they don't exist?

So many times, people want to act as if something is
not an issue, so they want to hush it, ignore it,
try to push it away...but it still lurks. Interestingly,
when things are pushed down and away, it is like a
fertilizer, and instead of killing it off, there is
a good chance it is actually going to be fed.

The more we try to push things down, put them off,
push them away, the more likely we will be to have
to deal with them - on a bigger scale - later.

I would suggest that the language - the words -
are getting in the way of the REAL problem and issue.
The words are often a symptom, and the best thing
we can do is to address the cause. Behind words
are meanings that need to be addressed so that the
words either take on a new meaning, or cease to
be an issue.

Unfortunately, ceasing to use them in a certain
manner alone does not address the cause, and
therefore doesn't resolve the problem. If only
it was that easy. I know few who would say that
was the case, and yet as we draw energy, time,
resources to addressing the words, the problem
continues.

Like many issues we face today, it is difficult to
address them completely in their complexity. I
am only adding my few cents to the mix. If we
could get to a better place by accepting ourselves,
loving ourselves, and learning to communicate
effectively, with a respect for others I suspect
we'd go a long way in getting to the place that
some people try to correct with superficial fixes.

The thing is, though, we have an outward type of
culture that makes it very difficult to go within
and confront ourselves. It is easier to blame
someone else and address their issues, instead of
dealing with our own.

Yes. It sucks. And it also is the best hope we
have to help ourselves, or anyone else. If
something is troubling you, consider taking a
moment to figure out what you are addressing
and, if at all possible, address the cause.
You'll have a much better chance of using your
time, energy, and resources in a beneficial way.
 

The Time is Now

In the midst of what is going on with
my friend's dad, this poem was shared.

Apparently the author is the prolific
Anon Y. Mous

The Time is Now

If you are ever going to love me,
Love me now, while I can know
The sweet and tender feelings
Which from true affection flow,
Love me now while I am living,
Do not wait until I'm gone
And then have it chiseled in marble,
Sweet words on ice-cold stone.
If you have tender thoughts of me,
Please tell me now.
If you wait until I'm sleeping,
Never to awaken,
There will be death between us,
and I won't hear you then.
So, if you love me, even a little bit,
Let me know it while I am living
So I can treasure it.

Perhaps this will inspire you to
tell someone how you feel about
them...if they're anything like
me, it may be something that is
already known, but in the words
come the "real" meat.

And, sadly, sometimes while one
may think it is "known," people
don't realize what they mean to
others, and the words can make
all the difference (think: It's
A Wonderful Life).

Every day can be a special day
of Love and Appreciation, not
just holidays on the calendar.

Have a great day!
 

Jon Stewart: A Beacon of Sanity | Video

Ask Men says that Jon Stewart is
the Most Influential Man of 2010.

I'd like to say (as odd as that
may seem to some) that is good
news, given what is being
expressed by him.

He has some very wise words that
I think have a balanced, sane
sound to them. It is a message
that I can only hope that people
can hear.

Today he had a rally in DC, and
I thought some of what he had to
say quite profound. The video
below has his closing words.

Two quotes of particular note
for me were:

"If we amplify everything,
we hear nothing."

"The inability to distinguish
terrorists from Muslims makes
us less safe, not more."

I like how he breaks things apart
that have been unhelpfully
collapsed together.

If you haven't seen it, consider
taking the time and watching/
listening and see what you
might get from it, and share
with others.

He mentions nothing of hypnosis,
and yet what he describes is
hypnosis in action. When we
are hypnotized, we are paying
attention to what the hypnotist
wants us to see and experience.
As a result, our experience
becomes limited by the hypnotist's
focus, awareness, and direction.

(Interesting to note that the
first letter of each one of those
words creates the word FAD: defined
by Wikipedia "as any form of
behavior that develops...and is
collectively followed with
enthusiasm for some period..."
It's generally considered fleeting,
and is considered an alternative to
a trend which is more enduring.)

And it would seem these days that
we as a culture are quite
mesmerized, and not necessarily
by the things that do us good.

I am glad to see someone who is
doing and saying things that can
empower and engage doing his
best to awaken those in trance.

Things that happen in trance can
become real life realities if
reinforced over time. Good
hypnosis becomes who you are,
and is no longer what you do.

It might be good if all of the
"insanity" that Jon believes has
been present is more of a fad
than a trend. But only time
will tell. I know I am voting
for a fad.

What about you?

What do you think?