I "SEE" YOU

          While watching The Biggest Loser on television the other day, I was moved to tears when Dolvet told a contestant that he could "see" who she was on the inside.  Scenes from the movie Avatar flashed through my mind.  In that movie the tribal community saw one another's strengths far beyond any weaknesses.  They were taught to build one another up--and not put anyone down.  They believed in being united and single-minded.  And I wondered:  What would it be like to live in a community where people truly "see" you?

          Meanwhile, the topic of bullying has been headlining the newscasts lately.  Isn't it shocking to see how people--especially children--who don't necessarily fit into a particular mold are being treated?  Being beaten and even having their lives threatened?!  Then again, why should we be shocked about that?  Do we not allow our children to spend hours on end with electronic devices playing shoot'm-up-bang-bang games?!

          These electronic games may be a lot of fun; but what are they doing to our society?  What concepts are they teaching our children?  That it's okay to point a gun at another person because you don't like them?  We live in the information age.  There has been plenty of research done on how the human mind works.  There are many books available on self-talk and affirmations and how the "programs" that run our belief systems and values are created.

          If only we, as a global people, would take the time to learn and understand that the part of our mind that creates our programming doesn't know the difference between reality and fantasy.  It only takes in the information it receives through all of the senses, sorts it, and uses it to create the files and programming or mental software that will run our lives.  Take, for example, the runner who vividly visualizes his next race.  Because he's done it over and over in his mind, his body naturally and flawlessly acts out the race in physical time just as it was visualized in his mind--in an imaginative or fantasy-like way of thinking.  So what is happening in the minds of our people when we use our fingers to move a knob or push a button to watch a character--that represents oneself--pick up a gun and shoot another human being while watching the body fall and the blood fly and splash?!!!

          I also watched a Dr. Phil episode this year that was about parents who have, are, and are afraid that they could be raising a murderer!!!  They spoke about truly being fearful that their own child had the potential to take their lives!!!

          Wow.  I sure would have liked to question those parents.  Did both parents work?  Were their children left with daycare or on their own for much of their childhood years?  Did they hold regular, fun, and stimulating activities with their children when they were young?  Did they keep open lines of communication?  Did they believe in God or a Higher Power?  Did they teach honor and respect in the home?  And most of all, how many hours a day or a week did they allow their children to play electronic games or watch violent movies?!

          Given all of this, is it any wonder then that our children are bullying, hitting, kicking, and even killing one another?  If you think things are bad now; what values do you think the next generation will hold after being raised by parents who are programmed with violence?!!!

          How far are we willing to let this go?  How long will we close our eyes to ther media violence that is bombarding our thoughts and overwhelming our senses?  Are we ready to let gross darkness, as prophesied, take over our planet?

          Wouldn't you agree that bullying is like the opposite of truly seeing someone for who they are on the inside?  I wonder how long it would take to stomp out all crime and violence if we taught the upcoming generation how to respect and honor differences--to  "see" others as special, unique, and valuable?  To listen and learn.  To find courage to stand up against violence.  And what if that generation in turn raised a new generation--a generation ready to create a harmonious global society?!!!

TEN TALENTS

          Do you remember the parable of the ten talents?  It’s found in Matthew 25: 14-29 in the King James version of the Holy Bible, and goes like this:

 

For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

 

And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

 

Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

 

And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two,

 

But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.

 

After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

 

And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

 

His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

 

He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents; behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

 

His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

 

Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed;

 

And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

 

His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed;

 

Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

 

Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

 

For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

 

 

          Jesus taught in parables for the messages that can be easily gleaned from them; as well as be personalized to each person’s time period in which they are living throughout history, location, and circumstance.  I understand that talents were a form of money in Biblical times.  One analogy for this parable, or another representation for the talent, is that it represents actual God-given aptitudes in areas such as music, art, dance, sewing, cooking, gardening, education, medicine, psychology, or business.  Or spiritual gifts like wisdom, intuition, heightened spiritual senses, discernment, speech, compassion, integrity, and interpretation.

 

          Have you ever wondered what talents or gifts you’ve been given?  Have you discovered all there is to know about who you are and what you have to offer your family, community, and the world?  Have you found that place where you fit?

 

          What if we could see each other for the talents and gifts that we possess on the inside rather than only seeing what we see with our physical eyes of a person on the outside?  What truths would we discover?  What could we learn and share?

 

          Do you suppose that we actually have a duty, obligation, or responsibility to share what we’ve been given?  Even if it involves stepping outside our comfort zone and overcoming our greatest fears?  And what happens if we never overcome those fears?  What happens to those who we were supposed to inspire or motivate with what we’ve been given?  I’m sure they move on . . . find other ways to learn and share what they need to learn and share . . . but do we?  Or is something precious lost forever?