LISTEN
I want to start a
movement. I want people to start listening to people they don't agree
with. Hey, I know it's not gonna be easy and I say this to myself as well.
But I think it's a dying social art form. Today the chasm of political,
religious and social beliefs polarize even good people to extreme hatred.
If the political leaders are too mesmerized in their grandstanding antics
to seek the greater good why don't we show them how it's done?
If we get less personal
about the issues, and we are open to the possibility that we may be wrong,
then I believe we can learn from each other. To be wrong isn't an admission
of stupidity rather it is an admission that we are human. Highly intelligent
people can be wrong. Maturity does not always come with intellect but
can be more important sometimes. It's brain power vs, heart power.
No one wants to be
called an extremist. Even extremists don't want that label. But are you
sure you aren't one of them? Be honest. Do you live in a "cordon
sanitaire" bubble filled with "Yes Men" all the time?
Listen to the same media station? Do you refuse to hear what the other
side is saying? Do you engage in shouting match debates rather than respectful
discussions where you genuinely want to learn from each other? Can you
see the imperfections of people you admire? Can you stop defending their
mistakes? Is it possible that your loyalty to your group has already blinded
you? Watch out for the extremist in your neighborhood. It might be
you!
As he was nearing Damascus on this mission, suddenly a
brilliant light from heaven spotted down upon him! He fell to the ground
and heard a voice saying to him, Paul! Paul! Why are you persecuting
me?" ---Acts 9:3
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Wisdom
from Norm of Arcadia, CA
A pretty face is nothing if you have
an ugly heart.
Thanks
to this week's winners:
Art and Tom of Pasadena, CA; Mike abd Charlie of New York; Don
of Kelowna, B.C.; Norm of Arcadial.
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Comments
Anonymous
Sat, 01/31/2015 - 10:39
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Doodling
Dear Raoul,
An especially good week. Especially liked the "3 spies" joke and the Italian gesture video. I once doodled a jungle on my fridge when I lived in the East Village in the late '60s The doodle care was a real work of art.
Thanks for the amusement.
Robert
Anonymous
Sat, 01/31/2015 - 10:39
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TV Shows
Thanks bro!
Lots of great TV shows back in the day.
Thanks again. Have a good week.
Rick
Anonymous
Sat, 01/31/2015 - 10:40
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Good and Bad News
I got bad news and I got good news.
The bad news: the family didn’t like all your Italian “jokes” so they decided to whack you by blowing up your car.
The good news: a blonde has been bugging the family to let her join, so they told her “Blow up Raoul’s car and you’re in”. She burned her lips on the car’s exhaust pipe.
Tom
Anonymous
Sat, 01/31/2015 - 10:44
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Timely
How timely this is, Raoul. Re your wish for people to listen more.
[I have been having problems with my neighbor], no sooner said than we are on the way of settling differences.
Just this morning, my neighbor's daughter, who helps him manage their property came to visit with a message from her father. She said that regarding the disputed boundary, her father said that out of respect for me, he will follow the local orders and stop building his wall.
God responds so quickly.
Dette
Anonymous
Sat, 01/31/2015 - 10:45
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Agree
Thanks Raoul, The intro is great and I agree with listening to the other side if only for an understanding of where they are coming from. Life becomes more exciting if we are open to what others think even though we may not agree. How boring life would become if we were constantly surrounded by people that were all the same.
Tom
Anonymous
Sat, 01/31/2015 - 10:47
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Listen
Your "Listen!" was really worth listening to. You come into the scene like Paul of Damascus. God bless you! God bless us all!
love,
Mommy
P.S. Enjoyed the Pope's jokes. With Him leading the way, the Catholic Church is in for a 180 degree turn for sure. Just this morning, we were talking about him and the way he leads by example by showing up those tired old bishops....shall I say, "barnacles" of the Church. And guess who I was talking with? My neighbor's daughter who came to call and convey a message that they hope to settle our differences (land bouundaries again) in an amicable way. Will wonders never cease?
Dette