On Being Human…

by | Jul 2, 2023 | Larry's Observations

Photo by Husna Miskandar

On Being Human…

by | Jul 2, 2023 | Larry's Observations

Photo by Husna Miskandar

Living on planet earth should be a fun experience, not one filled with violence, hunger, and subjugation. How do we get this across to our fellow humans?

Note: My apologies for being out of touch. I’ve been a bit under the weather (wondering where that expression came from: “On the high seas when the wind would start to blow hard and the water became rough, crewmen and travelers would go below deck and down to their cabins in order to ride out the storm and avoid becoming seasick. In this way they literally retreat to a location under the weather” Farmers’ Almanac). Anyway, I’m working out and through the situation.

On being human, what a thought.

Today, divisiveness rules and ruins the day. We are being fractured by the media and pundits and politicians who are determined to divide and conquer. Me, I’m all about unify and prosperity as a land as a country, as a planet as all of humanity. We are running the human race and how far we go and how long we last is up to us in creating unification and ultimate success. But like all races, you must get into good shape and be able to run this marathon. I used to answer questions about race when asked on forms by writing Human or Boston marathon. Just my bit of stubbornness eking out.

What kind of shape do you have to be in to run the human race?

We need to learn to work with Mother Nature and not try to simply subdue her. This trope of man vs. woman must be abandoned, black vs white or any other colors, religious animosity, or gender hostility. We are of one race—the human race, and we best not forget it. Living on planet earth should be a fun experience, not one filled with violence, hunger, and subjugation.

How do we get this across to our fellow humans? We do it through art and education. We do it once again by having good manners and being polite to one another. We do it by respecting others not so they can walk all over you but by acknowledging their right to exist—the granting of beingness to others. Ugh, now I have to practice what I preach. 😊

Bouncing Off the Walls

Just an off-the-wall thought, do we as humans need to be protected from AI, I am not referring to the physical sense but in terms of life and work. For example, if AI was to take your place and you lost your job to it, could you sue the perpetrator?

The Dividing Line

Is it not time to cross the dividing lines that “separate” us between one and another? Can we ditch the partisan politics, differing religions, races, and genders and embrace a brighter future. It is my firm belief that we define our future. Can we not come together and find a mutually pleasurable future universe, one that sets the tone for survival much like our Declaration of Independence and the Constitution do? Do we need a new agreement, a new document that defines our future and gives us a present that we can all live with? Can we find some common joys that are mutually beneficial and acceptable?

“Jeez Larry, you sure ask a lot of questions. How about a few answers?”

I am seeking sovereignty for humanity. From experience, we know that giving big biz free reign does not work. It encourages unethical practices like child labor and lousy wages for those employed. We have an equal abhorrence for big gov. However, we need some sort of governing body to make sure that big biz does not go over the line and chooses profit over humaneness (I thought for a moment that I invented a new word but no lo and behold it is defined as follows: “the quality of compassion or consideration for others (people or animals).”

We cannot be allowed to rule by divisiveness. We must find common ground in mutually beneficial goals. This is a lot easier than it appears. Just strike a friendly tone, replace frowns with smiles, and help each other out. It really is that simple.

I remember after 9/11, we were all in shock. People walked by in fear and trepidation. Folks needed something more than more news regarding the attack and resulting catastrophe. They needed friendship and I walked around our neighborhood (I was living in Los Angeles at the time in the Los Feliz area) and I said hello to folks and got into communication with them. Yes, I struck a friendly tone, and you could feel people start to relax. Friendship gave them hope and hope is all about life, isn’t it?

So, my solution to a fractured mankind is being a tough friend and being friendly. What can it hurt to get people out of their own misery in these strange and uncomfortable times? The pain and confusion that run rampant throughout the world can be brought to its knees if we don’t let it get to us. We must live in bipartisan fashion and not just what is good for the individual but the whole team. We have to see the good in our neighbors and let them see the good in ourselves even if we feel like crap.

I hate to sound preachy and if I have well, I am looking for a way out of this muck and it requires a team. After all, the human race is a marathon and not a sprint. It will take all of us working together to rid the world of its foibles. You would be surprised at what a friendly face can do!

A Poem Saluting Beingness

THE SACRED RIGHT OF BEINGNESS

Granting of beingness
Is not just a pose

It is life itself

Poured from sacred hearts

It is instant combustion
of one to another

It is the ultimate validation
of supreme existence

It is the holiest
of holy

    • Grant
    • Give
    • Flaunt

The very
action of be

OBS Post Musical Interlude

This week’s video of choice features the incredible Sister Rosetta Tharpe singing “Didn’t It Rain?”. You may not have heard of her, but I can tell you she is the real deal and truly the Godmother of Rock and Roll. She is a precious and incredible find! She sparked her trusty Gibson Les Paul Custom into life!

Let’s make it a double treat from the total opposite side of the musical spectrum. I would like to present Khatia Buniatishvili, a most renowned and fantastic pianist performing George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. I think you will rapidly agree that Khatia is a fantastic artist and most worthy of your listening attention!

Lawrence George Jaffe

Lawrence George Jaffe

Lawrence George Jaffe is an internationally known and an award-winning writer, author, and poet. For his entire professional career, Jaffe has been using his art to promote human rights. He was the poet-in-residence at the Autry Museum of Western Heritage, a featured poet in Chrysler’s Spirit in the Words poetry program, co-founder of Poets for Peace (now Poets without Borders) and helped spearhead the United Nations Dialogue among Civilizations through Poetry project which incorporated hundreds of readings in hundreds of cities globally using the aesthetic power of poetry to bring understanding to the world.

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