Happy Tuesday everyone! Today is June 15th and it is the birthday of my daughter Kristen. So HAPPY BIRTHDAY to her! She arrived on this morning 33 years ago… a planned c-section. Everything went smoothly and hubby and I were blessed with a healthy, happy girl. Now she has one too! Life goes by too quickly sometimes but it is always an interesting journey!
I was talking to someone the other day about how it seems that some people are good at bringing up the problems of this world, and are really, really good at complaining. Yes, there are always issues and serious needs to work on, but we need to balance our view and take time to be grateful, and we need to see the beauty around us.
Reminder: Most people are good! It’s easy to get skewed about humanity because media focuses on the ones that are not good. We need to constantly remind ourselves that the bad gets the attention – unfortunately. Not everyone is upset over masks, lashing out at store cashiers and flight attendants. Not everyone is spewing foul language on social media, and there are still wonderful reasons to be online.
I saw a lot of really good people during the four days of the Carolina Country Music Festival this past week. Everyone was there to share in a common interest and to experience live music together. Don’t get me wrong. We don’t all think alike on many topics. I’m sure many think differently than me politically. There is no doubt that country music fans tend to lean Republican, and they love all things patriotic, and they support freedoms especially when it comes to guns. (But, not freedoms when it comes to women’s choices.) I love country music but I know it’s not the place to speak up about politics! Ha
And, wow! I saw what seemed like half of the concert goers had tats on their bodies! All ages. All different kinds of tattoos, in all different parts of their bodies. Some wore full sleeves. Some had tats full of color. I saw a young lady with one whole leg tatted, and the other without a single one. That looked a bit odd. But I”m guessing she is not done with getting ink work done. As someone without a single tattoo I marvel at how some people so freely get them, knowing it will be on their bodies their whole life. I am too indecisive to do that. I also know as I age I change my mind about things. I would like to ask some that are fulls of tats what they represent – if they do at all. What was your reason for getting inked? At the music festival I saw lots of flowers, faces of people I assume are loved ones, and I Even saw baby feet on a woman’s back. Was it a sad or happy tat?? I’m not sure. Some tattoos are on people’s backs… which I find interesting because they can never see them. I guess it’s a safe place to put them because they are able to cover them up when at their jobs.
One more thing about tats: they cost a lot of money! So, I find it interesting that people who are not rich use their money to get them. Full sleeves and intricate tats cost thousands of dollars! So – if you have one, or many, respond and tell me the meaning of them. And wondering if you have any regrets about them.
Obviously, it’s different strokes for different folks. It’s the beauty of us all. We have a variety of interests and we go through unique life experiences. Each one of us an individual.
Which brings me to this point: Individuality is big these days. Maybe too big. I have had conversations lately about how we Americans seem to be pretty ego-centric and we don’t always think about ‘the common good.’ We live together, we rely on each other, we must have laws for safety and civil obedience – yet the loud voices on social media are pushing the whole ‘don’t tread on me’ agenda. I guess it’s always a pendulum swing…. personal freedom on one side, group socialism needs on the other. That big scary world: socialism! Ha Here in the US we have socialistic programs already. We need them. But people fear losing their freedom – and really, they fear losing their things – they fear too much will be given to some that have not worked for it. They fear sharing – and giving others a piece of the pie.
It’s interesting that we have 3 patriotic holidays in a row: Memorial Day, Flag Day, and Independence Day. The US flag flies a lot in early summertime! ALL Americans proudly fly them – and it should never be a political party statement. It represents everyone together: the 50 stars of equal size and color. All alike. The flag is a symbol. But it doesn’t mean that everything is rosy all the time in America. Yes, some who live here feel let down by our government, or are left out and are still not given equal rights. We need to understand that. We need to listen and keep working on true equality.
Change of subject: THANK YOU THANK YOU to all who got vaccinated! The music festival might not have happened without all of those who believed in the ‘common good’ and were willing to take the chance. Those who did believed in science had our best interests In mind. Masked, vaccinated, being careful for all these months – and we are now getting back to a more normal life.
In fact I took my first flight since the pandemic just last week. I was masked and I felt safe. I would not have flown 6 months ago. We ARE making progress!!!
So – go out now! Still be careful and stay safe. But go out and enjoy!!
Have a great day – and happy birthday again dear daughter!
Marla’s Musings 