Well it’s been a few weeks since we witnessed the tragic killing of an unapologetic man of faith, Charlie Kirk. In the time that has passed since, we have been presented a full spectrum of human emotion displayed from hate to love, joy to grief, facts to conspiracy and bias to objectivity.
Regardless of ones politics, faith, race or creed we live in a country where we all have the freedom of opinion. And the freedom to voice it. Being able to share it with another, we at times may find we can debate it having conceivably an open mind that says to itself, I may be wrong! Then, we may even be able to change the way we see ourselves and others. If that indeed happens, the place of a more fulfilling life may be on the horizon!
We cannot change the way another lives or what others may think. We are though quite capable to transform our own perspective of how we consider ourselves, which in turn gives us a greater understanding of how we discern another. Quite possibly we then will have something that will give us greater patience in what may be our ability to find common ground with one another.
Many years ago after a driving incident, my wife turned and said to me, “Richard, you can’t change the world!” As that old Ten Years After song rang in my head, I realized the truth of that. I believe Charlie in his own way, however anybody might see it, shared what he thought might help others to do that as well.
For those of us left behind in his death’s wake, there are many lessons that can be learned from this horrible event. But only if we are able to rewire our natural desire of believing that our joy in this life only comes from the importance of me, myself and I. Being able to make a bridge with another and find the place of common ground is there if we’re willing to cross it. Even if that means going 99% of the way. Be confidently humble. As Charlie said, prove me wrong.
Richard M. Clifford Sr.
Easthampton