A recent WordPress Daily Prompt’s headline was “Seven Wonders“. Am I the only one who immediately thought of the Seven Wonders of the World? It is obvious, no? But of course, that wasn’t the point of the prompt.
It was much more intriguing: “Khalil Gibran once said that people will never understand one another unless language is reduced to seven words. What would your seven words be?”
I’ve gotta tell you, dozens and dozens of alternatives popped into my head right away. But the more I thought about it, the more this one just seemed to stand out:
Try looking for the good in people.
Never in my life can I remember a time when there was as much hatred, intolerance, animosity, prejudice, disdain, disrespect, disagreement, lack of civility and downright vile, vicious and unacceptable behaviour as there is currently. Especially in the United States where, it seems to me, “the greatest power on earth” looks like it’s going to hell in a hand basket. Shocking.
Nobody likes anybody. Anti-muslim, anti-jew, anti-catholic, anti-gay, anti-women, anti-poor, anti-rich, anti-seniors, anti-hispanic, anti-black, anti-President. Especially anti-President. The members of the House don’t get along with members of congress. The democrats can’t stand the republicans. The republicans can’t stand each other. The tea party hates everyone.
Instead of listening and talking and debating and brainstorming and negotiating, they’re all pointing fingers, name-calling, accusing, threatening and generally stomping their feet, behaving like children refusing to eat their vegetables.
Nero fiddled while Rome burned.
What I can’t believe is how oblivious they are to the damage this is causing to their economy, their reputation and, in fact, to the whole world.
Instead of spending all our time looking for what’s wrong with each other, and our ideas, why can’t we look for what’s right? What’s good. What’s nice. What’s fair. What’s possible. What’s positive. Why can’t we try to find common ground? Why can’t we agree to agree instead of agreeing to disagree? Why can’t we give each other a chance? Why can’t we hear each other out?
Why can’t we stop being self-serving? Why can’t we put ourselves in the other guy’s shoes, for just a minute? Get back to being understanding and welcoming and compassionate and collaborative and generous and entrepreneurial . That is, after all, what made America great in the first place, is it not?
And now America’s strengths have become its weaknesses. And what once was the American dream has now become the American nightmare.
So (sadly) true. I keep thinking about the Golden Rule…if I can take an extra two words: do unto others as others would do unto you.
So true.
It gets harder and harder to live here in America. So much discord. So much hate. So I’d say, tho short 3 wds, “Live and let live.”
4 words :). But good ones:)
Well said! I couldn’t agree with you more.
Thank you. And thanks for taking the time to comment:)
Once again, you nailed it.
Thank you:)
I also thought immediately of the seven wonders, but I like the 7 words you chose. If only. As for American politics, I’m to the point where I believe there is no solution. There is absolutely no solution.
I’m sorry to say I agree with you. It does seem futile. I would never have believed we’d see something like this happen in the US. I just don’t get it.
Couldn’t agree more, unfortunately.
What a mess they’re in.
You said it all … succinctly and eloquently as usual. The Golden Rule works for me too … in 7 … respect others as you would respect yourself.
The American Dream has turned into such a disappointment. I truly believe it is not too late to turn it around. *living in hope*
Thanks so much. Yes, I think most of the world is living in hope. I certainly am.
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Many thanks for the shout-out 🙂
“Why can’t we stop being self-serving?” Another 7 of yours that work equally well
Thanks! Yes, you’re right. Maybe one day we’ll all finally get it. Gotta hope, right?
Hope .. yep. That’s the one thing we’ve always got.
🙂
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Thanks very much for the shout-out.
Great article and indeed very thought provoking! These thoughts came to mind: Forgiveness could be the core of humaneness or Love Is the Answer to Everything….
Great thoughts. Thanks for sharing. Now all we have to do is get everyone else on board 🙂
Actually the second thought came from a favorite recording by that same title and is mentioned in one of my posts entitled:
what-is-the-question-that-love-can-answer
Thank you
Thank you.
Really great response to the daily post. It is such a beautiful statement and I think it definitely helps people understand each other.
Thank you so much. Today I occasionally watched the hearings in the US and I just can’t believe the ugliness. What a sad world we live in.