My dear friend from Hilo, Hawaii has thrown in the towel.
She has decided to “take an indefinite break from Facebook.” Pity. I love her posts and all the beautiful thoughts she writes for “Womanity.” She says FB has gotten too political, too painful.
I share her misgivings. Perhaps it’s time for us to take a breather from all that angst.
Social media seems to thrive on negativity. Instead of accomplishing its original intent to “connect” people, it has, especially in the past year, served to disconnect us. It has become our soapbox to vehemently disparage and disrespect one another.
It is difficult to remain neutral. So many times I have had my “trigger finger” ready to start a war. But I know it is silly to engage.
Differences of opinion make life interesting. They should not make or break friendships. We must make room for dissent and be enriched by divergent points of view.
I have, therefore, opted to pick and choose. When somebody’s post touches my heart, elevates my way of thinking or lifts my spirits, I share it. If I like it I say so. But when anything destructive or depressing comes my way, I get rid of it.
Lady Gaga
What is a Kodak moment? In the Online Slang Dictionary it is defined as “a moment worthy of capturing with a photograph, especially an adorable moment.”
I remember how we used to get all excited to capture with our cameras those once in a lifetime images of moments we wanted to never forget. It was the only way we knew to make time stand still.
Kodak was also well known for its sweet and tender TV commercials. They made me cry.
Today the Kodak moment has become obsolete. We now make our own, take pictures, create videos in real time, in slow motion, and watch events even as they happen. I can shoot, Photoshop, enhance and edit from my iPhone and with a few little clicks, create incredible magic.
Today we have sound and light effects that defy description, drones that shatter the limits of what our eyes can behold. What a time this is!
I watched the Super Bowl halftime show by Lady Gaga last Sunday and it blew me away. The woman is a musical genius. Fantastic voice. She jumped off the roof of the NRG Stadium. She flew in the air.
And she gave me goose bumps as she opened with “God Bless America,” “This Land is My Land” and a portion of the Pledge of Allegiance. Something good has come out of the ugliest post-election period in recent history. Whether it was meant to wave the flag or in veiled defiance does not matter. Hearts were stirred. Well, mine was.
We need that here at home. Now.
The pause
Have you seen the latest Coca-Cola commercial? Many years ago they wanted to “teach the world to sing in perfect harmony,” remember?
Today it is “America the Beautiful.” The lyrics are alternately sung in different languages and the visuals show people of different origins, doing their thing, living in a peaceful world. It poignantly dramatizes the idea of unity in diversity. The catch line is “Together is Beautiful.”
Don’t ask me why, but it got me all choked up and teary eyed. It isn’t sad at all. Maybe it’s because I know that people may not see beyond their hatred and they will miss it. And I am wondering what it will take to make all of us, some day, finally “get it.”
The commercial is timely. Watch out and listen up for the fourth line. It is in Filipino.
Chaos and fear
A very insecure naturalized US citizen called the other day asking, “Do you know if naturalized citizens are in danger of being denied re-entry into America?”
She is in Manila for a reunion. She explains, “I have always known once a citizen always a citizen, unless you voluntarily renounce it.” I tried to reassure her, not quite sure myself.
These are confusing times. The Trump immigration ban is still an ever-changing saga but many are genuinely worried. Horror stories are circulating. There’s a pall of gloom even among green card holders depite the judge’s ruling. Thousands of our kababayan are in limbo.
I hope this is resolved soon. My friend needs to return to her children.
When she called I was finalizing my April travel plans. I’m now putting that on hold. I hate to think of the possible chaos if another executive order is signed. The situation is dicey at the moment. Abangan!
I know that the controversial ban tries to address the worldwide problem of refugees and terrorists.
But do we close our hearts? Must we build a wall?
In prayer, I ask what would Jesus do?
Several decades ago, I went on a New York Harbor cruise to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. It was a deeply moving and unforgettable experience.
And I read this beautiful inscription taken from “The New Colossus,” a poem by Emma Lazarus:
“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
With all my heart I pray these words are still true today.
