To Be Great Again
You were born with potential. You were born with goodness and trust. You were born with ideals and dreams. You were born with greatness. You were born with wings. You are not meant for crawling, so don’t. You have wings. Learn to use them and fly. ― Rumi Of late, I’ve wondered what ever did Make America Great and whether those acts should be repeated. After all, in 1637 Thanksgiving became an annual event to celebrate the massacre of the Wampanoags, the people who saved the Pilgrims from starvation. See New York Times. In pressing President Lincoln to make Plymouth’s annual feast a national holiday, Thanksgiving’s Godmother saw the celebration as a white-only event. See Washington Post. Have yhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/11/27/how-fourth-thursday-november-officially-became-thanksgivingou ever wondered: Was the United States receiving stolen goods when it purchased the Louisiana Territory? After all, how did the French come to own then sell Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, parts of Minnesota and Louisiana, New Mexico, South Dakota, Texas, Wyoming, Montana and Colorado? See As described in Doug J. Swanson’s Cult of Glory, the Texas Rangers ‘ role in taking Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California from its first settlers is sordid. See These acts plus slavery enabled the United States’ growth. Despite this country’s building blocks, might the ideals that always made this nation great be beliefs that here, as nowhere else, human beings can build a world-leading civilization based on: Generous, big-hearted spirits Social activism, always our brothers’ keepers Innovative thought, pioneering projects and progressive achievements Recently, America has experienced plagues of fearfulness, paranoia, intolerance, prejudice, divisiveness, isolationism and stinginess. A cure for those dis-eases could be re-presenting ourselves as described in the contender for our National Anthem. [Maybe “America The Beautiful” should replace the “Star Spangled Banner.”] See video below. An African wisdom advises: Face the sun and shadows will fall behind you. As we approach the Winter Solstice-New Year holy-days of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Pancha Ganapti, Saint Nicholas Day, Matariki, Sanghamitta, Dong Zhi, Soyal, Yalda and Yule, face the sun. Let’s make ourselves, everywhere greater than we were. We have wings. We can fly! Wanderings & Wonders Collection The inspiring and beautiful work in my Fine Art America collections is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as on journals, greeting cards, weekender bags, shower curtains, puzzles and much more. Shop Here Thanks for your support! Sandra Gould Ford NOTE: size and placement of the art and words]can be changed as well as background colors.
Post Election Oasis
You must be the change you want to see in the world. – Mahatma Gandhi Have you, like me, worked to avoid being upset about this election? Tuesday morning, I woke with the sobering thought that personal preparations must be made to thrive in a country that could wrap me in energy I don’t want. Therefore, I decided to: Become my own sovereign nation Create a constitution describing conditions in my territory Outlaw certain behaviors in my domain Deny border crossings to anyone who violates my country’s laws and constitution. Where did I get such notions? First, when a teenager, I discovered Max Ehrmann’s Desiderata which begins, “Go placidly amid the noise and the haste.” Near the end, the poem advises, “whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.” Desiderata ends, “Strive to be happy.” Second, an Ancient Truth on how to change the world. Third, this prayer, which begins: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference.” Fourth, The Four Agreements. Click here for a short and lovely, profound and enlightening video. Wanderings & Wonders Collection The inspiring and beautiful work in my Fine Art America collections is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as on journals, greeting cards, weekender bags, shower curtains, puzzles and much more. Shop Here Thanks for your support! Sandra Gould Ford NOTE: size and placement of the art and words]can be changed as well as background colors.