As we begin 2024 there are always decisions to be made. How can we make our life different? What do we carry forward and what do we leave behind? Can I be a better person? How do I accomplish that? I came across something that I think deserves a mention here. It is a different way of looking at things and making those decisions.

This came from Mames Mindset.

“A wise man once said,

Hate had four letters

But so does love.

Enemies has seven letters

But so does friend.

Lying has five letters

But so does truth.

Cry has three letters

But so does joy.

Negativity has ten letters

But so does positivity.

Life is two-sided.

Choose the better side of it.”

I could really stop here, but I choose to go on to explain how I thought about this. The human side of us has been forgotten. We are so busy trying to do the “right” thing that we leave out the side of humanity. I hate the modernization of songs changing the pronouns. I was perfectly happy singing it the way the author intended. I was not offended that the male pronoun was used.

We were all created alike – not all the same color but with all of the characteristics that make us human. We need to look for the things that make us alike instead of the things that make us different.

No, we do not all perceive things alike. When I used to attend local township meetings, I would come home and write my article.

For the last few years my husband went with me. He always asked me how I got so much out of the meeting. We did not hear alike. While I listened with an ear trained to catch what was going on, he only listened to get the gist of things.

That is how we listen to everything. We bring our prejudices with us. We bring life’s experiences with us. That is how we interpret our surroundings.

When I was to take the exam to grant me a Master’s Degree I asked for an oral exam. My advisor did his best to talk me out of it saying the last several people who opted to do it that way failed. I told him I would do whatever it took to pass that test. At that point he told me he no longer would be my advisor. I had to find my own committee.

I did. I found three gentlemen who agreed to give me an oral exam. My reason for requesting that oral exam was that I wanted to see their faces as I answered their questions. By this time, I had taught for a number of years so I had experience with children and the classroom. I thought If they interpreted what I said in a questioning manner I would go on to explain my answer. If I had written my answer, I would not get that chance. I knew then that not everyone reads the same either.

Try it sometime. Ask several people to read the same passage then discuss it. You just may be surprised at how some interpreted it. I am certain that all of you will not have the same opinion. That is how it is with any functioning body.

It is the same in church. Everyone listens to the same message but as you apply your experiences you get a different meaning. I am sure that most ministers are very aware of this.

When you preach a sermon, you give your interpretation of the Bible passage. You offer a bit about history which gives added meaning to your passage. Our minister is very good about giving us the background. I appreciate that. It helps with my own interpretation.

Back to my original passage.

We can be friends without enmity. There is no room for hate in this world. Life is too short. We need to figure out how to get along. Somewhere it says “The truth will set you free.” Truth is nto the same for everyone.

History is part of our culture for a reason. We learn from history. I am sorry, but it should not be erased. It affects the way we are today. The Bill of Rights gives us certain unalienable rights. Do you really know your rights?

(next week more about the Bill of Rights)

Ann R. Swanson writes from her home in Russell. Contact her at hickoryheights1@verizon.net.