Monday, December 3, 2007

Fun Monday - My Favorite Posts


Here it is Monday afternoon, and I have yet to enter my Fun Monday post for December 3. Luckily, our hostess, Robinella is making it easy this week. Robinella has asked to select our favorite post. My favorite post is actually on another blog. In June, the lovely Sunshine of ...and the pursuit of happiness asked me to guest post on her blog. My entry entitled Looking for My Man was posted on June 14, 2007. Since that post is actually part of Sunshine's blog, I think that my choice should be something posted here on Return of the White Robin. After careful consideration, I am choosing a post from June 8. Both these favorites are from last June. I must be slacking lately.


Friday, June 8, 2007

The Times They Are A-Changin'


Come mothers and fathers throughout the land
And don't criticize what you don't understand
Your sons and your daughters are beyond your command
Your old road is rapidly agin
Please get out of the new one if you can't lend a hand
For the times they are a-changin' (Bob Dylan)


"Things are not like they used to be" is complaint uttered by perhaps every generation that has graced the this good Earth. Moreover, this complaint is usually issued as a view about the behavior, attitudes, and lifestyles of the current younger generation. Sometimes this utterance is followed with a wish to return to the good old days. These generalizations like any simplified analysis of life on our planet cannot be valid.


Inherent in the claim, "Things are not like they used to be," is the implication that going back to an earlier, simpler time would be preferable to living in today's world. Of course, that specific notion is impossible. Furthermore, I assert that returning to the past would not be desirable.Granted horrific things happen daily, but the past is filled with a multitude of injustices. In our own country, land was taken from the natives, Japanese American citizens were interned, a race of people were enslaved, and African-Americans were denied access to housing, education, and the right to vote. Maybe the past has been difficult, and the present is problematical.In thinking about evil in the world, one might be tempted to give up and throw in the towel. What should we do instead? Of course, you know the answer. We need to stand up for fairness and justice. We need to right the wrongs that we can. By attempting to move ethically and morally forward, we help humankind. Maybe we cannot cure all of the ills in the world, but giving up is not an option.I am encouraged by the efforts of many young people. For example, two youths, Nick Anderson and Ana Slavin, were highlighted for good works on the evening news. Nick and Ana started a national campaign called Dollars for Darfur. These two high school students began a campaign to raise money to help Darfurians. In another instance, this past week, Mimi Lenox, organized a Blogblast for Peace, in which Peace Globes and entries about peace were posted throughout the blogging community. Mimi, Nick, and Ana represent people devoted to building a better day and a better tomorrow. People like this give us hope for the future. People like this give us courage to do better. People like this have not given up on the today's world, and I will not give up either.


Can you think of other people working to make a better world?

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

I missed this in June. I loved it today. I am one of those people who longs for the good ol days. I never looked at it in the way you presented it and I have to admit that what you say is so true. These are the good ol days. Thinking of you,deb

Unknown said...

I know you're right that we all dream of the good ole days. I miss some parts of how the world used to be.

willowtree said...

There's always a sliver lining. If it wasn't for the (some would say justified) paranoia of America after Pearl Harbour, I would not be married to MDW.

"How is that?" you say. Well as it happens, her parents met in an internment camp in Colorado.

Sunshine said...

That certainly was a most excellent post...thanks for brightening up my blog with it!

FYI: a couple of my star efforts are guest posts on other blogs too, I guess this is what you get for bringing your A game!!

Margaret said...

I remember reading this post, and thinking, "Wow--you would love my older daughter!" I am not quite so ambitious, or am I just older and tired?

the rotten correspondent said...

Bravo. That was beautifully said.

Thank you.

Bren said...

What a thought provoking post!

Dawn said...

Very well written, and something that people need to be reminded of. I find there are many people who believe the world is getting worse, but in reality it is changing. Some things may be worse, others better. There are wonderful people out there making a difference.

Anonymous said...

Excellent post and insightful. Willowtree is right...silver linings come from the darkest clouds.-Nekked Lizards

Robinella said...

I think you are right. I know I've said it too but you really can't live in the past and thinking about it takes away from the here and now. Great thoughtful post.

Nancy said...

This is a beautiful post. I can see why you chose it as a favorite.

A good reminder to all of us.

Anonymous said...

So glad you posted this again. I had not seen it before. Causes much retrospect on my part.

ChrisB said...

A timely reminder, and a very good post.

daddy d said...

Help each other is a key to life. It is better to give than get, is the saying. But then one must know how to receive when time is right. Giving and taking is a two way street. One can not happen with out the other.

karisma said...

Very insightful post. I would like to think that we could "re-instate" some of the better natural things from the good old days (like good values and healthier eating) but at the same time keep some of our modern technology. I for one would miss my blogbuds if I had no computer.

Anonymous said...

Jexdendanit [url=http://wiki.openqa.org/display/~buy-bactrim-without-no-prescription-online]Buy Bactrim without no prescription online[/url] [url=http://wiki.openqa.org/display/~buy-differin-no-prescription-online]Buy Differin no prescription online[/url]