Amy M. Schaefer
  • Amy M. Schaefer, Writer
  • Blog: From the Front Porch
  • Novels
  • Short Stories
    • Children's Books
  • About the Author
  • Contact
  • Photo & Art Gallery

From the Front Porch

I am an "accidental blogger". When I launched my writing career in March of 2014, one of the things that I decided to include was my journaling, which I have always found to be a comforting and therapeutic endeavor.  It was a big risk to open myself up in such a public forum, but it has taught me that, for the most part, we share far more experiences than we think. It's comforting to know I'm not alone!  (*the "Button Text" is the link to my first novel)
Button Text

My Tumultuous Thoughts

11/16/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Image from genius.com
I paced the deck for a long time today trying to collect my thoughts and figure out what I wanted to say in this article. When I posted the one on Friday, the acts of terrorism hadn't happened yet in Paris or Lebanon. The eerie prophetic nature of my blog's content hung like a dark cloud over me all weekend. I spent Friday night, Saturday and Sunday holding my immediate family close, praying, and searching for "answers" in a head full of too many questions that I have no idea what to do with. I want the world to make sense. I want the world to be kind, and fair, safe and inviting. Are these so unrealistic? 

The truth is, the recent terrorist attacks are not "new". Worse, they're happening in places all over the world all the time, but mostly those acts do not garner as much attention. Why? What place is the "right" place for horrible things to happen before we stand up, united, and say, "This shit is not going to happen anymore?" What people are the "right" people to be murdered before we are all, collectively, outraged?

I am a firm believer in the concept of life having very few absolutes. I think, in many cases, issues, ideology, etc. fall under varying shades of grey. That being said, there are crystal clear areas of black and white/right and wrong. It is wrong that people are still starving in the world in this day and age. It is wrong that we have yet to find a way to live in peace. It is wrong that some parts of the world are still living in the dark ages, while others prosper light years beyond them. It is wrong that people are not held accountable for their actions and even worse that greed has allowed for the rape of our Nations and our planet! It is wrong that we are still, STILL fighting over various religions, especially in light of that fact that ALL of the major religions in the world have cornerstone foundations of love and peace! I could go on and list more things I think are flat out wrong, but it is enough if YOU are now creating your own list in your mind.

Did you know that if you do a google search for "Images of Poverty in the World", the images that come up are legion? I looked through them slowly at first and thought to myself, "This isn't the world I live in. Surely these must be from a long time ago." But it didn't take long to realize how current many of them are and be horrified at the world outside of my little "bubble". My perusal got faster and faster...I didn't even make it to the end, unable to look anymore. How did it get like this? Why is this okay? Because it's not happening in our neighborhood, or on our doorstep? Perhaps the biggest question I asked myself is....what can I do? I don't know the answer to that yet, but I'm damn sure going to find out.

To the people in France I say, you are not alone. Stand strong!
To the people fleeing war, intolerance, and terrorists I say, be safe and God speed (or whomever you pray to).
And to everyone else I say, help me make this right.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    About The Author

    I grew up in rural North Carolina. When I was only nineteen, I moved away and became a military wife. My only aspiration at that tender time in my life was to create an adult life that "fixed" all of the "injustices" of my childhood. Secretly, however, I wanted to reach for the sky! I wanted to be a writer and find ways to "save the world" (my mother used to say, "You have Save the World Syndrome".). Mostly, I wanted to matter.

    Since then, I have learned to reach well beyond what I ever dared to think was possible. I've learned not to allow fear to stop me from whatever future I want to create!

    What keeps me grounded? My Tribe! What provides the wind beneath my wings? A well of reserves filled with unstoppable passion!

    Archives

    August 2021
    March 2020
    August 2019
    June 2019
    March 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014

    Categories
    A View From the Hill: Short Stories by Mattie Hill Shields

    All

    Button Text

    RSS Feed

    View my profile on LinkedIn
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Amy M. Schaefer, Writer
  • Blog: From the Front Porch
  • Novels
  • Short Stories
    • Children's Books
  • About the Author
  • Contact
  • Photo & Art Gallery