Ignorance As A Second Language

It's not just the musical artwork by the soulful vocals of the legendary, Aretha Franklin that causes one's hear to race; it should also be the reason why God put air into your lungs. Let me help you to better understand what I'm saying in further detail.

Lack of respect has been around since the beginning of time. Adam and Eve started it all off for us. It was no particular person's fault in the situation. They were both guilty of one thing; disobeying God. So as punishment, they got some pretty gruesome pain. They had to endure all of that because they chose to believe a serpent over God. The tempter wasn't literally a snake. It was just the way the Bible stated that something evil and meticulous was, as always; doing its dirty work. The “serpent” reference may not have been a being at all, it could've been their own misguided conscience or what was in their own hearts that caused the temptation.

Of course, I could be totally off in my interpretation of what happened in the Garden of Eden that day. No one really knows for sure, except maybe God. And if he does, why would he tell us sinners? It's HIS way of encouraging us to find our own answers by searching our hearts...maybe.

Always ask HIM questions. God loves them. HE doesn't even care what the questions are. They could be about a baseball game between the Dodgers and the Mets. Or in other countries, a soccer game between Valencia and Manchester United. Go Manchester United!

Favoritism doesn't bring about respect either. Do you think God has favoritism when it comes to answering our prayers? Now really? Are you serious??? Oh stop that!

Let's speak of mental instabilities and setbacks. I know what you must be thinking. No I'm not speaking of the mentally challenged, which actually doesn't make any sense. I mean, let's face it...aren't we all mentally challenged on a daily basis? We should call them “higher functioning individuals” because I've never met a stronger group of people. They put up with others who may or may not be struggling to take of them day after day in a nursing home type of facility. I almost wonder if they really know how ignorant some of the caretakers are and actually stand behind closed doors laughing their heads off at them. Maybe that's why they display what others view as a crazy laugh, hmm? Not all of the caregivers are like that. But, some people speak to them as if they are 12 years old. I know for a fact that in order to qualify as a resident at a “facility” like that, you've gotta be 18 and older. So yes, a lot of those people are without their families. They are all stuck in there all day. No wonder why they are angry and scream all the time, sheesh I would be too, honestly. With this in mind, I highly recommend, “One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest” and “28 Days”! The people who live in these “homes” are actually more intelligent than what the media gives them credit for.

Ignorance is not only in an organized setting. It's all around us. We walk down the street and run into it constantly. It almost literally slams into us. It comes in all forms and is not limited to: racism, stereotypes, religious beliefs, politics, mental health, age, gender, and sexual preferences.

A bully is one of the worst “four-lettered” words I can think of. Nothing is more challenging in my opinion. It's simply my opinion because I went through it all in my entire school career until after high school. It even surfaced at home often enough. Discussing bullying is my most favorite and my least favorite thing to talk about. It's also one of the most important and controversial topics in the world today. The struggle is real, ladies and gentlemen! School defines you the instant you walk through the doors to kindergarten. And when you do, they will either make you or break you.

Let me explain, many cases have arose from social media where (for example) because of “friendly banter” people have had suicidal thoughts or actually attempted suicide because they believed the online bullying that was being said about them. If you ignore an online bully and don't discuss past issues you had with them, the bully will actually contact you online directly because they miss hurting you so much and think you're gonna respond to them. The answer to that is: Don't. It's what they expect because it's why they chose to contact you in the first place. They love receiving a reaction from you. Don't even post their stupidity online. It's just the same as responding to them. Trust me, they have read all the comments you've made. After all, they are infatuated with you. They live each and everyday with the hopes of upsetting you to the point where it will drive you crazy enough to check into a mental hospital. And they are constantly coming up with new ways of frustrating you because of this sick, twisted, obsessive hold they love to have on you. But, in the end, that is what the online “block” option is for. Don't display their ignorance for others to see either by for example; retweeting them. That just makes you look bad. And the ones who reply and publicly agree with your post are just as ignorant as you were for posting it.

Let's talk a little bit about smart online posting; shall we? What you post, retweet, tweet can make a world of difference to the particular person it's about and to how you are viewed to others. Not many people take into account that the reason why people post things that one may think sounds crazy and stupid to you could just mean this person is simply angry and going through a difficult period in their life. The post, tweet, whatever you say to them could cause a tidal in the ocean or the sun to shine a little brighter for this person. What you tell someone can mean everything to them. So choose your words wisely, they could make that person's tidal wave or sun last a lot longer than you can ever imagine.

That may sound like a very negative phrase to some of you, but it actually isn't. Erm? Think about it. The only way you learn is by your struggle. A lot of you won't agree with anything I have said here once you've finished reading. Some of you may even laugh, put it to the side and then a year later dig it up from a pile in dresser drawer to reread it and think, “Hmm, I'm learning something new.”

Everyone's interpretation of this article and of their own life is totally up to the reader, writer or mathematician. It's all you, baby. Go for it!

“I'm not finished with you yet” is something I imagine our higher power tells us constantly. “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Mark 14:38

Proverbs 3:5 clearly states, “Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or your understanding.” Meaning, don't think with your head, but with your heart.

Joyce Meyer, a brilliant follower and scholar of Christ spoke of a phrase in her teaching of “The Battlefield of the Mind” that stuck with me – “The only way out is through.” – Joyce Meyer

A brilliant quote spoken by the legendary works by the creative genius, Robin Williams from the film “Dead Poets Society” (read the book first; like I thankfully did) speaks a magnificent line saying, “We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for.” In my opinion, respect and understanding others follows the same category.

In this same scene in “Dead Poets Society” Robin Williams adds, this quote from a literary work of art by writer, Walt Whitman by saying, “To quote from Whitman, ‘O me! O life!… of the questions of these recurring; of the endless trains of the faithless… of cities filled with the foolish; what good amid these, O me, O life?’ Answer. That you are here — that life exists, and identity; that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. That the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?”

I believe I will enjoy this section the most because I've dealt with all forms of this “malarkey” many times, especially when it comes to social media. This is not just your everyday bully. This type of ignorance takes cunning, heartlessness, outspoken stupidity and a brilliant sense of humor when it comes to hurting others for their own personal gain. In all reality, it doesn't help them at all. They acquire many followers from all this, but only the ones whom are as overly judgmental and are just as pathetic and stupid as they are.

There are plenty of actors and actresses that get paid to act stupid in public. I refuse to name anyone because it's a waste of time. Some of you may think this section is a waste of time, but lemme me ask you this...which side are you on? Are you on the giving end or on the receiving end.

If you are in a similar situation, don't talk back to the offenders. That's what they want. The more you are willing to devour their garbage, the more they gladly to feed it to you. Trust me, swallowing it is so tempting. You think that you need to explain yourself to them so that they'll better understand you as a person. A word to the wise: THEY UNDERSTAND NOTHING! They are closed-minded idiots that are open to all the outside world has to offer them. In other words, they believe only what they can touch and read in the tabloids. They can't see past the end of their nose. They feel around with their eyes closed and their hands stretched out because they hunger of the “juiciness” this world has to offer. They hunger for pain to inflict on you whom they feel you should consider yourselves lucky when they give you the time of day. To them, the day doesn't begin until they open their eyes. But, they only open their eyes in a matter of speaking; only to ignorance are their eyes open. If when you first wake up, they first thing their thoughts are consumed with is how stupid you are, then they need to reevaluate their life. If they are reading section, they may view it as being witty and being utterly hilarious. If that is the case, then you are the receiving end, my friend. Receiving anything usually poses as a selfish act; possibly even gluttony. In a way it is a very selfish or selfless act on the giver's part. The giving aspect should be used in a positive form, but in some situations, sadly, it is not. Someone could be giving someone a bad time where it goes past friendly banter and thrown straight into “bullying” being judgmental and misunderstanding enough of others to cause them more pain and grief than is truly necessary. Some of you are still laughing.

There's a famous phrase by a brilliant actor that clearly states, “My pain may be the reason for somebody's laugh. But my laugh must never be the reason for somebody's pain.” – Charlie Chaplin

In other words, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” a quote from the Bible and from my grandmother; may she rest in peace. Why do we say that? Of course they are at peace. They are no longer suffering on this crummy world.

All good things come from within. Good things that also include following your heart, which I have always been a firm believer in...that and a solid education. You can always learn a new skill that shapes you into an even more fascinating individual; no matter what individuality you are a part of. One last thing, don't let anyone's cruel judgments decide your day or your life because they don't know you or understand your story. Keep following the most beautiful part of you...YOUR HEART!

So now you can ask yourself that all important question, “What will your verse be?” – Robin Williams: 1951 - 2014

God bless you all,

Amanda Abbott