Freedom (from the past)

"Without freedom from the past, there is no freedom at all, because the mind is never new, fresh, innocent."

Krishnamurti


I think Americans (or maybe people in general), tend to hold on to the past, or look to the future, instead of focusing on the now. I know I'm that way, even when I try not to be. I have a very clear memory of so many events in my past, and various things (music, books, movies, toys, places) can evoke such a strong and specific memory; I feel sometimes, maybe I live too much in the past. We're very nostalgic, in general. If I'm not remembering the past, I'm dreaming of the future, or of what "could be." I do enjoy moments in the now, or else I wouldn't have those memories that are so strong. It's a weird thing to think about.

As we celebrate MLK today, I suggest that we look to where we are now, in this time, rather than dwell on where we were when Dr. King was here with us. Of course, history is a great thing to study, and it's important to try to understand the past, and learn from it. But it's more important to focus on the now, and what we can do to make our world what Dr. King dreamed of. We have a long way to go. Around here, mention either Obama or Clinton, and you get equal dislike, Obama because he's black, and Clinton because she's a woman. I personally dislike labels of any kind. But we seem content to make them, and place one on everyone.

If only we could look at a person's heart, rather than all of the other. I try to do that. I'm not always successful, but generally, I try to look for the good, and forget about the rest. So, as we celebrate a man who stood for peace, equality, and unity, I hope we can all remember to look beyond the normal labels. We're all made up of a combination of things, and they're generally worth us knowing.

Have a great day, all.