Here Goes...

     So this is my first ever blog post and I'm not really sure what to write about.  There is so much going on in the world right now, it is difficult to absorb it all.  I am a mother, a wife, and nurse.  For me that is enough.  I do not claim to be a philosopher, a theologian, or a  political or sports expert.  I am not a dietitian, or a fitness and beauty guru, but I do have my opinions on all of these subjects.  In some cases, rather strong opinions.  There are many things I love and few things I hate.  I have great respect for people who listen with an open mind, stand up for what is right and value what is in the interest of the common good of others. I have great loathing for people who act out of malicious intent, selfishness, and who feel the need to bring others down for their own personal gain or social stigma.
     I think it is beyond tragic the way the world seems to be loosing itself into war, poverty, natural disaster and despair.  I know the world has to be full of good people who are willing to work hard to raise their families and support their communities and who dream of a world at peace.  Why then does that seem to be such an impossible goal to achieve?
     Some would say it is because we are turning away from God, some would say it is because of money and power, and others still would say it is because of increasing turbulence in world politics.  Maybe they would all be right.  I think that is all true, but I can't help but feel like it has to be much simpler than that.  I think point blank we have lost our sense of community.  There are probably a thousand reasons this has happened.  I blame a lot of it on the great advances in the technology that we all love and can't live without.  I have heard so many stories from my parents and grand parents about how in their small town 50-100 years ago there was never anything else to do besides work all day and then sit out on the porch talking all evening with their neighbors.  You didn't just take care of your own, but you took care of your neighbors also.  And you damn sure didn't rely on the government to pay your way or plow your fields.  We have all heard those stories and every time I hear them (even as a "Generation Y", with a smartphone and a facebook page) I try to imagine how sublime living in that world would be. 
    I love technology.  I love having answers right at my fingertips.  I love the security I feel by always having my cell phone everywhere I go in case I need help.  I also know how much texting and Facebooking people has taken away being able to shake someones hand, look them in the eye, and have a real, involved conversation.  To be held accountable to your real feelings by not being able to hide your body language and facial expressions.
    The death of the conversation and the death of the community attitude has lead to people not caring.  Not caring for each other, not caring for a hard days labor, not caring for themselves.  We have to find a way to get people to care enough about the problems of others and not just their own in order to get them motivated toward making a change.  The world will never be at peace as long as people continue to step on the proverbial "little guy" in order to full-fill their own ambitions.
    All that being said, I know you are thinking, "well there has been war and conflict since the beginning of time."  And you would be right.  Even when there was more of a community attitude, war has always been an ever present reality.  World peace is a tall order to be sure, and those that are believers in what I will call the "gospel truth," believe there will be world peace before the end.  I really hope that is true.  My point is, even if the world at large is always engaged in conflict, attitudes here at home can use some major adjustments.  While I know we won't all agree on everything, how to treat your neighbor and work for a living or raise your family are not difficult concepts to grasp and ones in which we should all strive to improve.  If we can master these simple tasks, I can't help but feel the ripple it causes could be greatly effective.