PERSPECTIVE

                                                                      Murray Gellen

     Sometimes, how we look at the world in different ways may influence our whole attitude toward our lives. Undoubtedly, over a year we have been faced with a pandemic that has had a devastating impact on our lives. Yet, there is a unique attribute each of has that allows us to cope with what faces us. I am not sure what that is but despite loss or pain the human being has the resilience to survive. Sometimes. I think it is the never-ending motivation to find a surcease from sorrow or the desire to feel free from feelings of emptiness.

     In any event, there is always some energy to find relief. It is that very energy that becomes the force to move forward and not backward, if one is fully aware that options exist, desperate feelings can minimize. I am sure we have heard that we can see a cup as half-filled or half-empty. Unfortunately, there are moments of desperation that are so high our emotions can block our path to reasoning. Yet, the calm moments we have can be used as fire drills to prepare us for the unexpected. It seems like the pandemic is so impacting that one can feel there is no end. But the arrival of vaccines is the sun on the horizon. They provide the steps toward normalcy.

     There is still a caution to how we accept the process of vaccination given all the variations and alien viruses still prevailing. It is important for us to maintain our confidence in science that provides us with the steps to eliminating infection. We need to recognize that mitigation is still a valuable tool for prevention. Simply getting vaccinations is not eliminating all infection attributable to corvid 19. But, they are excellent for along with the continued effort of all of us to abide by the health rules of protecting each other. That is, maintaining social distancing, washing our hands, even wearing a mask, and avoiding crowds. After all, we never are to forget how easily we can contaminate others.

                            “An ounce of prevention is still worth a pound of cure.”

 

THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER

   When we think about art, we usually admire the picture we see and wonder how the person renders such a beautiful picture. It impresses us to see such creative work.  We tend to think it takes an incredibly talented person to produce works of art. But what we see as beauty is really in the eye of the beholder. When you pick up a pencil, pen or paint brush and you let your feelings flow as you look at what you create there is that moment of pleasure you can experience if you sit back and enjoy what you see. Remember, you are the judge of what you produce. The enjoyment of your art comes from the feelings of satisfaction generated from what you see.  Creativity is the unique identity you can develop. Our imagination is our powerful tool to generate all kinds of satisfaction. Let your feelings flow through painting, drawing and even writing. There are no boundaries for our mind to grow.

   If you allow your imagination to find its way to your mind you can create art that is your own personal picture. What you begin to sketch, draw, or paint you see as something outside of yourself that is emotionally exciting. Why? It is part of you that is a unique mirror as part of you. That is something you have never seen before. Looking at it, allows you to have a completely new experience. The flow of your feelings is exciting and challenges you toward new unknown frontiers of learning and enjoyment that no one else has.

                                            You can do it!

 

 

  LET CONSCIENCE BE YOUR GUIDE

Murray Gellen

    Ever since this pandemic emerged, I have been very conscious about how I think and behave.  There has been a deluge of information provided that offers us the way to protect ourselves from becoming infected with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). I believe everyone, with the publicity at hand, is aware of how easily one can become exposed to it or how we can transmit it. So, what comes into my mind why is the number of cases so high?  Why are so many people infected?  Why have there been so many fatalities?  I confess I have no simple answer. But I do have some thoughts about it.

     Living is too complicated, challenging, and meaningful to everyone that the idea of “lockdown”, “isolation “or “quarantine” is fundamentally contrary to how we want to live.  At least, to many people it is a very aversive condition. Those conditions have a severe impact on people’s survival. To put it bluntly, it is necessary to be able to work and provide life’s necessities. And it is also important to experience social interaction. We cherish our personal freedoms to enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Right now, this virus thwarts our freedoms.  

  So, how do we cope with what faces us each day? I think it is the inner feeling or voice we hear that guides us to the rightness or wrongness of our behavior. I prefer to call it our conscience. It’s a guide that helps us make decisions that are fair, just, or reasonable for the best interests for ourselves or others. It is our ethical awareness that is like a moral muscle we have learned to use.  Sometimes there is risk involved if we decide to behave in a way different from our neighbor, relative or friend. But once we do, we live with it right, wrong, good, or bad. Remember, if your conscience is clear you have nothing to fear. Even amidst this pandemic we have the ability to adapt to the safety guidelines of washing our hands, keeping a distance and wearing a mask. 

                                             “Stay Safe”

 TIMES HAVE CHANGED

    I have recently achieved my 95^th year as nonagenarian and I started to reminisce when I was a high school senior. I still remember my English teacher who was teaching literature and we were focusing on poetry.  She captured my interest particularly in Rudyard Kipling’s poem IF. It’s remarkable how vivid my memory is from that class and how much I enjoyed it.   Even at this stage of my life I still revere those days in her class.  Yes, times have changed.  Kipling had written IF as a dedication to his son. I realize today that I was very naïve to his orientation as a writer. He was born1865 in the Bombay Presidency of British India and died in London, England at age 70 in 1936. He was a product of the Victorian British Empire. One can appreciate that there were contrasting views of him for much of the 20^th century. So, when I read his poem today, I can understand why a feminine version of IF has become more receptive. Undoubtedly, the Women’s Movement is still blossoming.  Despite the pandemic either version is an inspiration to young people today. I guess my nostalgia has clouded my thinking because as a high school student those many years ago, I did not feel the impact of social changes that were beginning to occur, particularly, regarding the women’s movement.  So, when I read a feminine version of his poem recently, it was a surprise.

BY  ELIZABETH LINCOLN OTIS

(With apologies to Mr. Rudyard Kipling)

If you can dress to make yourself attractive,

Yet not make puffs and curls your chief delight.

If you can swim and row, be strong and active,

But of the gentler graces lose not sight.

If you can dance without a craze for dancing,

Play without giving play too strong a hold,

Enjoy the love of friends without romancing,

Care for the weak, the friendless and the old.

 If you can master French and Greek and Latin,

And not acquire, as well, a priggish mien,

If you can feel the touch of silk and satin

Without despising calico and jean.

If you can ply a saw and use a hammer,

Can do a man’s work when the need occurs,

Can sing when asked, without excuse or stammer,

Can rise above unfriendly snubs and slurs;

If you can make good bread as well as fudges,

Can sew with skill and have an eye for dust,

If you can be a friend and hold no grudges,

A girl whom all will love because they must.

 If sometimes you should meet and love another

And make a home with faith and peace enshrined,

And you its soul—a loyal wife and mother—

You will work out nearly to my mind

The plan that has been developed through the ages,

And win the best that life can have in store, you will be, my girl,

the model for the sages—A woman whom the world will bow before.

                                          Source:  Father: An Anthology of Verse

(EP Dutton & Company, 1931)

                                        

 

 

   

 

 

 

                                THE HORNS OF A DILEMMA 

     The onset of the coronavirus pandemic has created such a devastating impact to our existence that those of us who are living really do not have much peace of mind.  We all have different kinds of coping skills and with the loss of so many lives it seems impossible to find sensible answers for what is happening. The disease is sinister and has found its way into so many lives.

     So, what is the answer as to how to end this pandemic? Obviously, the primary drive for everyone is to survive.  Yet, our country was founded to establish freedom and the democratic process of government to maintain human dignity and respect for each other.  We take pride in that we seek to find continuous ways to fulfill the American dream. Now, we are again facing an enemy which is not as clear a target as we faced in many of our past wars.  It takes a great deal of maturity and patience to win this war.  Most important we hear the refrain, “We are in this TOGETHER!”. But, are we all on the same page?

    Read the newspapers, watch the television broadcasts, hear what the states and federal government present.  It appears we are on the horns of a dilemma.  How so? Ask yourself what is the primary issue we are all facing? I submit first it is the drive to stay alive and be well.  Yet, at the same time we want the right to be free to pursue our American dream of getting an education, making a living and producing economic security. What is the resolution to this dilemma? It seems we need to sort out the options we have.  We could choose to let the disease run its course and continue to mitigate it as much as possible by staying at home, keep social distancing and washing our hands.  Or, we can try to abide by the state and national guidelines available for testing.  This particular option is really a mess that is muddled, jumbled, confusing, unclear and offers no peace of mind.

    You see, we need to realize that our society cannot accept Draconian measures which would be destructive and upsetting to our fundamental values. However, we need to recognize that some form of a national program that addresses the entire nation can help us deal with the unwieldy attempts to use testing.  I remember during World War II none of us resisted the measures of national security that were made at the federal level.  There was no hassle among each of our states regarding legislation that was for the safety and security of our citizens. It is so important to understand that a centralized program that entails every one of us by way of a national system of testing that every single person gets will eliminate all these individual state rules for opening the economy.  No one state will have to meet a national standard for employment, opening stores, beaches, restaurants, parks, schools etc.  Those options will still be retained by each state.  But, a federally managed total testing program that is free of any political or partisan interests should be in place. The fundamental responsibility would be to protect the HEALTH AND SAFETY of all our citizens.  

 

OUR PERSONAL SPACE

    Before the onset of our present pandemic, I always respected one’s privacy. Yet, there were often occasions when we shook hands, hugged each other, and even kissed.  Now, with a serious need to protect ourselves and each other, we have the coronavirus national guidelines for America. They are especially important. They provide us with the opportunity to save our lives and those we love. Now, each of us is faced with virtually separating ourselves from each other. We refer to it as social distancing. Such behavior emphasizes our concept of privacy.

    I recall that our privacy also includes protecting our personal space. In that sense, we still need to understand that regardless of social distancing, we no longer must be so concerned about, so to speak, breaking our personal space.  I’m talking about those times you might remember. We do not like to have someone stand so close to us that we smell one’s breath or perfume.  I remember being asked to avoid using fragrances when seated in an audience because other persons may have allergies to which they could be sensitive. Maintaining our personal space can also protect us from stress or possible aggression.

    As long as we maintain our isolation the way it is, we can be comforted to know we are in charge of ourselves. We can find ways to enjoy our privacy and not succumb to stress. Yes, television and computer technology can be a vicarious pleasure and even contact each other. Remember,

“AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION IS WORTH A POUND OF CURE”

   

A NECESSARY SYSTEM

    I remember when I was a child, I learned very quickly each day that it was important to wash my hands and face and brush my teeth. When I ate breakfast, lunch and dinner, I learned to use the correct utensils.  I never considered those activities as rules. I learned to say please and thank you or excuse me as the appropriate occasion arose. When I went to school, the teacher made it clear there was to be no talking in the classroom unless you raised your hand and got permission. Somehow, as time went on, I found that I wasn’t feeling that these behaviors were laws. But, eventually I came to realize that there are laws everyone is obligated to obey.

 

    So, I ask myself what does the word law mean?   Law is commonly understood as a system of rules that are created and enforced through social or governmental institutions to control conduct.  Words for “law” generally mean etymologically “what is right”.  Again, etymologically, “something straight,” “upright”, “true”, “legally right”, “put in place”, or proper.  A point to be made is that a law is set in place not to be excused or ignored.  Laws exist for good reason in that they can help to protect people from horrible acts such as murder or rape. In a milder sense, laws can help humans protect them from others who can steal or cheat.

    The history of law is closely related to the changes in civilizations.  Ancient Egyptian law as far back as 3000 BC was characterized by tradition, rhetorical speech and social equality.  In the 22^nd century BC, the Sumerian ruler Ur-Nammu had formulated a first law code.  Around 1760 BC, King Hammurabi developed Babylonian law that he codified and inscribed it in stone.  The Old Testament dated back to 1270 BC took the form of moral imperatives as recommendations for a good society.  The small Greek city- state ancient Athens, about the 8^th century BC was the first society to be based on the broad inclusion of its citizenry.  However, Athens had no legal science or single word for “law”.  Rather it relied on the three-way distinction between divine law, human decree, and custom.  However, Ancient Greek Law contained major constitutional innovations in the development of democracy.  Roman law was influenced by Greek philosophy and developed more detailed adaptations to cope with the changing social conditions by establishing new codifications of the law.  During the Middle Ages Roman law was rediscovered around the 11^th century when medieval legal scholars began to research Roman codes and adapt their concepts to canon law, giving birth to the seeds which medieval England, royal courts developed as common law.

    It seems that without law and order civilizations would crumble. Yet, laws (rules or regulations) can sometimes smother or restrain freedom if implemented without fair deliberations. Every person has a responsibility to acknowledge and respect law and order. We live in a world today that offers tremendous advances in technology, science and medicine.   Confirming, accepting and obeying laws gives us an opportunity to enjoy these benefits.