An Ounce - For Your Consideration

Two similar events occurred, separated by over half a century. Both were devastating.

In one case, folks were just trying to go home. They didn’t want to hurt anyone. 

In the other, there was evil intent.

This story will leave you questioning the old adage which states, 'the road to hell is paved with good intentions'.

Commitment is an interesting thing. One can be “kinda” committed to a cause, and might even show up to be involved sometimes – if it’s convenient. But such is not real commitment. 

However, real and complete commitment is a dedication that just keeps trying. It never stops, it gives everything it has, there are no excuses. Being totally committed to something is powerful. 

 Until you dedicate yourself to something, important, good, and bigger than you – you will never become the person you could have been. You will never feel the joy you were meant to, and you may never come to know who you really are. 

 I had a conversation the other day with someone. We spoke of our concern over the rising generations, and their inability to socialize. Everything for them now is online. It's virtual. In fact, in today’s world, if you’re not virtual, you’re not real. 

Well as a benefit to the socially handicapped, and a reminder to everyone else, we (my wife Tish and I) thought we’d share a few ideas on how to get a conversation going with a stranger – Yeah – scary right? 

But it can be amazingly fun 

 We used to sardonically say, it’s all fun and games until somebody pokes an eye out. 

I suppose it was an unintentional nod to the fact that fun is often associated with the thrill of taking a chance, and facing danger, while protected from the real consequences. Otherwise, why do some of us love haunted houses, roller coasters, skydiving, and so many other sports and diversions that involve a perceived- and real- risk of injury and even death. 

I am not an expert.  Merely an observer of human behavior, so I’m not trying to psychoanalyze anyone. Just making an observation. 

Looking at history, even recent history, it is amazing that, in the toys we let our little ones play with, there may be rather serious hazards. Allow me to share some remarkable examples. 

 In observing the situation, it was clear that the passenger was unhappy, but certainly not a threat. After all, how much fight could there possibly be in this little lass? The fact that she had already proven to be fiery was no longer evident. However, it quickly became clear that she knew how to take care of herself in a brawl. As all of a sudden what had appeared to be nothing more than a simple ‘Band-Aid’ call became very interesting. 

This pint-sized passenger began manhandling the two police officers sent to ‘calm’ the situation. She had to be forcefully subdued, cuffed, and taken to jail. [1] In this instance what William Shakespeare penned was accurate, “Though she be but tiny, she is fierce!” [2] 

[1] This event occurred in the mid-1990s during the career of the author with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. The occurrence of similar events, in the terminals and on the aircraft, has become much more common over time.
[2] A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Scene II. Another part of the wood. William Shakespeare.

 Maine Native, and Ship's Captain Hanson Crockett Gregory was a man’s man.  

As a very young man, he worked as a cabin boy, and in time became a well-respected Captain of his own ship. He sailed routes all around the world, from New England to California during the gold rush. And even around the infamous Cape Horn and the southern tip of Africa. 

Captain Gregory was notable as a hero for saving 7 Spanish sailors from a watery grave after their ship sank on the open sea. For this, he was recognized and earned honors from Queen Isabella the 2nd of Spain. 

But his notable seafaring career is not why he is remembered. 

His greatest distinction is because of something else. His renown is based on another set of skills not often associated with those who make their living on the seas. And, one for which there is nary a soul who has not been uplifted. 

 Being misunderstood is pretty easy in this world. Even when we are clear and speak the same language. 

I don’t know, but if you are a politician, you might be doing this on purpose, and counting on having people hear a clear message you didn’t actually give. 

No matter what you say, or how ‘accurately’ you think you say it, even using mathematical precision. Someone will miss the point – hear something else – or just won’t ‘get it’. 

What is one to do? 

 What is paradise to you? 

White sands and a blue ocean – Mountain peaks, pine trees, and smore’s – A quiet library surrounded by great books. 
Life can, and does, turn from one to the other – and contains both at the same time.  So, what are we to do? 

 The only thing we can – as a society and as individuals - Doggedly focus on the good that is, the possibilities of greatness that can be, and get a grasp on hope for the better part. 

Then, start where we are, work with what we have, and do what we can. 

 At the end of the battle of Shiloh, a legend was born. A folk tale. Some might call it a miracle. The battle was fought on April 6th and 7th, 1862, when the confederate army launched an attack on the Union army. The confederates attacked from out of the woods, near the Shiloh church in Tennessee. And they just kept coming. 

The carnage continued for 2 days. Over 20,000 were killed or wounded. And many of the casualties were left piled up on the battlefield for days afterward, as those who were sorting the dead from the wounded, and treating the horrible injuries of war, were completely overwhelmed by the number. 

As litter bearers worked beyond exhaustion, as doctors pressed on frantically without sleep to and save just one more, and the wound soldiers themselves - they all saw the glow. 

This was no reflection, no artifact of frenzied and fatigued minds, it was an actual, perceivable, light illuminating the darkness and those horrible wounds. 

 We go through life trying so hard to get things right. 

For example, you’d never want to confuse salt for sugar in your chocolate chip recipe.  And, forgetting to tighten up the lug nuts after changing a tire could be catastrophic as well. Or hitting the send button on that caustic email you composed out of frustration – it wouldn’t be the first time someone regretted that move. 

 But, not all mistakes are bad – if fact, some are downright splendid. 

This fact is proven by Erwin Perzey (with a little help from Thomas Edison)!