Getting By With A Little Help From My Friends


Image courtesy of http://www.cbc.ca/sevenwonders/

One of the difficult things about being a cynic are those moments of beauty which, like a religious experience, cannot be explained away. The moment washes over you and even upon reflection the desire to redefine it is absent of any appeal. When this happens the cynic can only smile and appreciate the hope which on other days would escape him. How can the mirror serve as a companion after this? Has it not become a judge which silently interrogates him at every glance? The poor cynic must forget, falling back on the comfort of his doubt and turn his gaze from every reflection.

And still his friends stand their guard.

This is a small celebration of their solidarity. This is a thank you. From the hallowed walls of Facebook, my timeline reads these. Some are direct or funny while others have a history or underlying meaning which requires explanation.  For example, when you read Chris Gandy’s it must be within the context of a fellow cynic returning the cursed blessings of the abyss we call Facebook. That he returned and “friended” me was a comical sigh of relief. Wade Baugher’s is one which has a nice depth to it.

Don’t get me started on the great pictures!

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Facebook for the Common Good


...And everything feels good for a while.

I want to recognize my friend Liza Van Arsdale-Mitchell for her recent utilization of Facebook to promote goodness. She posted the following:

Special request to kids returning to school in the next few days: If you see someone who is struggling to make friends or being bullied because he/she doesn’t have many friends, because they are shy or not as pretty or not dressed in the most “in” clothes – PLEASE step up. Say hi or at least smile at them in the hallway. You never know what that person might be facing outside of school. Your kindness might just make a BIG difference in someone’s life!

While I am not so old that I do not recall the uncomfortable nature of adolescence and the strong desire to fit in, I also recall moments in which I decided to go against the grain and simply do something because it was good and right. But for the grace of (G)od my children or your children will find acceptance within a group that promotes success and unity.

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