Life is so Precious!!

Hello All,
  I know it seems like this blog is less about the life of the Holmsteads and more about the rants that are going on in Jamilee's head. I just had to put this one out there because it is fresh on my mind. Please forgive the spelling mistakes or grammar errors that are sure to abound in this little rant of mine.

Some background on this article: A fellow classmate of mine e-mailed all the graduate students urging us to find compassion in our hearts for the Box Elder bugs that are running rampant in our offices. He wanted us to realize that they are only looking for a warm place to stay and do no harm to us. As I read this and though about it my mind ran a million miles an hour as I thought about how little respect we as a society have to life in general and even less respect we have to the simple life of a bug. This was my reply to my dear classmate.

Hey Friend,

  So what you wrote has been making me think and I just wanted to get my thoughts out there other wise I might explode. You have such a kind concern for the life of a small bug. Honestly I truly think it is wonderful that you care so much, but I often wonder to myself, “ How can a world that cares so little for the lives of its own species learn to care about the lives of a small insect?”  As I look at our world I see that we have trained our societies to think that it is perfectly acceptable to disregard and disrespect life as long as it falls with in the laws of the country. As we see, through time, laws change and are amended so we can further open the way for greater disregard and disrespect for that sacred thing called life, and this is done on a small scale such as insect and animals and on a large scale like human life.

            However, disregard and disrespect for life is nothing new to our worlds history. Each continent is riddled with stories of wars, genocides, murders, and discriminations, all of it done under some reason or another.  We kill because someone or something inconveniences us, is a nuisance, doesn’t quite fit in,  doesn’t conform to the way the world sees things,  brings no benefit to society, or simple doesn’t belong.

            In some cases killing is necessary for reasons such as food, self-defense, mercy, and in some cases as punishment.  Because there are these acceptations, mankind has used them as a reason to unjustly take control over life and in turn has become cold, callus, and detached from feeling. I know many may think that since it doesn’t interfere with their own lives then it doesn’t matter what people choose to do. People have the right to choose for themselves, but we know that is not true and hypocritical. Because if societies truly believed then we would not have laws restricting acts such murder, rape, stealing, drugs, and a number of other things people choose to do.

             There is nothing wrong with feeling compassion for life.

            I have often admired the ways of Native Americans and their respect for nature and life. A member from the Yakama tribe once told me about how their tribe used to hunt. He said that when they went hunting for deer they didn’t try to find the deer with the biggest antlers they took the first deer that came across their path because, as they saw it, this deer was offering itself as a sacrifice for the sustainment of the members  in the Yakama tribe. They took the deer and gave thanks for its willingness to gives its life for them.  Do we give thanks for the cow that gave its life so we could have its beef? Do we give thanks to the chicken that gave its life so we could have its legs, thighs, wings, and breasts?

            I think it is time for our world to reprioritizes where it puts its time and effort. How can we save a dying world if we have no respect for those around us and ourselves? How can we save the lives of little bugs that cause no harm if we don’t care about human life?

            I did not write this to be confrontational or to offend. I only did it to help people think and look at the bigger picture. Adrian I admire you for trying to make a difference in the lives of small Box Elder bugs everywhere. I hope we can all take your fire and use it to stand up for what is right!

                                         

Life is so precious and short. We don't have any claim on tomorrow or even today. I ask you to take the time to find within yourself compassion for all the things that are around you. No one is perfect, I know I am not! We make mistakes daily, but I ask that we learn from them and find within ourselves the time to care and feel.

Jamilee : )