I'm slicing with the Two Writing Teachers community today, and it's always good to read what everyone shares. Thank you Stacey, Tara, Anna, Betsy, Dana, Kathleen, Beth, and Deb.
I try not to offend others, work thoughtfully to understand their points of view, wish that others across our world would do that too. There are too many conflicts escalating into war and killing because people can't/won't/don't listen. I hope I won't offend you by this post. But I do want to make you think. There are words being said these past few days about Starbucks NOT decorating their, evidently popular, red cups with Christmas motifs. People are ranting, people are furious, people are calling for others to write Christmas greetings on the cups. For one, if they believe this is such an affront, perhaps NOT going to Starbucks is the answer. Don't give them the business!
I am affronted by the pettiness of those who make this important enough to make the national news. I am saddened by those who look for the small in order to make it large. This doesn't matter.
These things matter: That people are dying in places in the world, and/or trying to survive in circumstances difficult to imagine. That children (adults too) are hungry everywhere, even in our own wealthy country. That children do not have proper clothes for the coming winter. That children are being shot, often.
And these things matter, too: beautiful blue skies with wisps of clouds floating like whispers, ocean sounds both soft and fierce, the bright red of geraniums, leaves scuffling down the street, chickadee calls, snow on the mountains, morning shadows, stone walls, the perfection of a seed
Also: an older person using a walker in my neighborhood whose collie walks right by him, never misstepping; children in the yard behind my house raking leaves into huge piles and then leaping into them; remembering a loved one's voice; words that make one think and cry and smile; hugs; smiles between strangers; talk
What matters to you?
Oh, Linda, I love this post. It was just what I needed to remember this morning. I may have to write my answer as today's slice.
ReplyDeleteLinda, I agree with you. I hesitated to post anything until I saw some facebook friends lamenting the change at Starbucks and then I did. I appreciate your words. What matters? YOU matter. Living with love matters. Laughing everyday matters. I needed this post today too. I may need to write more. THANK YOU!!!
ReplyDeleteI love everything about this post. The small things we celebrate matter. The real news stories that impact people's lives matter. Nature matters. Relationships matters. Kindness matters.
ReplyDeleteLinda, Your post is an important reminder reminder about perspective. Although, you are much nicer than I am. I just feel like saying, People, really????
ReplyDeleteOur world is such a big place with such big problems to be talking about something so small...a cup. Family, love, kindness, respect, gratitude are things that matter to me. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it interesting how this works? If we're talking about a cup, we've effectively absolved ourselves of having to talk about or notice things that really matter. Outrage over trivial things is a very effective way of preserving the status quo. Lovely post--think I'm going to use as a mentor text in class tomorrow. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYou have hit a very important nail on the head Linda! "We" spend too much time caring about what doesn't matter and too little time ignoring what does. Thank you for the beautiful reminder.
ReplyDeleteAmen and brava! What really matters? Love, kindness, forgiveness, beauty, thankfullness. Thanks for setting my day off on a higher plane. :)
ReplyDeleteI couldn't believe it when I read about this. My first reaction was, "Get a life, people." With all of the things going on in the world this is the cause that is being taken up? It makes no sense to me. Treating people with respect and kindness matters. Helping those in need matters. What is on my coffee cup does not matter. What matters is how good the coffee in the cup is.
ReplyDeleteI think this "controversy" is ridiculous, too, in light of the things you described. I wonder if people who take up these petty causes do so because to take up a real cause is daunting and overwhelming.
ReplyDeletePerfect. Just perfect. Thank you for writing what many of us feel.
ReplyDeleteCan I just say ditto to all the above comments? I was dumbfounded when this issue came up. I figured I'd missed part of the report, the part that explained why this mattered. It appears that I did not miss that part, because it wasn't there. Thanks Linda. I love your list of what matters.
ReplyDeleteSpot on Linda. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThe Starbucks cup news reached across the ocean too. The life of the people who complain is either too good that they have time to pick on little things or too sad because they have lost their focus and complaining makes them feel better. The big topic in Estonia like in the rest of Europe is refugees and I am saddened how negatively people speak about the ones in need. For me health and family matter the most. Your post was powerful.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh I was "ranting" about this very thing this morning! Such a petty . . . and yes stupid thing to make the news! The decoration of a cup!?! Really!!!! I so agree with your "what really matters"...thanks Linda!
ReplyDeleteI tend to avoid and ignore petty arguments like the Starbucks one. Oh, please. Some people would argue about anything. I think this breeds a negative, what's-in-it-for-me society. Your list of real things that matter, matters.
ReplyDeleteLinda, I agree 100%. Rise above the nonsense. We have to rise above. Cheers (from my red cup to yours).
ReplyDeleteLinda, what matters is that we continue to stand tall in the face of divisiveness, distrust, and angst to bring back the positive side of life. A look to nature allows us to see the beauty around us rather than the dirt and disgust. Thank you for the time to pause and think about what really matters.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. I like the cups. I don't like to coffee much. I'm Jewish. Let's keep the red for everyone and now move off this and get to what matters- like a serious candidate to run our country.
ReplyDeleteLinda, you are so right. I have always wondered why this stuff is news-worthy. This line resonates: "I am affronted by the pettiness of those who make this important enough to make the national news." Why aren't we ignoring (or minimizing) these things and focusing on what matters? Who is making these petty decisions? Thanks for venting about this!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments every single one of you. It was important that I write this. So many lives are in crisis today, & I wanted to write about those things that are important. I appreciate each of your responses, hope that I did give you something to think about.
ReplyDeleteLinda, Thank you for writing honest and good thinking. It's interesting, I grabbed a Starbucks on Sunday at our local Target and didn't even notice but I was looking for a quote or words of wisdom. I think they use to do that a while back maybe using words Oprah liked. I'm going to look today for things that matter, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mandy, I remember those quotes. They were nice to have.
DeleteLinda, visiting blog posts late this week. Such a thoughtful post. Thanks for reminding us of the things that are important. Words that make one think and cry and smile! And that cloud picture - lovely!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ramona, I know that you know what's important. Glad you like the cloud pic. I do, too!
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