Who and where we are is a matter of choice. Choices we’ve made all the way to where we are now. Some of us aren’t where we’d like to be or where we thought we’d be. In looking back over the years I can see the results of my choices and actions that followed. As kids we grow up doing what we’re told. Choices were made by our parents rather than ourselves. Sooner or later we are free to make our own choices in life but when they’re made hastily and then turn out wrong we need to own up to them.

We all know a few people who lead a pristine life. Everything is thought through with great detail. They live a beautiful life in their own beautiful world. I would venture to say maybe we only know one person like that. Most go with reckless abandon and the good sense they know is put in a corner.

World attention of the Egyptian peaceful demonstrations happened when a few people decided to be heard. It spread like wildfire’s on the prairie. Each person had to make the decision to join the movement or go with the status quo. It isn’t too healthy to disagree with Mid-Eastern rulers. Our own American Revolution came about when one man had a plan and talked to another man. They in turn talked to other men and soon there were enough men to stand up in defiance of the English rule. Because of their non-wavering faith and dream of freedom they put their lives on the line and most lost everything in doing so.

I had a fifth grade teacher named Beulah Browner. She was portly with a soft face that said we didn’t have to fear her. Miss Browner had a morning ritual when the bell sounded to begin class. We were to stand up and read aloud the Preamble of the Constitution of the United States of America which was written on the black-board. By the way……her handwriting was amazing. Every letter was perfectly formed and Mr. Palmer who originated the Palmer Method of Writing would have been proud of her. Can you imagine? We were even taught how to write legibly. Don’t see that anymore. Most of the teaching I was privy to has long gone by the wayside.

My point is, are we living in a rut? A world we invented with certain perimeters? Selected people are within and some people are without…..I’m wondering how many people drove past the homeless man that stood in the street to ask for food money. One day, someone stepped out of his world and found an unexpected result. A man who had the voice of gold. He also happened to be a person who could put the man in touch with a way out of his homeless life.

Some of us live in ruts we’ve made, good and deep. We don’t want out. But some put roots down and make something that connects with others. Where I live I am still amazed how a little acorn can make a root and continue on until in it’s natural lifetime grows into a giant that is useful. The first thing that happens is not a stem coming up to make a tree, no, it begins with a root reaching down deep to support a tree someday. Not just one root but the many who will grow to the exact circumference of the tree above.

However, ruts can be good in some ways and roots can be bad sometimes. I don’t like dandelion roots but I cherish the roots of my roses. Ruts in a world gone mad keep us steady for the tried and true. We cannot be swayed by things that are wrong. But then ruts with a closed mind is limiting. Roots are necessary for growth of anything. From the terra firma to us. We never stop growing.

So then, the difference of each is decided by the choices we make…………

Essentially Esther