Fed up

(WARNING-This isn't one of my usual upbeat posts)

When I was young I was constantly picked on. I was overweight and a bit of a nerd so the “it” people picked on me for entertainment. I remember how the boys would play cruel jokes on me and then everyone would laugh at me for being so gullible. Because of that I always dreamed of living alone somewhere deep in the woods, far away from everyone else. I still think about that dream from time to time when people get me down.

Lately lots of people have been getting me down. Now don’t get me wrong, I am very happy with my family and many of the friends that I have (including my blogging buddies) but overall the masses have gotten me angry. Even though I manage to keep my chin up and a smile on my face, more and more I am seeing people that I just want to slap the tar out of for being so stupid. They are the ones who constantly complain but never do anything about it. They are also the ones who break the rules of society and seemingly get away with it.

In this past election, the “majority” of Americans wanted Change. They stood on the street and chanted “We want Change.” There was talk about making the world greener, saving fuel, cutting back and helping the needy. Let’s make the world a better place to live, they said. That is what the majority wanted. So what happened?

There are more vacant houses in American than ever before but the new house market is again on the rise. That’s not very green.

This morning, I was rapidly passed by over 50 cars on my way to work even though I was doing the speed limit. That’s not being responsible.

The trash on our street is just as heavy as it ever was. I thought we wanted to clean up the world. I don’t see any new trash pickup people out there.

There are still homeless people on the street corners begging for food. Why aren’t some of the people who want to feed the hungry stopping to pick them up or feeding them?

And all the wealthy people who wanted healthy care for everyone are now squawking because they will have to pay for it. They should be rejoicing, it is that they wanted.

People aren’t changing. Only the laws are changing. Why do people need to be pushed to change? If we are only changing to stay inside the laws then we really aren’t changing, we are only avoiding penalties. Change has to come from within and I don’t see a lot of that happening. I don’t need to be pushed to change, only I can change myself.


When I got into High School, I began to change. I never reached the “it” status but I was no longer picked on or called a nerd. I decided to try harder and make friends. I had a small group of friends that accepted me for who I was and not how I was. I grew taller and thinner and started feeling good about myself. One of my new friends stood out not because she was beautiful on the outside but because she was beautiful on the inside. Anna was the sweetest person I ever knew. She was kind and a friend to everyone she met. She was going through the same things I did only a year behind me. We were both a lot alike and became good friends. Anna had a twin sister named Alice who was equally as sweet.

After high school, I lost track of Anna and Alice but I did think about them from time to time. Anna grew taller and thinner and became very beautiful on the outside. In her senior year she became the High School beauty queen. Even though she was beautiful on the outside her inner beauty continued to shine through. This morning, I received some bad news from a mutual High School friend. Last October, Anna and her husband were killed in an auto accident. They were traveling on their motorcycle and a drunk driver crossed the center line and killed them both. Now Anna and her husband Rocky are gone and a young man is spending the next 10 years in prison. Again; forced changes. Wake up America!

Have a Blessed Day, and remember Anna and Rocky in your prayers.





Greg

Comments

larkswing said…
I am sorry for the loss of your friend. There is so much that does not make sense. You are right - while there were demands for change, those folks who were demanding - and everyone of us - are responsible to begin positive changes right where we stand/walk.

Hope your day improves . . . and may we see some positive and kind hearted changes around us.
So sorry about your friend.
I think all that talk about change was just that talk. I hope eventually we will see a glimmer of change.
My ADHD Me said…
Everyone needs to vent every now and then and you truly have reason to. You also have good reason to be angry. Drunk Drivers cause completely unnecessary deaths. And as you pointed out on one of my posts, they are the ones that usually end up walking away from the accidents.

I am sorry for the loss of a friend.

It sounds like you and I were a lot alike when we were younger except you got wiser more quickly. I was in my late teens or early 20's before I stopped caring about what the "it" people thought.
So sorry about your friend - so senseless.

People tend to want things to change for the better but only want to do something about it personally once it effects them personally - or they want something done, they just don't want to make any sacrifices to make it happen. Or, my favorite, they block things getting done because they don't want someone else to get credit for making it happen.
We've become a very spoiled, self-centered country.
Edie said…
Oh how sad. I'm so sorry about the loss of your friend.

This world if full of evil. That's what all of this is. I do my best to keep my thoughts on the LIFE that is ahead of us where all of this *change* will no longer exist. We have a hope and a future.

Enjoy the rest of your week Greg!
Heidi said…
This is very sad. Tragic, in fact. In this world we will have trouble, more and more with each passing day, it seems. Thank God (literally) that this world is not our home. Perhaps with your friends it is not "good-by", but only "see you later" ? I pray that is the case.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face and the things of life will grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace- or something like that. I have to focus on this all the time, believe me- It is a daily exercise for me not to live in the place of emotion you are so passionately describing in this post.

I always wanted to fit in in jr. high and high school and college and....I'm learning I won't fit in to this world- it is my temporary place, where I can shine the difference with gladness.

Your posts are wonderful.
Heidi
Peggy said…
I am also so sorry for the loss of your friends.
Being mad as heck is just what you are when tragedy strikes.
As far as people changing...maybe it just takes more time...which is a lame response on my part! Tisk!
Darla said…
so sorry about your friend. i get fed up alot too with people would like to vent more, i'm glad that you took the opportuntiy among your blogging friends because we DO understand. hope you have happy week and feel better now that it's off of your chest.
Yet another example of how selfish indulgence can be so destructive. I'm so very sorry, Greg. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your friends family.
Terri Tiffany said…
I can hear your pain and sadness. I pray your friends knew Jesus as their savior and that they are together and happy in Heaven today.
Life stinks a lot and there isn't much we can do about it except watch how we are.
You were blessed to have known her.
B His Girl said…
Wow Greg,

My heart is touch by Anna's kindness shown to all, especially you. I pray you cast all your anxieties at Jesus' feet because He cares for you. b
Sorry about the loss of your friend and I will ahve to say i agree with you on all the other....
That is really hard to read about your friend, but what a tribute you offered as a testament to her inner and outer beauty.
Kelly said…
Wow - sounds like you are having a tough day. I'm really sorry. That is so sad.

Don't slap anyone - you're too good for them. Just keep being a light in the bloggiverse.
Kelly said…
Wow - sounds like you are having a tough day. I'm really sorry. That is so sad.

Don't slap anyone - you're too good for them. Just keep being a light in the bloggiverse.
Carmen said…
It's good to vent, especially when it's justified. I'm so sorry for the loss of a wonderful friend. So senseless! Everyone wants change, but no one wants to change...and that's what it's going to take. A change of heart. How the world needs Jesus!
Monogram Queen said…
Very sobering post my friend. I just wish highschool kids could realize how their actions affect others. Highschool can be a cruel, cruel place. I never got picked on but I saw it and tried to be nice to everyone.
I am so sorry to hear that about your friend and her husband. RIP Anna and Rocky...
You could not have gotten your point across any better. Your friend and her husband look like beautiful people. I feel certain they are at peace. I am humbled.
sara said…
so sorry for your loss, Greg.

It is frustrating when people don't take responsibility for their actions or don't act on their responsibilities. My devotion was about that today. It said "do you rise above the past and make a difference? Or do you remain controlled by the past and make excuses?"

hope you have a better day today.
The loss of two (make that three) lives is sad, and I'm sorry.

Your post made me think of the Apostle Paul and his writings in the New Testament. He was constantly saying how the law doesn't make someone good, in fact the law is there for the lawless! His point was that with God we can change on the inside and then no longer need those laws to make us do the right thing.

Hope you are finding peace within your circle of friends.

Sonya Lee
Susan Skitt said…
Just reading back a few posts Greg. Change can and will happen, as sure as night turns into day and day into night.

When we stand firm on the Rock of Christ, we can turn toward the winds of change. And there are times Greg, that God will hide us in the cleft of the Rock, the Rock of Christ to shelter us when the winds are too much to bear.

As for car accidents and death, I am so sorry about the loss of your friends. I know you know this but my first husband died at 28 in a car accident.

Here's the thing Greg, we can pray for those who are left behind here on earth, but we can't pray for those who have died.

The time to accept Christ's offer of salvation is on this earth. The Bible says "NOW" is the accepted time to come to the Lord Jesus and be saved. There are no second chances. Everyone will meet Jesus one day, some as savior, some as judge.

And there is nothing we can do to save ourselves. Simple childlike faith in what Jesus did at the cross is what will save a person for ALL eternity.

Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sins (we've all sinned) and then Jesus rose up from the dead to conquer death once and for all, just like He promised.

And now God offers eternal life through His Son Jesus to all who would be sorry for their sin and believe in Him, accepting Jesus into their heart and life.

That's how much God loves us. Will change happen? Yes, but with God, we can stand firm on the Rock of Christ, even when it hurts and especially when we don't understand.

"In You, O LORD, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed; Deliver me in Your righteousness. Bow down Your ear to me, Deliver me speedily; Be my rock of refuge, A fortress of defense to save me. For You are my rock and my fortress; Therefore for Your name's sake, Lead me and guide me." Psalm 31:1-4

Thinking and praying for you today,
Your blogging buddy,
Susan
Lhoyt said…
A very changed person, none other than Chuck Colson of Watergate fame, suggests that each of us can be a part of that change by being a little platoon in the battle for right. So we might as well forget government help, because all it does is enslave us to the interests of a few power hungry politicians.
sandy said…
Greg, I've been catching up here and so so sad to read this, what a beautiful couple they were from this photo.

I've been enjoying catching up. I just haven't been on the net too much this summer, come fall I'll be back more full time.

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