Over the years, I have been called by many different names. Many which I really should not say here. Some I most probably deserved and others, maybe not so sure about. None of that matters, because I have to decide just what I really am. I could most probably say that I am old school. I do believe in those old fashion manners that seem to be so scarce in these times. Honor and respect for other people and their property are quite low on that list. But the one thing that puzzles me about me is where would I be placed on other values.
The two most powerful words in our language are so shallow in these times. When I hear someone say, “I love the color green”, I am quite puzzled. Then they would most probably say, “I just hate that place”. In my silly mind, to love something is the desire to give all to protect that feeling. It is the most positive word one can use. The feeling for this word comes right from the essence of the soul. “I love”, is so powerful it heals the wounded soul and brings light into your life. So how can loving the color green even begin to do this? In many instances, the word, like, should be used more often. I feel using the word love so carelessly cheapens what the word should stand for. So does this make me really old school or just warped in the mind? ( let’s not dwell on that thought though).
Now lets go to that opposite phrase so often used. “I hate,” is used so often to describe one’s feelings. One should never, never hate. It destroys the peace of the soul. It is an all consuming negative force. Once this sits in the heart, it begins to destroy and blinds the heart of that healing sunshine. I am very careful to say “I love” or “I hate”. They both should be an expression of what you feel in your soul. Just maybe, that is the problem?. Have we as a society lost touch with our soul? Rangeley is not immune to the ways of the world. There is definitely greed and lack of sympathy in this fine town of ours. This is not just today ,not just now. This goes way back in our history. Why is it so hard to overcome these obstacles? Call it being human, call it self expression but by all means, call it not necessary. Love and hate are the two sides of that same coin. Like any coin, it is most difficult to see both sides at the same time. But thankfully, the choice is ours which side we want to shine more. Both are necessary, because a coin such as this can not exist with just one side. The freedom of choice is one of the greatest gifts we have even been given. So, it is by choice that I prefer the woods, rather than the city. It is this freedom I have finally chosen to guard. Lack of a certain style of person brings a satisfying peace of mind. I do so love, peace of mind. Ken White mountainman
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