Learning...Finding and communicating the good

I was going to let this topic lie after the interesting goings on of the past few days, but perhaps it's not quite ready to be left alone just yet.

I've not long been out of bed after working a night shift and, as I do, fired up the T.V while I had "breakfast".

When I breakfast, I usually watch the news before getting into the day, but at this hour the choices are Oprah or something similar. Not a regular thing, but if something catches my interest, I'll watch.

Now keep in mind, I didn't follow this story closely when it was news. I had an idea what it was about and that was all, and I didn't see the whole interview, so I may be short on info, so apologies if I miss something important.

I turned on about half way through her interviewing the Dixie Chicks about their new movie "Shut Up & Sing" and particularly about the comments Natalie made about their opposition to of the war in Iraq and her opinion about Bush. I agree with her, but this is not about the war or Bush.

This post is about a couple of things directly related to the recent posts and comments.

First, that Natalie has the guts to not back down while voicing an opinion. She is to be applauded, and I'm not talking about the subject matter, it's about being true to your beliefs.

I respect this trait in anyone who does so.

But, it's also about the fact that she is dealing with it at an adult and mature level and seems to have learned that "gobbing" off and expressing an opinion clearly and with appropriate emotion is probably a better way to go.

I think you've got to see how someone else deals with one of those situations at the higher end of the scale in order to be able to learn that the way you deal with things yourself could be improved. I'm starting to get that I think.

Second, that free speech, anywhere in the world can be preached, but in reality, is not practised. In this case it was in the U.S. (although the comments were made in the U.K) and to an extent that took it way beyond what it should have been. After all, it was an opinion expressed publicly and was entitled to be said, no matter where in the world she happened to be at the time.

I hold very strong views about certain things. No need to see it here, other posts tell the story.

That's just the way it is. No big deal. Disagree with it, I don't have a problem with that.

Now I know for a fact that Oprah is religious and that she is an American (No really !).
Despite these 2 things, here is an amazing woman in the grandest sense of the word.

Where she has come from, what she has done and is doing to help others is inspirational and I have the greatest respect for her and will continue to.

I don't know about the religious bent of Natalie, but again, she's American. (Again, no shit Sherlock !!)

She deserves respect for her convictions and the way she has carried herself through what must have been very difficult times.

Despite my very strong views, I don't generalise.

That's just ignorant, but know too, that when ANY group of people exhibit excessive religious zeal, claim one thing and do another or just take themselves too seriously I'll express an opinion if I choose, perhaps in a less venomous way. (thank you to someone who has allowed me to see, through their input, just how inappropriate, embarrassing and demeaning that can be)
But it just so happens, perhaps because there are more of them, that Americans tend to exhibit this behaviour more than other cultures.

But not all, as Natalie and Oprah so wonderfully demonstrate.

My point is this.

Religious Americans do good and have good traits. Religious Australians and other cultures have good traits too, but I can still despise them too if I choose. My mother was religious, and over a period of time in my younger days, I exhibited the same venom towards her; but no more. One moves on!

I have learned in recent years, and more recently through this blog that I need to move on and away from the extreme views. I will still hold those views, and will be passionate about them but not to give them so much life of their own that they consume me and colour my daily behaviour.

Thanks to all of the above for this lesson. Good has come from what could have been viewed as unpleasant. And isn't that what blogging is all about?