On the television news last night, they had a video of two guys who ran towards a burning car to pull out the woman driver. They saved her life.
They ran TOWARDS a burning car.
There was also a story about Scot Peterson, the security cop in Florida who is going on trial for neglecting his duty during a mass shooting. He allegedly hid outside while the shootings occurred.
Two separate acts involving life and death situations. Two completely different reactions.
We are such complicated creatures!
In 1997 I was teaching middle school here in Olympia when one day we had a pretty sizable earthquake. Light fixtures were swaying, desks toppled, you couldn’t stand up, that sort of earthquake, and it was scarier than hell. I saw a student, who was outside on recess when the earthquake began, run into the school building to see if he could help someone. I saw a teacher run outside screaming.
We are such complicated creatures!
Doing volunteer work in Louisiana, circa 1970, teaching the underprivileged how to read, I saw a “hanging tree” in New Iberia Parish. You can guess why it was called “the hanging tree.” I saw a group of black children walk unconcerned underneath that tree on the way to school. Ten minutes later I saw a middle-aged white woman in a beautiful white gown step out of her car, kneel at the base of that tree, and say a prayer.
We are such complicated creatures!
Writers convey these things to their readers. We make these scenes come alive for those who did not see them, or if it is fiction we present it in such a way that it seems real. We give voice to the human condition, and by doing so we form connections among us all.
Don’t you dare take for granted the abilities you’ve been given.
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
Aw, Bill we really are such complicated creatures and never quite sure what reaction you may elicit when push comes to shove I suppose. Thanks for the insight here today and Happy Tuesday now, My friend!! 🙂
Thank you Janine! You are such a good, reliable friend, and I appreciate you.
You put it well, Bill. Beautiful/meaningful examples.
Every individual has a different perspective towards a situation. Making so many writers in the world even though most of the time the plot is the same!
It’s the individual writer’s perspective that makes it a unique plot 🙂
Thank you Ruchira! You stated it perfectly.
Commenting from right neat Chaco, NM. 🙂 Hopefully it goes through. Love your thoughts about the difference in reactions people have and what makes them seem like a hero or a coward. Food for thought for sure. And so much writing fodder. Also, you have done some incredible things in your life. You’re awesome!
Hi Lil Sis! I hope you are having a nice time in Chaco, which is a town I’ve never heard of. 🙂 Food for thought? Life is one big feast of things to think about, as you well know. I’m convinced you and I really are siblings from a different mother or father. 🙂
Hugs coming to NM
Blessings!
This is delightfully written. How sublime is to read something different.
Yes, we are complicated, different … but same humans with abilities and capacities.
Thanks so much for helping our complication with “spreading wings” … it’s such a greatful thing to fly!
Maria, blessings to you always. I hope you are doing well, my friend. Thank you for being so loyal.
I have always ran towards danger. Saved a couple of lives perhaps. God seems to want me to be a good instrument
God is steering your ship, Manatita! No danger of you running aground.
Hi Bill – This is a nice piece of writing.
Thank you Mike! If it passed your muster, I feel pretty good about it.
Yep, just as we are complicated, so must our characters be that way. My husband and I were talking about if we could go back and change anything about our lives (knowing what we do now) would we change it. Yes, there are things that I regret, relationships that ended badly, but would I want to change anything? I don’t think so. I am who I am because of the choices that I made and I sort of like who I am. Now that is complicated!
I’m with you, Donna! I wouldn’t change a thing,including the painful experiences. I needed them to grow.
We are complicated for sure. Different situations can evoke unexpected responses. Only if we learn to be courageous, kind and compassionate in all situations, the world would be such a better place to live.
It certainly would be, Swalia. Thank you for your thoughts.
Haha…Chaco Canyon was great. Now driving toward Bears Ears in Utah…I love these road trips. 😊 And I think you’re right: siblings from another mother. You got more of the writing gene, and I got the multipotentialite gene (meaning I meander from writing to art to digital fun to wanting to be outdoors…it keeps me occupied) ha!
Too many of us in this world not to show a complicated nature – often by a choice I suppose . As if we have been thrown into a sea of life striving as a “trophy collectors” doing our best to win more recognitions than condemnations to our credit. Who will ever tell us how effective has been that middle-aged woman prayer ?
Good night my friend and a blessed tomorrow
Beautifully stated as always, Michael my friend. We live in a world of actors, many wearing masks, their true identities hidden from view. Sad I think.
Blessings always
Such a beautiful composition of thoughts dear Bill.. You bring to your reader not only the scene of your witnessed moments, but you bring a deeper perspective as we go within to think deeper on the subject..
Yes we are complicated creatures, no two alike, each unique, each individual, each with their own responsibility to act and react..
We can only hope given each situation we too would react in the best possible way to be of service to others..
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and thank you for being of service to so many ❤
Awww, thank you Sue! We are fascinating, each one of us, and all, I think, at the very least worthy of contemplation and understanding….if possible. 🙂 Blessings to you always!
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Thanks for this reminder Bill!!!! I am so happy I chose tonight to catch up a bit on reading!
I appreciate you very much, Shell! Thank you my friend.