See there? In the middle of this playground, past the rusty swingset, and the off-axis merry-go-round. Just over there next to the willow, theres a whole crayola box of children playing in the sandbox.
They're all helping each other build a castle, even though it will only tumble down in a cascade of water hardened sand, by the briefest gust of wind. Even though this castle wont last the night.
There's the all american golden boy, helping the korean exchange student, brace one of the castle's towers with a couple of old hardened willow branches that Jaime found underneath the tree. Right next to them the muslim twins and the new girl (just moved here from Mozambique), keep giggling, because the moat they just dug keeps getting filled in with sand.
Look around the park. Its empty except for the sandbox, and the ghosts of yesterdays games. Pretty soon thier parents will all be here to pick them up, but right now theres not one adult in sight, and all the children are gloriously happy because of it.
They know.... they just KNOW, that when they all go home, there will be dinner, and then thier families will gather in front of thier televisions and inundate themselves with the paranoia that CNN, MSNBC, and FOXnews unintentionally spout on thier way to uncover the "truth". And maybe after one too many sessions of the media brainwashing, thier parents might not let them all play together anymore.
How do I define "Progressive?"
Playing in a sandbox , where the only colors that matter is the flag we all drew together to place on top of a castle made of shared dreams....
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and perfect. when i was a child, i thought as a child, and it wasn't always a bad thing.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/kariskoett
"All things appear and disappear because of the concurrence of causes and conditions. Nothing ever exists entirely alone; everything is in relation to everything else."
-Buddha
As a nanny, I appreciate the idea of kids united in a common goal. Thanks!
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
Now THAT'S proressive. Wow...
This is not only very true and inspiring, but a message to the people of the world.
Absolutely beautiful.
And that's comin' at ya' from yer local redneck hippie.
Thank you all for your comments. I havent had this many "warm fuzzies" in my stomach for awhile. You have all made me beam.....
That's what I'm here for! ^-^
And that's comin' at ya' from yer local redneck hippie.
you should edit to add "Think progress" as a tag, so it can be eligible for the contest. :-)
because it's a really good blog and it deserves a chance. :-)
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/sawaboof
"...There is a crushing guilt that comes with being a Catholic. Whether things are good or bad or you're simply... eating tacos in the park, there is always the crushing guilt."
-30 Rock-
I did just that.... Thank you very much for the advice!
I'm absolutely 120% amazed...:) This is probably the most beautiful thing I've read in a very long time. Such talent. I can't even imagine being able to create such imagery like that--I felt like I was one of those little kids in the sand box! I think this needs to be published. Or sent around the world so that everyone and their brother reads this and realizes the simplicity of how the world could be. How peace could become the innate way of thinking and being just as it is for those kids. I will be sending this on to everyone I know!
Im floored, thank you so very much...
Not only beautiful, but clever and creative. I loved that!
Awesome analogy! You are a really great writer :) Now I am off to go play some more in the sandbox!
Beautiful. That's the first word that popped into my head. Great job with this blog entry. Great job indeed.
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Visit my blog! I'll even provide a link for ya:
Comments are always appreciated! :)
I love the way that you put these views together. I think that this is very creative.
I read this to my brother. He wouldn't admit it, but I know he liked it, too. And since I'm feeling like being supportive and encouraging at the moment, I'm giving you a big, loud, cyber round of applause! ^_^
And that's comin' at ya' from yer local redneck hippie.
Dig the arbutrary: (just moved here from Mozambique)
Just gave me an ear-to-ear grin.
Every organism's heartbeat holds a universe of beauty at http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/green-underbelly
This is really cool. Like Green Underbelly; it brought a smile to my face. Well written.
It's unclear what your actual stance on "Progressive" is. Other commentators seem to think it's positive; to me you sound rather bitter. Though I don't deny it's well written, what is your point exactly?
"What was never given utterance eventually becomes too nebulous to recall."
~ Jane Smiley
I can't be positive, as this isn't my wonderful posting, but I think I have an idea of what the point is.
I think he's saying that progress is being able to work together like little children without any of the animosity, hate, prejudice, or fear that fills the world today.
And that's comin' at ya' from yer local redneck hippie.
...and that the children are unhindered by their parents beliefs when they are alone together. No prejudices or predetermined notions holding them back.
I like your signature Kinkatia!
~ *~
Visit my blog! I'll even provide a link for ya:
Comments are always appreciated! :)
Exactly! Goodness, I wish everyone was more like those children...sigh...
And thanks! It was one of those gems that randomly popped into my head somewhere along the course of my existence. ^_^
And that's comin' at ya' from yer local redneck hippie.
Very cool.
I just have some shameless self-promotion.
. I couldn't think of anything witty at the time I made my signature.
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*Ahem!* [Insert Witty Signature Here!!]
Visit my blog! I'll even provide a link for ya:
Comments are always appreciated! :)
Im still confused as to how I "sound" bitter, in text format.... I thought I was being hopeful.....
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"One of the things that draws writers to writing, is that they can get things right that they got wrong in real life, by writing about them"
~ Tobias Wolffe
I think your post perfectly paints the picture of life without any from or racism or discrimination.
Children are so innocent. Their born not know hate or racism of any of those aweful emotions that the world teaches them.
Too bad we cant all stay as innocent as the children in the sandbox. If we could our planet would be a utopia
Actually Kinkatia, and Bridge are exactly right. Theres a little more....
Sometimes we might have to take a step backward in order to progress forward. In this instance, it's an age thing. As a child I had no preconcieved notions on whom I was allowed to share my joys and triumphs with. I never made friends based on a persons ethnicity, sexual preference, or spiritual beliefs. If they were willing to enjoy my time, I was willing to enjoy thiers. So this particular blog was me trying to point out that maybe we should return (as a group) to that early innocence, in order to (as a group) advance beyond bigotry.
As I aged I the world began to unveil itself before me. I found out how hateful some people can be, for no good reason. Dont get me wrong, while meeting the spiteful I also met some genuinely good people as well. For that reason, I still enjoy encountering new faces on this strange journey of my life.
On another note I appreciate all those who voted for me and gave me reasons why. Im not sure why the score is going down but if you voted me a 1 or a 2 Id like to know what prompted you to vote low. It will only make my writing stronger if I can actually hear the criticism. I assure all of you, that I am more than willing to listen and respond in like kind, when I can.
Another point: Children also never have a problem saying what they think. Perhaps another reason why we should all try playing in the figurative sandbox once in a while.
While I appreciate your idealism, I work in a preschool and have seen a fair number of kids who are much better at saying what they think, then they are at "playing in the sandbox" as you describe. Maybe it's all because the preschool I work at doesn't have a sandbox, but a lot of our kids don't seem that innocent. While I see moments of innocent cooperation, I see all too many occurrences of fighting, discrimination, exclusion, and anger among our kids. Unfortunately I think the main teacher I've been working with unintentionally encouraged this type of behavior, but now that she's out of the classroom we're starting to see a little bit better social skills.
"Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise, risking more than others think is safe, dreaming more than others think is practical, and expecting more than others think is possible."
and I find everything you said to be true. My only thought is (and I'm not trying to be a cynic) why doesn't that happen? It's because many people have a hard time putting aside their differences when they have been steeped in them for so long. We harbor hate and the false beliefs that we are better than everyone else, and that alone can hinder our ability to "play in the sandbox together".
Just a thought.
"Everyone feels benevolent if nothing happens to be annoying him at the moment." - C.S. Lewis
because we learn, and some of the things we learn are wrong.
I think it's when and where we learn to discriminate. The most direct source would be the parents, and as Reboloke mentioned, teachers.
By the way, that was the most poetic blog I've ever read (so far). Nice job.
You're writing style is beautiful and very vivid. I felt as if I was sitting there watching the children build their castle. Just wonderful.
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You must be the change you wish to see in the world -- Mahatma Ghandi
Honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress. --Mahatma Gandhi
My Blog: http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/kablock
There's a special wisdom and honesty in children, of which adults can learn a lot from, and I think you did a fantastic job of representing that.
this was so definatly true adults can learn from them kids see no color just friends they don't care that ones darker then the other they just want someone to slide with.
that is so true and amazing..
That was so amazing and beautiful! I definitely got goosebumps!
I love the ending you have writing in your future!
Very Poetic!
-The View from the.girl.nextdoor
Beautiful post. Everything I would want to say has already been said. I'm just amazed at the vivid writing and the importance of the message conveyed. Beautiful post.
- El Smurfo
...Is absolutely beautiful. Well done.
I was gone for awhile, or I would have responded sooner. I thank everyone who has left a message. It reminds me that there truly are beautiful souls to be met.
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"One of the things that draws writers to writing, is that they can get things right that they got wrong in real life, by writing about them"
~ Tobias Wolffe
Remember, You can make a difference in this world; all it takes is desire and effort.
I love the way you put your message across. if only the world could really work that way with our nations leaders getting along.
That was really great, I enjoyed every word. Too bad not everyone sees the world that way. But that is why we are all here, is it not? To bring people together? Great blog!
Again I thank you all very deeply, for the high praise you have given the blog.
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"One of the things that draws writers to writing, is that they can get things right that they got wrong in real life, by writing about them"
~ Tobias Wolffe
I liked it very much and I things like that always make me wonder what the world would be like without parents instilling themselves into their children's mind. They manifest their beliefs into their children, so that they become like robots of their parents. Really, if you think about it, it's kind of scary.
I really like this. It's very idealistic but... true.
[Krst]
Yes i SEE the sandbox. BEAUTIFUL imagery. I love this SO much! Its my faviorite entry so far. :D BRAVO!!! It puts so many ideals into one sandbox. Its a simplistic action/story, but a powerful statement, with complex ideals. Simply wonderful, I could go on an on behind the meaning, maybe i'll blog about it...
Again I LOVE IT. Thanks for a spectacular read.
very well thought up and executed. may i suggest spell checking though, it would just fix minor errors.
+mspin
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/weezyf
If only we could all live a life like those children in the sandbox, unbiased, happy, cooperative. It would solve all geopolitical problems if we could cooperate and coexist. It is what we must strive for, teach our children accurately, denounce racism and fear-mongering, then and only then, we may achieve peace and prosperity for all.
Your post is beautifully written, clever and insightful. Thank you.