John Shoemaker: Home

I have been reading a book about World War II. It is a reminder to
me of how premeditated war is. While it can sometimes seem that war
just "breaks out," in actuality the foundation for it is usually laid
far in advance, and takes much preparation to initiate. When I
consider all the energy it takes to plan and execute a war, I can't
help but ask myself if the need for it would be eradicated almost
entirely if we instead simply put that energy towards preventing it at
all cost.
I think it is a matter of will. How much do we want to understand
another person, another culture? How willing are we to accept and
respect the differences amongst us? How much work are we willing to do
before we give up on achieving a goal of peace? I think it takes more
energy up front to do these things, but in the longer run it saves so
much more by avoiding destructive forms of confrontation. In this way
I feel that war is basically the result of societal laziness. People
and governments are sometimes just too lazy to do the work that could
prevent the tragedy of war. Ask yourself this: how much effort is our
government putting into preventing war with Iran? Most of what I see
looks more like preparation for, rather than prevention of, war with
Iran.
I encourage us all to take a look at how this phenomenon plays out
in our own personal lives with those around us. Are we really
communicating with others effectively? Do we really respect others no
matter how different they are? Are we willing to work to maintain and
improve things? Or, do we allow misunderstandings to go unspoken and
cause discomfort, resentment, and conflict?
If we can't peacefully resolve conflict in our own personal lives,
then it probably shouldn't surprise us to see our government
representatives lacking in this skill as well. They will change when
we change. And we will change when you and I change.

This morning, after rising from bed, I decided to spend my first waking hour or so playing some of my songs. The truth is that I am in the process of going through my material to decide which songs I am going to record next for a new CD I am beginning to work on. Some of the songs I am considering are up to almost ten years old, some are brand new. The interesting thing is that as I sat playing this morning I began to have some revelations about some of the lyrics to a few of the songs. I realized that deep down I had always felt some of them could be a bit better, but just had never bothered to change them. This morning I put in that time and made some slight adjustments. I think the reason I hadn’t done this before is that I just figured the songs were already good enough in their original state, even if there were parts I sensed could be better. But now I have come to a different place, and I think it is an overall feeling about life in general. I no longer want things to be just good enough, I want them to be great, because I know they can be.

I encourage you to reflect on the way you do things, even some of your most ingrained behaviors that you already think work pretty well, and see if you can make some subtle changes to improve things for yourself and others. Even something minor, like smiling at a passerby, can change the entire tone of your day and theirs. It a great example of how good intentions and just a little effort can have a tremendous impact on the world.

Today I watched on television as Elliot Spitzer, Governor of New York in his first term, resigned his post due to the fact that he has been exposed as a regular client of an upscale prostitution operation. His wife was by his side at the news conference, looking as though she had been crying for days. Governor Spitzer glanced up into the camera before speaking and it looked to me as though he was trying not to cry himself. It was the look of a man who had been brutally humbled. I am glad that he decided to resign quickly and spare us the spectacle of impeachment proceedings. I would also like to wish him and his family well as they embark on their healing journey. There is no joy in watching others suffer, but there is a peace that can be found in the realization that all of us learn in our own way, when we are ready. And everything happens for a reason. Beyond the scandal and tragedy, there is the Infinite Universe, always and forever. And sometimes, when this world pounds you down, it is good to remember that great expanse from which it was born, so long ago.