A Funny One-Liner In Ghostbusters And Politics

I watched the new version of Ghostbusters the other day and heard an extremely funny one-liner towards the end that really made me think about all that’s going on with our political systems here in the United States.

When one of the main characters comes out of a somewhat confused state and says how long has she been gone, one of the other ghostbusters responds and says “It’s 2040 and our President is a plant!”

I can honestly say I haven’t laughed so hard at any point over the past year as I did after hearing that joke. But the truth is, it does speak volumes for what’s going on with our political systems.

Lately, I often feel like I’m watching a three-ring circus when it comes to the politics in our country. With all the events surrounding this upcoming presidential election, everybody seems to hold such strong negative opinions about each candidate. People have summed up both as either a liar who can’t be trusted or a nutcase with no qualifications to hold office. And I continue to hear so many say as well that they think our country is screwed and headed in the wrong direction.

I’m doing my best to remain positive though because engaging in all this negative energy is only going to make things worse. But I also admit that I really have no idea who I’m going to vote for at this point, mainly because of all these negative things being said. What I do know is that I just want our country to continue moving forward towards greater equality for everyone and to move farther away from the polarization I see happening much too often as of late.

One nation under God was how our forefathers saw us and I wonder if they would be ashamed what we’ve become lately. And speaking of God, I really wonder some days what He’s thinking with all of this. Nevertheless, a three-ring circus maybe isn’t the best description for how I view our political systems these days. Instead, I tend to think it’s more like a bunch of children fighting for control of something. I just wish our country would start coming together in peace and love and find leadership that will support that. I certainly hope it doesn’t take some terrible tragedy to make that happen, but sadly that often seems like what ends up happening to bring about great positive changes.

Regardless, I’ve decided to just tune out all this election-based stuff going on right now, as I don’t find any of it helpful. Nor do I find it beneficial talking about it with people because very few are looking at any of it in a positive manner. Instead, I’m choosing to send love, forgiveness, and peace to everyone both inside and outside our political systems and hope that one day we may all come together in unity, rather than separation and discord.

Peace, love, light, and joy,

Andrew Arthur Dawson

Daily Reflection

Today’s daily reflection comes from the following parable titled “A Little Boy’s Story” and is by Stine Gro Struksnaes:  

A boy sat down, he looked so sad
his toy had gone apart
He tried to fix it, but too bad! –
he just wasn’t that smart.

“Oh Father, help me!” was his cry,
“please fix this toy for me!”
“My pleasure, son”, the quick reply
as he came close to see. 

The boy bowed down and tried anew,
each time with greater zeal
But as the night drew close he knew
his failure was too real. 

He then looked up and cried again;
“My Father! Don’t you care?
You told me you would help me
but your hand was never there!”

“My precious son”, the father said,
as he in love bowed down,
“I waited here all afternoon
while you tried on your own –

I could not fix your toy, you see,
cause you did not let go,
but give me please each broken part,
and I will fix it now!”

And so the story ended
with a happy little boy
who finally gave all to dad
who fixed his broken toy.

Have you a broken story,
or a broken bleeding heart –
something that is too hard to fix
a dream that broke apart? –

Then give it to your Father –
your loving Friend above
Just leave it all in His big hands
and trust a Father’s love.

These words hold much significance in my life given how often I’ve asked God for help but continued to handle things on my own. All of the paths I took with addictions went this way until I discovered I couldn’t fix any of them by myself. Lately, I’ve come to see the same holds true with my health and healing. Each of my own individual attempts to get healthier quicker have generally gone nowhere or only made things worse for me. While there are times here and there I still try to fix something with my health, I’ve come to understand that for me to become fully “fixed”, it’s going to take me completely trusting in God’s love and leaving it in God’s hands. It’s a challenge on most days to remain on this path, but one I know I must adhere to. Because I know in doing so, God will be put back together again in great working order.

I pray I stop trying to fix myself on every level and instead trust inherently in God to do it for me, as I know God can and will.

Peace, love, light, and joy,

Andrew Arthur Dawson