9.28.11 Adam News and Info

Very wise words, Murly - as usual.

I go to tweetgrid and search @adamlambert

tweetgrid.com/search?q=%40adamlambert

Yes!! And Geezelouise, LOVE the poem (or lyrics?) can you clarify who GCLD is?

Now that I know a little bit about what was said then and been done since, I think the jury is still VERY out on what kind of restitution he's made. He has a lot to make up for that won't happen overnight.

However, I am willing to keep an open mind if he proves himself truly penitent for what he said and keeps working to prove it. Forgive is a very strong word and perhaps that's was the term that Adam used that got a lot of people's hackles up. I can give a second and third chance without necessarily forgiving or forgetting – I'd just TRY to keep an open mind and see where this life lesson takes him.

With the Chris Brown/ABC incident, I would have been willing to give him a chance to prove he had changed, but he quickly proved he hadn't progressed in the least. He was still harboring extreme hostility and was ready to express it physically at the slightest provocation. The man is dangerous, IMO, and I will not support his creative endeavors.

I agree with Chunkey, that I would be a hypocrite to claim I don't shop at any discount retailer that likely gets its clothing from sweat shops or borderline slave labor (WalMart, KMart). I know this intellectually, but sometimes you can't address every problem. It does help to be reminded, however, so I can reevaluate often. I will NOT be buying products affiliated with the Kochs brothers from here on out.

I find now I often reach for the cage-free eggs, cruelty-free products and am willing to pay more for Fair Trade items. Little things can make a difference eventually.

Every year during the Jewish High Holidays, I participate in some days of study and reflection. This year I plan to think about the concept of forgiveness.

People need to learn to accept and be taught to love. They also need to be taught to hate. I believe that people can change and evolve.

With the start of the Jewish New Year, Jews enter a time for reflection, renewal and rebirth. I do not want to be defined by the mistakes of my past. And, if I want that, I know I need to give that to other people.

I will close with a New Testament passage:

John 7:53-8:11
7:53 And every man went unto his own house.
8:1 ¶ Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
8:2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
8:3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
8:4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
8:5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
8:6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8:8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
8:9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
8:10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

I believe that every religion incorporates some concept of forgiveness -- a couple of other examples:

The Prophet Muhammad forgave others for their ignorance. There are Blessings for Forgiveness in the Koran.

In Buddhism, forgiveness is viewed as essential to prevent harmful thoughts from disrupting one’s mental well-being.

I could go on -- but will close with a final quote: "Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea until they have something to forgive," said C.S. Lewis.