The First Step

Blogging seems to be the way of things these days. I must admit to feeling a bit like a relic in today's culture, but I also feel like I have much to say and this is as good a venue as any to speak my mind! For those of you that don't know me I'm Nic and I'm a person just like you! That's right! A real life human being! And that is what I want my first blog post to be about.

Human.

It's a word I think many of us forget the meaning of today. Despite all the differences we have between us whether it be ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, location, we are all human when it comes down to it. Like pretty much everyone else I've had my share of ups and downs in life. My particular share of downs has left me somewhat... broken... yea that's the word I think fits best. I wouldn't be surprised if others feel the same way. While not all of what makes me "broken" comes from this, some of it indeed came from being treated as something less than human. Every day I read the news and see more people treating others like obstacles rather than human beings and it scares me! When we stop looking at our fellow people as human beings just like us we stop caring about them and our world becomes smaller, more bitter and savage. We begin to lose the very things that make us human and only see the world in the eyes of "what's in it for me", "as long as I get what I want I don't care who suffers" and ultimately "my pleasure comes from causing suffering to others and that's fine with me".

What I'd like to see is a world where we all stop and take a look at that neighbor, those kids walking down the street and the people driving by and really remember that those are our fellow human beings. Those are people with hopes, dreams, loves, and fears. Those are people who you might not like or agree with but aren't as different from you in many of the ways that matter. I'd like to see a world where religions aren't pouring millions of dollars and man hours into making sure other people can't get married but instead spend that money and time helping the homeless, feeding the hungry and generally working to make life better for everyone. I'd like to see big corporations like the insurance and pharmaceutical industries having goals OTHER than just making as much money as possible. Like maybe making sure much needed medical care and medication was available to every person everywhere no matter what.

If you can't tell I'm a dreamer... an idealist. Part of own personal "crazy" stems from the fact that I can close my eyes... and I can see just how good the world can be. But when I open my eyes I am trapped in this nightmare of greed, apathy, insensitivity, hypocrisy and selfishness. When one group fights against abortion but in the same breath make every effort to push that child to suicide with their hate if they have the audacity to be born differently I die a little inside. I see people forgetting that those are human beings out there. They aren't just "Voters", "Taxpayers", "Consumers", "Republicans", "Democrats", "Blacks", "Whites", "Christians", "Jews", "Gays" or "Straights".... they are "Humans" just like you and me.

For anyone reading this... please try to remember that everyone around is a human being just like you in most ways that truly matter. You don't have to like them or agree with them but please don't make efforts to hurt them or make their lives miserable.

I'm hoping to make this blog a monthly thing and talk about a variety of subjects both serious and silly. If you'd like to hang out "on the edge" of my sanity feel free to stop by and read!