Bird Droppings April 28, 2025
Hunting for the right words on a spring morning

“The place to improve the world is first in one’s own heart, head, and hands.” Robert M. Pirsig, American author

Whether we are trying to offer a few words of condolence to friends whose loved ones have passed away or trying to sort out the disaster somewhere in the world, and today here near home in Georgia, we all need to look within first. When I read this line from Pirisig earlier this morning, I immediately thought of my 4H days and the pledge of 4H and the 4H clover.

“The 4-H Clover symbolizes four actions which 4-H members try to accomplish. The four Hs stand for Head, Hands, Heart, and Health, as it is in the pledge. I Pledge My Head to clearer thinking, My Heart to greater loyalty, My Hands to larger service, and My Health to better living for my Club, my Community, my Country, and my World.” Taos County 4H site.

I wish we could get each citizen of our country truly engaged in that pledge, whether it is as a 4-H member or just because it is good practice. Imagine what would happen: disasters would be resolved and often averted, and we would each be better as citizens and friends all over with simple admonition. As I look at clearer thinking, greater loyalty, larger service, and better living, these are all very powerful as well as interesting thoughts. There are days when I wish more kids were able to be exposed to 4-H.

Sitting here, having read the news earlier, it is disheartening to try and determine what course of action each of us can take to help, if we can at all. Over the announcements at the high school on Friday afternoon, I listened to what various groups and clubs are doing at our school. The kids in our high school had raised several thousand dollars through various activities, much of that in bits and pieces of lunch money dropped in buckets, and fundraisers such as washing cars. I recall dunking a coach, or in one of the efforts, we had a tug of war. I wish we could do more, but each effort, each dime or nickel, is a little more. I wish we could all summon the courage to do more.

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.” Ambrose Redmon

I thought I would end with this line: Courage is a word used often with little thought. I really understand the tying of the word to fear; that is an interesting definition. Stating that courage is simply realizing there are more important things in life than being afraid or cautious is a powerful thought. Fifteen years ago, my wife and I went to South Carolina to visit our middle son and his then-fiancée. It was our first chance to see the church where they got married and her horses at their family farm out in the South Carolina countryside. We spent Saturday evening at a wedding shower and Sunday visiting all over the beautiful South Carolina farm country, discussing horses, plants, always Georgia Tech, experiences, and who knows what else. How much we learn about a person in a few moments depends on the ability of each person to be honest and trusting. It was a great afternoon, joking and laughing and picking on each other. As always, we called when we got home, telling everyone we were safely home in Georgia, and my granddaughter was mad at me when we got home, even the John Deere T-shirt and soft plush puppy did not make a dent. However, after her grandma held her for a minute, she decided she wasn’t mad anymore and gave me a great big goodnight hug. For today, please keep all in harm’s way on your mind and in your hearts, namaste.

My family and friends, I do not say this lightly,

Mitakuye Oyasin

(We are all related)

docbird