In all of my musing lately, I have been reminded that life is not black and white. Occasionally, you can find a situation where thinking in black and white is appropriate and helpful, but really I think that's rare. It would be nice though, wouldn't it? So I could just say, "He was selfish and thoughtless. He is bad. I can hate him now." It doesn't work like that though. Instead it's, "He was selfish and thoughtless. He is human. I can still be really angry at him." Life is not simple! Can I get an Amen? People are not bad or good, they're a bit of both. But lucky for me, when one person disappoints me five more surprise me with their goodness and friendship. I am fortunate to know a great number of mostly good people!
What really got me thinking about this whole black v. white concept was actually the recent California budget issues. Funding for California State Parks has been cut and the department is looking at closing a number parks statewide, a few of which are in Sacramento. The list of parks to be closed was made based on attendance and revenue generation. The thing is, just because something has low attendance doesn't mean it's not culturally or historically important. Sutter's Fort is on "the list." But Sutter's Fort is so important! I mean they have artifacts from the Donner Party there! How cool is that?! And they have a really neat overnight program for 4th graders, so that they can experience firsthand what life would have been like in the 1800s. Even though Sutter's Fort doesn't generate that much money for State Parks it is still valuable. It's not a black and white issue. It is a khaki and green issue though. Parks rule!
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