Doing Good vs. Doing Nothing

On NPR this week, the This I Believe essay was about a woman whose credo is to always go to the funeral.  It touched both Dave and me and both shamed and inspired me.  The crux of this woman’s essay was that the struggle to do right (help someone, show a little love, visit in the hospital, send a note, go to the funeral) is not an epic struggle of good versus evil but of doing good versus doing nothing.  It’s so true.  And I am so bad about doing nothing, when “good” would take 10, 15, even just 30 minutes.  And usually, I way overestimate how long it takes to write that note, make that phone call, stop by and say hi. 

I hope I can remember her credo and use it to make the world around me a little better. 

Instead, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.  What was he thinking?  And why does it bother me so much???  I’ve come to the conclusion that we (I) can identify so much better with Jennifer Aniston.  She’s beautiful, but she's nice.  You can imagine her living next door and talking with her over the fence.  Angelina Jolie is also beautiful; she may be the most beautiful woman in the world.  But if she sknows up next door, nothing good is going happen.  Plus she’s a freaky ho.  Yes, it’s wonderful that she really takes seriously her ability to help reduce world poverty and use her fame to draw attention to important world issues.  Ok!  Woohoo, Angelina!  Go girl and make a difference!  But she is still a freaky ho who used to wear her husband’s blood in a vial on her neck.  How could Brad leave nice normal and still beautiful Jennifer for freakazoid Angelina? 

It’s a disturbing thought and absolutely pathetic that I spend anytime thinking about it.

The good news is that I now have the luxury of pondering the love triangle that is Angelina, Brad and Jennifer because….Conor has daycare!!!!  Our fine neighborhood church daycare just found an opening for Conor.  We are so excited.  It’s not the Easter Seals daycare but it is a fine and wonderful establishment.  What a relief.  Whew, again. 

4:20:53 PM