A Reflection ~ Lessons from Little House

 

This may become something new – different – I decide to do – based on the feed back from ya’ll.  We’ve been watching Little House episodes for over a year now – and there’s always something to learn – always a reminder to call me – to call us – to be the best versions of ourselves.

Tonight’s episode, The Pen and the Plow, was about one of Harriet’s cousins who comes to Walnut Grove and opens a newspaper, “The Pen and the Plow”.  Harriet is in charge of writing a regular column on the news of Walnut Grove, which she titles “Harriet’s Happenings”.  Well anyone who is familiar with Harriet’s character knows her “news” is often not based on truth or fact but on rumors and lies.  This leads to harm and pain among those she chooses to target.  Unfortunately, the townspeople continue to buy the newspaper, allowing her reign of chaos to continue.

That is until one day, when Harriet’s column makes the Ingall’s family one her targets.  Well, this is enough for Pa (who has refused to support the paper).  Reverend Aldin is gone for the weekend, so Pa uses his absense as a chance to turn the chaos into a heartfelt reminder at the upcoming Sunday Sermon.

Sunday arrives and Pa begins the service by inviting Harriet to read from Exodus 20:16 – Thou shall not bear false witness on thy neighbor – the 8th Commandment (or 9th depending upon the religious denomination).  There is a twist, however.  The bible Pa holds is in German and belongs to one of the neighbors of Walnut Grove – a family from Germany who speaks German and English but can only read German, which Harriet had used in one of her column’s to label the parents as illiterate.

Well, obviously Harriet can’t read the text and claims as such, calling it “gibberish”.  Pa responds by saying it isn’t gibberish – it’s German – and he tells her who the Bible belongs to.  Harriet looks uncomfortable now.  Pa then asks her if her inability to read German makes her illiterate.

Well of course not, she responds haughtily.

Pa then says “Just like someone who can’t read English doesn’t make them illiterate”.

Clearly flustered,  Harriet returns to her seat.

Pa then goes on to remind the congregation that what Harriet was supposed to read was the 8th Commandment – Thou shall not bear false witness on thy neighbor.  He went on to share how the paper was dividing the community.  Instead of reporting truth and facts, its focus was instead on lies, rumors and innuendos.  He reminded everyone that they held the power as to whether or not this paper and its practice of lying was to be allowed to continue.  Every paper each citizen bought only gave approval to the harm the words in that paper was causing.  As the camera scanned the members of the community, you could see each person pondering their choice.  Within 30 days, the paper was out of business.

Besides this being an excellent episode with Pa giving another emotionally moving, thought-invoking speech, it also speaks loudly as to how far this realm has fallen in terms of Freedom of the Press and what that REALLY means and how we as a society grew to accept and become addicted to yellow journalism and to view such ugly, vile drama as entertainment.

We DO have the power to bring it all down.  Now.  WE are the plan.  It doesn’t matter what side of the political fence one is on.  Yellow Journalism permeates both sides of the political fence.  And we’ve become so used to this vile, we’ve become numb to it – and in that state of apathy – we have in a way allowed it to flourish.  Even the current state of ridiculousness now – which is clearly showing how pathetic modern day “journalism” has become – it feels time to walk away from it now.  Even as it pokes fun of the most evil who have been among us – it is feeling like it is “time” to not use my energy to poke – at anything or anyone – no matter how horrible the actions and doings of that individual.

And even if what is being shown now in this awakening is also being used to poke fun of those still following the lies – the “normies” we – I – have called them – it feels like any energy given to that only keeps the divide going.  I saw an example tonight where people were poking at the people in Ottawa who were complaining about the ongoing honking by the Truckers.  These people were being labeled leftist snowflakes and the like. I’m obviously a Freedom Supporting woman who also happens to be highly sensitive – including to noise.  If I had an apartment or business in the downtown area where the Truckers are, I too would be disturbed by ongoing honking.  Does that mean I don’t support Freedom?  Of course not.  But I understand Freedom – and Freedom doesn’t mean I get to do whatever the hell I want – not if it’s causing harm.  Just like I don’t have the right to blast my music loudly for hours throughout the day.  Why?  I respect people’s right to quiet.  There are other ways to Stand for Freedom.

Now it feels time to just say “No” to anything that pokes or attacks – uses “below the belt” moves.  To say “no” to bearing false witness – which is what we do when we make assumptions about people who voted for JB or who took the jab, etc.

Little House provides every one of us those moments where we can take a step back from our busy daily doings, and most especially in these heated moments we are all experiencing now – and ask ourselves “Am I doing all I can to be the best version of me?”

I pray for myself to remember this state of humbleness and remind myself that becoming like evil – in any way – only serves to keep it alive here.  Not to say we must not give in or not continue to command Freedom.  Like Pa says “Turn the other cheek – but watch out.”  Or another way to put it – Be Of and In the Heart – but keep that sword nearby just in case.

Love,

Victoria