"Said Topic"

       I have been trying to do a simple entry this entire week, about what I would classify as one hell of a hot button topic. I've wrote it, edited it, twisted it, revamped it and basically it's giving me such fits I've jumped ship, and this is me hanging on by one hand, to the anchor.
      
        So what is the problem you may ask? And that folks is the key question. The problem is my views on a universal issue are in the minority seats of the stadium. Therefore, my opinions on said topic are usually kept quite personal to avoid the instant gape of mouth, sigh of "oh girl your going to that place," and the sometimes blatant backlash that can be dished out.
     
        It is the backlash of my position that ruffled my feathers last week <in the 3-d world> , and this is why my thoughts have been itching to write about it, while my mind has been marching a most beautiful protest. So in my last and final attempt, I will attempt a compromise between the opposing teams here in my mind.

       Exclusion and judgment is the key words. Exclusion based on a pre-formed opinion, and judgment handed down based on a quick unified decision. This is what a group of 9 woman (mommies) in my youngest daughters class, have done since she started Kindergarten 5 years ago. An honest me, will admit I call them the Cult 9 and I will defend that well earned label without guilt. From the second day of school, way back then, I was asked point blank my position on said hot topic, my honest response, was the word "No." This was followed up with a phone call to me personally 3 days later inviting me to said organization, of which I politely declined. This bought me and my daughter a one way ticket into the exclusion and judgment villa.

       Typically, being left out of said Cult 9 would be an exclusion I would never loose sleep over. But it has certainly been something my young daughter has felt and not understood. How does a Mother explain to a 5 year old that because Mommy doesn't conform to said specific topic, she has grown imaginary horns and the cult 9 must shield their children away from such blasphemy? My child suffered because of guilt by association. How you may wonder? A fine example would be a 8 yr. old Kaitlyn coming home after school and saying "Mommy, Janea said if we would go to 'said place" then she would be allowed to play with me on the playground." An interesting position to be in that I never dreamed in this day and age would be necessary.

       With the precision of a surgeon, I have explained to my daughters that unfortunately some people in this world become entwined so deeply in not necessarily said topic, but the organization of which they belong, that blind folds are centered nicely on their eye's and mind. I feel, that while staying true to oneself's beliefs, if one person <or a Cult 9> becomes intolerable to other beliefs, they loose sight of what should be the ultimate destination. Isn't the ultimate destination the divine Grand Daddy question of them all?

       The unleashing and reasoning for said entry.
       While at the local swimming pool last week, with me resting on comfy chaise lounge with book in hand, and the Cult carefully positioned on the other side of the pool, <yes this town is that small> I had a visitor.

            Cult 9 is now, Cult 8, they have experienced a defection in the posse. Apparently this defector, started back to College last year, experienced liberation in woman's studies and has filed for divorce, claiming being married is akin to slavery. She figured I would be a good allied force, since she too had grown horns and been accused of blasphemy. Now, this woman had never said more then 5 actual sentences to me over the previous 5 years, and now I'm considered worthy? That would be my first irritation.

       As an observer and digger of information, I listened for at least an hour, glancing at the Cult 8 on the other side of the pool, watching their stares and glares, before grilling questions on this poor unprepared defector. Growing horns had not taken away her honesty and she did indeed admit it had been decided 5 years back to blatantly keep away from me and instruct their children to stay away from my daughter, yes, they had stamped a big red X on my forehead just as I had figured. I could write for an hour about the interesting revelations I revealed through my intense interrogation,but I fear this is already too long.

       The Moral of the story.
       In the case of "said topic" which I have carefully been able to avoid actual naming, I would like to point a few things out. I have no blinders on, I am perfectly comfortable with the notion that every single person on this planet has distinct personal views on several facets of their life. I wouldn't dare accuse one person of being wrong and me being right, or the other way around, choice is individual. 

     That is the BEAUTIFUL thing about free will. I believe the word and color gray should be spelled that way. Some people feel it should be spelled grey. I completely respect choice to my core. It's a choice. If you look at "said topic" there are so many choices to be found and the levels of belief are astounding. From zero belief to deep core devotion. I find that a beautiful thing and make every attempt to understand both. My circle of acceptance really is 360 degrees, and it's a good place to be.
     
       What I have a very hard time accepting is when one level of belief trumps all others and the degree in which people look out at others is narrowed into some sort of 30 degree channel. How does one group chant moral do right, yet, exile another group without any sort of encompassing understanding of choice? Hypocrisy at it's finest. Wars have been waged on such narrowly defined causes. I am also not blind enough to think all "said topics" are like the Cult 9, correction, Cult 8 now. I am a singleton in my views and typically stand alone in my choice, but have SO MANY "said topic"  friends and family who embrace me nonetheless. That is the acceptance I love to emulate. The burr I realized I allowed a select group to place between my foot and shoe has been replaced with a nice soft cushion of pity.
      
       Perhaps, I am a dreamer, or an optimist, who believes that as long as I carry high moral values, adhere to a strong code of ethics, I stand in a good place. Perhaps, the world isn't really ready for acceptance of all walks of choice and open 360 degree views. I wouldn't dream of telling another person their choice of anything was wrong. There is too much to admire in diversity of humanity. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I hover between a heaven, and the earth I stand on, and you know, it's a mighty fine view.