Sunday, November 27, 2005
HEARTS VS PASSPORTS
He would be considered a fool here in Mexico, a nation which retains the native life ethic. That is something to which America can never aspire, having murdered those who could teach it.
A quote often repeated in describing difference between Americans and Mexicans is "Americans live to work while Mexicans work to live". It is well understood by Mexicans, but the meaning usually passes over the heads of Americans.
Suppose a Mexican and an American met for the first time. The American might say "I am a doctor, engineer, bricklayer, truck driver, salesperson, etc., etc., etc..", and the Mexican, "I live in the small town of Xtlahuacan with my wife, mother, two sons, a daughter, and an uncle". The American would question "But what kind of work do you do?" The Mexican would then think "Who is this man, and why in the hell would he want to know that?"
The American defines himself in terms of how his work benefits those he considers superior. The Mexican considers no one superior and views himself a part of those near.
A Mexican friend once succinctly described the difference another way. "Mexicans have more heart." Normally lacking in that, most Americans would not understand. I learned something about myself in realizing I did.
A passport issued on basis of a first 56 years in America claims I am of it. But hearts trump passports every time. The subsequent 19 in Mexico ensure mine's final beats will tap a mariachi rythm.
To be able to leave America behind and to leave behind what one becomes there is an oppurtunity everyone should take. If you let Mexico just take you over, it is not long before that missing heart replaces itself. And speaking from decades of experience here, people with heart make life look beautiful and very very worthwhile.
Pocho,
I might add that Americans really lack a real culture of their own (other than the uniform McCulture that makes one suburb undistinguishable from any other suburp or town). In Mexico, I find that each village has its own culture. Perhaps this is why it's so important where a person is from rather than what they do.
HighTechVagabond
Ok not sure how i feel now but im american and im proud to be one im proud to be trying to make changes in a resionable way and im tired of being called ever name bad because im american when im told o not you sonshine but yet the hate and name calling continuses and all people are being ahead acountable for the things happening in the USA and not all america i guess then all people where evel happens are just as bad as there goverments and i guess thats why so much cheep slave labor is in some countrys and not all .I thanks god i have some rights even if not as many as i would like in america even if the usa goverment sucks me as a amercian who dont run away im trying to stand and make a differance dont count .Im not sure now what to think of so many things so much hate im a woman of peace not blind hate to people in a country run by a corupt goverement i rather stay and try to make changes instead of running to another country and talking about my home land lke a dog But then who am i to judge another human by what someone else does by the standers i am seeing me im evil im corupt because the usa sucks thay them standards i do also Im no more special or crule as another i guess "BE safe walk in peace allways" im sorry im tired of being hated when change is wanted but it like no mater what anyone does im evil and all in america are north ,cental and south america to bad people cant see differance in the land and the goverments it s the usa goverment not all the people and i dnt think being in usa or being born here makes all humans evil
Sonshine, you have a beautiful outlook on life and people, and any country should be called proud to have you wanting to help guide it. I listen to your pain of not wanting to be identified with the wrongs of your government and not wanting to be a target for the hate it brings on. I know you stand brave in the middle of this crisis and do all thats in you to bring about the healing of your crippled nation. For your own sake, I wish you could seperate the hate your country deserves now, from who and what you are that does not deserve it. I have seen other good and caring people like you hurting too, because they are not the evil force, just victims of their birth and love for the people and the land. But the urgent message is, Beware of America, Protect yourself, Stop them. And this message needs to be loud and clear, Look at what they have become. You are good, and your goodness connects with people all around the globe. I know your loyalties are to your country, but you are also a citizen of the world, by the rights of the way you care. How sad it really is, but America is hated. But you are not hated, you are needed, as all good people are needed regardless of country.
I too was born in America, but left part way through my teenage years, and taught it was a country that was coming to an ugly inefitable end. The world is mine and I do my good there, preferably in places that have a worthwhile future. But I understand and admire you for why you stay. You have chosen a strong path, the red one, and it makes you part of what always was. You need to care for what is yours. I have no country, just the world.
Keep up the good work Sonshine, as I know you always will
Im glad you can be of the world the goverments would wide require papers says you from here or where to bad we cant take a test and have humanity papers to be free to be who you are and to not harm the world but help heal it but till that time my papers say im a usa other in america and my prayer will all ways be for peace harmony balance in true health and the best for all not the some on anything
