No More Fences!

Definition of FENCE

1  archaic : a means of protection : defense

2  a : a barrier intended to prevent escape or intrusion or to mark a boundary; especially : such a barrier made of posts and  wire or boards

 b : an immaterial barrier or boundary line <on the other side of the fence in the argument>

Why do we humans feel the need to put up fences? 

 As a watcher of people, I see more

being built than torn down. 

They pop up in all kinds of places,

in places I'd least expect

built by those

I didn't think would build

the least likely people---sometimes myself.

We all have them and we've all built them

. 

Perhaps the reason is to protect ourselves as the definition states, or perhaps,

it is to keep others away, to keep others at bay.

Come on--admit it. 

You have a fence, too! 

If you admit it, so will I.

The one I'm most willing to admit is that I really have a problem with lazy folks.

Put me in the room with a bunch of lazy workers and I will either shut down or I'll work myself to death putting up the biggest damn fence just to make them look good and make me feel good....

Fences cause separation.

They inflict pain.

They act as boundaries...

act to keep folks at bay...

to oppress and suppress...

Each of us has within our being, a box of normalcy that makes us feel safe and comfortable and good.

When we meet folks that cause us to question that box we abide in,

when we see something other than what we are,

 then it invites us to question whether

our way is the best or better or wrong....it makes us

wonder whether what we have in the box is the right stuff.

 It invites us to grow---but growing is hard and fences

are built to make us feel safe and comfortable,

we get out plank after  plank after plank,

hammer a few nails

start the boundary settings....

sometimes it is expressed in our body language like the roll of an eye

 or the inability to make eye contact...

or the pretending to not see who is in front of us,

Truth is we fence and are fenced.

most of us have even been victim of and we have victimized

we've boxed and been boxed.

and if we don't ignore what is going on inside of us...either role

the builder or the one inside doesn't feel good or right or fine.

It looks like disparity,

hate,

separation,

it inflicts injury like a splinter that can't be found,

it is wrong.....

race, gender,sexual orientation, ageism, class ism,

It all sets us apart,

It makes us different,

It separates neighbors and friends,

breaks up brothers and sisters...

i don't like fences even though I build them both ways...

to keep others out

and to make myself feel safe and protected.

The golden rule in most religions states simply,

"Love your neighbor as yourself..."

that's easy, right?

We pretend it is...

moving from fencing to open space

moving from preconceived notions to acceptance,

moving from hate to love..

well

it takes alot of work that many of us aren't willing to deal with---remember I've already stated that
it didn't bother me that I don't know my neighbors names---seems like a fence to me.

we peck others over

what they wear,

who they're friends are,

who they sleep with,

who their mom and dad is...

if we are willing...

to move beyond ourselves...

to look deep inside another to see the familiar pieces of our self,

it will be discovered that all of us

are more alike than different,

so

for today,

let's take down the planks of separation,

remove the invisible lines that push others away

take out a few nails

erase the invisible lines

open up our hands and heart,

clear a path to the other and

tear down our fences...

I'll try if you will...

We often sing what the world needs today is a little more love...

Well....

Love don't build fences..

.and I'm talking to myself as much as you...

let's take 'em down!!!

No more fences!

a bit of rambling after a day of watching fences being built...

thanks for listening.