Be like Groot

Groot: Marvel Superhero

Today, I gave in and purchased “Groot,” a fictional superhero appearing in comic books published by Marvel, as an ornament to dress our Christmas tree. I first laid eyes on Groot, in the movie version of Guardians of The Galaxy, Vol 2. I am not a Marvel comics follower, nor am I an action adventure movie kind of girl, well unless Will Smith is in the movie. One will not usually find me in front of a T.V watching Marvel movies, however, I do sometimes share screen time with my husband, when there is a viewing of Spiderman, Iron Man, Captain America, and so on.

This time, I was totally caught off guard when I first noticed Groot in Guardians of The Galaxy, a loyal, sentient, tree-like character (who I actually called “Tree” for several days until my husband corrected me), and a steady alliance to the intergalactic criminal Rocket Raccoon, the feisty, brave, and laughable too, space saving adventurer who really cracked me up.  

Besides, being caught up in all the galaxy battles of good versus evil, I found myself mesmerized by this extraterrestrial tree, whose race was thought to be extinct until he landed on earth seeking humans as test subjects. Groot and Rocket Raccoon, with all of his contorted clap backs, traveled the galaxy picking up bounties. Lots of fighting, smashing and galactical blow ups, when the two met up with their galactical fire fighter friends on Xandar, and the four were eventually captured in a battle. Long story short, Groot convinced his friends to risk everything to stop the enemy Ronan the Accuser’s plans to destroy Xandar and enslave the world.

Whewww!!

By this time, I had begun to intuit a message, or, the moral of the story as they say. Here is the what got me. In the final scene, the four defenders of Xandar were trapped. Groot sacrificed his own life to save his friends by growing. Yes, growing roots. Throughout the movie, he would often eat new branches, I didn’t understand why he was doing that. Once the troop became trapped, Groot allowed his roots to grow until his friends were totally enclosed in an almost capsule like ball. By doing so, his friends were shielded from (I think it was the Orb of destruction or something like that). Rocket Raccoon pleaded with his friend Groot, not to grow his roots, but Groot grew, and then he died. He captured my heart with three words, “I am Groot.”

I became really emotional during this part of the movie, until Rocket Raccoon, while assessing the destruction, found a root of Groot, planted it, and then, well, baby Groot is growing for the sequel I guess.

Groot touched my heart, and is now hanging on my tree. The fictional character reminded of a scripture, John 15:13. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

In this vitriol, divisive time of uncertainty, when it seems like the world is blowing apart, and delusion, deception and destruction are all around, the fictional character, Groot provided me with a message of hope. Sometimes we must die to our individual agendas, and collectively work together to help friends for the common good of humanity.

I am reminded of this, now and every time I gaze upon it, encircled in the glow of my Christmas tree.

He's got the whole world in His hands.

He’s got the whole world in His hand’s, He’s got the whole world in His hands, He’s got the whole world in His hands, He’s got the whole world in his hands. Remember that song? It became a traditional American spiritual first published in 1927, and gained popularity in the 50s. You and me brother, the itty-bitty baby, and you and me sister, and even the 45^th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump.

During today’s moments of reflection, I started humming the song’s melody, while praying and trying to grasp headlines of the day: mass shootings, Russia Gate, tax-reform, and systemic problems: racism, sexual assault, homelessness, ignorance, crime – well you pick one.

He’s got the whole world in His hands. I doubt many citizens of our country would deny, that we want America to be great. With that, we must recognize that we need one another. We are connected to each other as human beings. How we treat our neighbors matters, both domestic and abroad. Our humanity is the common thread.

While humming and holding this thought, I began to pray for the President. Prayer came effortlessly, lifting up a man with whom you disagree, both in tone and tactics, was the difficult part. I persisted. I prayed for the President of the United States of America, his mind, his heart, his influencers, his education and his decision making. Then, I asked God to help me look upon him, as another human being, in need of His divine grace, mercy and wisdom. We all would do well to covet these attributes, now, more than ever.

While seeking to see positive changes in the President’s actions, I challenge myself, and ourselves together, to consider what we can do to change lives for the good. If you are already engaged, then God bless you, and I thank you! I pray that your causes will recruit more like-minded soldiers on the ground. If you find yourself lacking in this area, I had to re-examine my own efforts, I want to encourage you. NOW is the time to stretch beyond your comfort zone. Get involved in something you are passionate about. It will stir you –it won’t let you sleep, and you will wake up each day with a burning desire to do SOMETHING!

Write. Call. March. Give. Read. Teach. Volunteer. Love.

We must pray, and then, go to work. The world is right in front of you, your block, your workplace, your home, your school, your place of worship. It’s the place where you engage the most daily. It’s Your World.

Remember, He’s got the whole world in His hands. A change is gon’ come.

Dune buggys and Dirt Bikes

I was sitting in my office this morning, being nosey as usual. Looking out my window, I scoped the area to see what people are up to. The temps are cooling, 80s and 90s last week. I may have mentioned in my last blog, that I am seeing signs of life in my neighborhood; dog walking, baby walking, silver sneaker walking, critters running with abandon, and children playing.

What was not so unusual however, is the sight of my neighbor loading his all- terrain vehicle on his trailer, and rolling his dirt bike up the ramp to his truck bed, preparing to take off to the desert I suppose, or maybe the mountains (we’re already in the desert…). I thought to myself, he must really love this. Whereas, most people hibernate during the hot months in Arizona, kind of like I did when I was back in Wisconsin during the ferocious winter climate, I noticed that my neighbor did not always wait for cooler weather, rather he had been taking out these vehicles most every weekend. I mean, really, even in August when temperatures were in triple digits.

I thought, he must really be passionate about this. I tried to imagine what it would be like to adventure in the dune deserts, cruising in an ATV, exploring the vast terrains, discovering hidden canyons and gliding alongside the mountains. There is something about nature that beckons our primal instincts, and calls us out to the trails and terrains of God’s creations.

Observing this sight, I was inspired by my own query about creating and exploring possibilities for the things that I am passionate about. As I reflected on my habits, I find, unlike my neighbor, I am not so consistent. Does that mean that I am not passionate? I don’t think so. But I do have a habit of becoming distracted by routine (yes, I have started to follow routines) even in my new surroundings. Routines make me feel safe, they make me feel disciplined. For a spontaneous person like me, routines keep me on task.

I thought, I might have to give up some of this predictability to break open my own passion. I wondered what would happen if I didn’t play it safe, if I moved out of my comfort zone? Neale Donald Walsh is quoted, “life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” That zone sometimes causes us to cut and paste our lives when we are confronted with the unfamiliar, so that we feel safe. But something totally new, is sure to get the endorphins revved up.

While I am writing this, I just heard Vroooom!! The truck has left the area, off to adventure! I took this as a sign. I have a few creative outlets that need pressing, but don’t be surprised if you look out one day and see me passing by in a dune buggy, which would kind of be like jumping out of airplane for me. Oh, the choices and the possibilities are abundant.

Are you playing it safe?

Musing off…