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Quote of the Day: All We Have to Do
“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo.
“So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to do is decide what to do with the time that is given us.”
– J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
Published in Group Writing
I feel that I have seen this quote here before, but it is worth consideration again. Yesterday, the internet seemed so depressing with friends taking stands on opposing sides – even inviting each other to unfriend them if they disagreed. The blacked out photo on Facebook is truly depressing to see. The bright spot for me was @arahant ‘s post with happy music which was added onto by others. We need to remember who our friends are and why, and not get too carried away by matters that are largely out of our hands. The care of the good Samaritan for the robbed and beaten man in his path was more important than taking on the evils of the Roman empire in the eyes of Jesus.
I enjoyed the happy music post, too. I have been thinking that what the protests have been lacking is music and singing (wearing masks certainly discourages singing and encourages bad behavior, I think). When I started to get overwhelmed by bad news yesterday, I turned my attention to the beautiful day that was mine to either enjoy or lament. There have been protests in my hometown, but it appears that they did remain peaceful. Still, stores were boarded up in anticipation of the “peaceful protests.”
Well this oughta cheer you up! It did me, anyway. One of the most Texas things I’ve ever seen – this is how we do it when those out-of-state agitators from the Big City aren’t butting in. The police are escorting them, driving slowly along with them, lights flashing:
“Black and white together… We shall overcome someday.”
@rightangles BYOH (Bring your own horse) I like it.
Me too! What struck me was that these were almost all (or maybe even all) black cowboys. They are Texans first and foremost, and being Texan unites people here. I just think if we could eject the foreign meddlers and remember who we are and where we all come from, we could all try to be Americans first and foremost, and let all the political differences be secondary. Let’s all remember what’s really important.
It means something different every day this year it seems.
I needed that, too, especially considering I was in the middle of writing my Antifa post already at that time. I think I need to go back to the happy music post now.
This is the Quote of the Day. If you would like to share a quotation that has some significance in these restless days of the “Hold My Beer” year, why not sign up today?
Ah, I found that it was used by @bryangstephens on March 17 as we entered shut-down mode. I actually did a search for Tolkien before I posted, but did not find the previous use of the quote until I just searched for Frodo. I’m sorry I missed it the first time around while I was busy with the shift to “distance learning” and all the anxiety of those early days. It’s pretty universal. I am reminded of another good quote that I don’t think I saw on Ricochet:
“In times like these, it is helpful to remember that there have always been times like these.” – Paul Harvey
I was off Ricochet for Lent, so I didn’t see it either. It doesn’t hurt to have it again.
I noticed your absence, and hope it was a good break!
Thanks for remembering me! @LillyB
My ears were burning.
I’m totally borrowing this quote to post elsewhere. Thanks for sharing it!
Every day is a gift, where we can choose to drift through, or do something that helps another. Thanks, Lilly.
I’m back to supporting TExit. The time has come.
We’ve been a Republic before and we can do it again! Yee haw! We have minerals, oil, a seacoast, lakes and rivers, grazing lands, cattle, and patriots. And jalapenos.
Okay, but let me in first!
You are approved!
Mr. Tolkien would surely want you to share it :)
Powerful moment from the first in the trilogy; a life truth worth repeating often. Thanks for posting, @LillyB.