Hey smoky I need help

 ONLY YOU AND OTHER BAD ADVICE FROM A BEAR?

Although it’s a hot topic this entry isn’t designed to spark  a fevered debate about global warming or fan the flames of any other raging controversy.  (Notice any fire related verbiage yet/)…Lol…

Seriously, across  the globe there are wild fires  threatening and destroying  acres and acres of cities and forests and should we be aware that this can be more than nature’s way of finding balance?   Well…that’s your job as the reader to think about…. 

However, there’s  a peace and joy thing here that might be considered.  You see in 1944 the United States started  one of the most  well known and successful  public service campaigns of all time.  We introduced “Smokey the Bear who promoted fire safety for people using the outdoors.  Of course one could wonder  what animals could tell us about other socially valued  notions.  We did  have an owl trumpeting  “Give a Hoot don’t Polute.”  

A lot of folks liked  old Smokey…yet something bothered me about his message and still does in terms of seeking peace and joy and getting  things done.  “Only You”…. 

Only  me???? 

Wow  that doesn’t sound like. A plea to work together to solve challenges… it does. Make you think  one person is responsible and can take credit for getting  it done.  Forest fire…call in the smoke jumpers?…. Nope…. I’ve got this  after. All only I can  prevent a fire here.  It seems like some of our biggest barriers  to seeking peace and joy come when we decide to take on  quests alone.  This  solo gig thing  might get in the way of us sharing  gifts, ideas, and interesting experiences and what they mean.  Maybe Smokey could have recommended the “together we can prevent  forest fires?    Or what would have happened if  he would have said  “let’s work together to prevent some fires and keep our  wildlife healthy.  

Does this really matter?   Well have you ever seen these informercials about getting rich?   Did you ever notice that they. Don’t talk about “you and your friends” getting rich?  No No No. it’s all about you…..Well seeking peace and joy seems to be linked to learning it’s not always all about you and you alone…..

So thanks Smokey for reminding us about  fire safety… however  I’m thinking. “Only I can prevent forest fires?… Come on Smokey give me a break

More soon