I pulled into the service station to make an inquiry. The serviceman was angry--really angry. He barked at me. Fortunately, I was at a very peaceful point, and I explained my question with greater detail. He pondered the situation and softened a bit. Later, the good man, changed his attitude completely and explained why he was so angry to begin with. All that he said made sense. He was reacting to a repeated oppression that he's experiencing, and my question triggered his anger related to that oppression. I made a suggestion as to how he may get help in the situation as what he described was clearly unjust oppression.
As I venture beyond the tight confines of elementary school life, I am intrigued by what is happening in the greater community. There is much beauty in the natural spaces, and much goodness in the many people living their lives, but there is oppression too--unjust conditions that relegate people to tough circumstances. I believe we can make our communities better, and one way to do that is to rid society of the cold, calculating industrial model that persists in many pockets of society. Let's work to make our communities more humane, just, peaceful, inspiring, and naturally beautiful. We can do this.