Walls...

Look up! You're probably staring at a few walls just now. We can't get away from them. They are everywhere... in our homes, our coffee shops, our theaters, our jobs, etc. Which got me thinking about the purposes behind these walls.

Structure, strength, security, safety, privacy... a pretty good list to start off with. I don't know about you, but I vastly enjoy a wall or two when visiting the wash room. Could you imagine one without stalls (or walls) of some kind? If so, please resist the urge to elaborate! We probably all like our privacy in this arena. Don't you just love the public places that blast the music loud through the busted speakers?

So, we've definitely made our case for the existence of walls. Most of us will probably agree that walls provide a much needed space for humanity. Can we imagine a life without these places?

What if we were to flip this sucker on its head? What if we brought this conversation a little closer to home? What if these same walls were used not just to protect, but to divide? What if our walls could talk?

Would they speak a different voice other than yours? Would they share our fears and insecurities with the rest of the world? Would they testify that the person they know at home is different when accompanied by friends and/or family? What would they say?

I believe they would come to our defense. They would share freely how most of us spend our days not trying to resurrect new walls, but trying to tear down long, existing walls. Many of us built walls in our childhood before we could physically pick up a brick. Where's the justice in that? Maybe walls were formed in our subconscious after being hurt in a close relationship? Maybe we didn't know how to survive without compartmentalizing our lives? So many questions. Such little time.

I came across this the other day. Immediately, I wanted to share this with all of you. I think you'll like it... I hope anyway. Here goes...

"Sometimes people put up walls not to keep others out... But to see who cares enough to tear them down."

In a society dominated by the fascination of walls, maybe we could lend a hand in tearing them down. The walls of our present world are constructed differently from the Great Wall of China or the Berlin Wall. They look completely different from the Iron Curtain. They are more subversive. Yet, they are equally destructive. I need your help!

Here's to us caring enough for our present world to pick up the sledgehammers of service and sacrifice! May we all be... wall bangers!