Wednesday, March 18, 2009

The Chris Brown and Rihanna saga

It seems that everyone is expressing an opinion on the recent news story regarding Chris Brown and Rihanna. One of the things that I find fascinating is how many people feel justified in expressing their opinions. Opinions are like names, everyone has one. So let me throw my hat in the ring, and give you my take on the issue.

First I'd like to be clear that in this country, we're still innocent until proven guilty. One's guilt is not determined by how many people think that you are guilty. Therefore, until there is a trial, it's all mere conjecture, and we should let the justice system work.

Having said this I want to say emphatically that I don't feel that there is any excuse for abuse! Whether it is initiated by a male or female, it's wrong. People were created in God's image, which makes all of us valuable and special, and I don't think that He is pleased with us inflicting pain on his prized possessions.


Aside from the biblical perspective, what gives one human being a right to demean (in any way)another human? Oh, I've heard the excuses: "She made me mad"; "He was in my space"; "She disrespected me"; "I was drunk". But there is NO justification for exhibiting violent behavior against another person. NONE!!! If a person causes you to become that angry, why are you with them?

We have a warped sense of the definition of love. Assuming that we are in our right minds, we don't hurt things that we love. When this happens, one must evaluate themselves! Women who advocate daring a man to hit them, or men who believe that it is acceptable to punch a woman, must come to grips with what is REALLY wrong. The issue is not the other person, but rather, something on the inside of the abuser.

Until we are OK with ourselves, it is impossible to have loving, caring relationships. We can fake it temporarily; We can put on a good "front" for the public. But the truth is that we can't give love away, until we love ourselves. Loving oneself does not come from any arrogant sense of self-pride, but rather from knowing that you are fearfully and wonderful made. When you know this, you will never allow an individual to treat you otherwise.

Sometimes we use clothes, jewelry, cars, houses, and other superficial, external items to try to cover up our low opinions of ourselves. True happiness, however, comes from inner peace, and no external source,certainly no individual, can give you this.

Let me close by saying this. What happened between Chris Brown and Rihanna is known only by them (and God). And in a real sense, It's irrelavant! What really matters is how do you feel about YOU?

Promise me that you'll take good care of yourself. You deserve it.