If I Were Queen I'd Have a Scrooge and Mr. Potter Recovery Program

Our beautiful world

A saintly man carrying a sick child

If I were queen I would add a few new rules to the constitution. I would demand that all people who are going into business or into politics watch both Christmas movies that I just watched and act according to the good lessons contained therein. The movies are "It's a Wonderful Life" [1946] and "A Christmas Carol" [1951, written by Charles Dickens in 1843]. The reasons are quite simple, I believe that today many people are turning into the unredeemed Scrooge and the evil Mr. Potter and don't give a fig about their fellow humans. [Which, BTW is the definition of a sociopath.] 

For many reasons this is quite disconcerting and depressing. Examples of the Potter/Scrooge syndrome abound: Walmart forcing most of it's employees to be part time and then making sure they apply for welfare; CEO's of big companies making 1,300 % more than their employees; several of the candidates for the highest office in our country advocating a unfair rejection of immigrants from war torn countries; big businesses regularly reducing their employees benefits and pay; many in the House and the Senate are actively trying to take away medical benefits of the affordable care act; many attempting to erase Planned Parenthood which serves women and finally, many politicians are trying to make voting as difficult as possible for many citizens. In my book this all adds up to the evil Mr. Potter and the unredeemed Mr. Scrooge. Watch the movies if your memories are hazy about these two men and see if you don't agree.

Both stories are uplifting, yet only Scrooge is saved from his cold, narrow, heartless ways. Mr. Potter remains evil/greedy until the end. Depressingly, just imagine if George Bailey was running for office, sad to say he would be castigated for being kind, generous and a liberal thinker. Potter would be praised for his tough minded business sense. As for Scrooge, he got the message, developed a heart and learned to keep the Christmas spirit every day of the year.

I'd like to spark a 'Scrooge redemption' movement. I'd encourage change for good in all the recently produced societal sociopaths. I'd have them volunteer with the homeless and require them to listen to their life stories. I'd have them try to live on the pathetically inadequate pay a single mother receives. I'd have them volunteer in the children hospitals where the parents of very sick children are in danger of losing their insurance. I'd do all this and would it make a difference? I suspect except for the really crusty individuals, it would. 

What's interesting is ironically, study after study has shown that altruism is very rewarding in the here and now, increases your feeling of good will. You'd think the sociopaths would get the message. In the Scrooge redemption center we would have coaches encourage positive changes for the good of all humans. Hopefully this would halt the sociopaths in their selfish, hurtful thinking as  they got to know and serve the less fortunate among us. One also hopes this would revive the feeling of empathy as a positive value.  Remember, I am queen and can command this.

Here is a partial list of the ideas from the two movies that I believe can promoted change.  Remember:

1. Life can be filled with disappointments, unexpected problems, deceitful people, but also remember there are good people who can reward you for your ability to love and be loyal.
2. Do what's right even if you think you may not be rewarded. Life can turn out better than you can imagine.
3. The future is unpredictable [except that we're all gonna die] and life can turn out differently, sometimes sweeter, so it can't hurt to be hopeful. 
4. Problems always seem darkest at night or in bad weather.
5. Family and friends are more important than financial success.
6. Love is much more rewarding in so many ways than hate and selfishness.
7. It's always a good idea to be generous, expecting nothing in return.
8. Worrying doesn't make things better. The illusion with ruminating is that you'll come up with a solution. Better to put your nose to the grindstone, write a list and then brainstorm with others for mutual benefit.
9. It's important to tell the ones you love what your troubles and fears are. It is so much easier to share life's burdens.
10. Remember to ask for help, everyone needs it sometimes.
11. Every time a bell rings, an angel gets it's wings. [I just threw that in].
12. Money can't buy me love. [OK so I threw that in too.]

the pal who hugs is always dear

Remember, kindness doesn't cost a cent and it's rewards are vast and deep. So to all the young people out there, please do imitate the people who are loving, kind and generous instead of all the fear mongers, the greedy ones and the insensitive people. Life can be lovely if you are loving. Get out there and love!

susansmagicfeather copyright 2019 Susan R. Grout all rights reserved