Around: (adv) 1. all about: e.g. the mountains towered all around

It was my mother’s undying philosophy that her children were immeasurably affected by what was around them.

She felt it was necessary to protect us from all forms of perceived evil and dangerous attitudes, which often sprouted from unknown cultures and energies that had invaded our community.

I think I was twenty-three years old before I watched an episode of Twilight Zone, because my mother deemed it to be full of foreign ideas which she did not desire to be around her son.

Yet I was always allowed to watch Bonanza, with the death toll of strangers to the Ponderosa ranging from three to five people per episode.

It appeared that it was all right to be around killing–as long as it wasn’t spooky or science fiction.

I must tell you that this particular attitude has not diminished in the parents which occupy the planet today. I’m especially amused when actors and actresses who appear in television shows refuse to let their children watch television because they feel it’s dangerous to be around.

But having been the father of many sons, I will tell you this: there is much more evil that is hatched between the human heart and brain than can ever be conceived in the storyboards of Hollywood. Otherwise, all children who are Bible-trained, morally upstanding and free of worldly contact would be happy, fulfilled and absent guile.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Matter of fact, it would be hard to find a serial killer who had not earned a badge for attending Sunday School.

It’s not so much what we’re around that makes us evil as how impressed we are with the sweetness, intelligence and power of good. If we are convinced that good is weaker than evil, we will find the darkness within our own hearts.

But if we have an abiding faith that the blessings will outweigh the cursings, we can walk anywhere with confidence …and not need to be afraid of what is around.

Thank you for enjoying Words from Dic(tionary) —  J.R. Practix