GroovyMojo.com

Every first grader knows that 1+1=2.  Those who’ve read George Orwell might also say they’re familiar with the concept of 2+2=5.  Today I’m going to tell you that in some circumstances, 1+1=11.

The number 11 is a perfect symbol for a strong, loving relationship made of two very compatible people.

Of course, when one person joins with another it makes two people.   But in a really good relationship synergy gets involved, so that the total is greater than the sum of the two individuals.  Two people can bond and reinforce each other to become much more than just two.  Much stronger than two.  More confident than two.  More capable than two. 

So you add 1 and 1 together, it makes 2, or it makes 11.  It’s a different way of putting the ones together, but symbolically it works.

The number 11 depicts two ones standing together to make one number, yet that number is far greater than the sum of one and one.  And while being a single number, they retain their individuality, standing side by side, inseparable, reinforcing each other.

Just like two people in a strong loving relationship.

Two pillars standing side by side will support far more than twice of what either pillar would individually.  Two minds, put together, can brainstorm far better.  Two passions together can ignite hotter, stronger flames.

All this is why my love and I have chosen “11″ as our number.  And, as my love adds, “It is also a prime number.   We cannot be divided by anything other than ourselves.” Late one night we came up with all sorts of other profound facets of 11 that fit our relationship … but some are too TMI to post publically, and the others … well, we’ve slept since then. They’ve gone *poof*.

This is why if you’re ever around us, and you hear one of us say “I love you,” sometimes the other doesn’t say “I love you too.” 

We respond, “I love you eleven.”

So a bridge collapses in Minneapolis, and now CNN is reporting that America’s entire infrastructure is on the verge of destruction and we’re all going to die. So now — according to the news media — all bridges, water plants, piping under the cities, buildings we live and work in — everything — is suddenly a big ticking time bomb.

Yes, bridges need to be inspected. Yes, things should be looked at and repaired. But the news media has seized on this and is trying its best to make you panic.

Why? For your safety? Are they using fear mongering to help you, the viewer? To call attention to what needs to be done?

No. They’re doing it so they can keep you glued to your television, so they can sell more advertising.

Even if one bridge collapses every year and kills a hundred people, the odds of you ever being involved is about one in three-hundred-million. That’s the same odds as you winning a million dollar jackpot in a Lotto drawing.

Don’t panic, my friends. Let’s mourn the loss of life and do what is necessary to keep it from happening again, but at the same time, let’s look at it as it really is: a sad but very unlikely event. Given enough time, the unlikely does happen.

But the unlikely is nothing to fear, otherwise you may as well never leave your home.