Throughout my younger years I often reflected on how lucky I was to grow up in a time of relative peace. Too young to know the horrors of Vietnam personally, born decades after the World Wars... I felt relieved that our world had learned it's lessons in the atrocities of war. This is not to imply that there hasn't been turmoil around the globe, that there haven't been major issues brewing under the thin veneer of "peace time" since. I think it's crystal clear, particularly now... just how thin that skin was.. and is...
Passed this in my travels last week... I want to hug the person who displayed it. Amen. One of the many issues before us.
I have always hoped and believed we would never come back to an all out war between super powers, surely the powers that be would learn from past mistakes... would not allow, ever again, the mass destruction, the horrors of war, because... NO ONE WINS. EVERYONE LOSES... isn't this clear to all by now? Hasn't history taught us enough of those lessons? Lately, it seems power and greed and corruption and ego are winning out over common sense.
Such a beautiful world we live in. The simplest truth is... every living being could exist here in comfort, in relative peace, in harmony.. together....having what they need. It's absolutely attainable, if not for greed and ego. How very sad that we can ruin it for ourselves. This is where the idea of a divine creator is lost on me. What a cruel joke, to create a race that will probably eventually destroy itself based on those two traits. I want to believe good will always slay evil. I don't think I have to touch on what we're all seeing in the world news ... lately, that scenario doesn't seem likely.
Yesterday I paddled my trusty little red Kayak, Ruby, out into a choppy cove and let the wind and salt spray cover me. The warmth of the sun felt good on my skin... the rhythmic motion of the boat as we bobbed over the waves soothed my soul. Sunlight like diamonds on the waters before me... looking out into the Atlantic waters from the safety of our little cove... all I could think of was how healing it might be if I could instill that calmness, that appreciation of the beauty of our shared world, in the hearts of the men who can't see beyond their own egos and greed.
I have been trying, lately, to avoid watching too much of the news - to refrain from spewing my disgust on social media... taking some advice from my son, the 21 year old who hasn't been around as long as I have.. yet. "Mom, why get yourself all worked up over something you have no control over. It's not worth the price, let it go".
Like ego and greed, another simple truth, yes? Out of the mouths of not a babe anymore, but youth nevertheless.
So I'm taking more walks with my dogs...
My old boy, Ben, and I took a stroll last night in the fields just before dark. The sky seemed restless, moisture and humidity have returned and I wonder if this is the beginning of the newest hurricane heading toward the states. More stormy weather ahead....
I'm not religious, but I believe in the power of prayer - go figure. Praying for the safety of all in Hurricane Irma's path - praying for the healing of our people all over the world - praying for sanity and good will to settle in the hearts of our leaders so that we avoid destroying ourselves in the pursuit of... Greatness? *sigh. We already have profound greatness.... beauty, bounty, resources. May we collectively figure out how not to destroy it.
Till soon, friends...
Lovely. i get up to pray every morning. It is a Spirit thing, perhaps a religious thing but it helps and I believe it has gotten us through so much. I also am turning away from trying to control everything. It was eating me up inside. I pray for the future , for our children and for Peace. Love ya.
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, yes. Getting outside sure has a way of making you forget the media messes and just feel good about being alive.
ReplyDeleteI love this! You and I are of the same generation. Born from parents who went through Kennedy's assassination and Vietnam; one act united the country in mutual grief of the loss of a beloved President, and another which ripped it apart never to recover. I had a friend of mine do the same for me that your son did for you, and they are right. There is so much which is not in our control, but choosing strength and hope is absolutely within our control. I am religious and could go on and on about the base cause of it, but the bottom line is that how we live this life is a choice for everyone regardless of how you believe.
ReplyDeleteThe whole "divine creator" idea was always lost on me. I just don't see it, but then we have that right. To believe in what we choose to believe in. I am worried (very much) about the way in which this country is going. When you look at the last 8 months, seems to me we've been getting more and more racist by the day in terms of this administration. Scary stuff indeed.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Incredibly well said!!! I love history and want to go back to school and obtain my masters in it after my youngest is out of school. Every time...EVERY TIME...I watch a historical documentary covering our nation's history from it founding through the Civil Rights Movement, I think that we have not advanced one iota. There are so many who refuse to learn the lessons that history provides preferring to live in their own "ignorance is bliss" mentality thereby insuring that history repeats itself unnecessarily. It is such a waste of everything the men and women who have endured hardships, fought and died for this country stood for.
DeleteNo matter how others feel, I do believe in the power of prayer. Without? I wouldn't still be here.
ReplyDeleteThe news seems to get worse every day in some regards. I don't think racism has just begun, it's always been there but for whatever reason it's raising its ugly head more as time goes on. We can't control others and the way they think, but we can sure pray for our country as it is still beautiful.
Excellent post, Karen. And, such sage advice from junior. :)
xoxo
I have also been trying to avoid the news, and I fear for the direction our country is taking. I would love to have a "Ruby" in my life and a lake to paddle on, how amazingly peaceful for you!
ReplyDeleteSo eloquently said - all of it. We do have a beautiful planet and I try not to think of how fast we are destroying it all. I'm quite cynical about the human race. We ruin everything and drag the poor animals and environment along with us. Makes me so sad. I haven't watched or listened to the news for days. The whole Korean crazy and our own crazy......a big boy pissing contest. I could go on but won't. I AM old enough to remember Vietnam. Back then you graduated HS and were drafted. I am that generation (now age 67!). I've been 'nesting' on my days home from work and it has made me happy. My most recent foster started her adoption trial last Friday so I'm down to just my own precious and aging dogs now for a while. I hate greed and greediness - truly the root of all evil.
ReplyDeleteMy prayers are with ALL in the path of the hurricane...and we are thankful we didn't buy the condo in SC!!
ReplyDeleteYes, all our prayers are needed. As much now, as ever before. Time is drawing to a close, we are in the end times. It just never ceases to amaze me how so many blame God, our Creator instead of the POS devil who is entirely responsible for the sin in this world. Learn from the past? Yes, absolutely. Change human nature? Never. Not as long as the devil prowls seeking to destroy, the great deceiver of so very many...sad.
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