My husband and I turned off the news on election night and I became very calm and clear. Bob kept saying, this is the United States - what’s wrong with us?
I believe it is all about our culture that has become completely greed-driven and “I want it NOW.” We are an instant gratification, spoon-fed society. Anything arrives at our door within hours. We live with mindless reality TV shows and a pop culture that lacks any critical thinking or a trace of spirituality. We skim our devices, searching for tidbits of information or recognition, hoping for the next empty hit. But nothing satisfies. We wonder, “why are we so divided, why can’t we understand the other person’s perspective?” We ask without compassion or patience while still expecting and demanding stability in our society and government.
Our society, our culture, ourselves are all broken. Do we even realize it?
In times like this, life teaches us hard lessons. It takes away so that we may see all that we once had. It is one of the most difficult lessons and that is the point. Darkness settles in before the Light can return.
I think this darkness has begun. Look at the extremist leaders appearing in different countries, including ours. With this leadership, no country can remain intact nor will the people. Pandemics, climate change, hurricanes, fires, droughts, economic disparity, economic hardship and racism - everything that creates division has come and will remain. What will be left, only time will tell. But those that survive might remember days that were richer and kinder by far and much more compassionate. And if we do remember, perhaps we will be able to start again.
This sounds dire, but we are all in trouble. The pandemic has tried to wake us all up and look how most of us have responded. I just hope that the world can change in time for all of us to be able to enjoy it again.
Hug your loved ones, reach out to your friends and neighbors and help your community. Think about how you want to spend the remaining days of your life in this moment we are living. Bring courage as your weapon and hope as a guide for your survival. It’s going to be a long, dark period but I trust that we will return to brighter days.
- Diane
