The Hard Stuff and The Light
But when I write? I have time to retreat and gather my thoughts, consider the small pieces that make the big picture, and I can keep my emotions in check. I have time to craft something coherent, and hopefully, thoughtful.
As a world, we are in trying, confusing, and frightening times. We are broken. I feel things a lot, and it’s hardest when I know the entire world is shaking. Everything feels disjointed, unreal, and tense. Everyone is exhausted, angry, absolutely certain their opinion is the right one, and convinced everyone is against them. Everyone is in their own world, bulldozing over everything else at the expense of others’ health, well being, success, and humanity. It’s frightening, and dangerous.
We are more divided than ever. We were quick to unite when the obvious threat of a worldwide pandemic locked us away from each other. Our very way of life (indeed, our very lives) were threatened. But we took sides just as quickly. To distance or not to distance? To mask up or mask off? To give a care about anyone else? To believe anything the media reported? Skeptical, scared, fed up and angry, we all felt some or all of it. And it began to polarize us.
And we judged each other. Oh, how we judged. How dare they walk around without a mask! How dare they take that risk! How dare the governor mandate that! How dare the mayor override that! How dare the shops close! How dare everyone! We cried out, we held it in, we fretted, we complained, and it ate us alive. Everything started tearing at the seams.
Then, the darkness of civil unrest and tension appeared. And we erupted. The obvious brutality and reality of a world still plagued by violence and racism swept through society. People cried, shouted, pleaded and persisted. More lives were lost, and destruction spread. We initiated hard but productive conversations with each other. Eyes were opened and people took time to reflect, reassess and address.
But despite progress and statements made, what began as a social justice movement has further divided us. Most of us, especially in moments of quiet, know we can indeed come together for a positive future. But agendas drive the media, misinformation permeates our social media streams, real motives are hidden behind false light, anger is fueled, and we react, attack, judge, and condemn. On all sides, we dig our heels in and refuse to extend an invitation.
There’s no getting around it: What’s happening is inherently political. It’s why we’re so divided. The discussions and decisions all require legislation, debate, consideration and votes. And because so many in the world feel defined entirely by their political beliefs, all of this...all of it...the virus, the brutality, the racism, the disbelief, the destruction, the censorship, the lack of trust, the anger, the hate, the discrimination...has completely frozen and paralyzed us.
I’m frightened for us. This isn’t about me, it’s about everybody. There is something happening in our world that goes beyond a virus or police brutality or politics.
Our world and everyone in it is in desperate need of love and compassion.
The truth is no piece of legislation, nor law or mandate or speech alone can fix what’s happening in our world. We are past the point of signing a piece of paper to make it all better. It’s a positive step, but you have to go deeper than that. Because it’s not just rules and regulations that require change; it’s the human heart.
It’s cliche but entirely true. You can’t make changes and expect everyone to magically behave with respect and love for everyone else. Human beings aren’t robots you can program. We are unique beings with free will. It takes each person to make the decision to act with kindness and respect for fellow humans. Everyone is responsible for their own actions, and when people are prone to act out violently, they need a hard reset, and that requires a lot of work. And it’s work they often have to do themselves. Rules are a must, and you can and should reprimand when necessary. I believe in justice, and consequences for one's actions: You cannot have a functional society without it. But a person’s heart and mind is where their motivation lies, and that’s what we need to address.
When chaos ensued, I fell apart as I watched and felt the world throb with malice and sadness. And then I picked myself up and immediately ran to God. I am completely unashamed to admit that: I could never deal with any of it myself. I prayed hard. I read a lot. I studied. There is little I can confidently proclaim, but I know is this: If we cannot look to God to guide us, to keep us on course, to enlighten us with holy light and realize how precious a human life is, how undeniably miraculous and rare we all are, how our tiny little planet is our only home and that our home is collapsing in so many ways...I don’t know what the future holds.
I implore you to search your heart, to seek, and yes, to pray. Even if you don’t know how, or you haven’t done it in a long time. Miracles do happen; they really do. An about-face of attitude and trajectory is possible. This world is our home, it’s all of us, and we’ve been blessed with what we have. Nothing in this material life truly defines who we are at the very depth of our souls, and it’s time we remember that. Through all the darkness, there is still light, there is still life to live and embrace and share. We need each other. We weren’t meant to live in fear and hate. Evil is fighting hard to keep us in its grip, and we need to unite to break free.
To end on brightness, here is something beautiful and hopeful; that makes me cry happy tears of nostalgia. An appropriately-named piece of light.
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