“Wonderful World”

It takes courage to listen to the song above and not grieve.  The only way I can be at peace is to pretend.  I’m depressed.  It’s hard to understand why so many people in our country fail to recognize the nature of good in themselves and the blessings of loving their fellow man.  I grew up in the US and regardless of race I was taught basic rules of conduct and those that could not abide by those rules in school were sent to the Principal’s office because they needed to learn a lesson.  For almost four years now it seems the country is being run by someone who apparently got away with not going to the Principal’s office, learning the lessons of self-discipline for the greater good, and vast numbers of Americans are paying the price.

How do I lift myself out of this nightmare?  I pray to a God that I believe is governing everyone regardless of the picture that tries to impress my thought and senses daily.  The kingdom I believe in and the one I must fight for is one of joy, love, goodness and peace to name a few descriptors.  The one who governs it does not have color, party affiliation or prejudice and the people being governed are safe, secure, healthy and free from danger because they are free from any sense of fear.

It seems like fear governs nowadays.  Fear of loss of place, fear of losing their independence or opportunity.  And the one governing uses fear to keep people stuck in his grip that somehow he is all powerful and can save them from all imagined losses.

This is not the basis of thinking that I want to live by and I think in the end it is not the basis from which any satisfaction is guaranteed.

So, I grieve not only for the loss of joy in myself , but for the loss of life and the robbery of joy that results from an undisciplined thought. I grieve for those who are suffering because  an ego that feeds on love of self over the love that comes from learning the value of working together for the greater good. I grieve for the many who somehow missed out on the lessons learned in the Principal’s office, those who apparently were never taught the value of goodness in themselves and their neighbor, were taught division instead of unity and have been blinded by greed, selfishness and self-will that naturally excludes anyone except their own self-interest and who take pleasure in hurting others.  What a waste of life and opportunity and blindness to the gift of life that was given to everyone.  How arrogant and sad.

I believe at some point everyone will wake up to a nature far above and beyond the tiny self that needs to boast and set itself above others because there is no substance of good in this basis of thinking and ultimately it will fail.  But, for me today the Fourth of July, 2020 my heart does not feel joy and I’m having to work really heard to dig my way out of anger and incredulity that resilience isn’t as easy as it used to be.  I can’t shrug this off and pretend my world hasn’t been desecrated.  I have to decide what I’m going to focus on because I too have responsibilities and people to respond to and anger and grief serve no purpose unless they push me onward to see another world, one of goodness, joy and unity.  I believe this world is here and now and will outlast any story that doesn’t have good as it’s foundation, but I have to start with that manifestation within myself.  It’s my job and there is no time for grieving.  Claiming it in the face of depression and grief is hard work but this is no time for procrastination and delay.  If the current administration is going to risk it all and not follow guidelines of safety for itself or its people in order to promote evil in the world then I have no time to take a break either.  Evil does not take breaks.  This is the work and hope for a better outcome is the goal and a world governed by love is the destination that is pulling each of us into action.

It is a Wonderful World, but one whose foundation requires plowing the field, getting out all the weeds and all that does not belong - the seed has been planted and it’s already growing, we are doing the best we can and at the same time we can delegate the details to God and trust that we have not been moved to action in vain.  Time to go to work.