To be or not to be

There are a lot of people in the world. They are all over the place. Six and a half billion. China, all by itself, has 1.3 billion. The world’s population will double in 61 years. Is that a long time? 61 years ago, it was 1947. U.S. population was 144 million and now it is more than 301 million. 61 years from now it will be 2069. Wow. To me, that seems like a lot. A lot of numbers and a lot of people. What are we all doing here?

It’s all how you look at it. On one hand, in the grand scheme of things, we’re insignificant. On the other, we’re an important part of everything. At any one moment, lots of things are taking place. Large and small. Dinosaurs are squabbling near the foothills. Org is making dinner, over a fire, for his wife. The Renaissance is moving forward and Guiseppe is trying to park his gondola. The slaves are freed and Bob is working his back forty. The Beatles are on Ed Sullivan and the family down the street is having TV dinners. Bill Gates is figuring something out in science class and Bill Smith is falling in love.

As Mighty Mouse said, Are we mice or are we mice? It’s a matter of perspective. Am I a grain of sand on the beach, a speck of dust in the universe, one Cheerio in a 14 oz. box? Or, am I a part of the whole, an essential element in the cosmic mix, a determining factor in evolution?

There are a lot of things going on right now that affect us all. Climate change, financial chaos, and the election. What effect can I have? Do my actions have meaning? Is this speculation juvenile? Most of the time, I am amazed at how lucky I am to be here, in this particular place, at this particular moment. I try my best to enjoy my family, my friends, and the music in the background – Little Richard, Beethoven, and Monk.

This is true for a lot of people. This idea of perspective is crucial. Because of this luck, we get to have a choice. We can decide that we have a part in life and everyone is important. There are artists and paint makers. There are politicians and voters. Some are parents and some are children. Or, we can allow ourselves (choose) to feel hopeless, marginal, insignificant.

There are a lot of choices, especially for an extremist, like myself. There is good and bad, light and dark, honesty and lying, action and inaction, faith and despair, soccer and futbol. Wait a minute… You get the picture. At moments of existential angst, like tonight, I take comfort and direction from the words and wisdom of James Brown – Get up offa that thing. Dance and you’ll feel better.

This always points me in the right direction.

Say What?!

I haven’t written lately, because I have wanted to stay away from politics. There are several good reasons for this. However, it’s everywhere. It’s in the air. Heck, it’s on the air. And, it’s on everyone’s mind. You can’t turn around without seeing that look that says, I don’t want to, really, but we better talk about the situation. One can’t avoid the ads, the conventions, the speeches, the conversations, or the media.

From seeing and hearing all this, it seems that most Americans can’t read, can’t distinguish fact from fiction, can’t tell the difference between oratory and rabble rousing, won’t discuss anything in a rational manner, and just about everyone is scared to death. Who can we trust? It seems we can’t trust ourselves or each other. This makes things difficult.

Old ideals are perverted. Hard work, education, and the belief that anyone can grow up to be President is now elitist and, definitely, out of touch. Truth, Justice, and the American Way, have become what works, I’m sorry, and I can’t help you. Not to mention, I don’t know you, I’m busy, and I’m on vacation.

Many of us are opportunistic, racist (though that’s hard to admit), and guided by the justifications of religion. Definitions are fluid. Facts are subject to change and revision. Effort, hope, and responsibility are suspect. Fear gathers momentum.

It seems that there could not be a clearer contrast than this election and its parties and their aspirations, directions, and methods. And yet, at the moment, the obvious is obscured. The candidates are neck and neck. That really is frightening.

We can try to understand each other. We can vote. We can cross our fingers. We can hope. And, despite everything, I know we can change.