The Lovers, The Dreamers, and Me

I don't think I need to tell you this, but there has been a lot of awful going on in our world lately...Earthquakes, Floods, Dictators, Sisterwives.  All of it unexpected, all of it shocking, all of it leaving us bewildered.  I have heard some say that this is (insert your chosen deity, political, or spiritual leaders name here)'s way of telling us we have gone too far, a way of reprimanding us for our misdeeds.  I'm sure that if the Westboro Baptist Church had more time in their busy schedule, they'd probably fly over and picket Japan just for the sadistic pleasure they derive from making people in dire situations feel worse.  But what if these people are wrong, or if not wrong, what if they are seeing only one side of the coin? 

Undoubtedly this is a wake-up call for all of us on many levels, but for those who seek opportunities to stir fear and doubt, there should be just as many of us who see this as an opportunity to heal.  These unfortunate events are staggering, but what if they were put here not as a punishment, but as a way for us to find our way back to each other?  Our worlds headcount has grown exponentially, yet we seem to grow more distant with the passing of time.  How many times do we not smile to a passer-by on the street, or not hold the elevator door an extra second 'just in case', or not say "bless you" when someone sneezes?  Blame whatever cancer on society you want (the internet, tv, the Kardashians), the bottom line is, we have made ourselves disaffected, isolated, and unaware of what is outside our individualized little lives.  I think these events are here to remind us of our humanity, our charity, our grace, and that the world we share isn't so big after all. 

Love your Brother, love your Sister, and keep hope alive for those who need it most. 

I promise I'll try and do the same.

- Ian

Kermit had it right all along.