I was shocked to learn of the plane crash in India two days ago on June 12. Somehow, when a tragedy happens in a place where you have some connection, the feeling intensifies. As soon as we heard the news, my wife asked if I knew anyone around there where the accident happened. I didn’t.
A little while later, I had another strange thought. I felt that the 270 people who died in the crash were fortunate. They were liberated. They escaped the traumas that seem to lie ahead in this increasingly unhappy, unpleasant, hateful, divisive and violent world.
I am in continued disbelief and shock to see where the world is going. We seem to be dropping more bombs and bullets on the earth everyday than planting trees or flowers. Whatever we are sowing, that’s what the coming generations will reap.
I feel powerless and don’t know if I can do anything to improve the situation. I feel like I have given up. At this stage of my life at 72, I just try to enjoy the simple things I can. I tend to my garden. My vegetable plants that I had planted a few weeks ago are beginning to spring up. I have already started picking my Romaine, Kale, and Butter Crunch and green onions. Zucchini will be ready next week.
A Robin had put up a nest outside my patio door two weeks ago. I had never seen anything like that before. I was fascinated how they build it. Everyday I watched her progress. Twig by twig, she built it up to about 4-5 inches high. Then she lay two beautiful eggs in it. Now, she sits on them all day long. Before too long, she will bring more new life into this world. Continuing to advance the simple circle and progression of life. Alas, humanity can’t learn beautiful life lessons from other creatures.
Finally, perhaps selfishly as well, I feel fortunate for the life I have managed to live. I am probably from the last fortunate generation which has experienced so much. I started my life growing up without electricity, running water, telephone or refrigerator. But the water from ground that we drew with a hand pump was pure and sweet. We got fresh vegetables to eat every day. There were no leftovers as they could not be saved. The fresh food was prepared in the home twice daily. We had plenty of time for family and friends. Life was simple and beautiful.
Then, slowly progress came along. Little did we know, it was a Trojan Horse. We had electricity, television, refrigerator, then internet, email, web and Facebook came along, and now AI. Little by little, real things and real people are moving out and unreal is coming in.
I don’t know how to fit into this world. I may have anywhere from a moment to maybe another 10, 15, or 20 years to live. Sadly, I don’t look forward to it. I am wary and scared. Yet, there is still some hope. Somehow, this too shall pass.
Wishing and praying for peace for everyone.
It was such a devastating incident, heartbreaking beyong words. A stark reminder of how fragile life is and how important safety and accountability are. Hoping we learn from this and make things safer in the future. 🙏
Also, as you mentioned, I too find joy in the little things in life. It’s often the small moments that bring the greatest happiness, a deeper sense of peace, and lasting contentment. 😊
Don, t be sad My friend, disasters happen but see the miracle of one sole survivor. The world has moved on, wars are happening, innocence is gone. Then also the universe has blessed us with old friendships and some genuine good people. We will do the planting of flowers and good deeds and pray for the world to stop warring with one another. Stay happy and blessed.
I just read your post. It’s very profound and whenever such things happen, they do make me VERY sad. That’s part of being human.
However, as you know, I am, by my very nature a very die hard optimist. I feel, it is a question of interpretation. And, my interpretation is that since all our plans exist in the face of TOTAL uncertainty of life, we should not postpone doing things, SPECIALLY doing whatever little good we can do.|
There is a saying that I have usually seen written on “cremation grounds” in India. “Do one good act a day”.
Recently, I am practicing living it. Instead of trying to change the world or doing some very big, earth moving things one day in the future, I try to do whatever little good I can do on a daily basis — it might be as little a treating even a person who is not as fortunate as I am, like a beggar, a peon, a waiter or an illiterate person with immense genuine respect, helping someone “a little bit” financially to whatever extent my means allow, or “whatever” little act of kindness I am capable of doing NOW. What I have learned is that a very small, even tiny act DONE is better than a grand intentions of doing something big someday.