Settling In
Okay, we’re starting
to settle in to this new year, 2013, – that’s just me trying to get used to
writing that number so I won’t mess up my next check with the old one. So
what’s on our minds these days? Besides, fiscal cliffs, mountains of debt, gun
control, and the President making a grab for staying in power forever, what
else is there? Let’s see, I’ve heard talk of a new feature in our National
landscape called a River of Despair. Really? Anyone know where this new oddity
is located? I’ve been looking for it on Google maps. I figured it would be
somewhere near the fiscal cliff or that big mountain of debt. But I haven’t
been able to find any of them. What state is it in? None of them? Oh, the State
of Consciousness you say? Which state is that, and where is it located? Is it
anywhere near Wisconsin? Oh, I get it. You’re saying it’s not a physical
reality - rather it’s a mental one. Alright then, I like those. I’m pretty
familiar with mental realities – well at least the kind that aren’t very
real. The ones that have nothing to do
with reality whatsoever are my personal favorites. But you say this river of
despair is not a personal one, but rather a national phenomenon. Looking
around, I have to admit there does seem to be quite a bit of that these days. Kind
of like the flu, it spreads every time someone sneezes. And looking at the
problems we face as a nation, I might even see where some of it is justifiable.
But you know, one of the hard lessons I’ve learned over the many years of my
ancient life is that wasting time on despair is about as useful as entertaining
a fear of death. No matter how bad things may seem to be. Despair solves
nothing. A fear of death won’t prolong your life one single day beyond its
natural course. I am aware that many of you, rather than bob along like a cork
on the river of despair, tune it all out and remain blissfully ignorant of the
situation entirely. I guess that’s one way to deal with it. It’s just me, I
know, but I abhor willful ignorance. Yes there are some awful big problems
looming out there that seem to be insurmountable. Despairing about them and a
dollar will barely get you a cup of coffee (won’t even come close if you’re in
Starbucks!). I’ve seen “Red Dawn” so I
know how this could all end. But you know what, if it does – it does. If we all
die at once, so be it. If you read the fine print of your contract, you will
see that there was never a guarantee that you would get out of this life alive
in the first place. Life is only a short layover on a long, long road. (Don’t
ask me why. I don’t know either. But it’s right there in the contract. Wait,
you didn’t get a copy? Hold on, I’ll fax you mine.) So, my advice, and new
personal slogan, is: BE AWARE –BUT DON’T DESPAIR.
