The Middle East is an absolute mess. Inexcusable butchering, raping, and the beheading of humanity is deplorable beyond our wildest imagination. It is so horrific that no words could possibly come close to describing what it must be like for those experiencing the reality of war every minute of every day. Toxic attitudes have spilled over into our own country with citizens at one another’s throat over differences of opinions regarding everything from religion to political affiliation, to whether one should order a hamburger or a cheeseburger.
Our universities are in a pitiful state with students violently acting out against one another. You would think our institutions of higher learning would take steps to mitigate turmoil and teach a better way, but alas, they aren’t. Presidents of Ivy League schools are being called out by alumni and CEOs of major corporations for their silence and lack of condemnation against terrorist groups and unfolding violence against certain student groups. If you’re not against it, then you must be for it. Wait, there is more.
Our southern border is, and has been, in a state of turmoil for years. It worsens by the day as our country’s “leaders” use the border crisis, and people affected by it, as a political pawn for their own agendas. Millions of illegal immigrants wade the Rio Grande yearly in search of a better way of life, but hidden within their ranks are coyotes, drug traffickers, and others who pose a legitimate threat to our nation’s security. To think it is allowed to continue because there are personal differences between those we elect to serve our country is a downright disgrace. Don’t even think of denying this, for it is a fact. Think of those people who have no home, no job, no income, no healthcare, and are being thrown to the wolves by their own people for hidden agendas. It is tragic.
By the time you read this, our November elections will be done. At least one would hope. I am so sick of Tate Reeves and Brandon Presley’s attack on one another I could vomit. Did you see how many millions of dollars each candidate spent on defaming each other? The political arena has gotten entirely out of hand. Corrupt politicians and governmental bureaucracies continue to plague hard working citizens with increased taxes, and less than desirable service. One side always blames the other side for what goes wrong and inevitably, nothing gets accomplished but a continuation of useless rhetoric. Do you think God is proud of us, his precious children? And how ironic, amidst all the worldly turmoil, Thanksgiving is here? I have one statement regarding this. SHAME ON US!!!
I am asking everyone who reads this column to do me a favor. By doing what I am embarking on you to do, I am returning a favor to you also. After reading this, I want you to turn your televisions off, turn your computers off, and turn those damn cell phones off. For five minutes I want you to do your best to think of absolutely nothing. Granted, this is impossible, but do your best. Just be quiet and try to hear your heartbeat. No talking, no television on in the other room, just you. Next, I want you to think of two or three of the happiest times in your life. I won’t even suggest to you or give you examples of “happy” moments in your life. This is a gift that you have already experienced but now a time for you to recall and cherish. Take your time and try and remember every detail and every smile the moment brought to you. Now here comes the fun part of our next endeavor.
Again, without your cell phones, I invite you to go to a place of solitude and find a place to sit. I will offer some ideas for this exercise. Walk into the middle of a weed field and just stand there. Pick out a blooming goldenrod, or any other flower you may find, and don’t take your eyes off it. Peer deep into the florets and take notice of every single petal. Don’t look up and be distracted. Embrace the moment. Don’t think of work, don’t think of deadlines, and don’t think of tomorrow. Carpe diem, live for the moment. Take notice of any insects that may visit the flower at this time. Pay close attention to every detail on the insect’s wing, legs, and antennae. The longer you stand there, the better chance you have of leaving this world behind for a well-deserved break.
Go find the largest oak tree you can find and sit at the base of it. If acorns are scattered on the ground, all the better. Pick one up and study it intensely. Look at the different color striations on the outside of the nut. Take note of the deep mahogany color. Gently crack the nut in two and inspect the center. Is it a bright orange, or more of an opaque cream color? Think how old this tree may be. Stare upwards into the branches. If it is windy, you will notice the tops of the branches will sway with the wind, however the trunk is solid and will not waiver. Do your best to become a “trunk.” Hold steady to what you believe in and don’t waiver from what is just. Just like the ancient oaks, we have roots. They will support us in uncertain times and storms. Never forget this!
Find a bend in a creek and plant yourself on the edge of the stream. Hopefully by now there will be water gently flowing within its banks. If not though, at some point the rains will return and the serpentine waterway will once again carry water downstream. Try and pick out a leaf floating with the current. Don’t take your eyes off a specific leaf and watch it come towards you. In time, it will pass you by, moving with the current. If you so desire, you can make the analogy that perhaps this leaf is represented as strife in your life. As quickly as it come to you, it will pass and disappear around the bend. As it is in life, troubles will come and go, don’t dwell on the negative, for I assure you, there will be brighter days ahead.
Blend into your surroundings while you’re sitting on the creekbank. In time the woods will come alive. You may see a squirrel shaking limbs overhead in search of hickory nuts or acorns. Watch the show as the bushytail scurries from limb to limb gathering nuts for its winter cache. Perhaps wood ducks will be swimming up and down the stream gobbling up the acorns that have fallen into the water. Notice the antics of the waterfowl chasing each other. Be as still as possible and see what colors you may notice on the hen’s speculum and the drake’s crest. You will notice more than you think if they get close enough. Again, remember you’re there as a spectator only and your greatest reward is the stillness and the tranquility of the moment.
After you have had your time alone, see if your heart rate has slowed. Has a certain calmness overcome you? Have you left a tumultuous world and found a new refuge of being? I would be surprised if you said otherwise. We are indeed experiencing a world in civil unrest. Perhaps a better definition would be “uncivil.” I invite you not to own it. Don’t allow it to hold you captive. It’s easier said than done but do your best to disengage and detoxify. Just think if everyone in the world, at the same time, would just take a deep breath for a minute and allow hate to leave them. What if we embraced one another instead of butchered one another? Remember, it’s Thanksgiving. Why don’t we all make a concerted effort to remember this and carry out good deeds towards one another? I think in the end, we’ll be glad we did.
Until next time enjoy our woods and waters and remember let’s leave it better than we found it. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
