Stand By

The world spins on it's axis, twirling, gyrating, shaking, sick and tired, in sync with surroundings near and far away. Various energy, matter and the inexplicable do their part according to the grand known and mysterious scheme of things. Earth's inhabitants, yes fragile as a baby, resilient as the mighty sea while completely vulnerable to any number of calamities, infirmities, disabilities, tragedies, challenges and set-backs with broken battered sails, struggling to survive. 

All of humankind aboard the same spacecraft gliding sliding slipping, suspended dangling without a net in a place that is not sure of itself, aware and unaware of the hazards humans have created. The volatile nature of humanity is clear, present and not new, the way life as lives are taken for granted, trampled-on, exploited and disrespected by those who continue to create problems, war, hate, greed reckless, unconcerned about others struggles, wants and needs. People get shaken-up, tossed aside as unimportant, without a prayer, no refuge nor peace, no love. The air is limited, stale with despair, doubt, fear filled with dark matter as evil forces try to sabotage us out of our own light suffocating the simple goodness found in the hearts and souls of earths precious inhabitants. 

Life unfolds with or without our permission, ready or not, things come to a screeching halt out of nowhere life turns to a crying, dying den of carelessness, corrupt with selfish intent to dominate those with little to no voice. In the big picture one hopes for a fair, free, just and simple existence, not asking too much. Curious though how at some point people loose themselves with obsessive wants, needs, must haves at any cost. Happiness in contrast is sought, not always found in plain sight yet constantly waiting in the wings to rise and shine and rise again not far from the surface, priceless and best when everyone experiences happiness and joy. Meanwhile, respect facilitates a good life, peaceful and harmonious. 

To live in a world that is led by love and respect is to be given a chance yet again to exist in a place of peace and send our love out to every single person in the world, to dispatch comfort, peace, respite to the weary, war torn and weather worn and somehow receive the intended powerful prayers, although simple the message is strong and able to lift the downhearted who have been put on hold or standing-by brought into light and love even as the world sometimes seems to spin out of control.

Fireflies >< (Part 2)

In the June 14th, 2006 "Fireflies" blog, I lamented about people whose lives hold more challenges than many, the blind, the broken hearted and grieving, the aging, those bent and broken. Now as we acknowledge another holiday season, there is a keen awareness of those who, by their own design or have been dealt an unfair hand, would just as soon forget this time of year when great dreams and wishes have not come true with the probability of them not happening at all.

We see people another type of "Firefly" close to home or far away suffering, lost, wandering aimlessly. What and when will they eat their next meal? Where will they sleep, how will they be protected from the harshness of the elements. The cold air bites as hard as the razor sharp teeth of a hungry shark. Not having shelter or someone to come home to let alone having a place at all to call home. I wonder how so many people end up displaced, without the comfort of a warm bed and roof over their head. What happened? How can a person, a child, a pet, families be out in the cold? In a country with resources such as the United States it seems that it is more like the Divided States of a sad America with the haves and the have not's left to figure things out.  Find a way to survive, thrive, live a comfortable, happy, healthy life free from agonizing worries and fear, scared about the future and what lies ahead. Any attempt to fly away from the scorching oppressive heat of bad decisions, scathing disappointments, displacement, life's cruel conditions and circumstances smolder and feel like hell when the big questions are; "What is the next move and where is a safe place to go?"

If and when we see a "firefly" we must do what we can to lift the burden(s), one person at a time. Whatever it is that we might offer if only a sincere prayer and good thought that they may somehow find their way, find relief from their misery, a way out of the darkness into some manner of comfort. What can I do besides look away into the next thought or place unencumbered by the sorrowful weight of knowing someone is suffering so. What can I do then but be as good and grateful a person as possible. In a world where the scales of justice, peace and prosperity are so unbalanced it would seem the very least I can do is to cast a good light on whomever I encounter. Shed a light of peace and kindness, a compassionate attitude toward others everywhere without judgement and while I'm at it perhaps provide sustenance of some sort to one brought down by hardship. Something to support another being through life, a spark of hope, a gesture of goodness that might shore-up a person who is down. 

It is well within our scope to be a soft and strong landing for another if only for the moment. Whatever it is we do, we do in the name of being humane, soulful and empathetic. To handle one another with care is best as all of us have found ourselves at times, fireflies wandering and wondering where, how, when and who will hear our cry, understand our pain, our quest for peace and longing for a fair and level playing field where hope, peace and joy are truly the order of the day and dreams seem as possible and probable as the best times of our lives and fireflies fly freely, capable of taking good care of themselves and light the way for others lost in the darkness.

A Blessing

It hurts to know there is so much suffering going on in the world, when does it stop, when did people start treating each other so poorly? Children and animals seem to have to absorb much of humanities harshness, of course through no fault of their own. On the one hand you have people who understand the value of life and treat the innocent with respect and kindness. On the other hand you have individuals who themselves were mistreated or who are now enduring abuse, negligence, cruelty.  Consequently the hostility perpetuates. It must matter to send love, prayer, good thoughts to those who have no voice, whose cries go unheard with no one to advocate for them.

Dear God, if all we can do to help the lost and forgotten, is keep the suffering in mind with reverence, then let our spirits connect and comfort who we can. To stop our selfishness when we complain about inconveniences, let us be reminded to be grateful for our own place in the world, where we are comfortable, safe, enjoy freedom, countless resources and things many, only imagine.

To somehow be a blessing to the tiniest soul in the most remote corner of the world to the one's we live with and see regularly. Let us be some one's light in their darkness, comfort in their confusion, joy in their sadness... let us be a blessing with every speck of possibility in peace and with the power and presence of the Holy Spirit ascending upon those most in need of respite and relief.