Weighed down by the world

Today, it seems as if the weight of the world is pressing in on us. The bombings in New Zealand and Sri Lanka (which interestingly have not received nearly the attention that the bombings in New Zealand did, not that it's a contest, but I'm wondering why, though I think I know the answer, and that's pretty depressing too), and the continuing violence in other parts of the world. The political climate in the US, which is spreading frighteningly quickly into our country, making a mockery of the pride that Canadians have felt about our differences from American values and culture; it seems that after all, we are not any different from Americans. The anniversary of the Toronto van attack.  Ecological disasters and ecological doom and gloom.  Earthquakes, floods, plagues and locusts, figuratively and, in some cases, literally.  Closer to home, the loss of 4 young lives to add to the running total of the Boys in Red, the Humboldt accident, the house fire in Halifax, and so many more young lives lost. Government cutbacks to education, health care, social services, refugee programmes, senior care, cuts to all of the most vulnerable people in our society at the same time that governments are funneling money and energy to help the rich get richer and the dirty get dirtier.  

And the weather here isn't doing anything to ease that sense of misery -- oppressive, rainy, grey, dreary for the coming week, after a long, difficult, treacherous winter, when all we want is to see and feel the sun.

Maybe it is part of the process of aging, but lately, I find it much easier to feel overwhelmed by all that is wrong with the world.  When I was younger, the world seemed so full of potential and full of hope. But now I feel it draining away.

I think, in the midst of all the doom and gloom, it is more important than ever to reach out to those you love, to be connected to each other, to consciously remember the good that exists in the world too. To take joy where you can find it, in the laughter and imagination and "now-ness" of small children, in a job well done, in a quiet word with a friend, in the beauty and aliveness of a bird, in the emerging plants and tree buds, in a good meal.  To do something or read something or listen to something that inspires you, to be moved by the inspirations of others.  To dance, to sing, to love, to cheer for your favourite hockey team.

It feels like everything is out of control, but all around us, there are signs that the rhythm of life continues. And life is a gift, and it is good.

This is not to say that we should ignore the truly horrible and tragic things that are happening around us.  No, we need to feel this weight and grief and loss.  But we cannot afford to be paralyzed by it, and life without hope and goodness will cripple us and leave us powerless. 

If you are feeling like I am, I wish for you today a small piece of beauty and peace, the assurance that you are loved, laughter, and a sign of the hope we all so desperately need.