The World Goes On

As I am typing these words on the East Coast, on the other side of the county, fires are devastating LA. My nephew lives and works there and so far, has not been asked to evacuate. I check in with my sister every day to see if that has changed. I have seen photos, watched videos and news clips. I read mis-information, such as various fire brigades from other countries allegedly coming to their rescue and some of the images were from years ago, and deliberate dis-information, meant to demonize leaders and disparage celebrities who have lost their homes and belongings. I shudder to think of the trauma they are all feeling and will need to integrate long after the fires have been extinguished. I feel for the animals who have no way of comprehending what is happening. I feel anger when considering how some, who have the ability to influence policy decisions, still, no matter how severe things are, deny the reality of climate change and the impact it has on a growing number of environmental crises. Even if arson was an aspect of these most recent cataclysmic events, the frequency of the Santa Ana winds can also be attributed to climate change.

I pray for the winds to calm, for rain to fall, for the safety of all in the path of the conflagration in the City of Angels.

While this is happening, the clock is ticking on the inauguration of the now convicted/sentenced felon. Just as the encroaching fire is wreaking havoc and destruction, so too will the beyond belief resumed presidency. Logic and reason is as ineffective as blowing bubbles at the fire to put it out, since the mindset that allowed him to be elected in 2016 and again eight years later, makes no sense. No matter what he says or does, his adherents will stand by him. Despite that, we need to find a way to live with people who intend to do harm to this country and to those we love.

His verbiage is part of what I referred to above in the dis-information category. He too is a climate change denier.

In my own circles are people who have lost loved ones, were recently diagnosed with cancer, and other medical conditions, need to find new employment, and are adjusting to lifestyle changes.

I am noticing my own desire to curl up, hunker down, withdraw, sleep more, hibernate, fold my social butterfly wings until things go back to some sense of normalcy. I am not delusional enough to believe that that will ever be achieved. Normal is a setting on a washing machine. The ‘now normal’ as I call it, is unacceptable to me. Throughout the day, I need to talk my way through this as I ask what I can control and what I can’t and then take the positive action steps necessary to remain sane and vertical and love the world with all I’ve got.

My friend Jon Michaels, offered this song called The World Goes On today at one of my spiritual communities called Circle of Miracles. It reminds me that no matter what is going on, the horrific and celebratory, we are on the ride for the duration.

Somebody’s gonna laugh today
Somebody’s gonna cry today
Somebody’s gonna take their very first breath of life today

Somebody’s gonna say I do
Somebody’s gonna say we’re through
Somebody’s gonna take a gamble and win somebody’s gonna lose
The world goes on and on, and on and on the world goes on

Somebody’s living high on life
Limousines, caviar and wine
Somebody’s working eight to five even over time barely getting by
And the world goes on

(Chorus)

The world goes on and on and on
It’s good; it’s bad, it’s right it’s wrong
It’s fair, it’s not, it’s all the world we’ve got
It’s love it’s hate, give and take, choices and the ones we make
What is to come will come and then be gone
The world goes on and on and on and on and on

Somebody is a homeless man
Somebody is our president
Somebody is you and me so why can’t we get along as friends
While the world goes on.

(Chorus)

The world goes on and on and on
It’s good it’s bad it’s right it’s wrong
It’s fair it’s not it’s all the world we’ve got
It’s love it’s hate, give and take, choices and the ones we make
What is to come will come and then be gone
The world goes on and on and on and on and on

Somebody’s gonna laugh today
Somebody’s gonna cry today
Somebody’s gonna take their very last breath of life today