Saturday, April 9, 2011

Dark Is the Night; Bright Are the Stars that Shine

While listening to an old song from 1970 -
Part of the lyrics:
...Now half the world
hates the other half
And half the world
has all the food
And half the world
Lies down and quietly starves
'cause there's not enough love to go round...
When looking at the world around us or even at our own lives, it can be hard to believe things will improve. True. But, please look around with me at some other things -- and yes, I try to remind myself of these things often as well to keep my heart strong...
Huge numbers of people worldwide have been gathering to protest and demand the end of atrocities of many types... growing over decades... including all types of people. They even get killed or jailed or tortured... and still the numbers grow. Growing numbers of people just like you and me are willing to stand up and count it worth the price paid to do so.
Also, look at all the small groups of people who are re-learning to grow life... gardens, forests, animals in rescue, animals in wild ... whole devastated lands recovered or recovering, more animal rescue sanctuaries, and so on.
Also, look at the outcry against slavery, against child exploitation, against rape, against violence... against tyranny... it is widespread and growing... it was not so widespread before. We humans are learning it is not acceptable to do these things anymore. Sure those who are in power or have moneys or positions to lose if these evils are gone will fight back viciously. That is a given. But, people are standing up despite the ruthless push-backs of power.
Look at how afraid the "rulers" are. They are becoming more ruthless and pushing the poorest and most defenseless into the ground with the rest of us slated for the same. BUT, that ruthlessness shows their fear. They know they are outnumbered once the people realize where the real power truly is. And it is happening... worldwide.
The road ahead will be very difficult, dangerous, costly, and bloody perhaps. But, there is joy further ahead too. Humans truly are mostly good, I think, if given the chance to be. If we weren't, we'd have been all dead long before now. I see the weaving of hearts and minds together. I see healings all around despite the sufferings.
Sometimes it does take us humans hitting the very bottom and having nothing else to lose before we find a way out of our messes.
And we can climb out. We can. We will. Hope is not dead. Love is not gone. Mercy is still there to pour down on us every day.
Just remember to always look for the bright side too... there is much to be grateful for and to fight for still. I know it is often too difficult to see the good when the evil around is so strong and seems to be winning. But it cheers me to remember that the darkest night is when the stars are seen to shine brightest because I can see them more clearly at that time. I am determined to follow the good -- to pursue it, plant it, share it, cultivate it, and nurture it ... whenever and wherever I find that goodness. I have been around gardens and farms all my life. I know that although there are crop failures sometimes, what is sown will be reaped in larger measures than the seeds planted. So, I hope to be a very good seed planter. I want a bumper crop of compassion, of love, of kindness ... of hope for us all. I will have to start with me, of course. And, there are many other such gardeners around, too. Yay for that!