Category: Essays

So ….. I saw this meme on social media this weekend. It upset me greatly.  It upset me because it was a rude reminder that we have a long way to go as a species toward getting our values in order. A long way toward reaching good character as a whole. There is so much that upsets me about it an not all of it is relevant for this page, so I’ll try to keep it slim to only what is relevant. Here is the meme:

Here are the issues (starting with the simplest).

1. It avoids the initial question
2. “Shoot” doesn’t necessarily mean “shoot to kill”, but of course that didn’t occur to them, as they were just looking for an excuse to kill someone from the get go.
3. I can’t believe this needs to be said, but what happened to the basic value  “Love thy neighbor”. A value SO basic, and responsibility so high that it supersedes all other personal desires, including the preservation of our …….. stuff.

This is the America we live in. People are willing to kill to protect their hoard.

A satisfying life of righteous purpose starts with a strong morale core. This is true no matter what lifestyle we choose to lead.

I can’t speak for everyone, but up here in mid-state NY I suffer winter depression. After the Holiday season, into the new year, I just get down in the dumps. The lack of sunlight combined with cold temperatures means there will be no spending time outdoors for me. This kills me inside because I LOVE the outdoors.

NOW …. during a pandemic, we really don’t have the option for indoor activities outside our homes either. This just amplifies the depression something fierce.

While I can’t speak for everybody, I believe I can speak for many of you out there. Winter depression is not uncommon.

Fortunately, there are practices which I have used recently that help to cure this depression:

1. Socialize! People are depressed now more than ever during this pandemic because more than ever we are not communicating with each other. We are instead finding solace in social media (which is a BIG DISASTER if done without intent). Just because we have to maintain social distancing doesn’t mean we have to be strangers. There are many digital platforms to permit us to be social beings again (Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, Discord, etc.). I suggest we all become not only familiar with some of these, but second nature with them.
2. Meditation. This is not the first time I mentioned this. Meditation practice help one be more mindful and more aware of themselves. It calms the mind so it can cure itself. Meditation sessions can be found free online in YouTube, Facebook, and other channels.
3. Yoga. No different than meditation.
4. Exercising. Make a regiment of it. Whether it is weight lifting in the basement/garage or hitting the peloton three times a week, DO IT. Always people are amazed at how quickly doing good has us feeling good.
5. Gaming – Take on a new hobby of gaming. Whether it is online, or at home with family, this is a healthy way to keep us challenged and social.
6. Read. I felt I had to put this on the list. While reading is difficult while in a state of depression (lack of focus), it is still an activity that might take us away from our thoughts.

Hang in there folks, we have two more months to go.

 

 

I am seeing a great decline of passion in our world today. People are walking around looking drained of life, miserable, or just uninterested. Just barely getting themselves out of bed, and only doing so because it’s their pattern of life; it’s what is expected of them.

No joy, no enthusiasm, no passion.

The COVID pandemic has taken it’s tole on us. That is part of it, but this problem started long before all that. I don’t know completely why, but there are MANY factors that brought us to this place:

• Lack of Connection. Nobody hangs out for no reason anymore. All correspondence is digital. Less gathering, less direct communication. Digital or not, people in general seem to have lost the motivation and eventually the ability to socialize. This is huge.
• No Community. What happened to neighborliness? Everyone treats each other like strangers. We behave as if everyone around us is a potential sex offender. We used to smile and say “Hi” to our neighbors as they passed us by, and maybe (God forbid) get some idle conversation.
• Streaming information we get in real time. We are constantly being fed information via all of our news channels which make us weary. Filtered information, distorted information, out of context information, flat out lies, and altogether just TOO MUCH information. Information that fills our heads and takes us away from our lives. Takes us away from real connection and simple pleasures.

These factors and probably many more are all contributing to the culture change that has sucked our passion for life right out of us.

We have to break this cycle, and force ourselves to LIVE in the moment again. Live for the here and now. Appreciate the simple pleasures of life. A sunset, a sunrise, a hug, a kiss, a scent, a touch, a laugh, a chit chat.

We need to put down our digital devices, let the sun shine on our faces and say “Hi” to our neighbors again.