Comments on: cursing the cold and dark

By: Deanna

Deanna — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:44:53 +0000

Good points, Fresca. There’s the “big picture” musing I was all about in this post, that says, if only something could benefit the most people at once in the current situation, what might it be? Then there’s a more rubber-meeting-road approach, when I’m faced with another person’s real suffering. I was made, I think, to want to help decrease suffering. There’s a disconnect between what I want, though, and what is – in the world and in me – and I discover over and again the suffering caused by (or that’s at least a by-product of) even the best intended plans to alleviate it. That doesn’t mean life’s hopeless, because I live more fully in the light and warmth of others, even while paying suffering’s toll.

I may write more about these thoughts this week. I appreciate each response for the help in my processing. (on and on we go…)

By: fresca

fresca — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:37:13 +0000

I see so much suffering and lack in people’s lives already, I sure wouldn’t wish any more on anyone–alas, there’s plenty to go round right now, and bound to be more on its way–but rather I would wish for an increase in our awareness of how to tend lovingly to our own and one another’s suffering.

How can I increase my own compassion and decrease my own aggression?
How can I shed more light and warmth?
How can I help, and not hurt?

Not sure if that’s what you were getting at, Deanna, exactly, but those are the questions that arise in me in response to your post…

By: Deanna

Deanna — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:39:57 +0000

Thanks, Marianne. One thing’s for sure, I’m glad I’m not in charge of the story, deciding when the big things should happen to our culture and world. I don’t think we’re made to want things to go badly for ourselves and everyone else, and I know you’re not saying that you do. History shows, though, that people find purpose when there’s friction (often terrible stuff) going on. Of course, some people become hopeless then, too.

Like you basically say, Cherie, learning to live well can be a message and help. The continuing practice of that, whether by candlelight or computer glow, is probably the most an individual can hope to offer.

By: Cherie

Cherie — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:21:59 +0000

Good reflections, Deanna.

The red-hot fire in the wood stove made me think your post would be about hell. And in a way, it is. “Their lack comes from an impersonal society where no one really cares and there is nothing left to hope in.”

Seems like many adults are scratching their heads wondering why the young have no inspiration to motivate them towards living meaningful lives. Many of the kids say they ‘don’t want to end like mom and dad’. The generation gap is bigger than ever and the funny thing is, most people can’t even see it.

Seems to me the best thing to do is live a genuinely interesting life which naturally exhibits wisdom, personal fulfillment, happiness, creativity, contentment, curiosity, challenge, love, and most of all Spirit, a life of hope that will attract the attention of the young who see and hear only despair. Perhaps, in this Gordian Knot of a world, lives well lived are just the quiet hope a brutal, foolish world needs to restore the “maturity and a true zeal for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” of which Marianne writes.

Lives well-lived season the world with grace, a precious commodity.

We can ALL do better.

By: Marianne

Marianne — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:25:49 +0000

Yes, yes, yes. You have said this so well. It is not the PC way of expressing things these days, but sometimes I think what we (Americans) really need is a good dose of suffering (perhaps by the REMOVAL of government assistance) to bring us (Americans – especially my generation and the upcoming ones) to maturity and a true zeal for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.