QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Do we create or consume? Does available energy flow out or in? Is our presence on the planet contributing to any kind of common good? Do we face the days with grace or resistance? Do we rail against powers that have grown deaf to human suffering? Do we keep up with the maddening details of living as well as possible? Do we approach people kindly or rudely? Do we stay in touch with old friends and reach out when possible?

In my case it's a mixed bag. With so many Aide organizations vying for insurance dollars, much annoying communication is required and my default manner seems to be rude. Foreign accents of workers too thick to be understood unless they speak very slowly continuously throw a kink in telephone contact. When I simply ask them to speak more slowly, I am accused of being Racist.

To escape this rather fruitless looking for revelatory answers I have been alternating between two occupations.

First has been World Cup Soccer, a great lift for the entire world. Thousands of fans from all over have come to the US and other host countries to create a sort of Carnivale environment that spreads joy. The games have been emotional rides with so much unbearable and unbelievable tension. No matter who you may root for, all games are a confirmation of a way sport can substitute for political aggression and provide humanity with a focus for strength and intense feeling. The best thing of all is that the whole show has upstaged the bungling narcissism of this "hopeless ruiner" president. If you follow the games, he is nowhere, and it is easy to imagine him disappearing entirely, allowing us to benefit from a much needed wave of good feeling and positive energy.

My second escape has been re-watching the excellent series: Turn: Washington's Spies, in honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. I remember liking it the first time and returning to it has been most timely. This country was born out of determination, grit and lots of circumstantial luck.

Also recently saw the new Brendan Fraser movie about how the Japanese deal with emotional issues - “Rental Family” - very warm and heartfelt – another welcome departure from daily stupidity.

More answers to come as the summer relentlessly moves us through what is experienced as a fast-paced scarcity of time.

Thanks for all you do, all you are, and every little thing.

Kaleidoscopic Me - jrl