Selectively Juggling

Is it any wonder that so many of us seem to be struggling with life, and the prolific geopolitical problems, not to mention the ensuing social and political issues? Regardless of what small piece of earth you call home, we are all affected. Some of us more directly, whilst others are affected vicariously. The need is real, the trauma is real, the sense of helplessness and hopelessness is real.

It is our shared humanity that both connects us, and sadly divides us. It’s impossible not be affected by the political, as it impinges on, and underpins every aspect of being, and of our lived experiences. The political frames the social, as it collides at a dizzying pace with the micro, meso, and macro intersections of life. How can we escape the plethora of disturbing images that proliferate at an almost hourly rate. The myriad of desperate and disparate stories, of trauma, loss, starvation, exploitation, dispossession inundate our senses, our hearts, minds and consciousness. How can we not be moved by other people’s stories, their suffering, and their trauma? More importantly how can some people actually celebrate this level of insanity, of cruelty? How can people rejoice in the torture and abuse of others, believing that they themselves are more important, have more rights than others? Are we not all the same? If you cut us, do we not all bleed the same colour blood? After we pass away and our bones kiss the sky, are we not all the same colour?

I am sickened by the level of depravity, of racist hate. I am sickened by the discordant voices and choirs of racists and xenophobes as they proclaim that they are the chosen ones. I am sickened by the actions and words of others, who scream obscenities, claiming that their ways, their beliefs and their cultures are the only ones of value.

I am inspired by the voices and actions of others who choose to step forward and speak up for themselves and others. I am inspired by the brave and courageous, the compassionate and empathetic. I am inspired by the open minded and open hearted souls, who understand that this world in a massive mix of difference and understanding. I am excited by the emerging leaders, the younger generations who are challenging the status quo, calling out the actions of monsters, or narcissistic leaders who are hellbent on imposing their malignant world view on to all.