The World as We Know It

As I peruse the news and take a gander at current events, the first thing I notice is the hodge-podge patchwork of conflicting ideas out there. Each spoken idea conflicts with all the others in some way. I think the journalists, of which I do not lump myself in with, are all out giving opinions, some better informed than others. This, by itself, adds to the confusion. Every day I wake up to new aberrations, and it can be scary, well … concerning.

So, what do we need to do to understand the happenings in the world?

I don’t talk much about politics on my blog, but today I’ll mention it. The system we have in our country seems broken. It’s divisive and has tunnel vision from almost every observation point. That seems to be a model used in many countries, too. There is so much confusion about choosing the right direction; around the globe many countries are floundering.

Almost every direction I look seems to be a boil on everyone’s butt.

My advice is to go with your gut. My gut feeling drives me forward and keeps one eye on the lookout, and while that’s happening, I meditate to calm myself down. That may not be for you. If not, then you may need to find another outlet.

I’m not saying we need to ignore current events. But there is so much to be said for points of reflection and relaxation.

When I was a combat arms officer in the U.S. Army, one of the things we all had to learn was that there must be a sleep plan in place, with each soldier having their own time to sleep. This is important because no one can be effective when they are awake constantly. Sleep deprivation is horrendous. Your effectiveness declines sharply after you reach a personal drop-off point.

That is also why during wargames, we were required to stretch our limits without sleep. However, that sleepless training also reinforces the sleep plan.

Why did I bring this up? Because everyone needs to learn how to relax and recharge. Sleep, have fun, read, watch a good movie. Somehow, you must get your mind to a place where it can switch gears.

For anyone to survive and have a great life, everything must be balanced. And balance must be an individual thing. It is like opposites cojoining, and when they do, they produce a better product than the two opposing things to begin with, a hybrid. This amalgamation helps build well-rounded, fully functional people.

That state is what so many are after, the fully enriched person. It is much like the difference between a single sound and a simple chord. It further develops when more things attach themselves to the hybrid.

Things get complicated. We all know that. I suppose the trick is to relax into the confusion, but is that possible? Of course. Our brains are remarkable; we can assimilate almost anything. It is as simple as adding tones to musical chords. Some of us can write whole symphonies. So, what if you can’t write them yourself? You can listen to them. You can always choose the kind and style of that music.

Why stop there, either? You can read something, a poem, a short story, a DIY book, or a novel. I have some of those you can read. This will help you relax into a better life.

Shall I continue? How about a movie or live theater? You don’t have to write them, produce them, or direct them. There are ways to help you understand the world when things become complicated.

How about graphic art? Just strolling through a museum of art can help you.

Let me step back a second. Have you noticed that the things that relax you are, in a large part, arts?

Well, well, well …. No matter what the culture you live in, the arts are so much more important than most people realize. This can be done with arts originating from foreign cultures, too. Yes. This can happen worldwide.

We all have common ground. Some of the greatest music and literature have come from Russia, the country with which we have long harbored enmity. How about literature from Asia itself; Sun Tzu, and Confucius come to mind. How about Europe and the Americas? Beethoven, Mozart, and Debussy stand tall. Don’t let me forget Jazz. That is a combination of European and African music that originated in the Americas.

All these things could not come about without great minds that thought and behaved differently from those around them, and great masses recognizing just how wonderful they were. They all help to relax, spur their minds, and diverge in different directions.

So, while we have enormous pressure to split away from conflicting ideas, can we not find a way to step back from all the conflict? Let’s enjoy the arts wherever they can be found. Watch a movie. Listen to your favorite music. Hell, make a little love, that’s an art form (see Kama Sutra). Play a game or perhaps read a book.

If you don’t know what to do, make a comment, and I’ll try to point you in a good direction.

If reading is your thing, click here to go to my publisher’s website where you can find many fine books. Don’t forget to delve into my books. There are Thrillers and non-fiction alike there.

I’m sure there is something out there that will enable everyone to relax. Then, once in that state, we can ferret out solutions without arguing.

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