The Bigger Picture

There were any number of current events I could post about this week; Donald Trump and his latest obnoxious, ill informed tweeting, Iran and it's snatching of oil tankers in a bid for attention, the horrifying story of a man granted temporary admittance to the United States only to say a final farewell to his dying daughter.

But I thought it might be time to remind people, again, of how fragile our life on this planet is. Instead of the constant fighting and sowing of hatred we should be taking each day as a blessing and working together, because we really don't know what the future will hold for our civilization.

I ran across this Ted talk given by Stephen Patranek. He did this one a number of years ago, but what's rather interesting is how some of this may be more of a danger now. I wonder if he would change the order of his list.

Anyway, here is his talk on “The 8 Ways the World Could End”. If you've got a rainy day, like I have, settle in and maybe rethink what is really important in your life.

Oh, one more thing...

Imagination

Once upon a time in a long ago land a group of people dared to imagine a world where everyone had the freedom to live their lives as they chose. It was one of the most significant and creative endeavors ever attempted.  It is still a work in progress today.

While we argue among ourselves and focus on our divisions we miss the whole point of that endeavor, which was to create a better world for ourselves and those who would join us, either as new citizens of our country, or as representatives of a democratic set of ideals in their home countries.

It was to create hope for a world that was in many places shrouded in darkness.

In 2008 J.K. Rowling gave the commencement address at Harvard. Her words are a reminder of the power that is within all of us, if we only imagine.

Happy 4^th of July everyone!