thoughts on the news of the day: super moon

hmmm…..

            The moon was enormous last night.  We sat outside for most of the early evening  in beautiful warm temperatures and a clear sky. It was our reward for digging in the dirt and planting flowers on my daughter’s back patio.  Her yard has a never ending abundance of rocks which we gathered and arranged in the beginnings of paths and rock gardens on her property.  So the giant orb and a cool glass of wine for those who drink was a welcome reprieve after several hours of corporate labor.

            I remember staying out after dark when I was a youngster and marveling at the stars and the moon and the fireflies.  They were all sparkly lights that cut the darkness and created shadows for our games of hide and seek.  We had everything we needed: friends and family, a cool glass of lemonade and a quilt spread out under the catalpa tree. 

            But I was reminded last night that the gigantic moon we sat under is the same moon that friends and family gather under in Japan.  Their circumstances are dire and don’t seem to have much chance of improving anytime soon.  So I gathered up some gratitude for the comforts I shared last night in the moonlight with family and friends.  And I said a prayer for the victims of the earthquake as I sat calm, happy and content under a beautiful almost full moon.

            hmmm…..

thoughts on the news of the day: reactors

hmmm…..

            The nuclear power plant that was damaged in the earthquake in Japan last week continues to be a life threatening problem.  Japanese engineers are now considering burying the damaged plant in sand and concrete in order to prevent a disastrous radiation release.  This was the method used to contain leakages from the Chernobyl nuclear plant in 1986.

            It’s always tempting to bury our problems in the sand.  We want them to go away – quickly.  And in the case of the nuclear power plant broken by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, it may ultimately be the only solution.  Allowing dangerous radiation to leak out into the atmosphere is just not a very appealing alternate solution.

            But what about the problems that we have in our everyday lives?  What about financial problems, difficulties with relationships, a bullying boss or classmate?  Are these effectively buried?  Or do they pop back up, again and again, no matter how hard we try to cover them up?

            Probably a better way to deal with our problems is to … well … deal with them.  Facing them squarely and looking for alternative solutions is a much more effective and satisfying way of coping with issues that annoy or even cripple us. 

            Japanese engineers seem to be looking for alternate solutions to the radioactive leakage.  They are trying to fix a power cable to two of the reactors which would enable them to restart water pumps that are used to cool the nuclear fuel rods.  They are also spraying water on one of the most critical of the nuclear plants six reactors.

            Perhaps even for them, the solution will be found without burying the problem in sand.

            hmmm…..

thoughts on the news of the day: st. patrick's day

hmmm…..

            Today is St. Patrick’s Day.  In many cities across the country, Irish descendants will celebrate with parades, shamrocks, leprechauns and green beer.   They celebrate because of centuries old traditions about the legend of St. Patrick. 

            The story goes that he was born around 385 in Wales.  He identified himself as a pagan until about the time he turned 16.  Kidnapped by Irish marauders, he was held as a slave for about 6 years.  It was during this time that he turned to God. Upon escaping from slavery, he went to Gaul and studied in a monastery.  For the next 30 years or so, he traveled through Ireland establishing monasteries and converting pagans to Christianity.  He died on March 17 in 461.  It is legend that St. Patrick drove all of the snakes out of Ireland and that he used the shamrock to explain the Blessed Trinity.

            Over the years, the tradition to celebrate the Feast Day of St Patrick has grown from a religious reprieve from the fasting in Lent into the secular holiday it is today.

            It’s a good day to offer an old fashioned Irish blessing.  My favorite goes like this:

            May the road rise up to meet you.

            May the wind always be at your back.

            May the sun shine warm upon your face,

            And the rains fall soft upon your fields.

            And until we meet again,

            May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

            Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

            hmmm…..

thoughts on the news of the day: disasters

hmmm…..

            The earthquake/tsunami/nuclear plant disaster in Japan has seemed to have brought out the best and the worst in the people of Japan and the world.

            First, the worst: Comedians making jokes about the suffering and situation of the people of Japan strikes me as the very lowest form of inappropriateness.  Gilbert Goffrield, the voice of AFLAC insurance was fired because of comments he made about the disaster.  He joked, “They don’t go to the beach, the beach comes to them.”  He tweeted this comment, but nevertheless it still reached millions of people and offended the majority of them.  Other entertainers have also made attempts to be funny at the expense of the suffering Japanese but most of them have backfired also.   

            Now the best: The nuclear reactor workers who stay behind to clean up the mess.  They risk extreme sickness and even death to cool down the reactors hoping to avoid releasing the radioactivity into the atmosphere.  They are likened to the honor and nobility of firefighters who risk their lives to save others in disastrous peacetime situations.  Choosing to send their families out of danger, but staying behind to do a dangerous job is a shining example of bravery and courage.

            Rising above or sinking below is a choice we all make when faced with extreme circumstances.  Most of us have done both.  Let’s hope and pray that should we ever be caught in such a situation, we are given the courage to do the right thing.

            hmmm…..

thoughts on the news of the day: spring

hmmm…..

            The first day of spring is next Sunday.  In our little Arkansas town, the yellow daffodils and forsythia are in bloom and the redbuds and dogwoods are not far behind.  So it’s not too early really to think about planting flowers.

            My daughter and I went to the plant store last night.  We found pink and white periwinkles and red begonias and salvia. The ferns were especially pretty and we also found a hanging airplane plant and the always hardy ivy.  Her yard has a fenced backyard so the deer can’t get in and eat everything, but the front yard is not deer proof.  So we had to buy deer resistant plants for the bed near the front porch.  All this to say, we spent way too much money in our efforts to greet Mother Nature into a new season.

            There is something very spiritual about digging in the dirt.  Getting in touch with our inner gardener is a good way to get in touch with our Creator also.  As bizarre as this might sound, I even like to pull weeds.  I pull them imagining I am plucking all shortcomings, fears and negative outcomes right out of my life.  I try to get all of the roots, hoping for a clean and clear foundation for the beauty I plan to grow.

            Even if it’s just a house plant, cultivate something new into your life this spring.  Watch for new growth, it just might happen!

            hmmm…..

thoughts on the news of the day: trees

hmmm…..

            Archangel Ancient Tree Archive, a nonprofit organization is collecting genetic material from redwoods, sequoias and other ancient trees in a plan to restore the world’s oldest forests.  Hopefully the trees will continue working to cleanse the environment and absorb carbon dioxide, the greenhouse gas that is the main culprit of global warming. 

            “In our infinite wisdom, we've destroyed 98 percent of the old growth forests that kept nature in balance for thousands of years," said David Milarch, the group's co-founder. "That's what we intend to put back."

            The mission of the Archangel Ancient Tree Archive is to clone the oldest and largest of the world’s tree species and then plant millions of copies of them in forests, farms, parks and even back yards.

            It’s an ambitious and noble plan and has merit in that it is about longevity rather than short term success.  Planting a tree today that won’t mature for hundreds of years takes patience, wisdom, faith and …. well …. maturity.  But planting that tree today may very well save the planet for tomorrow. 

            I was thinking about the myth of Johnny Appleseed who supposedly went across the country planting trees.  He may have been just a figment of someone’s imagination, but the trees that were planted years ago by others have resulted in the growth we have today.  So, it’s about investing in our future and having faith that there will be a future with hope for generations to come.

            hmmm…..

thoughts on the news of the day: doctors

hmmm…..

            If earthquakes and tsunamis were not enough, Japan is now dealing with a major meltdown at the country’s nuclear power plants.  I try very hard not to repeat myself, but yesterday, I wrote that all we could do is pray. Again, that seems like it may be the only thing we can do. 

            A friend of mine in Bellingham,WA is grateful that the water did not affect them much but she said that reading about the earthquake in Japan inspired her to give even more to Doctors Without Borders.  In this organization, doctors and nurses volunteer to provide urgent medical care to victims of war and disaster regardless of race, religion or politics.  Known as Medeceins Sans Frontiers in France, it was created by doctors and journalists in 1971.  Doctors Without Borders provides aid in nearly 60 countries to people whose survival is threatened by violence, catastrophe, or neglect.  Providing independent, impartial assistance to those most in need, it received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999.

            Please pray for the people who have been affected by the disaster in Japan and also for the doctors and nurses who are brave enough to enter this tragic circumstance.  Reactors may meltdown, but, thankfully, medical personnel from organizations like Doctors Without Borders will carry on.

            hmmm…….