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On the road again:
Greetings from Green Valley, Arizona
Today is May 5 … Cinco de Mayo in the Mexican culture, a day that commemorates the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over Napoleon III’s invading French forces on May 5, 1862, at the Battle of Puebla.
Today's Story ...
… features readers’ insights inspired by two of my blogs a month ago.
The first blog, on April 3, was titled “Who do we value? Who do we reward?”
In it, I postulated that our most valuable people now, during this COVID-19 pandemic, are those who society financially rewards the least … and the people who contribute the least during a crisis are those who collect the biggest salaries.
The second blog, on April 7, was titled “The net has closed.” In this, I described Cyndy’s and my arrival in Green Valley after camping across Texas and seeing campground upon campground close their gates to wayfarers.
Click here to read that blog.
In regard to the first:
Two readers reminded me about the importance of garbage collectors, whom I had failed to mention in my blog.
Cyndy posed a poignant question: “How many people would miss a neurosurgeon more than they miss their garbage collectors?”
Another reader reminded me to include postal workers, a statement that was prophetic, considering current federal threats to un-fund this valuable service.
Cyndy’s cousin wrote about her situation as a small cattle rancher in northern California.
“The price per head is tanking. We have to question: Do we sell at a loss now or feed them in hopes they’ll bring more money in the fall? It’s a lousy crap shoot either way. Meanwhile, the feed lots, the monopolized packers, and retailers are making a great margin on our animals.
“Who else suffers? Consumers. Brazilian beef is back; the last time they brought beef, it was tainted with hoof and mouth.
“On a good note, as agricultural workers, we are used to social distancing and are allowed to run errands as normal. So we can deliver food to home-bound friends and neighbors.
"We can’t stress enough how important it is to be prepared with provisions and skills to survive hard times.”
A recent acquaintance wrote about change that will evolve from this pandemic.
“I have been sensing for a long time that a big correction is coming in regard to how we care for our elders, the crisis of affordable health care, the lack of affordable housing, the disparity in income, and the dismissal of scientific fact by conservatives.”
This reader also praised her governor in Vermont, Phil Scott, who “acted quickly and decisively” and “our small businesses that responded by finding innovative ways to address shortages.”
Another reader echoed this sentiment about societal evolution.
“Going back to ‘normal’ is not a healthy, sustainable direction. We need to create a new normal where peace, clean environment, education, friends, family and community are safe. I pray we get there, but it has to be with one another and the Earth.”
A long-time friend in Michigan suggested buying local is one way to facilitate this evolution.
“Fifteen years ago, I was fed up with poor service and the time it took to get a response via the corporations’ 1-800 number, so I began to avoid national and multi-national corporations, starting with auto and homeowner insurance companies. And I saved money.”
About the same time when I published my blog, Robert C. Koehler, a journalist in Chicago and a colleague I met through the Department of Peace campaign 15 years ago, wrote in his weekly blog, “… something profound is happening. … Suddenly we’re addressing a potential disaster at every level of civilization. …
"And maybe, maybe, it means we are capable of dealing, collectively, with other looming disasters even larger in scope.”
Such as climate change, environmental degradation, hunger, poverty, violence … and ongoing war, of course.
A reader with a spiritual bent disagreed with my blog statement about Donald Trump’s lack of leadership and misleading “happy talk.”
She wrote: “We are all learning and growing through these challenging times, and I try not to judge. He [Trump] is walking a fine line between scaring everyone to death and trying to give people hope. I believe in faith, not fear, and do my part by praying.”
In the “net closed” blog, I used two metaphors: one of being chased by a vicious dog (the coronavirus), and the other about being bound in a net (closing campgrounds).
A dear spiritual friend from Australia offered advice on the former.
“May you stay indoors and be safe until what you see as a wild dog and what I see as the greatest Spiritual intervention of our time achieves its purpose; until kindness, goodwill to all men, and thankfulness becomes an entrenched habit none of us will ever relinquish.”
Another good friend, who is a physician assistant-certified and holistic practitioner, wrote about how to deal with nightmares.
“Take control and do something to face the dog and put him at bay. You can point at the monster and make it so small that you put it in your hand and play with it.
“The same with the net. When it gets too close, put your hands out and widen it so that it is not causing you to feel claustrophobic.
“When you take control of the dream, you will find that you have taken control of some aspect of your life that has been pursuing you.”
Interesting ideas:
To look upon the pandemic as “the greatest Spiritual intervention of our time.”
To “take control of your life.”
To create a “new normal” and a “big correction” within our society.
This COVID-19 thing is our opportunity … as we sit alone in contemplation, as we tele-connect with our friends and family, as we turn our thoughts around and see the positive.
In regard to the “closed net” image, one of my dear cousins reminded me to look upon the “spacious place you live [as] your
safety net. … Enjoy this time together.”
And a spiritual friend in Kalamazoo offered simply: “It’s interesting to see how things change.”
Thank you, all. May you be happy and healthy always and in all ways.
~~~~~ ~~~~~
Thank you for caring. Thank you for reading my stories.
God blesses everyone ... no exceptions.
Robert (Bob) Weir
