Challnges in tough times....HOPE and straight talk

During these difficult times in the world we ask ourselves if there is hope? I can honestly say there are always possibilities but hope is still an empty word if you believe in reality. Hope is one of those words I argue because it puts off the current moment for the possible future instead of accepting the present moment and making the best of it. "Making lemon-aide out of lemons" was not just a cute saying. It was an old fable translated into something we can understand. This fable is told in every culture about making the best of a worst case scenario. It is about not falling prey to the fear words of our "leaders" (political and religious etc.). Fear can make us feel lost and with out needed tools to overcome loss, pain and the human condition unless we "do this or do that". What if a religious leader or a politician said "Suck it up and be bold people; stop whining, cut back on spending, spend more time at home, cook your own meals, take the bus, grow your food, share the wealth, sell that big SUV, live within your means, stop feeling sorry for yourself, smile to a stranger and do something nice for your neighbors and the world?" I doubt we would vote for that. So they try to offer HOPE. Try? Has this worked? Yes it has but it has also kept us in a dream and living way too far in the future. I am guilty of this too. I put things on hold and hope for a brighter day. I tell patients they have hope for remission. I give loved ones some form of hope for the future. What I have learned is that future does not exist. The moment is now. NOW is the only moment we have. Make the best of it while it is here. That is what I will "try" to say NOW.

If the sky falls how will I decide to handle it? How will you? When the rich decide to pay themselves big fat dividend checks on tax payer dollars will we say "A brighter future will be ahead?". We do this all the time and then, like John Stewart pointed out so clearly on his "Comedy Central's" show last night: Fear and hope are always forcing our hands into action. Iraq war and now the big ass bailout. When does straight talk happen? Why do we resist? I guess it is human nature and the illusion under which we live our lives in a very prosperous society compared to the rest of the world. That is an illusion too. We have lived a lie. NOW we have to change the story by being honest and accepting the truth of the moment and know we have possibilities but not false hope.

I am leaving open the possibilities for a bright moment and taking responsibility for my own happiness and the way in which I live my life. I may back slide, as all humans do, but I will aspire to make the day a bright one here and NOW. There is always a bright side and a gift or miracle in the unexpected.......Let's find it. Let's pay attention now and do what is truly best and not simply put a band-aide on our unforeseeable future. Straight talk is what we need now. Are you up with that?