Thursday, May 12, 2011

Blogging in a Time of Darkness















It's not hard to feel the pall that has fallen over the progressive blogosphere since the Cons finally won their majority. First there was shock, then there was anger, and now just sadness.

So rather than write about The Great Darkness, and make things worse, I thought I'd just share some of the things that comforted me today.

Like this shot of my favourite swan sitting on five eggs.



















Or this one of another couple finding out that raising one is hard enough.


















And then there was Eeyore's birthday party.

So what does Eeyore spend most of his time doing? Like all great outsiders, he Thinks – and he takes great pains to distinguish himself from the other animals for this. ("They haven't got Brains, any of them, only grey fluff that's blown into their heads by mistake..."). There he is in his lonely corner of the forest, sometimes thinking sadly to himself, "Why?", and sometimes "Wherefore?" – and sometimes not quite knowing what he's thinking at all. While the other animals amble contentedly through their daily lives, Eeyore wrestles with these questions alone.

Because he's always gloomy, but everyone loves him just the same. And goodness knows there are enough Eeyores out there these days.

And then there was the story of the dead Vancouver blogger and his last post.

It turns out that no one can imagine what's really coming in our lives. We can plan, and do what we enjoy, but we can't expect our plans to work out. Some of them might, while most probably won't. Inventions and ideas will appear, and events will occur, that we could never foresee. That's neither bad nor good, but it is real.

Which was sad but also incredibly moving.

Airdrie, you were my best friend and my closest connection. I don't know what we'd have been like without each other, but I think the world would be a poorer place. I loved you deeply, I loved you, I loved you, I loved you.

Because what more could I add to that except..." I was loved, I was loved. What more did I need? What more could I want?"

And finally there was the 30th anniversary of the death of the great Bob Marley. Who died after failing to properly treat a melanoma on his foot.

Because I always loved his music.

And I love the way it still moves the world...



And the larger message?

Politics isn't everything.

Life is wonderful but fragile.

Enjoy it while you can...

Recommend this post at Progressive Bloggers

5 comments:

Rick Barnes said...

You are right on brother. I have pulled myself away from the great depths of political dispair that comes from living and dying with each election or vote that Harper wins in the house.

I live here and now. And as Lennon wrote "Life is what happens while we're busy making other plans," something like that, anyway i take life over the planning part.

It took me awhile, Steven taught me that we have today, yesterday is gone and tomorrow who knows.

He was right about "who knows". So while we have wiki leaks, Harper and wars and stuff going on all about us, I will support making things better, but i take no oath of perpetual sadness.

And hey, good comes out of no where, Sean Avery and gay marriage.

Beijing York said...

Thanks for this uplifting post, Simon.

I was one of the millions who went to Derek Miller's site this past weekend. I poured over so many of his posts including his post-death message to his wife, daughters, parents, friends and followers. It is an inspirational message to all - loved ones and strangers alike.

I think I stumbled it during my grieving stage and I've now moved on to acceptance (I think - but damn my to do list is getting long).

And on that note and in the memory of the magnificent Bob Marley:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGVSTsgcCvw

To quote one poster: 2 legends singing one of the best songs of another legend. I wanna fucking cry.

Simon said...

hi Rick... I like this a lot:

It took me awhile, Steven taught me that we have today, yesterday is gone and tomorrow who knows...

I will support making things better, but i take no oath of perpetual sadness.


And as you know I see good things coming out of this darkness.

I can only mope for so long, before I cheer up and feel like fighting them even harder... :)

Simon said...

hi Beijing... I'm glad you liked that post. You know I didn't mention it, but when I was writing about Derek Miller's last post, and how he was able to round the circle, I could't help thinking of Bruce's last post. And how I wish it could have been one of his many great posts on things like bullying, or some kind of explanation, instead of a quicky post on Sarah Palin. But I'm sure he's laughing about that one. And now sadly it doesn't matter.
Of course what I really fear is that the same thing could happen to me. Having my last post frozen on a YouTube of a dancing chihuahua would be more than I could bear... :)

Simon said...

oh I forgot...thanks for that YouTube with Johnny Cash and Joe Strummer. I thought I knew every version of that song, but I have to admit I had never heard of that one and it's GREAT. So I favorited it immediately... :)