in a world...

There is a phrase that you have likely heard at the beginning of any dramatic movie trailer: “in a world….” The phrase typically sets the stage for a world drastically different than reality. It could be a world filled with aliens from another planet or a world led by humans with extraordinary powers. The past few months feel like someone has said, “in a world…” and we are living in a high budget Hollywood movie with John Williams composing the soundtrack.

Islands devastated by hurricanes. Municipalities saturated by flooding. Cities crumbled by earthquakes. A President gone rogue. Communities deeply divided by hate. And now one of the most visited tourist sites shook by violence. Not sure how the filmmaker would finish the sentence of “in a world” given the diversity of destruction, but the stage is set for a blockbuster.

One day I will research the past century to see if there ever was a point in time that resembled one like we are in. Perhaps my self-absorbed tendencies drive me to believe these times are different from others and life is moving just as it has in decades and centuries and millennia prior. Or perhaps not.

Perhaps the frequency and intensity of catastrophic storms has increased and what we have experienced over the past two months is a prelude to what is to come.

Perhaps parts of Earth that have remained dormant for ages are awakening and preparing to engulf its habitats with violent shakes and explosive fire.
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Perhaps the expectation of leading with integrity has finally faded with morals and a sense of compassion for the weak and lonely, replaced instead by histrionic, narcissistic displays parading proudly.

Perhaps love is fading and the lonely, disenfranchised have had enough so they choose to inflict pain on the weak to feel strong and seek revenge to appear powerful.

Perhaps this world existed when I was a child but I was too blind to see.
If this movie continues, what will final scenes look like? Who will take the lead roles? Who will be the last survivors? How will the set be designed? What will be the sound of the score?

There is a lot of work for us to do if we want a say in the final scenes, whether we are here for them or not. The actions we take today will directly impact weather events, political decisions and the actions of our fellow man.

YES! YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

While the Earth has a natural rhythm, we have the power to disrupt it. When we take more than we need we create an imbalance. When we dirty the air and the water and the land we chip away from the whole we were trusted with. Take only what you need; care for the rest.

Elections take place every year, sometimes more than once a year. Let your voice be heard – VOTE. Vote at local elections. Vote on bills and amendments. Vote to represent your community. Many elections have come down to the difference of a few votes. Your vote can be the difference, don’t let it go to waste.

Finally, love. Love without boundaries. Love because everyone deserves it. Love because you can’t stand to see another senseless act of violence. A compliment or a kind word might change the course of someone’s day. The gift of compassion might change the course of someone’s life. Love because you want to be loved. Love because love.

The only drama I want to see is on the big screen. The phrase “in a world” is completely appropriate for escapism at the theater, but I could do without it on the small screen.