joyful2beeblogs

Last night I had trouble going to sleep. I realized that at least part of the day I had had unsettled feelings. I felt like the old person who is always saying, “I long for the good ole days when everyone got along (or whatever)…. wasn’t like this.”

I couldn’t watch the news about so many people in the hospital sick from Covid. Most of the very ones who were sick were the ones who didn’t take the vaccines against Covid. The number of children being admitted was staggering and much higher than last year’s numbers. I didn’t know whether to feel angry or sad that they were suffering. Then I thought about the number of shootings, angry people on airplanes attacking other passengers or attendants. I saw videos of newsmen in Hong Kong being hauled off to prison. The Soviet Union still massing soldiers at the border of Ukraine. I was upset that so many were suffering and I couldn’t do anything to stop it all.

Why are people so angry? What in the world is happening to us? I learned a few years ago that anger is often a camoflage for fear. We go into “fight or flight” mode when one or more of our systems of behavior or beliefs are challenged by someone who exists in ways differently from our own. “We are the right ones after all! How dare someone challenge what we believe! They are different and therefore wrong! If they’re not wrong, then could we possibly be wrong? No, we are right no matter what!”

I think people are afraid. Afraid to trust others; afraid to try something new; some are afraid of getting sick; some are afraid of the covid vaccines. Some are in denial about the possiblity that anyone could get this virus, even the vaccinated people. People are afraid of being homeless if they don’t make enough money to live on. Supplies are low because of truck drivers being sick. Supplies are delayed at the docks and not delivered. Whatever should we do? More panic and fear?

Suddenly the words from an old song came into my mind as I tried to cope with all of this. “Try to love one another once more.” That line kept going through my head, until I looked it up on my computer. Aha! The words were a song from years ago! Then the song came back to me as I read the words by the group, “The Youngbloods.”

That made me feel the importance of staying up to write this up till a little after midnight. I hope it makes a difference as a reminder that we need to get to know each other, care about each other, and accept each other as we are and most importantly try to love one another.

“Love is but a song we sing
Fear’s the way we die
You can make the mountains ring
Or make the angels cry
Though the bird is on the wing
And you may not know why

Come on, people now
Smile on your brother
Everybody get together
Try to love one another right now

Some may come and some may go
He will surely pass
When the one that left us here
Returns for us at last
We are but a moment’s sunlight
Fading in the grass

Come on, people now
Smile on your brother
Everybody get together
Try to love one another right now

If you hear the song I sing
You will understand, listen
You hold the key to love and fear
All in your trembling hand
Just one key unlocks them both
It’s there at your command

Come on, people now
Smile on your brother
Everybody get together
Try to love one another right now

I said come on, people now
Smile on your brother
Everybody get together
Try to love one another right now
Right now
Right now

(I left off several of the repetitive choruses)

Source: Musixmatch. Songwriters: Jesse Colin Young Get Together lyrics © Bernard’s Other Music, Pigfoot Music, Irving Music Inc.

I live in a condo with a microcosm of people. There is a Muslim couple who babysits with their grandkids everyday so their son and his wife can work. There is a Hindu couple who are doctors and they love their adult children and are so proud of them. Their is an older couple whose daughters are grown and working. One is married. There is one lady of German parents who grew up in Texas. One lady is of Irish parents who met here in the States. There is another couple who are from Ireland. There is a young woman who works everyday and comes back late afternoon. There is another retired couple and myself.

We all get along like a family! When I had two surgeries one year one of the older ladies scooped my two cat’s litter boxes. She also drove me to physical therapy weekly for a month, after my right heel surgery. People bought me food when I had Covid last year. The Muslim couple are always giving me gallon bottles of spring water, chocolate and we greet each other with smiles. The Hindu couple are both as kind and nice as you could want for a neighbor. The three Catholic Christians are frequently praying for everyone to heal, be safe, get well, or whatever they are asked to or inspired to pray about. These are all good people! We all watch out for each other!

We all came from the same source, have bodies and needs the same as everyone else. Can we please try something different? Try to Love one another right now! Let’s try to be openly kind, friendly, at the least courteous. Make our world a better place. Please!