No Tempting Horizons

It occurred to me this morning, as I thought about all the violence, discontent, boredom and confusion of present day, to wonder why. How did we - America, I meant, then realized it isn't just "us" but everyone, everywhere - get to this state of restlessness tinged with anger?  Why, with all the technology and advancements in many areas of life should there be an infectious virus of disgruntlement spreading across our world?   There have always been scary winds whispering destruction but lately they brazenly shout and taunt emboldened by a people who no longer look beyond themselves. Ah, I thought. Could a kernel of the answer lie in those words ‘beyond themselves’? 

What things beyond ourselves have we lost?  One thing is exploration.  There was a time when whole continents were undiscovered, when America was only thirteen colonies and who knew what treasures and mysteries might await just over those mountains or across that ocean? We had men and women who were adventurous, curious and brave. Now, people are bored and jaded and fearful trading quests for small, trivial amusements.  There used to be men and women who looked at the stars and felt a draw to explore and discover, who wondered at the depth and scope of the seas and the beauty and benefit of going into their watery wonderland.  No more. No longer do we dream of unknown worlds, nor do we care to.

Men and women from different parts of the globe worked side by side against staggering obstacles to build this land.  That there was inequality and white arrogance there is no doubt, but we were making strides, slowly to be sure, but strides.  Now, there is a new tolerance and diversity sound bite on the air. But, you know something? It is all scarves, mirrors and distraction.  I believe it started with good intentions but quickly morphed into “I’ll be tolerant as long as you are just like me” and “let’s include different races and nationalities so we look like we are loving us some diverse”.  True tolerance allows people to have their own beliefs, their own culture, their own language and their own pride. If we were diverse we wouldn’t even notice. Everyone would be accepted for who they are not what they are.  We are too selfish, too small in character and have eyes that only look inward to my needs, my wants, my RIGHTS.

Perhaps the worse narcissism of our day though is that we no longer have anything or anyone bigger than ourselves to admire, to look to. We have deserted God, having first belittled, caricatured as a burlesque buffoon and finally denied completely.  Man has become the all-powerful and the Earth our subject to save.  It is a bit ironic to me that we have becomes gods to Earth and saviors, sacrificing for her salvation. We are blind children thinking we see the light, thinking we are the light. Our new religion is called Politics and we bow down to ease and security. We are no longer men and women but sheep, sheep without a loving shepherd and we have no one to blame but our weak, silly, visionless selves.