The Silence of Nature allows reflection. Not matter how challenging today is with all the stress of disease, money, war and politics, I can be still in nature, and think about similar times in the past when I was much younger. I reflect on my peace, not because I have retired, but because I have survived.
I experienced inflation, mortgage rates above 15%, speed limits limited to 55 to save gas, turning off cars at intersections in Europe (they have warning lights to restart the car), the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the onslaught of AIDS.
The ever increasing stress on generations who have not experienced societal discomfort is interesting to watch. I tell Gen X, Y, and Z people (20s-40s) that they will survive these harder times. We Baby Boomers, who are blamed for many issues, survived and thrived during the “harder” times of the 1970s and 1980s. Conflict and challenges creates character. It truly does. The circle of life continues.
We traveled to Abilene State Park in Texas on a weekday. There were very few people there in the middle of somewhere. The drive inside the park led us to nice pathways, buffalo wallows where they came for water, and a most arresting bird sanctuary. To see more than one painted bunting was a thrill. Add to that all the other birds arriving and the cacophony of birdsong delighted us upon reflection. Reflection.
“God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits,
to the woman who diligently seeks.
It’s a good thing to quietly hope,
quietly hope for help from God.
It’s a good thing when you’re young
to stick it out through the hard times.
When life is heavy and hard to take,
go off by yourself. Enter the silence.
Bow in prayer. Don’t ask questions:
Wait for hope to appear.
Don’t run from trouble. Take it full-face.
The “worst” is never the worst.” Lamentations 3:26-30 The Message