Tuesday, September 22, 2009

It comes with the territory...


Is the human condition one of constant struggle? Today I've had a media overload. From the vitriolic speech of tea-baggers to the incessant crudeness of reality shows. I have to be very selective when it comes to watching TV. It's heartbreaking to realize that so much energy is put on sensationalism. But we cannot blame TV nor media for all our troubles.
It was Pride weekend here in Dallas, I volunteer to help at my church's booth. I belong to a very progressive church that is totally inclusive of diversity. It felt wonderful to celebrate our victories as an oppressed group and reaffirm our wishes for the future. On the way back to the car, I had to walk 10 blocks south from where the Pride event was taking place. I saw poverty all around me. Too many dilapidated buildings and houses inhabited by fellow Latinos. They seem particularly quiet, very quiet indeed in comparison to the party going on to the north of their neighborhood. They seemed to be lost in their thoughts. There were about ten or twelve people all together sitting in one yard watching a couple of kids play soccer. They looked tired and bored. They didn't make much noise either.
Some rejoice and others suffer. What a strange symphony. When I was a student of Tibetan Buddhism my lamas taught me to chant for the liberation of suffering and its cause. It is simply complicated. But I know hope transforms the lives of people. The worst thing a human being can be is hopeless. Hope is a call for love and realization. A loud and crystal clear call. I believe happiness exists, it might not be what you imagine it is. It might be even better.
I'm growing lots of hope in my mind-garden, so much indeed that I want to share it with everybody. I'm asking you, friends, Is the human condition one of constant hope?

13 comments:

nollyposh said...

To me the Human Condition is the play of the Maya... i believe that what we see and experience around us is the direct reflection of what we hold within... i think we all come here to experience/Be the expression of ~Love~... Maybe we are all ~God~ learning to express himself through the ~Human Condition~ and yes for some that has always been and still continues to be a ~Struggle~ x

Tess Kincaid said...

"I believe happiness exists, it might not be what you imagine it is. It might be even better."

Beautiful thoughts. I believe that of love, hope and faith, hope is the strongest.

Anonymous said...

if we were ALL able to live in a state of LOVE we would not want for anything, we would not desire anything and we would no longer require hope. In a state of LOVE we would provide for ourselves and each other all that was needed to maintain a state of happiness for all.
Having said that, giggle, we are a wee way from that state so yes indeed Hope is the elixir of this life.
xxsm

Sydney said...

It IS amazing how robust and resilient the human spirit is...

Anonymous said...

Pink Cowboy,
"HOPE" you're doin' OK. I see you haven't posted for awhile. I have been on leave from blogging. I found love in a wonderful lady friend and we are now married. Faith, hope, and love. Your post is very thought provoking. Let me hear from you soon.
The Bach

Cynthia Pittmann said...

Love the flipside statement,PC. I do think that hope is what makes waking up in the morning a pleasure and not a chore. It's wonderful to join in a positive cause with the anticipation of bringing about change. I celebrate with you.

GYPSYWOMAN said...

i've just come across your blog and have spent some time here reading your wonderfully colorful and spirited posts - beautifully said and done!

Perspective RAD said...

Hope you are doing ok... I always like checking out your blog :)

nollyposh said...

<3 MiSSing *YOU* Pink x

Linda S. Socha said...

Hello Pink
Wonderful post and good for me to read today!

I do think happiness is an inside job and one that requires on the job training....and hope is an essential element of that for me. Glad to see your post!
Hugs

karen said...

Just stopping in to wish you a merry holiday and sending you my love...miss you. Do hope all is well.
xoxox

Sydney said...

Mr. Pink, I just wanted to wish you a very happy holiday and New Year. I hope you come back and post again soon. I so love your inner soul which seems to pour out in these words and pictures. It's rare and wonderful... Love to you, Syd

Jo said...

Great Post Pink Cowboy!
My first thought is no - we aren't filled with hope by default, but more like we are struggling to find our meaning. Then I realized that when we get out of bed every morning there is an implied hope that we can make it through this day. I guess that is some kind of hope. However our world is getting filled with so much rage and ugliness, it is harder and harder to recognize that little breath of hope that lives in each of us.
Happy New Year!