Enjoy the moment. Billions of moments make up our lives. We seek the big event and it is in front of our faces. Moments are the snapshots of our time here on Earth.
I saw the movie Civil War yesterday and it was jarring. The idea of our Good And Pleasant Land being torn apart was difficult to watch. Americans are accustomed to peace and tranquility, we do what we want and act as we please. We assume that everyone is enjoying life as we do. Our favorite restaurant welcomes us and holidays are a basic tenant of our yearly calendar. We worship where we choose, stay at home, or visit the woods for spiritual nourishment.
Constructive criticism is our birthright we exercise it daily.
The sudden report and crack of a semiautomatic weapon is frightening.
I sit on the Writing Porch and feel like I am in Maine. The birds are singing. The Great White Heron is fishing. I have returned from the woods where no one interfered with my daily walk and photography session. I pulled into Aldi’s grocery and the nice lady brought my groceries to my car. Surrounded by peace in a land of many strifes. When these strifes boil over we are surprised and dismayed. Why are there so many unhappy people?
Who is winning? Why must life be a zero-sum game? When you are hungry there is no peace. Persecution brings no peace. Marginalization and prejudice make it difficult to see the Good And Pleasant Land from your blanket that is next to your shopping cart holding all of your earthly possessions.
Live vicariously through our good fortune we say to the poor and the hungry those who have no voice.
We are proud Americans fighting and dying for our brothers and sisters from Missouri, Kentucky, California, and Texas. If you look like the image we see in our mirror and you sound like us you are us.
Who are all of these people who make up the Melting Pot of America? We did not live next door to them nor know their mama or dad. Did we play stickball with them or were they at our high school prom?
We just had our boil water order lifted but our nation is boiling, we all want to partake of the Good And Pleasant Land…
The Happy Traveler 
Thoughtful post. I live next to people who seemingly have it all yet they sometimes behave with bitterness and anger as if their entitlement has not been thoroughly granted. I thought after 9/11 and Covid that we would have learned to be better people, but I guess I was idealistic and unrealistic. Thanks for your thought-provoking post.
Thank you, my friend.