Tragedy

The world seems to be carrying the burden of loss lately. The loss we are experiencing is not one we know how to react to. What injustice can be felt at the loss of a holy man? What anger can arise at nature for washing away entire cities?

Even the United States of America, who lowers their flag for little reason outside of their own existence, today, lowers their flag for on Nelson Mandela. For those of you who are unaware of who he is or what he did -- Mandela dedicated his life to bettering his country. He fought a legally binding racism and paved the way for mixed race leadership in his country. He was imprisoned for 27 years for his passion. Later in life he worked heavily with anti HIV charity.

Many will try and pin his greatness on character, change, goals. There are many reasons that he was a great man and we should mourn the loss of his enlightening presence. I recognize him most for the way he engaged what he believed in. Too often I meet those who choose to boycott. With statements like "It is hopeless." "What can I do?" and "I don't want to support a broken system." many excuse their lack of action. Mandela was actively involved in the system precisely because he wanted to change it. He had a career defined by involvement. He changed it from the inside. That is why I find him amazing.

And he is gone.

You can't change the flow of the river by standing on the riverbanks watching. Who will step up next?

We have hundreds of people stepping up right now to work in the Republic of the Philippines. After the tsunami sucked people from their beds and the earthquake flattened their homes-- we are responding.

We feel loss. No one was murdered. No terrorists attacked. No government official neglected his duties and allowed the death of his own people. We just saw life vanish. We mourn the loss. It is sad. It is really sad.

Mopey the missing dwarf.

Someone recently me accused me of moping. Being the strong independent female I am, I immediately entered defense mode and denied all accusations. "What! I am NOT moping or sulking or dwelling or anything of that nature!!" Needless to say my feathers were ruffled. I was very angry.

But then another friend said something similar to me, but put much more gently. The conversation went tosmething like this:

me: Friend, I feel as if the Universe hates me. Everything keeps going wrong.

friend: Silly, the Universe isn't making things go wrong, you are letting them.

What does this add up to? Get off your butt and make better decisions. Am I moping? Maybe not quite. To be fair there have been many things that have been out of my control. But there have been a lot of things that resulted directly from my own decisions. It always bothers me when women complain about all of the losers that they date. "Why can't I just find a good guy?" They mope. Now I feel a little like a hypocrite. I have been living my life as a risk taker-- live life to the fullest!!! But then act surprised or want people to bring me flowers when I break my leg skydiving as if I were involved in some tragedy and God hated me. Ha! I would like to take this moment to apologise to my dear friend. May they find my apology drifting through their space.

What am I trying to say? I believe in tragedy. I do. But I also believe that tragedy is very often misdiagnosed. Rather, moping is misdiagnosed for tragedy. People want to help. I promise. It is way easier to fix someone else's problems than your own-- solution? Get together with a buddy and everyone gets help! Ha! What an idea! Ok. I know it is not that simple. But getting out of any problem is only as complicated as it is. Emotions aside you can find a way. I believe in you, as I believe in myself. I am asking for help. Help!