Life in Fours

Exploration. Death. Protests. Birth.

All take courage, and all are happening right now.

𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. To strap into a rocket ship going 4.9 miles per SECOND takes courage. SpaceX, with NASA, after nine years, marked a return to space flights out of the United States. Last year, NASA announced an initiative to enable humans to return to the Moon. Mars is next on NASA's plans as well.

Why does this matter? Broadening one's horizons comes from the process of exploring, either physically or mentally. Now we are returning to broadening our universe. Exploration reminds us that we are more than our home, our country, and our planet, which is essential to keeping perspective. Without exploration, we wouldn't have found that tribe over the hill. I think the timing of this launch is perfect for what's going on in the world because we're all exploring right now.

𝗗𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵. To talk about death takes courage. 400,000 people have died around the world from a virus, reminding me of our vulnerabilities, that someone we love can be there one day and gone the next. While I'm still on my journey of accepting death, I am aware that death allows me to appreciate life.

Spoiler alert, it's where we're all going one day. If that sends a jolt of fear through you as it does me, then there's work to do. Many cultures talk about death, some celebrate, some honor it every year, others try to get it over with as soon as possible and forget it happened.

Remembering where we're all headed, I believe, can bring us closer together. Have death crossed your mind the next argument you have. Not in a morbid sense, but in a "Will I remember this on my death bed?" sort of way. I have to admit, writing about death right now has me afraid, that's why we need to talk about it. I believe keeping death close reminds me to live and appreciate other's lives.

Ram Dass sums up what I'm seeking to say in 7 words: "𝑊𝑒'𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 ℎ𝑜𝑚𝑒." -Ram Dass

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀. It takes courage to stand up against something you believe is wrong. When I see the cries of pain out in the United States, I see a request to look inward. Now isn't a time to settle. As a country, let us not strive to be better than we were 60 years ago, let's be better than we were yesterday. Our country is changing. Change isn't comfortable. I do not believe the vast majority has been violent. For the minority who are creating violence or calling for it, I understand. I do not say you are wrong for it, and I will say I don't think it will create what you hope it will. Any change caused by fear or destruction will only create more.

If I were able to ask the violent protestors one question, it would be, Is it change you want or retribution? If it is change you want, then what will the American people hear when you loot? Violence only gives the oppressor an excuse for their oppressing, don't give it to them.

Social media has been a massive tool in bringing people together for the common good. It can also be a tool to tear someone down. I've seen dozens of arguments arise the past week, and I've been reading each one. I honestly became slightly attached to the drama of it. I got on Facebook thinking, 𝑊ℎ𝑜'𝑠 𝑔𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑤𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐼'𝑚 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑏𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑙𝑒 𝑡𝑜𝑑𝑎𝑦? and It takes only a few scrolls to find one argument.

𝗧𝗼 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲, 𝘄𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘂𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲. 𝗪𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘂𝘀.Most racist people probably don't believe that they are racist, so calling them that reasonably pushes them away, creating a deeper divide. What if we befriended the racists? Befriended the Conservative or Liberal?

I imagine that if we genuinely dare to look, we will find racism inside of us. Instead of being right, what if we related? I may not have the extreme views of those I disagree with, but can I understand them? Yes, and at that moment we both heal and grow together.

𝗕𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵. It takes courage to live in this world. 60 Million people were born into this world this year. What planet are they entering? Do we want these children to grow up in a world that refuses to listen to those who are suffering?

The Afghanistan war is still considered ongoing for 19 years. There are children in the United States who were born during a war they could now fight in.

𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲. It takes courage to speak about peace. The exciting part is that all the children born this year have a chance to live in a tolerant, connected, and open world. We all do. Even though we know different, we can unlearn our violent habits, both physical and mental. I've seen it. I've experienced it. Only together can we do this. Climbing a mountain is better with someone next to you, so is life.

Let's explore our souls, kill our predispositions, protest injustice, rebirth our love, and bring peace to each other.

If you took the time to read all of this, whether you agree or disagree with me, thank you. I'm not looking for agreement or disagreement. I wrote this for me, and since I see you and me as the same, I wrote it for you.