photo #1626061

We've all got one. That perfect place that's still as fresh in our minds as it was back when we saw it. This was/is still one of mine. Whenever I could, I'd walk to the fantail of the ship and watch a sunset disappearing under our wake. I can almost smell the ocean, and hear the hiss the wake made behind us. After seeing something like that, you begin to understand your miniscule part in the grand scheme of things. You've got your own moment/place/time in your mind. Of course it's not the same as mine. The reason I bring it up is because I've been spending more and more time there in my mind, which tells me I'm not the only one right now. Our society has become so permeated with negativity it's almost impossible to avoid the plethora of wormholes they want us to go down to defeat our critical thinking processes. I'm not entirely sure how they've done it, but they've somehow managed to infect every facet of our lives with politics. No matter what we do, the divisions and prostitutions of reason are everywhere. That's why I wind up here on a regular basis anymore. Most of them don't have the luxury of knowing what we do, or they'd annex that, too. Every time you find yourself mired in one of their wormholes, just stop long enough to go to your special memory to remind yourself they'll never be able to take it away from you. The sights, smells, sounds, and fullness of that moment assuredly drown out the drivel being spewed by those who'll never have the appreciation we do. Being largely narcissistic by nature, they can't appreciate anything but themselves. That's why they attack like rabid dogs, because misery loves company. They're a failure, so it only follows everybody else has to be one, too. Being ignorant of a better existence, they're always going to end up where they've already started. Personally, I don't pity them because they made their own choice, and if they ever asked me how I can handle it, I'd tell them. But, alas, they won't. They're convinced we all want to live in a constant world of misery. Everything's always somebody else's fault, as personal responsibility is as foreign to them as the lack of it is to us. Escapism? No, just reflection of times past. An endorphin release, if you will. They use drugs to escape their reality. As long as we regularly visit our fondest memories, we'll continue to move forward. If we find ourselves dropping to their level, they'll only beat us by experience. NEVER PLAY THE OTHER MAN'S GAME. Instead of attack ads and divisive language, paint a picture of a better future. Don't regress and fall into that wormhole, talk about the future and plans to effect that paradigm. Stick with what works, and I can assure you it's not negative motivation. Without hope, the people perish. That's why so many people die from drug overdoses every year. They just can't see any way out. There's nothing we can do about it until they make the decision for themselves. It's the same with the ne'er-do-wells in society today. We can paint the picture, show them a map, and point the way, but they've got to take that first step. We can only hope they'll find our footprints we leave behind. You can't push a noodle. Yes, I've tried. That's what leads me back to my memories to recharge. Try it, it works. Meanwhile, should you run into me while I'm in my reverie, just move along. I'm there for a reason.