Why Should I Care?

I was listening to the ten o’clock news last night and was regaled by the usual progression of natural and man made disasters – floods in Samoa, roadside bombs in Afghanistan, fires in Southern California, political repression in Iran, several murders in Oakland, and just in case that’s not enough to keep the juices flowing, the swine flu is still spreading throughout the world.  Just for an instant the thought crossed my mind, “Why do I really care?”  And I realized that there are several different ways to answer that question.

I could say, simply and straightforward, that I don’t care.  I’m not responsible for those disasters, I don’t know any of the people involved, and other than allowing me to realize how much better off I am than those poor suckers, it really makes no difference in my life what happens halfway around the world, or even in the East Bay, for that matter.  Just keep it out of my backyard.  Better them than me.  There are, to be sure, a lot of people who think this way.

I could also say that I do care.  I mean it’s a damn shame that stuff like this goes on, and people end up suffering, often times for things that are simply not their fault, but there’s nothing I can do about it, so why get all worked up?  What do you expect me to do anyway?  It’s all I can do in this economy to keep above water, no disrespect meant to the flood victims.  Besides, if it’s not one thing it’s another.  I’m real sorry for them, but thank God I’m okay, knock wood.

Then I guess I could really feel someone’s pain so strongly that I write a check or something, flood relief or a food bank or, you know, whatever feels right for me.  I mean, it’s the luck of the draw, isn’t it.  That could be me treading water or lining up for free food, or scrounging through charred remains, or gazing at the photo of a lost loved one.  Man, there’s a lot of suffering in the world. Giving some money is the least I can do.

Of course, if I were truly coming from a place of higher consciousness, I would recognize that I am not just like those suffering people halfway around the world, I am those suffering people.  There is only one ‘I’ existing in many and multiple forms.  Their pain is my pain just the same way that my joy is their joy.  Not only can I feel compassion for others, I can work to eliminate their pain and suffering by living peace and radiating love.  Joining forces with those who are already sending peaceful energy out into the universe,  Not fighting for peace, that’s absurd. Being peace, that’s the ticket.  Subtle activism it is called.  Of course, a check to help solve the current crisis wouldn’t be a bad idea as well.

(to be continued)

peace……………ag

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