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bewilderment
November 2009 
What confuses you?
Posted on Oct 16th, 2009
by 
Geo
Geo
This is in Response to the Questions and Reflections for October 14, 2009:
What has confused me for as long as I can remember is our (humanity's) indifference and outright cruelty that it can inflict on the rest of the world.
War, famine, disease, economic plundering, natural resource depletion, need I go on?
In my line of work I occasionally see and confront this cruelty front and center. Amazing.
Other times I see the complete aplomb that others have when the steal, either by force or sophistication. They only want "more". Even though, if I were to ask them to their face, "How much is enough? What are you doing with these riches to help others?" they would have no answer.
A real estate broker here in Aspen sold a home for $46 million. Imagine that 7% commission, then imagine that same broker complaining that business is down and he doesn't know what he's going to do.
That's right, baffling, isn't it?
How much is enough?
A 6 month child shows up in our emergency room and x-rays show broken ribs, and signs of previous broken ribs, all in his too short little life.
Imagine the 18 year-old father saying, "He wouldn't stop crying", as if this were some sort of excuse, permission as it were to wound this child.
Do you realize this is a defenseless child incapable of taking care of even it's most basic of needs?
I haven't been working lately due to some issues, and it's been rather nice to not have to deal with the drunks, the spouse beaters, drug addicts, alcoholics, car wrecks, injuries, animals shot just for some part of their body, then dumped and on and on.
It's nice to not have to deal with those, but I also know in my heart of hearts that these things didn't go away just because I am not there. As I hike along my silent trails in the valleys and up on the mountains, all these things and more are happening every day, every hour, every second.
So what to do to deal with this confusion?
Some time ago I wrote that I can't save everyone, but I save those that I can, and so, if I save you, you save me. I can't do it all, so I do what I can.
The interesting thing about not being at work and being able to spend significant time with myself is the inward looking that can occur during these long walks or just long evenings with myself on the couch letting my mind wander to where it wants.
Wonderful questions come in and announce their presence like, "Am I where I need to be right now?"
I wonder if my line of work is doing the best that I can with what I have at this stage of my life, or do I need to pack it in and bet it all on something else. Hmmmmm.
As the king of Siam said to Anna, "'Tis a puzzlement!"
Access: Public
I get it Geo. Interesting blog. I always say, when contemplating whether enough is being done, the story of the man throwing starfish back into the ocean is appropriate. If you haven't heard it, I'll tell you. It's my favourite.
Peace n' immortality,
Kate
We are capable to create the most beautiful dreams and the most terrible dramas… Is a polarity world and am wishing to be just a good one… Hugs my dear friend, I completely understand your quest… (()) Yesterday my friend OM posted on her blog: ”God grant me the power to change the things I can, the serenity to accept the things I can't change, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
I have been wondering the same thing in a very strong way about teaching. I don't know what I will do about it, if anything, but I do know that if I return to the moment, then I feel peace return, if not immediately, then fairly shortly, even if the moment means dealing with an angry student whose world is in collapse and who is lashing out at everyone around her. Mindfulness is what keeps me relatively sane. The quandary comes for me when I ask myself, when will I know it's the moment to put something in motion for the big change?
I hope you're doing all right. Please take good care.