Pinpoints of Clarity

“Often, I’m burdened by the cruel madness of some in this world, at my immediate anger with them. But I stop and consider those who give of themselves, create beauty and share it, and I find hope.”—Helen Noakes

Waking Point

By Helen Noakes

“If there is going to be any hope for the future – if the future is going to be real – it must be free of contamination that restricts what is and what has gone before.”—Llewllyn Vaughan-Lee

SAN FRANCISCO California—(Weekly Hubris)—3/7/2016—I recoil at the bombastic orators of hatred, the ones gorging on an excess of self-importance, the ones whose appetites for deception are never sated.

But then I see someone stop, reach down to help a shivering and hollow-eyed lost soul who has suffered too many losses, too much pain—a  man hungry for food, for warmth, for human kindness. And I’m reminded that one act of compassion can alter the dynamics of fear, of loathing, of rage. This man who reaches down to his fellow man and sees within him an aspect of himself, another being deserving of attention, care, and nurturing, can change the world. Ten such as he will inspire ten more, and the fury of loathing is quelled by the force of reason and grace.

I grieve for the killers, whose lust for blood is enabled by voracious makers and sellers of weapons, by politicians who’ve sold their souls for 30 pieces of silver. I grieve for the innocent who are killed by the gunmen, the gun sellers, the gun makers, the politicians whose humanity is lost.

But then I see the doctors who cross dangerous borders to minister to the sick and the dying, in places where living is a dangerous matter. And I’m overwhelmed by gratitude for those who brave lethal danger to heal those in dire need. With that gratitude comes the knowledge that these, along with others like the charitable man, increase the ranks of people who can heal our world’s infectious blindness of greed and bigotry.

I revile the torturers, whose empty eyes speak of souls long dead.

But then, I see a young man stand before a tank, a young man armed only with his convictions, his courage, and his hope. And I know that in its essence, humanity longs for justice, for peace, for the freedom to thrive without depriving others of their lives. I know that valor lives in young and old, burns bright in every race and creed. It is an eternal flame, added to the luminosity of the compassionate and the healers.

I cry out against the peddlers of human flesh, the predators who prey on the young, the disposed, the helpless.

But then I see a girl, dressed demurely in the veil prescribed for women of her culture, stand up and say: “No more!” – the fire in her eyes matched only by the blazing certainty of her beliefs. In her I perceive the archetype of protector, the speaker of truth, who raises not a sword but a voice to be heard by the world, demanding that all nations take a stand against atrocities.

I condemn the hunters, those specimens of humanity who find pleasure in killing creatures far more beautiful than themselves.

But then I see a woman run across a busy highway to rescue a terrified, injured dog. And I’m in awe of her bravery, the goodness of her heart, of her awareness that all and everything is one, that life must be respected, valued, nurtured.

Often, I’m burdened by the cruel madness of some in this world, at my immediate anger with them. But I stop and consider those who give of themselves, create beauty and share it, and I find hope.

There is, I’m a pleased to say, a movement of people in every part of the world, individuals, groups, organizing to counteract the tired, pointless tactics of wars, vengeance, and brutality. I see young people and old working together to awaken humanity to the realization that what the power brokers of this world have been doing for centuries is absurdly illogical and self-destructive.

The wrong acts we see in the world are blind destructive patterns which were taught and accepted for too long without conscious consideration of their implications. Contrary to the belief of some, that these represent a moral stance, it’s patently obvious to an honest, impartial observer that they represent a moral failure.

The people I’ve noted, the charitable, the healers, the courageous, the seekers after truth and justice, are pinpoints of clarity in the muddle of a confused and chaotic world. Watching the numbers of humanitarians growing leads me to believe that this movement will eventually make a great difference to our future.

Absolutely necessary is a willful determination to change the status quo, to create balance, to heal this lethal disease of selfish intolerance.

The time is now for you to join the movement. Here are some suggestions. If you have more, please post the data in the Waking Point comment segment and I will post them after my next column.

Amnesty International

Animal Rescue Site

Boroume

Breast Cancer Site

Doctors Without Borders 

Human Rights Watch 

Hunger Site

Literacy Site

Rain Forest Site

World Wildlife Fund