Death at the door

Death knocks on one door

And leaves none other untouched.

One door bangs shuts with great determination

One quivers and shakes  even when closed

Yet another stands undecided.

 

When an old schoolmate passed away, it created a ripple effect amongst all of us. The world seemed to stand still for a minute.  Those who were close to her wept for the loss. Those who knew her  30-od years ago were totally taken aback.  We each wept in our own way.  

Can  you cry for someone whom you had only known in another part of your life? The tears I brushed away speak  for themselves.

 Thoughts  flit across minds when death has done his evil deed.  

• “Who’s next?”
• “How would I have handled the endless rounds of chemotherapy?”
•  “Life is a game. Ultimately, we have no control over it.”
• “It’s time to count my blessings.”
•  “How will her young son cope?”
• “Dear Lord, please save me from the woes of cancer.”
• “I should be more grateful to  God letting me recover from my illness.”
• “Why did she have to suffer so much?”
•  “I am ready for death. As long as I don’t have to suffer.”
• “How will my family cope?”

 I’ve said a prayer for her soul, hoping  that she is now totally at peace.

The lessons death teach us stay fresh in our mind – sadly, only for a short time. The further he is, the more we mock his powers. Until he visits our corner of the world again.

A Green New Year Resolution

Don’t buy something unless you really need it.

Come on, your mother told you that tons of times, didn’t she? But did you ever listen? Noooooo.

Mother Nature would have yelled out the same thing. She didn’t. Now she’s just punishing us in different ways. Think about it the next time you are fiddling the air conditioning switches in your car, wondering why it can’t combat the heat outside. The problem is not with the car, but with you and me.

“I will not buy it if I really, really don’t need it.” Add it on to your resolutions /  goals or whatever it is you want to call that list. Write it down on slips of paper, on that electronic device you’re attached to, or stamp in on your mind.

Making a difference in the world is that simple. The article Let’s change the business paradigm – and save theplanet, mentions it.

“Now the company asks customers tosign a pledge that they won't buy something unless they really need it.”

That’s what we should do. Get together with a couple of friends and sign a pledge not to buy unnecessarily. At least, you’ll be able to nudge one another on towards keeping it.