Don’t Count On The Eclipse

There’s a big celestial event happening in the United States this year on August 21st. A solar eclipse, when the moon blocks out the sun, is visible in our skies. There is a lot of hype about it on social media and in the news.

In some traditions, it is a time for fasting and prayer because it brings a lot of negative energy to the areas of visibility. There are those who say it is a sign in the heavens indicating major changes ahead. Is change necessarily a bad thing? Maybe it’s time for some major changes.

Around the world people are in a state of unrest and uncertainty. Violence and riots are breaking out in random places. Hopelessness and despair abound because people are struggling just to try to survive in this forlorn world.

There’s a pill for everything and a pill to counteract the side effects of that pill. There are chemicals in our food to preserve it forever or to keep pests from it. If insects and animals refuse to eat it, should WE be devouring it? I’ve heard the expression, if you can’t pronounce the ingredients, you shouldn’t be eating it.

The cost of living is higher than wages. People can’t afford to be healthy. Medical professionals charge a small fortune just to see patients. Natural foods, nature’s medicine, is overpriced.  But, a dollar buys foods that have no nutritional value.

Life is becoming a landslide. Instead of struggling to climb to the top through ambition and perseverance, most people work hard only to lose ground and keep sliding down to the depths of poverty. Their best isn’t enough anymore.

Discontent and worry have people less patient. Minor squabbles turn into lifelong feuds. Natural disasters join man-made ones. The threat of war hangs over the entire world.

People are so quick to blame the current leaders but in truth it’s been building up for a long time already. Sooner or later it’s inevitable. It may be just a roll of the dice to see who will be in office and blamed for causing it.

Nobody wants to turn the other cheek or try to be understanding and compassionate. It seems these days the majority of the people are only out for themselves.

I’m all for being sure your own needs are met first before helping someone else. But, if you have four apples and your neighbor is hungry and has none, give him two apples. It seems these days people are selfish enough to let the apples spoil and possess them rather than share them with another who may not be able to pay for them in one way or another. It’s all about money and cost and value instead of love and sharing and caring.

Will this solar eclipse bring about major changes in these areas? Probably not. These are the changes we need, but no celestial event can bring about these changes. Only we the people can begin to bring these changes to fruition. It starts with one. It starts with a few.

Change begins with a few brave souls willing to be different, willing to stand out from the crowd. Change begins with people strong enough to stand up against injustices and inequality.

You’ll never see change if you stick with the flock. If you just “go with the flow” around you and avoid making ripples you will have no opportunity to see what change YOU might be in the world.

Don’t wait for a celestial event to make a change in your life. When it doesn’t happen you will be disappointed. Be the change you hope for. Make the change happen.

Be a voice. Stand up!  Be counted! Be the red shirt in a sea of blue ones.

The eclipse will last a matter of minutes. The changes YOU make can last a lifetime and beyond.