I am tired of people who complain about the “plots” of the
elite, or the state of the environment, or of youth, or First Nations and then
do nothing constructive about it. I am tired of people who think the world owes
them a favour; but contribute nothing but criticism or cynicism to it. I am
tired of people who complain about the status
quo or tired old politicians with ties to the multi-nationals and whose
response is not to participate in the political process. And I am tired of talk
about reconciliation and then the failure of people to look to the future
rather than the past long gone. Complaining about the slow pace of reconciliation
and then failing to participate in a moment of reconciliation is
counterproductive if not outright silly. As one Royal has stated: “Hindsight is
a poor judge of history”. I would add that hindsight will accomplish little if
one does not participate in making the present and future better by attention
to it.
We could all dwell in the realm of victimhood if we wished. It
is easy to blame something or someone for our failed condition. Yes,
colonization did a lot of harm. It also did some good. Yes, industrialization
did some harm. It also accomplished some good. We have all been conquered at
one time or another in our people’s various histories. Dwelling in the role of
the vanquished with self-pity is not going to accomplish anything for the
better.
Yes, the natural world is awe-inspiring. It can also be
cruel and terrifying. Balance is hard to achieve. Justice is hard to achieve.
Peace is hard to achieve. But hope and then striving, looking to what is good rather
than to what is bad, to what is possible rather than to what was a failure in
our collective past are the only things that can bring an individual any sense
of purpose or fulfillment. It is the only route I see to a better and more
inspired world.
