Thoughts Born of a Royal Visit

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.