What is Yours to Do?

The chill is on. Fall is on the way. The temperature is 54 degrees fahrenheit. Tomorrow will be the start of a new season - fall equinox. Today is Saturday.

Listening to the conversations that take place around us can be overwhelming. There are constant stories about conflict - both domestic and international. Then on top of this is the political season. Not just any political season, but we are in the last stretch of a presidential election season. Oh my.

This time, the electioneering has clearly reflected what is happening around the world. The violence, the propaganda machines in full force, the amnesia about the reason why leaders are needed – to serve the people. This is a clear, clean, and unambiguous picture of what is happening in real time this fall season. It's sad, too.

As this is being written, another so-called "senior leader" has been killed in the conflict raging in the middle east. The dialogue, the mediation, the foreign diplomacy has not abated the violence; rather, it has contributed to escalation. There are times when it is important to stop. Stop talking, stop visiting the people on the "other" side, stop conveying the offers and counter-offers because it is clear there is impasse. Then what?

Then, realize the conflict cannot be mediated by a third party. There has to be a way to allow whatever energy has built up to be released without being required to compromise. The third party needs to stand down, too. If you are not the one in the dispute; it may be time to stop trying to stop the conflict – that would be yours to do. Let go of your idea that you can get to peace.

It is very hard to do when you possess the illusion that you can resolve conflicts for others. Sometimes, maybe. Sometimes, not.

There are situations in which things need to reach their natural end. Sadly, that also means that people who are caught in the cross-fire, will perish. Who is holding the hope and the memory of each soul that is sacrificed because of the inability (or refusal) to see that there is a clear path out of the mess?

It is like riding a wild horse, holding on through the bucking and kicking - knowing that at any moment you could be thrown and meet your end. The horse wins. But if you can hold on through it all - the horse can be brought back into calm so the rider can gently dismount. What just happened?

All of the shaking, the hurling, the jarring motion must have let loose something... an awareness-with-understanding that this could be the last ride. And what would that mean to each of us? If we were to realize that this could be the last generation to know the beauty and wisdom of the natural world, the open seas, the ability to breathe without special equipment. Whoa!

Now, what is yours to do?