I posted recently that I struggled to find anything to say in response to the endless succession of bad news.  I shared a response to some word-free prayers that I had found really helpful.  I have pondered the words of those such as Elie Weisel and Martin Neimoller that see silence as collusion, and of other bloggers who feel that it is better to say something, however trivial (and hence open to negative criticism!) than nothing.

So what do I say?  What can I say?

If I say, and it's true, that all I hear about are events in the wealthy west, that what causes us to recoil in horror occurs day in day out in places we never hear about, does that mean I care less or deem acceptable such actions?  Of course not.  But it is true.

If I say, and it's true, that the ever increasing flood of reports of tragedy has the potential to lead to compassion  fatigue, which is also true, do I have a viable alternative?  I don't.

If I say, and it is the case, that I can't do everything and can end up so paralysed that I risk doing nothing, does that make me somehow a lesser person?  I hope not.

If I choose not to make some quick response, some knee-jerk reaction, am I colluding with the status quo?  Some would say so.

So what do I do?

I continue to pray with countless others for the continued expression of God's Kingdom/Kindom/Commonwealth/Common Wheal (sp?) or whatever people want to call it on earth.

I continue to practice forgiveness, even when it's hard, even when I am deeply wounded by words, actions or attitudes.

I continue to be grateful for what is good, to express that even in small ways for small things.

I choose hope, and love, and faith... and laughter, and kitty cats, and roses...

Life is not existence, life is a choice... and whether my words are many or few, whether I get it right or wrong or somewhere in between, I do my best to choose life.

Pray for the world... think global, act local:

God of all places, may your kingdom come, and may I play my part, however small, in its expression.