"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."
- Laurence Binyon -
I had reason to think about life and death on Friday, it was the 11th day of November - Remembrance Day which, in Commonwealth countries and member States, has been commemorated since 1919 in honour of members of the armed forces who served and died in World War One.
There's official commemorations at war memorials and a minute of silence is observed at 11:00 on the day; I can't recall a year in which I've not done so and spent some time thinking about the sacrifices people have made so that others can enjoy freedom. As they say, freedom doesn't come for free.
Sadly, many people don't care these days which I find very disrespectful.
Whether a person was born here like myself, or has chosen to come from overseas and make Australia their home, respect should be shown for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice to provide freedom to others. Some people disgust me. However that freedom soldiers often pay for with their lives also means providing people the freedom to be disrespectful in return. It makes me angry to be honest.
Later on Friday, still quietly seething about those disrespectful assholes, I picked up and opened my book of quotes to spend some time feeding myself some value, [I hand write the ones I really like in there], and it opened to a page with the following quote upon it - I wrote it in there almost twenty five years ago and I find the words wise, and very powerful.
“So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide. Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and grovel to none. When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for being grateful, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision. When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.” - Chief Tecumseh [1768-1813]
After what happened earlier on Friday, and reading this quote a couple times, I was left wondering, in a society so enraptured by ego, greed and hubris and, increasingly, devoid of ownership, responsibility, effort, respect, kindness and generosity, if quotes like this have any meaning and relevance to people at all.
They do to me of course, and some others I know, but does anyone really care about quotes like this anymore, see them as something to take on-board in their own lives? I thought of the people who failed to give even a single minute of respect to those that fought and died to provide the lifestyle they currently enjoy and all I can come up with is that they're garbage humans who quotes like this are lost upon.
It's sad really because there's so much value in reading the wisdom of those who have come before us, if people would only choose to take a moment to read and understand the words.
This small rant, getting thoughts down in words, putting them at arm's length, helps me to put them into perspective, to release them and the anger I feel also. It's like once they're written, I can see my thoughts a little better, decide if there's value in persisting with them or if it's best just to let them drift away so I can focus on something else. I can't, and don't want to control others, so it's best not to think on it too much. Society is on a downward spiral and nothing I can do will stop it; all I can do is be my best version whilst I'm here.
Often, I wonder why people continue to underwhelm me although I should probably wonder why I'm so surprised that they do.
Having said that, I always [try to] remember that people are people and will usually act commensurate to that which is most suitable for themselves...so selfishness, egotism, narcissism and hubris abounds...but the opposite exists also, and it's those who display it who I focus on. The rant, putting thoughts down in words, helps to remind me that both types of people exist and also where and with whom to spend my time.
Have a courteous, respectful, kind and generous weekend folks.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind
I took this image at the Australian War Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, France.
