Ephemeral

Spring is exploding all across the mid-Atlantic region that I call home. After a year without Winter, Spring has leaped upon us with a seeming vengance - it appears to be in a huge rush to get everything bloomed and on with the work of Summer. It brings to mind the ephemeral nature of Nature. You know, that incredibly transient quality of early Spring where each day brings something new in bloom, drammatic changes in weather, a tremendous amount of pollen per square inch of air - change is everywhere. Our lives are like this as well. The speed of change in the world nowadays is ever accelerating - and the focus on all things "young" has created an even more ephemeral view of our world. It struck me, as I watched the "Shawshank Redemption" a line spoken by an older inmate now out in the world after 50 years, "...The world went and got itself in a great big hurry!" It's true that nothing lasts forever. Everything is disposable and is programmed for obsolescence long before it should wear out. People treat their bodies this way; seemingly thinking that it doesn't matter what I do to my organs, I'll just get new ones. Dick Cheney's new heart transplant leaps to mind. Disposable razors, disposable employees, disposable professional players, and on and on and on. This aspect of being disposable leaves a hole in our soul, however. With nothing to cling to and no structure to support us, we are at the mercy of a transient life. How do we reconcile this??? Some of us do like our ancestors did - we find ourselves drawn to a faith in something timeless and unchanging. G-d was here before us and will be here long after us; G-d the first and G-d the last. In a world that treats us as nothing special, the Creator says you are a beloved child, special and gifted, with a purpose and meaning, destined to do great things. While it is difficult sometimes to hear this amid the world's strident themes of ephemeralism, we can hold on to the promises of the same G-d that talked with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (and so many others). Our lives don't last very long, and we don't know when they will end. The ephemeral nature of our existence makes it imperative (IMHO) to take a long term view of things. My life is meaningful as long as I do the things to combat a world that is impermanent. To love the neighbor and make their life a bit better and more meaningful. To slow people down to appreciate the transient nature of Spring and of life - to revel in each day as the great and wonderful gift that it is. This week, slow down and watch a flower bloom. Spend time with those things that really don't last...people. Discover what a treasure they are. Peace for the journey, Dan