Stay Tuned

Here we are on the verge of 2011. Time flies doesn't it? These days are also a very dramatic display of really good story telling, Fortunately, unfortunately, fortunately, unfortunately. Yes, this is a great movie we're in and It feels like we're about to reach a climax. And If these are in fact the last days, well, we came in with a bang so let's go out with a bang.

It is a time of biblical proportions. As evidenced by the extreme weather and the miracles that took place in the US congress last week. In the lame duck session of the 111th congress we saw the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell, the passage of the 9/11 responders health care bill, the signing of the SALT treaty, the community radio act, mandating the FCC to issue thousands of licences for lower power FM Jesus Christ! what a Christmas. Even the economic indicators were good when it came to folks spending money.

Right now, I'm looking back on 2010, I suppose you are too. Sometimes we glance over our shoulders, but at times like these we gaze into the past take inventory and know that we are an accumulation of all that has happened. I'm trying to fathom the depths of just the last 360 days, I am flabbergasted at the events in my personal life never mind the rest of the world. The deaths of my dearest dog, and of my mother. Turning 50 years old, The return of my daughter from her world tour, birth of our grandson Sterling. Wow.

Through a global lens we witnessed,The earthquake in Haiti, Floods in Pakistan, escalating violence in Afghanistan, The Thai revolution, the Icelandic Volcano that closed airports all over Northern Europe for two weeks, the BP oil spill (that still sends chills up my spine), the chilean miners rise to fame and great fortune, the ugliness of US mid term elections, riots in Europe over Austerity measures. All stunning extremely emotional events.

The Insane Political behavior almost drove me completely crazy this year. I was most recently outraged when Obama made a deal with the devil and let the Bush Tax cuts extend for two years, but then, we got the SALT treaty, etc and billionaires like Zuckerberg, Bloomberg And 14 Other Pledged To Donate Majority Of Their Fortunes To Charity. Wow, great plot twist.

When I sit in the audience of life I am much more surprised, deeply moved and entertained. Like when I'm listening to Haley Barber wax nostalgic about segregation, I can't help but think of Borat, yes. Or Watching Bernie Sanders ( http://sanders.senate.gov/) filibuster on the Senate Floor against the extension of the Bush Tax Cuts, I remember Jimmy Stewart in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

Last week, we left the country and I had the great fortune to find myself immersed in the jungles of Costa Rica. In my movie, I was swinging like Tarzan from vines through the jungle, eating fresh picked pineapple, coconut, drinking coffee flavored with locally grown vanilla. We enjoyed the company of The Costa Rican people who are warm, happy and generous and it became more apparent with each Capuchin monkey that visited our dwelling, or sloth hanging upside down above our heads or toucan flying effortlessly through the palm tress that their connection with the natural world is the reason. They share the earth with its marvelous creatures and they are rewarded with happiness. Their motto is Pura Vida which means Pure life. And though they are not literally "rich" they are stable financially, they are secure in themselves. And Though we may see ourselves as intelligent, successful Americans many are infected with wild ambition, doubt, greed, apathy, consumption and waste, which may not imply a happy ending to our story. Who knows?

So much in Destiny's hands now. We may not be able to significantly change anything to stem the outcome, but the story can still be inspiring, sacred, joyous and positive with every step we take. It is the best of times, It is the worst of times. It is extreme and The sheer magnitude is breathtaking. I'm on the edge of my seat and I Can't wait to see what happens next!.
I want to wishing everyone a healthy and prosperous, sustainable new year.