Covid 19! The Shutdown! Heat Wave! Power Outage! Earthquake! Smoke! Fire!
If you live in California, including in Los Angeles particularly during September of 2020, you may think, “What is going on? It can’t get worse than this!” Then it did.
Politically, many Democrats blame everything on Trump, and many Republicans blame everything on the Democrats. Factually, many around America even wonder if the world is ending, and consider all of the recent calamities befalling America and more particularly in California and the West Coast; as signs of the apocalypse.
While we won’t digress on the four horseman, or tyrants in the form of health officials, mayors, and governors, we can definitely all agree, there is “Trouble in Paradise.” Those of us who have lived in California and L.A. for years who have been fortunate enough not to be hit by the Malibu fires last year, all found their lives affected by the many other fires throughout California during the fire season this year. While the flames only reached some, the smoke reached everyone.
While L.A. generally is like paradise for many of us, in reality, no one ever promised us a heaven on Earth in 2020. And it is times like these that teach us just how fortunate we usually, really are. 2020 has taught us–or at least should have, to appreciate and be thankful for a safe, healthy environment, for good, clean water, for fresh, clean air, for good health, for our every basic freedom we have; big and small, and for every breath of life itself.
We are not owed a perfectly working universe. We are not owed a planet that always has enough oxygen and fresh clean air, but that is what we usually have. We were not promised enough gravity that we can walk but don’t fly into the sky, or enough warm sun that gives just enough heat to warm us, but not kill us, and just enough air and wind that cools us, but that overall doesn’t blow us away; but that’s what we were kindly given.
In reality, the universe is a perfect creation, designed for our survival, sustenance, and success. Most natural disasters are a rare occurrence compared to the countless times of peace and calm when there are not disasters, and the majority of the disasters anyone does experience, are generally caused by manmade problems–not by the universe or its creator.
While the above is true, and the awareness of this mindset is good to focus on, it does little to help those confronting the devastation of air that one can’t breathe in because it is too smoky, a state they can’t live in because the majority of the economy is shut down and there is no work to be found and no where to go, or to deal with the home that one lost if it got burned down. Thinking of others less fortunate to try make a terrible condition seem less horrible, does not necessarily change one’s condition. Times are tough for many in 2020 to be sure, and in California, let’s face it–for many, things have gone from bad–to worse.
So what is the solution?
1, Realize that any condition is not permanent. Forest fires, viruses, tyrannical governments, earthquakes, floods, and other disasters all end. The nature of any human being and the nature of the earth is to heal and to survive. Bad conditions will end, and things WILL get better.
2, Do realize that the more stressed or depressed you are, the worse things will seem, and the more overwhelmed you will be, being less capable of handling the problem. That means, you need to be well rested, well fed, and in a calm state of mind and body to confront any problem. Look at things when you are calm and consider things objectively, and rationally.
3, Do look around at all of the things you have yourself that are working, and look out in society at other people that are happy, healthy, and safe and functioning and working. Look at society itself at things that are working and functioning properly and realize that most things are OK and you will be OK do.
4, Know that any good condition takes work. To be healthy, you need to eat well, get enough sleep, work out, and take care of your body, mind and spirit. If you have bad air for a few weeks or months, you may need to invest in some air purifiers. If you can’t work out at the gym or outside, you may need to invest in some workout equipment for indoors until things change. If the city or state you live in has crazy politicians that won’t let you work, you may need to do new things for work online, or move to a location that has more freedom. Take action, and do it now. Don’t wait until you are in a lower condition where you can’t function.
5, Expand your power. Build reserves of money, food, capitol, and resources. Prepare for disasters that may occur in the future, and then focus on the present, here and now. Be prepared for the future, but don’t obsess over it. Focus on the now.
6, Once you are in a condition of power, help others. We are all in this together.
With that said, if you, one of our readers needs help with anything, call us, and if we can help, we will if we can. There is no guarantee but we will see if we can try.
7, We must come together as a city, as a state, as a nation, and as as world to be better people, kinder people, and more forgiving, compassionate, thoughtful, and loving to each other, and to the earth itself. While we don’t always live up to what we preach–we try each day. No one is perfect, but the goal of every human being should be to be better, do better, and be kinder than the day before. Spread the love–even to those with whom you disagree with politically. What we reap, we sow. In other words–karma is real. We are treated by others based on how we treat others. Be kind.
Sure, we have some trouble in paradise, but it is still paradise. The trouble will soon fade, and we will make it.
Be sure to check out the back issues, and let us know what you liked, disliked, want to read, hear or see. We might even publish your words or message for the world to hear or see in the next issue.
Until then, keep safe, be healthy, and be strong.
–Bruce Edwin
Contact: 310-226-7176
StarpowerManagementLLC at gmail dot com
(c) 2020, Hollywood Sentinel
