For those who are frustrated
By James Wearing Smith, 9th May 2020
For those who are frustrated, confused and perhaps feeling lost or scared today and who may like to put their present predicament into a brief historical perspective, reflection can be a great health benefit, possibly better than any spurious vaccine, and certainly better than watching the latest drama series peppered with inuendo and conditioning dialogue.
Imagine you if were born in 1900 … At the age of 14, World War I; you’re witnessing the beginning of a brutal and vicious war said to last until you are 18; they say 22 million people died in WWI. At the end of the year, an epidemic known as the Spanish flu hits the planet and lasts until your 20th year in life; they say, 50 million people died from influenza in those two years. In 1929, by which time you’re 29, the Great Depression begins: Unemployment reaches 25%, world GDP falls 27% and the challenges persist until you’re at least 33 years old.
History books say the world almost collapses; the world economy generated multitudes of unemployed and hopelessness (a bit like today). By the time you’re 39 years old, World War II begins (and you’re probably thinking ‘Why is all this happening in my lifetime?’).
By your 41st birthday, the United States enters WWII. Between the ages of 39 and 45 years old, if you were one of the “chosen ones”, you get drafted into the military to fight against people the Government says are your enemies; you are forced to assist the ‘Global War Effort’ (often against one’s personal wishes), and if you are really “lucky”, you actually survive; they say 75 million people died in that war.
Close to your 50th birthday, the Korean War begins; they say, 5 million died. At 55, the American War (aka Vietnam War) begins and does not end for 20 years: they say, 4 million people are declared officially dead in that conflict.
By the time you are 62, you are witnessing the Cuban Missile Crisis and threats of nuclear Armageddon and the Cold War. Russia and the USA, at loggerheads, however ‘miraculously’ the leaders step back from their seemingly intractable positions, and the world doesn’t end.
Life on our planet as we know it might have ended then, but here we are alive and still fighting wars, decades later. If you’re still alive, you’ve attained the age of 75, and US President Richard Nixon declares the Vietnam War to be over and pulled their troops out very quickly.
More Black Ops, covert wars and “hot wars” have erupted since and propagated the planet; African countries, Afghanistan, Columbia, Middle Eastern countries, Iraq, Libya, Syria, and on… Propaganda, lies, Fake News and media manipulation spirals to a level to make you want to shut off and shut out everything coming into your personal space… now, you’re being told a global pandemic virus, which attacks everyone with elderly people more susceptible to dying from disease could wipe you out. You’re being told to stay in-doors and when venturing outside you’re being persecuted if you come into physical contact with others.
You’re thinking, I’ve made it this far, I’m tired and I need a rest… I’m getting old, I am old, I’m 120 years old!
And yet, because you’ve made it all this way, you’re also thinking… “This is nonsense, if I die, it’s because it’s my time to move on. Many haven’t lived as long!” Difficult times create strong men and women, strong people and communities create harmony.
When times are easy, people often become lazy, ignorant and fragile. Those who contribute to creating the difficult times are not to be admired. Those who have fought through difficult times, and those who overcame the difficulties and challenges and survived are the real heroes.
Life is a cycle and we will have to go through our own difficult times, we can choose to fight, we can choose to do this together and we can choose to remain strong in order to create lasting peace and prosperity for all … Look back on the past, learn from it, and work together to keep building a truly nicer, happier, cleaner, more transparent world for future generations.
James With, 9th May 2020
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