FEARS WE MUST FACEEmerson once said: “What I have seen readies me for those things I have not seen.” That can still be used as a valuable point of reference by us today even when compared with the relative calm conditions his rather staid New England area personified. Our proper point of judgment concerning our future, then, must be seen in the manner in which we think of our past.
We start our New Year off with high-sounding “Resolutions” steeped in the sweetness of sauces which we concocted to make the recent holidays memorable in pleasant ways.
Some of those self-made promises are wishes and special plans whereby we hope we might forestall or , at least, soften some of the less enjoyable events which may oud our immediate future. In one sense, some of them may be seen as prayers for a bright, more cheerful future when peace is more than just a wordy decoration.
Older folks tend to resolute in more-and-more complicated forms as they get really old they realize are again. The opposite view holds for young people,of course. They think of having a great deal more permanency about their lives but they do look ahead with friends and fellow worker. They realize that we each have have a future of an unknown nature. No knowing, of course, is a blessing and a reason for planning.
Many have a fear of disaster;others fear social losses - even physical ones - hearing, seeing, hair loss or posture. Some center on petty little nothings.
Study history!
Yesterday is you.
Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 11-15-06 [c275wds]