Where's a prophet when you need him?

Deep in thought today (well, yesterday, when this was written)...

Not sure if it is due in part to a very gloomy sky overhead; or if it is because I began my day by watching a post-apocalyptic movie called The Road, followed by an intensely in-your-face crime drama, rich in sex, drugs, alcohol and lies, titled The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call-New Orleans (yes, the title is long enough to be a country/western song). Regardless of the whys, I have spent a few random moments, between loads of laundry, quandering the "what ifs" in relation to...THE FUTURE.

THE FUTURE. It is a character all its own with its promises and unpredictability, its hope and cruelty, its humility and haughtiness. It is so far away that we can only dream and pretend and even worry about what it looks like; yet, we came face-to-face with it this morning when tomorrow became today. THE FUTURE is quite elusive.

There are as many theories of what the future for humanity will be like as there are minds who ponder it. There is so much talk of global warming, countries with nukes stockpiled like my son's LEGO collection, a "new world order" and so on and so forth that it is hard to get excited about spending our retirement years traveling the good ol' UsofA buying cheap, chintzy souvenirs for our future grandchildren. There is, it seems, just as much optimism floating around out there that burying one's head in the ground, ostrich-style, looks pretty inviting as well.

There are many fellow citizens who believe that those ten plastic garbage bags of crushed Coke cans (eagerly consumed alongside MSG-laced Cool Ranch Doritos) they toted to a recycle bin at Wally World, in their gas-guzzling, "American made" with outsourced parts and government funding (Ahhh...free enterprise!) SUV, is actually reversing the effects of said global warming. They believe we made one giant leap for mankind by landing a black man in the oval office. They definitely believe the $25 donation they made to Haiti is, once again, showing the world that benevolence and peace is all that the most powerful nation on earth believes is its mission. They also fully believe our government, "for the people, by the people", has its people's best interest at heart. Does that sound cynical? I apologize if it does. Cynicism isn't the attitude I am hoping to convey or suggest. Just pointing out some obstacles, in thought, that we face. Or that I face anyway. (And I haven't even mentioned thoughts over my personal future...what's in store for me, myself and I mentally, physically and emotionally. Geesh!) I have shared all of these thoughts at one time or another when I have tried to decide my daily plan-of-action.

These possibilities are ones my brother and I have discussed. We agree, and disagree, on plenty. He has a very well-thought-out plan that involves things I, myself, can't imagine doing but understand, just the same. To his frustration I'm sure, I really have no plan-of-action for a future under socialism, a winter that lasts for years due to either nuclear warfare or a climate shift (toss-up?) or even "world peace" (spoken in my best Gracie Lou Freebush voice). After watching The Road, I hopped on board the "hold onto your hats, folks, it's going to be a bumpy ride" train of thought. I tried to figure out a reasonable way to ask my husband to dig a tunnel/bunker/fall-out shelter under the house that we can begin filling, floor-to-ceiling, with non-perishables and ammunition. Yep, I played with that idea until reality reminded me, in its smug, pessimistic voice, that we likely couldn't collect enough ammunition to hold off a freakin' army anyway! Duh. I mean...c'mon, Christy.

So...what DID I conclude in all of this doom and gloom thinking? Being a rehabilitated worrier, I know how easy it would be to "fall off the wagon" and spin my wheels in the muck of worry or, at least, "concern". But what I decided, for the time being (mainly because I had other pressing issues to fret over like my computerized, "high efficiency" washer taunting me with its "not draining properly" message), is that I kinda like the mentality I currently have...taking things one day at a time as much as possible. Otherwise, I will get all flustered over what we will do if the government does push out the "little guy" contractor (i.e., my husband), or what I will do if I develop heart disease (the #1 killer among women, the tv says) or how we will handle life if we end up living like folks do in third world countries. I guess a plan-of-action couldn't hurt in those cases. We could figure out a new career...soon. I could quit eating anything they "currently" profess causes heart problems (that changes every decade, ya know?). And we could sell all our possessions, buy an RV and learn to truly rough it. Yeah...or I can do what I do. I live mostly in the now and try to be content. I eat Funyuns and Snickers; but I seldom eat fried foods, have almost completely cut out sodas (yes, it's a process) and am eating more salads and drinking more water (well water, that is). I still keep my pantry stocked with store-bought, canned veggies that don't all say "organic" but have become a fairly decent gardener and am learning better how to "put up" what we grow. I drive a truck that only gets 18 mpg and we do live a good little drive from town; but I am better about PLANNING trips for errands and what-not and use my cruise control as much as possible. I plan to grow old and die in this big ol', in NO way "green", house of ours but am getting better about cutting off "stuff" when not in use and teaching the kids to understand why that's important. I don't believe much of what the government says, and I don't think things are going to get better; but I realize that, honestly, while I can make some differences in the world, some things are just out of my hands and "meant to be". I realize we're all gonna die at some point...so eating a few less burgers isn't going to make me immortal...LOTS of "healthy" people die young while LOTS of chain-smokin', drug-takin', McDonald's-eatin' folks are outliving them.

It may sound like I'm just too pessimistic, pampered or simply going where the wind takes me, but I don't see it that way at all. I make changes and grow as I see and feel the need. I am trying to raise kids who are considerate and passionate and respectful and bright and positive and funny...knowing they will definitely be a bright light for someone needing it in their life, someday. I do my part...I try to be a good friend...I try to help others when I see a way to do so...and I pray. And, no, I'm still not doing nearly enough.

The only future I feel completely capable of truly preparing for is a life after all of this...and that is because there's a guide Book that, for me and my family, is Truth and knowledge. It's the ONLY thing I feel sure of in regards to THE FUTURE. I am not totally who I need to be all the time, but I do at least know who that is. There are no books for how to live life in the United States of China (I mean, America) in 30 years...no "how tos"...no Dummies Guide to Surviving Socialism with a Smile or Dummies Guide to Making the Most of Your Shanty Space, etc. There is no way to know so there's only so much true preparing you can do. No...I am just living what's right smack dab in front of me. The life I can see, smell, touch and taste...and just soaking in as much knowledge and observation and optimism and courage and freakin' happiness that I can while I can. "Why?", you ask.

...Because THAT is what I hope will sustain me no matter what THE FUTURE actually holds.

Sorry this was so lengthy. I know, on here, they suggest that you keep your blogs short and to the point to keep interest...BUT it's my blog universe; and in it, I get to talk A LOT...I'm just sayin'! ha