A rare opportunity to photograph a decent sunrise on this day gave me pause to start thinking. And apparently, that is a dangerous thing for me.
What is it that keeps humanity moving forward? Hope for a New Day or a New Way! In this time of Covid confusion, factual obfuscation, political opportunism and protectionism, what real hope does humanity have for a New Day? Each opposing side tries to shout louder than the other, so only their point of view can be heard. Each political party in opposition does their best to make sure the party in power does not succeed and when they get into power, they spend all their time and all our money undoing what the other party accomplished, good, bad or indifferent. When the pandemic started, I had great hope for humanity. I am just not so sure any more.
My poem is more of a series of questions that we need to ask ourselves from time to time. Should we just think of ourselves or should we look at the bigger picture for all humanity?
Why do we see black and white, but, never shades of grey?
Is it that shaming and blaming is just way more fun?
Why do we name call all those with whom we disagree?
Is it amusing to create a chaotic mess,
as we do our best to block society’s progress?
Are we so certain that we are the best we could be?
Do we want to hunker down or simply fly the coop?
Why do we shout left or right wing at our tormentor?
Why not try kindness, and meet close to the center?
Is a new day coming or are we stuck in this loop?
The promise of a new day……should bring hope for better times for all.We should not be afraid to look at other views – they may be just as bright and hopeful!Does the whole world need to be on fire……before we take a step back to cool off?The sun will still rise, whether we agree or disagree……but it is so much better sharing the new day!!it is time to take the long view……before we get blinded by our own narrow focus?There is still a glimmer of hope……for a new day!
Not much to tell. After working for 3 companies over 43+ years (38 years 7 months with my last company), I finally got that promotion I had waited my entire career for……retirement.
I have been exploring this new career for the past 7+ years and while it is not always exciting, the chance to do what I want for myself and my family instead of what my company wants has been very fulfilling. Early on, there was a long list of projects in my “to-do” hopper and I attacked these projects with a vengeance for the first 9 months of retirement. Eventually, my brain told me that this was not what retirement was about, so it took me another 5 months before my industriousness again took over and I attacked another line of projects, this time somewhat shorter and less complicated, as well as many new projects related to the family weddings in 2016. After going hard for 6 weeks and 3 weddings, my body was telling me to relax, then the flu bug hit and as soon as that was done with me, my sciatic acted up. No rest for the wicked. In 2020 and 2021, the Covid 19 pandemic changed the whole retirement gig. I was lucky to not be still working, for sure.
I enjoy photography, gardening, working with my hands, walking, cycling, skiing, travelling, reading and creating special photo and video productions obtained in my first pastime. I may never become wealthy in any of these pursuits, but I already feel I am rich in life experiences far beyond any expectation.
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33 thoughts on “Is a New Day Coming?”
I love all of this post!
The images are gorgeous and the poem is beautiful both for its contente and for its rhythm ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you, dear Luisa. If we could all just be as calm and beautiful as a winter sunrise, anything would be possible. Alas, we are merely mortal. Thanks so much for reading and your kind comments. Allan
I needed this! Thank you. I just recovered from what I am 95% sure was COVID-19. How did I get it? I had to go to Safeway for groceries and got exposed. I couldn’t get tested, but if you know, you know. I am going to talk to my family doctor about this because even though I couldn’t get a test (ARGH!) I can still get it on my medical record. Anyway, I have been feeling all the feels the last few days and your poem was so cathartic!
I am so sorry to hear that. I think we will all get it one day. Hopefully, with no long haul effects. Our Premier did the usual yesterday, shooting his mouth off, saying he believed we had reached the peak. Hmmm. Stay well and thanks for joining the conversation. Allan
Thanks. I think you’re right about that. I heard about that and I literally pulled the pillow over my head and screamed! I do feel like even though I couldn’t get tested, there are still ways to make sure this gets on my record. Just got to be strategic
The thoughts and photos are beautiful, Allan. It has only been a few hundred years since humans learned the size and shape of our own planet. We are a primitive species with a lot to learn.
Thanks John. You are right, we have a lot to learn. The problem now is what we learn and where we learn it from. We were created to be enquiring and inquisitive, not accept all we see and hear. I hope the learning continues, but before an unsurvivable disaster befalls us. Stay well and thanks for chiming in. Allan
Gorgeous photos, Allan. I think your second question contains much of the answer. People want to be right, with of course, some wanting it much more than others. Put that together with greed and you have a powerful partnership. Nature has consistently selected for these characteristics and we certainly have them in abundance. There’s every possibility they will lead us to extinction or near-extinction. I also thought that covid might lead to some improvements, but I was naïve.
You are right. Natural selection makes sure the strong survive, not always the kind or the smart or the generous. I have said it before and I will say it again. Covid is not the pandemic, mankind is. Covid is Earth’s immune response trying to take us out and maybe it will not succeed, but one of the next pandemics will if we can not learn how to live and work together. Stay well Lynette and thanks for joining the discussion. Allan.
Such beautiful and colourful photos, Allan 🙂 We all want to make the world a better place, right? Not just for ourselves, but also for future generations. But to think we can solve all of the world’s problems seems naive. Even though we don’t have the power to single-handedly abolish racism, solve income inequality or clean the great pacific garbage patch, we do have the power to inspire others. We can simply start by spreading kindness. Sending someone a kind message. Giving a small gift. Making something for someone. Telling someone how much they mean to you. There are so many ways to brighten someone’s day. Aiva 🙂
I am not convinced that we all want to make the world a better place. I think we want it to be a better place, especially if it is better for us, but we lose sight of that it is not better for us until it is better for all. All in all you do have it right. No matter what we want or what we do, just being kind is a start. All politicians need to take an oath similar to the Hippocratic Oath….Do No Harm. Most of them are doing an immense amount of harm every day in order to keep themselves in power. Not why they were elected. Stay well and thanks for the dialogue Aiva. Allan
Very important and interesting questions you are raising in your poem, Allan. I keep asking these questions myself often to realise people prefer to disagree, to complain and to fight instead of being kind, respecting and helping each other. Wonderful sunrise photos by the way.
It all starts with our politicians. Everything turns into a fight. From the campaign where they say, we will fight for better healthcare to the time in power where they say, we will fight for our rights to their time in opposition where they say, we will fight to block everything the party in power does. Now if they would say, we are going to work together with all parties or we will negotiate the best deal or we will cooperate to get it done. Nope! Gotta be a fight. I am tired of all the fighting and arguing, just cooperate to do what is best for all. The sunrise gives me hope, but… Thanks for reading Blanca. Allan
You are so right, politics and politicians should be constructive and try to solve problems, not the other way round. I´m afraid it´s exactly the same story in my country.
You have described the exact situation we have in the States, too. Both parties care more about being right and in power than in working together or compromising so that our nation can move forward. Instead, the party in power spends all its time erasing everything (good, bad or indifferent, as you say) that the other party did. And when the other party gets elected, they do the same. It’s as if they think they can ignore the roughly 50% of the population that didn’t vote for them! It’s beyond discouraging. Working together, being respectful towards those who think and vote differently, and being mature enough to admit that no one is right about everything is what is needed….but it’s not what we get. Well said, Allan! It’s nice to know other people see it too.
Hi Ann. I think it is time we turf them all out and start over. Our Northern Territory Nunavut has the right idea. Each riding elects a representative (no party politics). The members sit together when the house is in session and nominate one of the members to be Premier and off they go to solve the people’s problems. I watch what is happening in your country and I am very afraid. The Founding Fathers thought they had it all figured out, but all of the safeguards they put in place for democracy just tie its hands even more. I hope people start doing the right thing for the right reason one day soon. Stay well and thanks for joining the discussion. Allan
Beautiful pictures, Allan. I’ve been questioning my hope for humanity as well these past few months. In some ways it does feel like we’re stuck in a loop. I have to hope for a new and better day, otherwise what else is there?
Thanks Linda. We know that similar thinkers to you and I are out there. Surely a leader or leaders will arise that will inspire cooperation in doing the right things, before it is too late. You are right, we all must have hope and start building, rather than tearing down. Happy Sunday. Allan
The blend of the poem and the sunrise makes your words more poignant. I’m afraid some of those characteristics are part of the human condition. Unfortunately, these times seem to accentuate the differences in beliefs and opinions. Would that we all could go with kindness rather than conflict.
Thanks Ruth. I think we all wonder what is possible from time to time. Not sure the “human condition” will evolve in the right direction, without a nudge. Not sure what that nudge will be, but it will likely be another disaster. Those of us who can use kindness will just have to continue and continue to hope. Thanks for joining in the discussion. Allan
Picture This 
I love all of this post!
The images are gorgeous and the poem is beautiful both for its contente and for its rhythm ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, dear Luisa. If we could all just be as calm and beautiful as a winter sunrise, anything would be possible. Alas, we are merely mortal. Thanks so much for reading and your kind comments. Allan
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It was my real great pleasure🙏🌷🙏
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Very well put. I love it
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Thanks Maureen and thanks for reading. Allan
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If only we could reset humanity like a sunrise resets the day.
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Agreed. Common sense is no longer common and being right seems to be everything these days. Thanks for reading and commenting. Allan
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Beautiful clicks dear Allan👌👌
I am loving it…
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Thank you and thanks for stopping by. Allan
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I needed this! Thank you. I just recovered from what I am 95% sure was COVID-19. How did I get it? I had to go to Safeway for groceries and got exposed. I couldn’t get tested, but if you know, you know. I am going to talk to my family doctor about this because even though I couldn’t get a test (ARGH!) I can still get it on my medical record. Anyway, I have been feeling all the feels the last few days and your poem was so cathartic!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am so sorry to hear that. I think we will all get it one day. Hopefully, with no long haul effects. Our Premier did the usual yesterday, shooting his mouth off, saying he believed we had reached the peak. Hmmm. Stay well and thanks for joining the conversation. Allan
LikeLike
Thanks. I think you’re right about that. I heard about that and I literally pulled the pillow over my head and screamed! I do feel like even though I couldn’t get tested, there are still ways to make sure this gets on my record. Just got to be strategic
LikeLiked by 1 person
The thoughts and photos are beautiful, Allan. It has only been a few hundred years since humans learned the size and shape of our own planet. We are a primitive species with a lot to learn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks John. You are right, we have a lot to learn. The problem now is what we learn and where we learn it from. We were created to be enquiring and inquisitive, not accept all we see and hear. I hope the learning continues, but before an unsurvivable disaster befalls us. Stay well and thanks for chiming in. Allan
LikeLike
Gorgeous photos, Allan. I think your second question contains much of the answer. People want to be right, with of course, some wanting it much more than others. Put that together with greed and you have a powerful partnership. Nature has consistently selected for these characteristics and we certainly have them in abundance. There’s every possibility they will lead us to extinction or near-extinction. I also thought that covid might lead to some improvements, but I was naïve.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are right. Natural selection makes sure the strong survive, not always the kind or the smart or the generous. I have said it before and I will say it again. Covid is not the pandemic, mankind is. Covid is Earth’s immune response trying to take us out and maybe it will not succeed, but one of the next pandemics will if we can not learn how to live and work together. Stay well Lynette and thanks for joining the discussion. Allan.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I totally agree.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such beautiful and colourful photos, Allan 🙂 We all want to make the world a better place, right? Not just for ourselves, but also for future generations. But to think we can solve all of the world’s problems seems naive. Even though we don’t have the power to single-handedly abolish racism, solve income inequality or clean the great pacific garbage patch, we do have the power to inspire others. We can simply start by spreading kindness. Sending someone a kind message. Giving a small gift. Making something for someone. Telling someone how much they mean to you. There are so many ways to brighten someone’s day. Aiva 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am not convinced that we all want to make the world a better place. I think we want it to be a better place, especially if it is better for us, but we lose sight of that it is not better for us until it is better for all. All in all you do have it right. No matter what we want or what we do, just being kind is a start. All politicians need to take an oath similar to the Hippocratic Oath….Do No Harm. Most of them are doing an immense amount of harm every day in order to keep themselves in power. Not why they were elected. Stay well and thanks for the dialogue Aiva. Allan
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🤗🤗🤗
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Beautiful pictures and I love the poem! I agree with you that the earth is fighting back against all the destruction humans have caused.
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Thanks Lyssy. Somewhere up in the sky, there is a being with his/her fingers poised over Ctl/Alt/Del. Thanks for reading Happy Friday. Allan
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Very important and interesting questions you are raising in your poem, Allan. I keep asking these questions myself often to realise people prefer to disagree, to complain and to fight instead of being kind, respecting and helping each other. Wonderful sunrise photos by the way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It all starts with our politicians. Everything turns into a fight. From the campaign where they say, we will fight for better healthcare to the time in power where they say, we will fight for our rights to their time in opposition where they say, we will fight to block everything the party in power does. Now if they would say, we are going to work together with all parties or we will negotiate the best deal or we will cooperate to get it done. Nope! Gotta be a fight. I am tired of all the fighting and arguing, just cooperate to do what is best for all. The sunrise gives me hope, but… Thanks for reading Blanca. Allan
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are so right, politics and politicians should be constructive and try to solve problems, not the other way round. I´m afraid it´s exactly the same story in my country.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have described the exact situation we have in the States, too. Both parties care more about being right and in power than in working together or compromising so that our nation can move forward. Instead, the party in power spends all its time erasing everything (good, bad or indifferent, as you say) that the other party did. And when the other party gets elected, they do the same. It’s as if they think they can ignore the roughly 50% of the population that didn’t vote for them! It’s beyond discouraging. Working together, being respectful towards those who think and vote differently, and being mature enough to admit that no one is right about everything is what is needed….but it’s not what we get. Well said, Allan! It’s nice to know other people see it too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Ann. I think it is time we turf them all out and start over. Our Northern Territory Nunavut has the right idea. Each riding elects a representative (no party politics). The members sit together when the house is in session and nominate one of the members to be Premier and off they go to solve the people’s problems. I watch what is happening in your country and I am very afraid. The Founding Fathers thought they had it all figured out, but all of the safeguards they put in place for democracy just tie its hands even more. I hope people start doing the right thing for the right reason one day soon. Stay well and thanks for joining the discussion. Allan
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful pictures, Allan. I’ve been questioning my hope for humanity as well these past few months. In some ways it does feel like we’re stuck in a loop. I have to hope for a new and better day, otherwise what else is there?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Linda. We know that similar thinkers to you and I are out there. Surely a leader or leaders will arise that will inspire cooperation in doing the right things, before it is too late. You are right, we all must have hope and start building, rather than tearing down. Happy Sunday. Allan
LikeLiked by 1 person
The blend of the poem and the sunrise makes your words more poignant. I’m afraid some of those characteristics are part of the human condition. Unfortunately, these times seem to accentuate the differences in beliefs and opinions. Would that we all could go with kindness rather than conflict.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Ruth. I think we all wonder what is possible from time to time. Not sure the “human condition” will evolve in the right direction, without a nudge. Not sure what that nudge will be, but it will likely be another disaster. Those of us who can use kindness will just have to continue and continue to hope. Thanks for joining in the discussion. Allan
LikeLiked by 1 person
What beautiful colours in the sky, and no, it’s not dangerous to think…
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I prefer to be an optimist, but the trucker’s freedom convoy this weekend gave me pause to doubt. Stay well and thanks for reading. Allan
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