BROWNOUT

 One night, I had that great opportunity of holding my head up high on the skies and behold the majestic and spectacular view of the heavenly bodies. That night I was actually grateful it was brownout. Otherwise I would have lay down on my couch and watch stars made up of flesh and lies til I finally rest down to slumber. At least with the occurrence of brownout, I, for a long time enjoyed again the splendor of the universe and reminded myself of the reality that my existence is just a speck of dust in the whole scheme of things.

 

Again, thank it was brownout.

 

Staring up the vast skies made me forget of the topsy-turviness and the craziness of the world. It made me forget the world, which is already teeming with growing six billion people in which more than half are starving in abysmal poverty, famine, and malnutrition. It made me a little less concerned of the endless political dramas, sexual hanky-pankies involving people of power and pulpit, and the financial and moral corruption of the society.

 

Really, the experience leaves me exhilarating in awe and wonder while all at the same time I know many people around the world are so preoccupied on searching for wonderful things they could hardly even find.

 

Thank, heavens, I was sitting on that wonderful green-manicured lawn while all the rest are still finding for themselves what I already found, which is the simplicity of life and the enjoyment of little things which only nature could offer.

 

Thank God, it was brownout. I was able to gaze at the meteors and find my way of believing in dreams again. I wish I may and I might…lucky stars would fall on my knees.

 

In the wilderness of this universe, I imagine myself how do I look like from the moon. Maybe my body would be as tiny as a microbe and my problems so very tinier than it. If so, heck, why do I worry a lot? Why do I fear so much when in fact I am only an almost non-existent thing in the whole cosmos? Why do I have to complicate my life when in fact I am just a misnomer in the vast and countless oceans of galaxies?

 

I suddenly remember a gross and mouthy comedian of the 70’s and 80’s in the person of George Carlin who wrote one of the beautiful pieces I have ever read. It says: The paradox of our time and history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways but narrower viewpoints. We spend more but have less, we buy more but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge but less judgment, more experts yet more problems, more medicine but less wellness.

 

We`ve learned how to make a living but not life. We`ve added years to life, not life to years. We`ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space, but not inner space. We`ve done larger things, but not better things.

 

We`ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We`ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We`ve learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

 

Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn`t cost a cent.

 

Remember to say “I love you,”to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

 

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.(10-16-03)