[Ponderings] The life pond

By Philip Suzara

Pondering … as I sit here at the edge of my mythical life pond.

I have, of late, been invited to write a regular column for Now You Know (NYK), a digital media platform. I’ve been writing and find enjoyment in being able to give clarity and life to my thoughts for others … or, at the very least, for myself.

I have not been doing it professionally, though, as in where I will find myself chasing deadlines - regularly.

I feel honoured, flattered, and excited about it. That feeling of when other people recognize you for the thoughts and ideas you may share with them … with others.

I initially struggled with what stuff I should be writing about since my interest is very catholic … it is universal, as in, it stems from the sublime to the ridiculous.

And so, here goes.

One can see many things happening at the edge of life’s pond, as in any pond. Decisions are made there, life changing decisions, defining moments … to get in the pond, or not. The pond is encircled by its edges in different forms and kind … straight, jagged, rough, rocks, pebbles, sand, soil, or mud. Very much like people. No matter the differences we have, we all belong there … around the life pond, inside, outside, at the edge, but there.

I borrow a few lines from an iconic song in the late sixties, Shondells’ Crystal Blue Persuasion, written by Tommy James, Eddie Morley Gray and Mike Vale. I will give them a little treatment, some tweaking and hope to do them justice as I do.

The lyrics define the prevailing psyche of the youth of that period … of change, of love, of hope, of peace and understanding. Inspired with his reading from the Book of Ezekiel where it speaks of the Blue Shekinah Light representing the presence of the Almighty God, and the Books of Isaiah and Revelation where it speaks of a bright future of a brotherhood of mankind, living in peace and harmony.

I have so embraced this. This, to me, is what life is all about … the essence of life!

As you look over yonder, by the other edge of the pond, you’ll see the sun a-rising, the birthing of a new day. It’s definitely going to be a new day for us around life’s pond.

You’ll find people changing and it’s going to be beautiful, that’s what God will bring, He, the Crystal blue persuasion, the Blue Shekinah Light . If you look into your soul and open your mind, it will be so easy to see the light because the answer to everything is love.

When God looks down on every green field, every town, and all of His children, and every nation, there will be peace and good brotherhood!

Such hope and promise these words bring, how we wish they all descend upon us. Now!

One can’t help but wonder, what about us here and now? That peace and brotherhood of man seems so elusive, so much darkness even. One can easily fall into the muck and mire of frustration and despair. How much harder should we work for it? How much harder should we try?

There is so much goodwill to be desired, so much honesty and transparency wanting and the occasional sparks and little flickers of light are doused with the harshness of their insecurities, bringing the deathlike pallor of fear to those who share their love, bringing joy to those who have less. These are difficult and trying times staring us in the face, indeed, and, once again, we are being pushed against the wall.

So difficult to understand that after our exodus from the dark years with a despot, we are, once again, face to face with a more vicious dragon that has reared his ugly head in the stillness of the night. We find ways to push back and claim back all that was ours. Prepare to slay the dragons. We stand up mustering all strength left in our body.

Give up, we won’t … we should not. We seek answers and strength from the Great Divine. We pray for inspiration and persuasion from the Blue Shekinah Light.

And we journey on.

Pondering … as I sit here at the edge of life’s pond.

Philip Suzara

Creature of God. Child of the Universe. Global Citizen. Lover of Life. Freedom Fighter. Agent of Change. Lone Wolf. Occasional Consultant for Strategic Communications.