Redtree Times

Sharing Heart– At Kada Gallery, Erie PA

Illness is the doctor to whom we pay most heed; to kindness, to knowledge, we make promises only; pain we obey.

–Marcel Proust, Remembrance of Things Past

There is always some sort of conflict and atrocity taking place somewhere on this Earth of ours. History tells us that. It’s so prevalent that many of us are able to tune it out altogether, barely noticing it.

We become inured to the pain and suffering of so many others.

But there are moments when it feels like the hurt and horror of the world reaches some sort of peak. Like a psychic string has been plucked that reverberates around the globe, pealing out a tone that anyone with an iota of empathy can feel.

It feels like such a moment. Maybe it’s just me.

And even if it is something that is felt by others as well, I am left wondering what one can do in response to that vibrating tone. Is it a call to action or a warning to be prepared when whatever evil is taking place heads your way? Maybe a warning that it can come your way?

I don’t know. It certainly has me on edge but, then again, maybe it’s just me.

For the moment, let’s act on the words from Proust at the top of this page. Let’s fulfill our promises to kindness and knowledge. Maybe that is the thing that will dampen that plucked string.

What can it hurt?

Here’s one of my all-time favorites, Try a Little Tenderness, from the immortal Otis Redding. This is a performance in Cleveland that took place the day before he died in a plane crash back in 1967. I am still in awe of all that he left in his 26 years on this planet. Let’s listen to his advice.