A blast from my past come across my mind today, the song Stand by R.E.M. I guess it’s because many people taking different stands, and trying to convince me they’re right. I made my own recycled soap-box today and stood on it, on my little patch of earth, shouting up to the heavens, hoping someone would listen. A lot of nodding heads, but I’m not sure how much power we really have.
Perhaps it comes down to priorities; we are given these brief and shining little lights of life, and we are wired to scramble, adjust, and desperately try to make our mark.
But like the speed of light, we’re gone. We’ve left an earthly footprint, some atoms and shoes behind, and a legacy of some proportion.
There are the souls amongst us who cry for a complete overhaul: there are those who claim we are speciesists, with wanton cruelty to animals and other living beings not of our own species. There are those who feel justified that dominion means control and rule. Others believe if you take the life of another species for the sake of your own survival, if you provide a gracious blessing and thanks, that covers the spirit world.
My own little ant-path across this planet has taken place for slightly over 46 years. I have dotted the globe from Texas, to Tehran, Denmark to Delaware. I have ancestors, and I have progeny. In our pasts, we have futures. In this little terrarium we share, no wonder why we can’t agree on whose turn it is to clean the cedar shavings. But wherever you stand, stand for positive change, stand for love, stand for hope.
“Stand”
(R.E.M.: Berry/Buck/Mills/Stipe)
Stand in the place where you live
Now face North
Think about direction
Wonder why you haven’t before
Now stand in the place where you work
Now face West
Think about the place where you live
Wonder why you haven’t before
If you are confused check with the sun
Carry a compass to help you along
Your feet are going to be on the ground
Your head is there to move you around
Your feet are going to be on the ground
Your head is there to move you around
If wishes were trees the trees would be falling
Listen to reason
Season is calling
If wishes were trees the trees would be falling
Listen to reason
Reason is calling
Your feet are going to be on the ground
Your head is there to move you around
So Stand (stand)
Now face North
Think about direction, wonder why you haven’t before
Now stand (stand)
Now face West
Think about the place where you live
Wonder why you haven’t
[repeat 1st verse]
Stand in the place where you are (Now face North)
Stand in the place where you are (Now face West)
Your feet are going to be on the ground (Stand in the place where you are)
Your head is there to move you around, so stand.
