Surveying the world scene and events like the Sumatra Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina to the war with Iraq and the troubles in the Middle East, each resulting in senseless destruction and devastation; one cannot help but wonder if the world is not going to the dogs.

Not a day goes by that one is reminded that life and opportunity are rapidly passing by. Pick up a newspaper; listen to the radio or watch television. Everyday we are reminded of our mortality and just how short this life really is. Prophets of doom continually declare the finality to this existence. War, famine, natural disasters, pestilence and the ever-increasing strife in the world add to our uncertainty, and even our well meaning religious leaders remind us of the impending doom and destruction of the world. The ever increasing rates of domestic violence, abuse and suicide give evidence that many are becoming discouraged with life as they face what appears to be a pointless existence.

We even find the younger generation postponing their plans for education, marriage and child bearing. This attitude is generated by their self-centered motives to get all that they can before it all ends. “Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die” is becoming a way of life for many of our population. Such an attitude is contrary to natural law and the purpose of life, as time, like life, is limitless and is ever seeking to enlarge itself.

Throughout history there have been numerous times, that the “World was coming to an end”, from the “Beginning of Time” through “The Crusades” and throughout “The Great Depression” and now through “The World Wars”. I do not want to give the impression that one should not be concerned about the condition of our society nor the destructive motives of others, but I believe that it is imperative for one to keep a proper perspective on time, life and its purposes.

I remember living through the “Bay of Pigs incident”, the rehearsal of air raid drills and the huddling in bomb shelters, the assignation and resignation of presidents and the Korean, Vietnam and Desert Storm/Middle East wars. The killings fields of Southeast Asia and the invasions of numerous countries by countless aggressors, extending their political influence, and the toppling of governments.

Yet, we have seen miracles like the destruction of the Berlin wall and the seeming end of the cold war. We have been exposed to the wretchedness of massacres like Kent State and Tiananmen Square, and to cruelty and starvation all throughout the world. Each time one could hear prophets of doom declaring, “This is the End!”

I was in living in Carlsbad California and working with some of the Marines stationed at Camp Pendelton, when we sat in those long lines as gasoline was rationed during the oil embargo. Experiencing again the uncertainty of life as nations postured themselves for power.

A woman of my preceding generation, in a discussion about the uncertainty of our (then) future compared the similarities of her generation to mine. She explained that at the time she and her husband were to be married, the United States had just entered into World War II. Her husband to be, who was in college making preparations to enter dental school, had just received greetings from Uncle Sam inviting him to join the armed forces.

With the uncertainty of the world, it leaders and even life itself, they found themselves wondering if they should even consider going forward with their plans for marriage, college, children and all of their other dreams. The reality that she may be left a widow played heavily on them as they struggled for any hope in the future. As she ended the conversation she stated that they finally decided that “they would live their lives as though each day was the last, but they were going to plant their cherry trees, so they would have a harvest tomorrow.”

What marvelous counsel! Giving into the shortsightedness of fear often leads to the self-fulfilling prophecies of our actions. Our actions should be consistent with the advice from a friend of mine, who has participated for several years in search and rescue, “Plan for the worst, expect the best and deal with whatever happens.” Your future depends on it!

    The World is going to the dogs     

    My father, as he reads the blogs,
    says the world is going to the dogs.

    My granddad, in his house of logs,
    said the world is going to the dogs.

    My greatgranddad in the Flemish bogs,
    said the world is going to the dogs.

    There’s just one thing I can clearly state:
    The dogs have had a good long wait!
    Author Unknown

ÂÂ