A good few years have past since I posted anything on my blog. We have had a riotous few years, elections in the USA, a world that has become increasing divided and of course the elephant in the room, Covid-19.
Image Source
Who would have thought what was awaiting us only 2 years ago? Today we have awoken to a different world. Will things ever get back to what was normal just a few years ago? I have my own opinions, I don't think the world is ever going to be the same.
This divided world is here to stay I am afraid. Being a South African we are fairly high on the pandemic casualty list. Personally I have experienced loss, seen loved ones age overnight, jobs have been lost and all around my town a closed shops have become a common sight and everyday one hears of another business going bust.
We have just passed the second wave of the pandemic and with Autumn and Winter approaching a third wave looms.
For me, a 73 year old, there is still no vaccine in sight and with age and comorbidities the future is still uncertain
Image Source
Skype and Zoom have replaced those friendly chats with friends. Churches are slowly reopening but will we ever trust crowds again? Do I want to go to a sports meeting, a music festival or hang out at my social club? I think the world we are rapidly moving towards is one that I really don't care for. Conspiracy theories are everywhere. I tend to avoid social media these days as it has become a gathering place for people who have been changed by the pressures of this pandemic life. I no longer understand many of my friends and acquaintances, how was this possible in so short a time?
Image Source
I feel as though I am no longer a free agent and I fear a even bigger clampdown is coming. The world is more connected than ever but with that comes the specter of thought control and the erosion of free speech.
From my missive I probably appear to be pessimistic, I am, yet deep inside there is a part of me that wants to see a glint of sun among the clouds. How do we overcome the psychological damage that all of this has caused? We have a lot of healing to do. Most importantly we need to reach out across our divided peoples and offer a hand of friendship.
Image Source
Let's tone down the hate speech, who is profiting from it? It sometimes seems that there is a dark agenda here somewhere, we are losing our humanity.
