Believing that bad things are not going to happen to one’s self comes naturally. As a child, I believed I would live forever. My confidence went beyond just living. I would never get serious sick. No one that was close to me would ever die. I would always be untouchable. The fact that remains constant as I look back is that I was naïve.
Life has touched me as it has touched those who went before me. I am very aware that I will not live forever. The realities of aging are tangible and frustrating. While I have survived the harsh touches by illness, I realize that my fortunes could change at any time. The lingering feelings of loss from those who have passed remains. On certain days it is a harsh reminder of how fragile life is; on others I feel a sense of luck and gratitude to be alive.
One would think that there have been enough lessons, reminders, and knockdowns to get the message home; no one has immunity. We can and will be touched.
And yet, the naivety lives on within. I caught myself thinking that I was beyond the reach of a destructive wave of attitude and action. I was so sure. The dialogue that brought me to my senses was a simple one.
“Did you see this coming.”
“No, I did not.”
“Why?”
“I assumed that there were there was at least one logical, level headed, and open minded among the key influencers. I did not anticipate how strong predetermined bias was and is.”
In short, I did not think the nay-sayers could reach me. I was wrong and naive.
Sometimes it takes reality to wake us up. I am not the first. A king thought he was immune. Then a force “made frogs swarm through the land, even into the king’s bedroom.” (Psalm 105.30) Reality bites.
As it always is, the central question remains the same. What am I going to do with the moment at hand?
With or without immunity, I want to act in and with Hope.
