Guilt
04th June 2017
4th June
Guilt
The world is full of anger and anguish, pain and suffering. There is far too much happening in our human world for my simple mind to fully understand, and far too much strain being placed on my natural, liberal emotions and sensibility. The human race is hurting and therefore (seemingly) destined to keep hurting itself.
As the awful fallout from another terorist atrocity is felt, I am keenly aware how far away I am from the typical target areas and so far away from the poor, desperate victims. This fills me with a profound sense of guilt, but also with an equal amount of relief that only, inevitabley, feeds my guilt further.
The hills that surround me, the quiet estuary that flows through my landscape, it's wildlife, peace and sense of natural order and balance all seem so far away from the alien and harrowing daily news reports. Here, with views towards the mountains rising up from the Duddon Sands, the world is calm, reconciled and uncomplicated. There is only the most simplistic, most natural needs and desires expressed. A Shakespeare sonnet rather than a tragedy.
Here, if you need god, you see his design in everything around you and you can be content. If you do not, you easily detect the artistry and complexity of nature. You identify the power gained from observing the abstract beauty of the world as it directs, inspires and informs human thought, creativity and action. THe landscape both reveals god and human as one, not distant to, not subservient, responsible or required, just embraced.
At this time, looking over the gentle waters of the Duddon, towards the rocky turrets of Consiton Old Man and Scafell, the vanities and distractions of recent events seem too remote and alien. The distant hills and their serene setting are in direct contrast to the 'understanding' that have directed the worst things of the human character. The disconnect from us, me, the world and my landscape is uncomfortable and I shrink.
Today I will head into the hills as a tribute to those who suffered, but also, I have to admit, to escape.
"The best of men is only a man at best"
KIt Williams (Masquerade)
Guilt
The world is full of anger and anguish, pain and suffering. There is far too much happening in our human world for my simple mind to fully understand, and far too much strain being placed on my natural, liberal emotions and sensibility. The human race is hurting and therefore (seemingly) destined to keep hurting itself.
As the awful fallout from another terorist atrocity is felt, I am keenly aware how far away I am from the typical target areas and so far away from the poor, desperate victims. This fills me with a profound sense of guilt, but also with an equal amount of relief that only, inevitabley, feeds my guilt further.
The hills that surround me, the quiet estuary that flows through my landscape, it's wildlife, peace and sense of natural order and balance all seem so far away from the alien and harrowing daily news reports. Here, with views towards the mountains rising up from the Duddon Sands, the world is calm, reconciled and uncomplicated. There is only the most simplistic, most natural needs and desires expressed. A Shakespeare sonnet rather than a tragedy.
Here, if you need god, you see his design in everything around you and you can be content. If you do not, you easily detect the artistry and complexity of nature. You identify the power gained from observing the abstract beauty of the world as it directs, inspires and informs human thought, creativity and action. THe landscape both reveals god and human as one, not distant to, not subservient, responsible or required, just embraced.
At this time, looking over the gentle waters of the Duddon, towards the rocky turrets of Consiton Old Man and Scafell, the vanities and distractions of recent events seem too remote and alien. The distant hills and their serene setting are in direct contrast to the 'understanding' that have directed the worst things of the human character. The disconnect from us, me, the world and my landscape is uncomfortable and I shrink.
Today I will head into the hills as a tribute to those who suffered, but also, I have to admit, to escape.
"The best of men is only a man at best"
KIt Williams (Masquerade)