What's so funny 'bout peace, love and understanding?

Above music video: Elvis Costello, "What's so funny 'bout peace, love and understanding?". It is by far one of my favorite songs and the lyrics ring true. Hope you like it. I recall watching it on MTV (back in the the good ole days of real rock video!) in the early 80's as a teen...I loved it then...and still love this song. Youtube has many other versions of the song to check out..live..acoustic...several to check out. I watched most of them and liked this one with the lyrics.

Good evening to my rather limited readership audience. (You know who you are!) I think I know who you are..and can count you on one hand. I hope you have been well. The past few months have brought some blessings into my life..including a new career and a move. It has been and is a great journey to be on. I've been able to find more joy in life (ok...I still read too many newspapers and have VELTANGST!) and things have been going much better. I consider most of the earlier part of this year and the 2nd half of last year as a rather dark period of life for me. I am feeling much more hopeful and optimistic. I took a "news fast" for a few days and have refocused on things I enjoy...music, books, coffee, talking to friends, food and enjoying some of life's simple pleasures. Warning: Reading and watching too much news can be hazardous to your health!! It causes anxiety and other modern afflictions of the mind. It can be toxic to the soul. So... I hope you are doing well and be sure to remember to smell the roses, or cologne, or fresh roasted coffee....or whatever makes you happy! And do it at least once a day.

My offer and extension of welcome to the Dalai Lama to come to Delaware and have lunch with me and some friends still stands. He is in high demand so I don't think that will be happening anytime soon. If there is one hero I have in mind these days he is the man. I am not an adherent to his whole philosophy...but so much of what he has done and has to say give me so much admiration for this wonderful person. If you don't know about him and Tibetan Buddhism...you should look into it to learn more.

link: http://www.dalailama.com/

I don't push religion or philosophy. I approach it with an open mind. I like to learn and understand ideas. I am interested in understanding out of intellectual curiousity, not being an ideologue. But check it out and reflect on some of his thoughts and feelings. I wish more world leaders would pick up some of his vibes and love of humanity. He is a beacon of light in an often dark world. Some of his words and his overall energy resonate with me: I believe he is the real deal. He is not a man after power, greed, control, status, money or ego tripping. He is among an enlightened part of humanity that is spiritually advanced beyond modern civilization and our focus on ego, money and power. One day, many years in the future, humanity may realize what it had...and appreciate it...or may continue devolving into the overpopulated, environmentally ruined, polarized world of haves and have nots. A neo-Malthusian crisis seems likely in the future as we go beyond 6 billion people. I pray that humanity is moving in a positive trajectory but my realism and cynicism at times leads me to think the opposite is happening. De-evolution.

I can't even get into the politics of the fate of the Tibetan people, it is one of the saddest situations in the world. What has occured there over the last half century is a crime against humanity. I can only hope that the Tibetan people can get the hell out of there and keep their traditions and culture alive in India and other parts of the world where they are accepted and allowed to be free. My heart and prayers are with the Tibetan buddhists and their plight. I think karma is going to be very good to them in the long run! Good Karma.

Have a wonderful day and week. Think about it, what is so funny about peace, love and understanding? Why are these such alien ideas in so many places and people?