Too Much

Too much fear, too much food, too much hate, too much violence, too much water running down concrete sidewalks.

Too many cars, too many opinions, too many words, too little said.

To little connection, too little kindness, too little empathy, too little curiosity, wonder, awe.

Reverse culture sock has been a problem in the past. Being overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of stuff available to us- the ease in which people buy and spend and waste. For the first time in years, I am not heading back right away: I can’t focus on the simpler life I have in Gulu- walking, talking, connecting. I am alarmed and saddened by friends and family who support a venom spewing old man, who has never worked for anything a day in is live, who hates women, and degrades and ridicules everything I old to be sacred- love, service, compassion, kindness.

I believe in people still. I have seen those with nothing give everything and those with everything give nothing. I started on Facebook as a way to share my travels with family and friends…to stay in touch. I now have friends from around the world. But it is not a place of kindness or intellectual exchange, and the negativity is too much. I will stop using Facebook for the time being. I will be on messenger, WhatsApp and for my local friends my phone number is 541-613-6216….at least for now. Let’s have lunch, or go for a walk, or just sit in the park. Turn off the TV, put down the computer and go talk to your neighbor…don’t judge them, don’t judge anyone…who are we to judge? Live by example in kindness.