The heat and humidity of summer is here
And air-conditioning provides a much needed respite
No, I’m not complaining about the heat or the sun
I love both in measured amounts

But as most things in this world
There is no middle ground
The weather is either bone chilling cold and depressingly grey
Or humid and scorchingly hot

Sometimes I wonder why we don’t have more places in the world
With moderate climes
But I think that’s asking for too much

In this material world
Where comfort can be short lived
Riches can disappear over night
Freedom can be snuffed out with a stroke of a pen
And justice easily buried under the ground

In this world,
Freedom, justice, and equality is much more desirable
Than a moderate clime

In our world ease does not last too long
Tears replace laughter after a while
Disappointment is around the corner and
Our plans fall apart all the time

Where is one to find inner peace
How are we to reconcile all this?

It helps if our focus is not on ourselves
It helps if we are other oriented
It helps if we take the long view
It helps if we set ourselves lofty goals
It helps if we learn to be content
It helps if we see the wisdom in suffering and pain

It helps if we see this world
For the fleeting moment that it is
And on the other side of it, eternity!

So, welcome summer heat
I’ll make the most of you
Because fall is around the corner
And winter will be here soon!

Lida Berghuis
June 30th, 2014