Authoritarians–totalitarians–like to make you think that they control everything. In total. In fact, that is the very definition of ‘evil’ as I described it in my book, ‘Old Turtle: Questions of the Heart.’…. “Evil is simply ‘live’ turned backwards. Where life fulfills itself in variety and diversity, each flower and every tree growing as it should, evil would impose its way upon all, seeking to control and remake others in its own likeness, answering only its own selfish desires. Where life is large and broad and deep, ever flowing, ever changing, ever giving, evil from the start is small, concerned only with itself…”

Sounds a lot like what we are dealing with in our time. A very small mind, a withered heart and a non-existent soul, sucking other needy humans into its dark whirlpool of need, wanting to gather, steal, control and own… all. Feeling fear, terror and rage whenever it cannot. And, it cannot.

May I ask a simple question? Can you still smile? I don’t mean, are you happy all the time, or are you feeling joyous or optimistic at every moment or hour, or even every day. I just mean, can you still smile? At a cute kitten video. At the adoration in your dog’s eyes. At a favorite memory. At a blooming flower. At a stupid pun or a bad joke. At a baby’s coo. At the first fragrance of morning coffee. At… anything at all?

Can you still feel love and warmth and compassion, inside yourself? Can you feel the unquenchable need to do something, for yourself, for your family, for your neighbor or your fellow man? Do you still feel the impetus to create–to plant a garden, to paint, to sing? Do you still love to be outdoors, to see the sunrise or the sunset, to listen to the singing rain or the crashing of waves or the warbling of birds?

If you can answer yes to any of those questions, then you know… there are places that authoritarianism’s control and fear and dread cannot touch. There are places that are still alive and pristine, even in the midst of pain. There is still an internal order in our souls that chaos cannot corrupt, try as it might. And it is still true… that they cannot take what they cannot reach.

So guard those places. Find them. Enjoy them. Nurture them. Share them. Even while we engage with the world, and battle the ravenous, grasping, encroaching evil of our time, and beat it back, step by step, as it howls in rage… remember that there are places it can never touch, no matter what. In spite of its endless greed, there are treasures it can never reach, and can never steal.

(Beautiful image from the book, ‘Old Turtle: Questions of the Heart.’ Art by Greg Ruth.)

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