ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING, TAUGHT ME A DIRELY NEEDED LESSON that has showed up in my corner helping me through the holidays where many, to their credit, dont seem to need the help at all. I saw the movies; I never read the books. Unlike all my close friends, I couldnt read the books in high school and still cant. When friends mystically assembled like the pillars of Stonehenge to discuss the books, Id put on head phones, listen to the entire Jeff Beck Truth album, and watch their gleaming eyes until they exhausted themselves. Ten Years Afters Ssssh was another one I remember. Fantasy just doesnt hold my attention like more believable fiction does. But I would come to find on the big screen, and in the bigger picture, there was much to be believed and applied in this trilogy. In the last movie episode of Lord of the Rings we find The Fellowship having a rough go of things, fighting one weary battle after another and outnumbered more each time. Theres one conclusive battle to go with Middle-earth and all human life laying in the balance and it doesnt look good. Balance is a key word in my thoughts. The wizard Gandalfs power can no longer put a bead on Frodo and Sams progress, humanitys only hope and salvation as they themselves battle their way to Mordor to destroy the cursed ring of doom that assures humanitys downfall. Gandalf, along with the rest of the fellowship are painfully worrisome, but they dont let it consume them. What do they do?... They party on the eve of battle, and not the Last Supper kind of party where loaves of despair were broken open in acknowledgment of a predetermined horror to follow. They partied in the spontaneity that knows no past or future. Merry and Pippin do-si-do on a table with giant mugs of grog while singing a drinking song from the Shire. Even Gandalf and Aragorn, who smile less than anyone, cant resist laughing and clapping to the beat with the rest of the tavern. They partied in honor of that stubborn strain of the human condition that will not be denied the joy it requires for balance. They partied not seeking diversion from the foreboding life thatd surrounded them, but balance, integration. They would take the joy of what it meant to be human, and the pride belonging to the only beings conscious of joy into battle. That was the lesson I so deeply received. Joy and pain are a balancing act of spinning plates on the tips of poles: drop either and there goes the show. If one cant handle both at once, one doesnt belong to Lifes full Fellowship. This is not a lesson that comes easy to me, and dare I say, during these times of adversity it has never seemed easier to let the plates to come crashing down. And now its holiday time, an even greater personal test. Ever wonder what China must think when they manufacture all our party favors? I mean, America is one party town that comes up for a brief gasp of air before we take another dive! China produces our bloody skulls pierced by daggers and topped with tarantulas for Halloween, our musket pilgrim and turkey figurines for Thanksgiving, and our rotating musical Santas Village snow-globes for Christmas. Then come the hearts, shamrocks, bunnies and chicks, and all our American flags in time for the Fourth. Weve got holidays and observances to fit all shapes and sizes, commemorative, historical, and fun for the whole family. If one has an emotional issue lasting more than 60 days in this country, and in most cases as little as 30, it runs the risk of compromising a holiday. Right after 911, I fell into a prolonged state disgust with the whole lot when Bush told the American people, Go shopping. Get down to Disney World in Florida. Take your families and enjoy life, the way we want it to be enjoyed. It was combined with the assurance that he was at the helm against the evil-doers and the American people need not concern themselves with national policy, though our abject terror would then be constantly called upon as a patriotic duty so that the administration could effect their plans. I then started making a demon out of any facet of our lifestyle that seemed diversionary. When the wars broke out I criticized anyone buying the new large screen TVs to go with their Netflix plan where they got 20 movies a month. Sports fans, cinema fans, they were all sheep. But I saw holidays above all as the barbaric and obnoxious ritual of my toxic nation. Bush was pardoning the White House turkey, lighting the White House tree. Needless to say, like most, Im a much happier, less condemning a person during peace time. But in my criticism of anothers joy, Id fallen out of balance with my own, until 2 drunken Hobbits, a Wizard, a Ranger, a Dwarf, and an Elf nudged me to look at the challenge life offers to nurture and preserve the best in life at all times, no matter to what degrees that best may vary from festival to ordeal. If we can continue to keep our joy unconditional, well never need a reason for it. Halloween down. On to Thanksgiving!
Posted on: Mon, 04 Nov 2013 01:08:04 +0000
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