And The Answer Is…..

   Today’s world seems to be filled with more questions than answers. Wars and conflicts are raging around the world and they cannot seem to come to peaceful resolutions. People in leadership positions is constantly fighting with each other about a safe and secure future. There has been a significant rise in attacks on personal freedoms and how to respect the rights of others.

   I know there are many who believe that they have the answers to many of today’ problems. Whether it be controlling mass migrations by those who are seeking a better way of life, controlling the amount of carbon or other unhealthy substances being put into the air or mixing with the soil, there are those who claim to have the answers and will take almost any action to prove they are correct and have the solutions.

   Now, visiting a local coffee shop may find a group of elderly men in one corner and women in another corner discussing all of the current local and world events. Each shares  their individual ideas and in some cases this can lead to raised voices and the pointing of fingers. No. I am not talking about the current groups representing each one of us in this country in Washington, although if the shoe fits, it might be.

   Recently I was part of a small group involved in a discussion about the current state of affairs and some possible outcomes for the future, yet to be identified. The discussion ended respectfully with everyone agreeing that these are difficult times and that it would take a great deal of work to get back on a path where people could find ways to respect and work together for the future generations to come.

   Now, what I am about to share really did happen and as a result caused me to stop and think for a moment or two, wondering what the true meaning and why at this particular moment, this happened.

   I got into my car to head home and as I often do, I turned on one of my favorite radio stations and the song that filled the airwaves was being sung by one of my favorite folk groups. And the title of the song? Blowin In the Wind. The song was written by Bob Dylan in the ancient year 1962 and was sung by Peter, Paul, and Mary. And the words are as follows….                                  

           How many roads must a man walk down
         Before you call him a man?
         Yes, 'n' how many seas must a white dove sail
         Before she sleeps in the sand?
 

         Yes, 'n' how many times must the cannon balls fly
         Before they're forever banned?

         The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind.
         The answer is blowin' in the wind.

         How many times must a man look up
         Before he can see the sky?
         Yes, 'n' how many ears must one man have
         Before he can hear people cry?
         Yes, 'n' how many deaths will it take till he knows
         That too many people have died.

          The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind
          The answer is blowin' in the wind.

          How many years can a mountain exist
          Before it's washed to the sea?
          Yes, 'n' how many years can some people exist
          Before they're allowed to be free?
         Yes, 'n' how many times can a man turn his head
         Pretending he just doesn't see?

        The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind
        The answer is blowin' in the wind.

                                  Words and song originally by Bob Dylan

   As I listened to the song, I honestly felt that the timing of this, especially after the discussion sitting around the coffee table just minutes, had to be some type of message. And thinking about the year the song was written, 1962, with many of the issues and questions asked in the lyrics raised questions for me. Have we really changed in the last 62 years?

   Many reading this may say that to believe that the answers are out there ‘blowing in the wind’ may be a bit foolish, but maybe the message for me from the timing of this song on radio is that we need to keep talking, sharing the positive experiences and lessons of past generations for the next and new generations. Yes. We need to learn from history and often that is very difficult to do.