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.
