There is a song by a band called Timbuk 3, with a chorus going, ‘The future’s so bright I just gotta wear shades’. It’s probably about nuclear arms, I never paid much attention to that. I did always like that spirit, though. It has this cheerful fearlessness, while not forgetting worrisome things are happening - so, it’s a song for these times, as much as for any other.

I was humming this tune, while watching the news. The news is bad, and it’s getting worse. people are dying, violence is raging, the American president is talking about ‘setting the dogs loose’ on protesters, and nobody really knows what’s going on with the Corona virus - is it just a new disease, or is it the harbinger of untold suffering? The planet is heating up, and it seems only drowning people notice. Everything is happening at once, and all developments are as frightening as they are inevitable.

So, now is the time to show that you care. Care about what? - well, care about the truth that you feel inside. This truth is eternal and it is still. You find this truth by for a brief moment letting go of all worry, letting go of all need, and sink into prayer. Just close your eyes, and hum a shapeless tune, and when you stop humming, you feel this truth living inside of you, just before your thoughts flood back in.

Your truth is what needs to guide your actions. You can’t turn your back on the world, but you can decide how you are affected by its movements and its outbursts. In all things you do, be truthful; should you come under attack, defend yourself with your truth.

You know your truth when you find stillness. Take a deep breath, say a prayer. Breathe out, see how you feel. What you now feel is your truth.