Beautiful and thoughtful. I´m glad you are back Vineyards 
. From my view, the last 8 years have been a nightmare. In fact, it´s only now at the end of the decade things are beginning to look up. At least with a new administration, there seems to be some light at the end of the tunnel. I´m not naive enough to believe Obama can fix it all. This world is not run by one man, but rather it´s an oligarch.... Davos man...?......... but it is an improvement. He can´t do it alone, he needs wind at his back encouraging and demanding change....but....it is a positive change.
Yes, people in the US, are not that happy. We are over worked, alienated from our families. We have been involved in two wars; the economy is a disaster due to greed and corruption by some and lack of involvement by the citizenry. Agree or disagree with the military adventures, there is a lot of tension. We have witnessed depravity of unimaginable proportions. Untold millions of lives altered in most unpleasant ways.
Our ideas about love are confused. On the positive side, at least love, being loved and loving is the goal. At least eyes are now open and demanding change.
As far as technology, we can now read poetry, literature and enjoy the benefits of libraries, art collections, research information, exchange thoughts and ideas with others thousands of miles away. I love this technology.
For some reason it´s in human nature to complain more then express gratitude for our situation. I don´t have a toothache or headache today. I witnessed two doves making a nest and cooing because my eyes worked. I heard the dove cooing because my ears work. I saw the mist over the hills with the trees looking like an ancient Chinese painting. I saw more that was beautiful than ugly.
I don´t want to obsess on the negative. I know it´s there, but it´s like brushing one´s teeth everyday. Yes, you will get plaque...keep brushing it away.
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