There are so many variables, and on so many levels, in this thing we call life. So many different walks of life, cultures, beliefs… so many things to do, or not to do… We assume too much, judge too much, place blame on others when it should lie on our shoulders - and then find an excuse for it if we do accept responsibility. But who is responsible any more?

All the lines have blurred. Nothing can ever be cut and dry. We strive for simplicity, and instead only find more complexity. We are in one huge global Big Brother.

The world’s in a mess, no doubt about it. Global warming, troubled lands, shrinking tropical forests, rising oceans, terrorism, natural disasters… crime. Where there’s an action, there will always be a reaction. Positive vs. Negative - you can’t have one without the other. It is a tough fact to swallow. But it is a fact.

Over eons, nature has always selected the strongest species to continue on. That no longer means that only the most moral of us will ‘win the prize’. But down deep in our moral fiber we must believe that morality will play a large role. Good vs. evil. Rights vs. wrong. Sometimes it comes down to making the choice between the lesser of two evils.

Any one person could look on the ‘big picture’ of the world today and say that evil is tipping the scales. Just like not judging a book by its cover, we just need to look a little harder and deeper for the true ‘meat’ of the story. It’s there, and it’s everywhere. The media decided long ago that this is not what sells, so they rarely broadcast the ‘good’ stuff. Hopefully, those of us who know better will help to better inform those of us who don’t, and that will make the difference when the time comes.

The world is still beautiful in all of its diversities. Think of the seven natural wonders. Think of the immediate overwhelming response and camaraderie that occurs in times of crises. Think of the music that flows across boundaries. Take the opportunity to steal a glance at a colorful garden, or a cloud-filled sky - and then say nothing is right with the world.

And food! Oh my, how we love to eat - what, with all the delectable, mouth-watering cuisines we now have to choose from.

We simply just need to get wiser in our progress-making. Learn, learn, and learn. We need to understand and accept that ‘negatives’ lurk everywhere. But within that acceptance, build the determination to fight against the ills - on a more basic individual level.

Yes, it is wise to learn the tactics of our adversaries.

Funny… we may find out that our greatest adversary… is ourselves.

We have then leveled the playing field between positive and negative. It is then completely our responsibility to make the choice.

Our only competition is … us.