Rock Bottom

This story was originally written in 2018 – long before the current state of affairs. As I re-read it prior to posting it onto this website, I couldn’t help but consider its timeliness. It’s as if it was written yesterday.

It has been said that before an addict can truly recover, he or she must first hit rock bottom. Lately I have been wondering if we as a nation and as a world must hit rock bottom before we too can start our recovery process. Lately I have been wondering, actually more like hoping, that our rock bottom is close at hand. Lately I have been wondering if perhaps we have already hit rock bottom, on several occasions, only to unflinchingly dig the hole deeper, in search of a new, more shameful rock bottom.

I remember a time when people did not lock their front doors. Now packages are being stolen off our front porches moments after being delivered. I remember a time when our motto was “give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses.” Now our newly adopted credo seems to be “get out and stay out.” I remember a time when neighbors helped neighbors without thinking twice. Now it takes a viral video before people are compelled to do the right thing.

I recall reading a story several years back about an American working in Africa. While there, he fell in love with a local whom he married. Upon completion of his oversea assignment, he returned to the United States with his new bride whereupon they began to raise a family.

After several years living in America, she returned to her homeland for a visit only to stay, never again returning to her new home in the US. She told her husband that in her native tribe, everyone worked for the benefit and survival of everyone else. Whereas in America people lived, worked, and played with little concern for the benefit and survival of anyone but themselves.

Marriage vows typically include the promise: “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish.” Beyond this small circle, however, all too often, everything seems fair game. Now I am not suggesting that all of us should love and cherish everyone, though I am sure there are those who would be quick to say that we should.

I would be happy if we could simply respect, trust, encourage, and support each other. Why must these attributes be limited to within the family unit? Why cannot each and every one of us respect, trust, encourage, and support each and every one of us? No matter the relationship.

Why must hatred, racism, bullying, scamming, hacking, lying, cheating, road rage, define who we are as human beings?  

Now I realize that these comments will offend many readers. That is probably good, as some of use apparently need offended now and again. After all, the nightly news, on any given night, does seem to suggest that there are far more sinister acts of violence and hatred than there are considerate acts of compassion and respect.

If this isn't rock bottom, I hope we get there much sooner than later.