Lines in the Sand

“Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world...would do this, it would change the earth.”
― William Faulkner

I saw this photo and for some reason, it made me think about the world we live in. A world experiencing profound change and challenges—man made and natural. Global challenges that made me contemplate where the lines are in my life and how I need to navigate the world around me differently. More positively, more effectively, more tolerantly.

We all have lines in our lives. Physical lines we will not cross over. Imaginary lines that we just impose upon oursleves regardless of how rational or irrational our thought process is in defining these "lines in the sand."

There are lines, tangible or artificial, that we use as navigation aides and sometimes even barriers depending on their nature or construction. Lines that are straight and narrow. Lines that are clear and obvious. Lines that are malleable. Lines that come and go. Lines that are messy. And yes, lines that can and do change direction.

As I have navigated my journey, and arrived at my current place in time, I found myself gazing at the image and reflecting on it as I took a few minutes to think about the nuances of the “line(s) in our a world.”

We live in a changing world that is filled with simplicity, complexity and yes maybe even a dose of chaos. A world where, in the context of time, time has brought us to where we are and time that we and future generations have yet to experience. Time that is full of potential for where we may and can go in the future.

As I thought about the picture, it made me think of the following graphic. One that reflects a perspective of a path that has led us to the present. It is a graphic that reflects the impact of technology and its acceleration over time. It is a line where technology and information has influenced the knowledge of and interconnectedness transforming our world in profound ways.

As I thought about the quote attributed to William Faulkner, it made me think of the potential simplicity of reflecting on where we are today. As I thought about it, I made a simple depiction of a line that has lead us to today and a reflection of choices each of us can make to change the way we act, behave and interact.  The choice is there to "never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion."  In the context of a metaphorical line in the sand, what would happen if each of us made concerted effort, and raised our voices today, to make the world a better place—to change the earth? 

Time will march on, but we have an opportunity where we can either choose to harbor ills and wrongs from the past, perpetuate the status quo and fixate on the subtle or profound differences in our lives and our lines in the sand; or we can decide to do things differently.  We are at a time where we can embrace each other despite our differences, embrace our earth and globalness and do the right things because they are the right things to do. 

Me, I will do what I can to embrace the change around and in front of me and at least attempt to raise my voice and make the most out of the sand below and before me.

I want to leave footprints and lines in the sand that will make a difference and help make the world a better place.  I hope that you do too. 

For other works by Joel Anderson: https://www.bebee.com/@joel-anderson

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the author