With so much tumult and upheaval in the world, we are strikingly fortunate. To live where we do, to avoid experiencing the enormous stress that people elsewhere are under. From both internal conflict and externally-imposed conflict, from the fallout of natural disasters caused by rampaging climate change, from tyrannical exploitation of populations by dictatorships and theocracies. Events inimical to human rights happen worldwide. If disasters aren't human-made, they're the fallout of extreme weather events.

 

In Canada, people living in central and western provinces have connections to the East Coast of the country, through relatives and friends, or having themselves formerly been resident or born in Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, New Brunswick or Quebec, where Hurricane Fiona has wrought tremendous property damage, but thankfully one death only, although to those involved one is too many.

And here we are, secure and safe in our little corner of the world. A little bit of introspection now and again certainly places one's life in perspective, with a focus on gratitude for what we have, and relief for escape from what others suffer through. 

 

We resort to grumbling about issues as dynamic and mundane as daily weather conditions. We're not accustomed to ongoing, persistent overcast skies, encroaching cold weather too soon to suit our recollections of winter's onset, and the work involved in winter preparations. None of which stops us from going about our daily lives in relative comfort and ease.

 

We're grateful we don't suffer from food shortages, and thankful as well that medical emergencies have given us a free pass, since the state of health care available now in Canada, in the wake of the pandemic and its consequences, has left hospitals struggling to meet seasonal illness demands, and physicians are in short supply, leaving millions of people without a family doctor.

Crime statistics are on the increase, but if one really focuses on the typical victim, both the perpetrator and the victim tend to come from socially and economically deprived backgrounds. The  larger middle class  seems exempt from the violence that breaks out in assisted housing projects, new-immigrant and refugee communities, among the homeless and areas more common to visible minorities than those who blend into the general community without notice.

 

 

We're able to live on a quiet street where neighbours know one another, where access to services is unquestioned. We salve our conscience by making donations to charitable causes; above all, donating to area food banks accessed by people under economic duress who live within our communities. We can leave our home for brief daily excursions to a beautiful natural wooded area adjacent to our direct community, enabling us to stay healthy and connected to others in the larger community who share our passion for nature.

For us, and for others whose lives are socially parallel to ours, life is fairly uncomplicated and rewarding, aside from the occasional irritant or concern around untoward family affairs. Today was no exception, a fulfilling, satisfying day of domestic comfort and outdoor activities with two little dogs sharing our home with us. Happenstance and good luck.