And there you have it. We all have to return to the days of yore when Dora the Explorer burst onto the scene. More truthfully, the screen. And soon we were all singing about maps and knapsacks and how we did it. What exactly did we do? In this series, Dora and her various talking friends managed to actually make everything come out all right. It reassured little kiddies watching, along with parents and grandparents.
It was a good show for kids. Friendly, cooperative people and animated 'things', all working together in harmony, all odd man characters, all insolvable problems, brought into the fold, the issues were reduced to manageable and happy endings. All were able to sing joyously of friendship and cooperation, and all was well with Dora's world and that of the viewer as well. A good deal all around. Particularly so for the company manufacturing all the items that were so critical for the little ones to have. Good clean fun and profit, all in one lovely package.
However, what we missed then was the hidden theme beneath the songs and the smiles. There's a point there for the adults watching along with their little ones. Unfortunately, that point did not seem to make much impact. Hence, the world of the watchers remains in critical need of realization of the message, the search for an answer, and implementation of its understanding and analysis and a working answer to its call, its advice, and a solution forthcoming, so that all might sing happily by program's end.
What was clearly there, visible in hindsight, eluded. those who were watching. More so the adults. The children bought into the whole gestalt of the program. Cooperation. A little creative thinking. An outstretched friendly hand. A synthesis between. humans and nature, and inevitably, all problems, all dilemmas, were reduced to manageable terms, and able to be solved to the satisfaction of all - the map and knapsack, the adorable, friendly, talking creatures, and Dora and Diego. The knapsack and the map always seemed to have that within which provided a key, a clue or hint, which, when taken up, led to the inevitable joyous ending.
That understanding, enabling the resolution, neat, clean, and satisfactory all around, all was right with the world, was just a 'tad' irresponsible. It misled the little viewers to think that such behavior was the reality of the world outside their homes and we, the adults, encouraged them to think and believe that falsehood. Rightly so, as who wants to bust the bubble for the little ones, take away their innocence? No one - but at the same time, we, the adults who were watching along, we, the adults who knew better, missed the point.
The children imbibed within the mantra of the show, that all was possible, and nothing was insolvable. All it took was a little thinking, lots of smiling, strong friendships and cooperative natures. and nothing could or would stand in the way, resisting the inevitable 'goodness and optimism' of our friendly characters, irresistible to the combination of all the factors. We, the adults watching, bought into it. So cute for the little ones. Such good clean shows. No violence, no bopping anyone on the head. just perfect - and for the little ones it was, but not for us. We blew it. Totally.
We forgot that we lived in reality. A reality much uglier than was presented on the screen. Hands outstretched in friendship are few and far between. Even when come upon, around it lingers a somewhat dimming aura. Distrust. A questioning of the truthfulness of the gesture. And the hand to meet and shake is slow in advance, too often withdrawn before reaching the other. Opportunity lost. Situation possibly even worse than before.
Furthermore, we forgot, over and over again, continue to do so, that we do not have magic knapsacks which inevitably produce what was needed to resolve the matter at hand. Too often our knapsacks were empty of anything and everything. which could possibly have provided if not a road to solution, at least a direction in which to go. Nor were our knapsacks always pristine and in perfect condition.
Too often we looked at the ugly, worn-out condition of the knapsacks we carried. and decided that, no, no helpful moment within. No clues. No guidelines. No smiles and laughter emanating from that within awaiting the chance to prove ever so helpful. In fact, are our eyes and ears even attuned to hear those sounds signaling help and hope, or flags frantically being waved before our unseeing eyes? Are we too cynical, too distrustful of the motivations of others - even of ourselves? Hence, we are impervious to that which could lead to a joyous resolution.
Too often our eyes and ears are closed to those creative ideas which could lead to peace. Friendship. A world replete with stunning blooms. With sounds of laughter and aromas of peace and cooperation. Of optimism, joy, and faith. Is that in the same category of the impossible dream held within the heart of Don Quixote? Could we prevent the end of our show in implosion and instead coast smoothly to the solution clearly there? All we need do is be open to it. Could we? More importantly and relevant - would we?
Are we in fact too hardboiled to recognize and accept the opportunity if and when it makes an appearance? Or will we resist it. Too fearful of taking the steps which would lead us in the right direction. At least enable more positive thinking. Better content of our knapsacks. Perhaps even a refurbishing of them. Would that it would be so easy. But the world of adults does not ease the way, not then, not now. In fact, it is much more difficult. Situational resolution dances far ahead of us. Or behind us. But certainly not alongside us.
Clearly, we are missing some important piece which could possibly clear away the fog obscuring the path we need to find. It is that piece so critical to the resolution of our problems that we must find it, open it, use it, and follow its leads to where we need to go, rather than where we have so erroneously gone, in the wrong direction, in the wake of poor leaders, those posing great danger not only to our physical selves, but also dangerous to our moral beings, our souls.
Clearly, we have missed the point. Even as we sang along with Dora and friends, with our kids, all in fun, seriously, we do need a map. The map. While we cannot sing that we are the map. We must recognize the importance of having a map. One legible. Easy to read. Able to function in all situations and conditions. Be it online or in hand, as we open and refold along proper lines. As we hear clearly the directions. As we reach the destination desired, the one which allows for the best resolution possible.
Yes, we need maps. So many and so soon. We need the help and recognition of the Chief Mapmaker. The One who enables the creation and use of good maps. The One who encourages us to find and follow proper leaders, not the ones encouraging division and violence, distrust and mistrust, poor expectations and little hope.
We need a good map. We need free voice to sing of the map we need. The one we can finally absorb and understand and follow. The one that will live in our hearts and souls, lead us along the paths where we must walk, and step forward in faith and hope.
Where is that map? Are we deaf to its voice calling out, "I'm the map, I'm the map? To read in true knowledge so that we might indeed achieve that possible resolution, the one that allows for singing, for laughter, for love and trust, for peace. A positive resolution essential for the smooth functioning of this world.
That was, in fact, the point. It did not seem to take. We remain in critical need of answers to key questions of each and every show, only this time the shows are real life, not the shows we produce for children. We were introduced to "the map”. The very one which sang joyously. That map which gave forth critical information necessary for the paths to follow and those to avoid.
Perhaps it is not too late for adults to learn. To take the lessons unspoken, but so clearly there, to heart. There are answers out there. There is hope. But we must know that we must pay attention to our knapsacks. And their conditions, their contents. We must find and cherish those critical maps. The ones warning us that beyond this point are dangers of such prominence and power that can lead to the end of the world as we know it. Here indeed are the dragons. "Here be dragons". In bold warning print. Be afraid. Be very much so.
These are frightening times. Extremely so. At present we have two demented souls, in body and heart, yattering at each other. Throwing out challenges. Words calculated to offend and incite. In fact, to be honest. I do not think I have ever been more terrified for the future. This war seems to be wanted, and/or unable to be avoided. Due to the miscalculations of poor leaders and grievous errors of the electorate allowing for their positions.
This war, G-d forbid, is one to change the world in such degree and manner that we have never known other than in two times of war. It is devastating in possibilities and goes beyond any comprehension. The scope, the power, the involvement of all on the face of this planet - beyond true understanding.
It will change the world. Not in any good way. If it even remains livable in circumstances horrid and real, not of the movies where solutions and rescue are at hand. No, this is real, folks. Real devastation and destruction.
When the smoke clears and the air is silent, split only by the shrieks of those living. Those wounded. When the planet is devoid of life, devoid of hope. Cries of the tormented, in body and soul.
What then, people? What then?
Yesterday.
Today.
Tomorrow.
Forever.
Why can we not get our heads and souls clear and find our map, our knapsack, and fill the world with the hope and happiness of Dora and friends?
Because we cannot or we will not?
The choice is ours.
It has always been thus.
On us, Folks, on us.
Time is running out.
Trump and Khomeini
May G-d help us, guide us.
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