‘Tis the Season

For every thing, there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.

Ecclesiastes

A time to be born, and a time to die. It’s a time to be born. Life expectancy has expanded by 6 years across the planet. Life for many in developed countries is now over 75, and the time to die for adults is now exceeding 80 and even 90 in many advanced nations.

It’s a time to plant, and time to pluck up that which is planted. We live in an age of genetically defined, longer lasting, healthier plants, like yellow rice, which is capable of limiting childhood blindness.

A tune to kill, as 5000 ISIS, Taliband, Jihad murders remind us.

A time to heal, a time to break down, and a time to build up, as the rapprochement with Cuba, the breaking down of the blockade, and calls for free trade worldwide remind us.

A time to weep and mourn, as the killing of blacks and white police officers attests.

A time to laugh, as the late night, afternoon, and comedians strive to do.

A time to dance, or at least to tango, as we hope the new Congress will learn.

A time to cast away stones, and at time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing, in other words, a time to realize reality is inherently complicated and contentious.

A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast way, a time to realize there will always be winners and losers, and a time to forget and move on.

A time to rend, a time to tear apart, a time to sew; a time to keep silent, and a time to speak, a time to know when silence is golden, and when silver-tongued speech is needed.

A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war and a time of peace, and Christmas and Hanakukka is the time for love, peace, good will, and vain hope that good times will carry over into the New Year.