Songs of Love and Loss
I am ever so grateful for so many elements that happen in life without my input or influence. I am speaking specifically about the young man who was "looking suspicious" in Eastwood (a Sydney suburb) the other day and as police approached the man he drew a gun which was fully loaded, fired back at police and was himself wounded. It has surfaced that he may have even shot himself.
It appears from evidence found that he allegedly planned to start shooting at shoppers in the mall, a place I have frequented many times. Influenced by recent campus shootings in the US. I don't claim to know or even remotely understand why people decide that because they are unhappy with their own situation, that by killing, injuring or harming another will make things alright. Yes, I understand that Misery does love company and appreciate that on a small scale, but I am aghast at anybody, irrespective of race, colour, creed or influence to seek the life or lives of others to make sense of their own lot in life. My heart is saddened. I am grateful for the police who were astute enough after buying their lunch to question why that person stood out from the crowd.
Safety, security and the elements of life I so take for granted on a daily basis are fragile at best. I pray with gratitude, that the persons plan was thwarted.
I have immersed myself in the latest album of Tina Arena, an Italian/ Australian singer who lives in France! I have been a fan of her music for a long time, and I have just enjoyed the soft, reflective song choice and style of her musical interpretation. Her voice seems to have matured into a vocal purity that strikes a chord within me. She even sings a couple of Burt Bacharach's songs. Good Choice Tina!
I particularly love her version of The Windmills of your mind. Originally recorded for a movie that was remade with Pierce Brosnan, and originally starred the coolest guy in the world at the time one Steve Mcqueen. The film was called the Thomas Crown Affair. I have quoted the lyrics on my blog a couple of times, but I love the inference and suggestion of the song. I think Tina nailed it. She is a talent and a wonderful artist. I have photographed her before and found her to be a lovely person. Her songs have helped me through these last few days. I certainly don't want to give the impression that I have been having a hard time, I just have felt a little flat, and yes tired from the pace I have been setting, but a little flat at the thinking that is laced with so much heartache, remorse and even violence. The days when we could negotiate and reason one with another seem to be fading. Below is another song which expresses my feeling at present.
It appears from evidence found that he allegedly planned to start shooting at shoppers in the mall, a place I have frequented many times. Influenced by recent campus shootings in the US. I don't claim to know or even remotely understand why people decide that because they are unhappy with their own situation, that by killing, injuring or harming another will make things alright. Yes, I understand that Misery does love company and appreciate that on a small scale, but I am aghast at anybody, irrespective of race, colour, creed or influence to seek the life or lives of others to make sense of their own lot in life. My heart is saddened. I am grateful for the police who were astute enough after buying their lunch to question why that person stood out from the crowd.
Safety, security and the elements of life I so take for granted on a daily basis are fragile at best. I pray with gratitude, that the persons plan was thwarted.
I have immersed myself in the latest album of Tina Arena, an Italian/ Australian singer who lives in France! I have been a fan of her music for a long time, and I have just enjoyed the soft, reflective song choice and style of her musical interpretation. Her voice seems to have matured into a vocal purity that strikes a chord within me. She even sings a couple of Burt Bacharach's songs. Good Choice Tina!
I particularly love her version of The Windmills of your mind. Originally recorded for a movie that was remade with Pierce Brosnan, and originally starred the coolest guy in the world at the time one Steve Mcqueen. The film was called the Thomas Crown Affair. I have quoted the lyrics on my blog a couple of times, but I love the inference and suggestion of the song. I think Tina nailed it. She is a talent and a wonderful artist. I have photographed her before and found her to be a lovely person. Her songs have helped me through these last few days. I certainly don't want to give the impression that I have been having a hard time, I just have felt a little flat, and yes tired from the pace I have been setting, but a little flat at the thinking that is laced with so much heartache, remorse and even violence. The days when we could negotiate and reason one with another seem to be fading. Below is another song which expresses my feeling at present.
Comments
I agree, it is very difficult to fathom why people do the antisocial and violent things they do. These instances certainly have increased during the last couple of decades.
There are so many possible and potential triggers and no clear-cut answer. I share your concern.
Of course, there are the contemporary arguments regarding gun control laws, the prevalence of violence in media and the marked increase in violent virtual reality games.
There are psychological considerations and play-out from early childhood difficulties including scenarios of abuse.
I find myself wondering about violence and the link with brain chemistry, imbalances therein and the lack of impulse control that results there from.
We have become a chemical-based world. We daily inhale chemicals, ingest them and absorb them. This happens without us even being aware that they have entered our bodies.
Sometimes we choose to expose ourselves to harmful chemicals. For example, the food we eat, laced with pesticides, herbicides, additives and preservatives that were never meant for human consumption. The cosmetic and personal care products we use daily, which are then absorbed through our skin and travel in the bloodstream.
What impact can the totality of all of these assailants have on our central nervous systems and ultimately our brain chemistries?
Just another area to think about. Tangent perhaps, yet an area that I think we are going to reap the consequences of in the decades to come.
In my view, the effects of chemicals on our general and mental health and well-being will be something we will have to reckon with in a future that is fast approaching.
V2T