It’s hard not to care sometimes. It’s hard to stifle the passion for a gentler, kinder world.

That’s something I’ve been thinking about, even wrestling with, in the last little while. Trying not to give a damn, at least, not so much.

I’ve also been gobsmacked by it all. But there is no sense of wonderment. This isn’t Wonderland.

Madness has taken hold in much of the world. I could point fingers and cite myriad examples, but informed people already know.

On one hand, I want to do everything in my power to save the world and all its life forms. I feel that passion in my heart. I want to make contributions.

On the other hand, I know it’s hopeless. And what does it all really matter? We die, anyway, and life was but a dream. Ditto our species. Ditto our Earth.

Sometimes it helps to reflect on how truly insignificant we humans are on this speck of dust in the universe. It doesn’t matter to the universe if mankind destroys itself. Ultimately, nothing really matters.

Glum, eh?

BUT, and you knew there would be a but, what if we are more than this mortal frame? What if there is something timeless within?

Could that be where the passion is rooted?

Still, even if one believes their spirit will transcend to some ethereal realm where they hang out with the likes of Krishna and George Harrison, they got to know that mankind is as good as done, in the grander scheme of things.

George had to know, but he made his contributions, anyway. He opened doors of enlightenment for millions, including me.

Is Earth just a pit stop in some never-ending spiritual journey? Are we slumming it here?

Such are the thoughts of an old newspaper editor still at it after all these years. It occurred to me that maybe I am too close to the news, and that most people only take small, manageable doses. For many, the news is largely irrelevant unless it directly affects them.

And, yes, journalists sometimes try too hard to make relevance out of irrelevance — especially measured against the grander scheme of things on this speck of cosmic dust called Earth.

But, still, it can be a noble profession for anyone with a passion for social justice, truth and, yes, even brotherly love — regardless of metaphysical musings.

And there’s my answer, isn’t it: press on, even if it is ultimately all for naught.

Curiouser and curiouser . . .

— Jillian