Geography of Hope

During this holiday season, I end up taking stock of what I have and what would make my life better. As I have matured, a concept that my wife says I have passed over in my growth, I no longer hope for material things but tend to the more esoteric. If I make an analogy to geography, I can describe it so it makes a bit more sense.

On the other side of the world, the geography is wide and out of focus. I can only hope for things like peace, good will toward men, and honesty. I do not know the details over there. I do not know any specific person's daily toil, but I expect that they worry about things. Things that are foreign, that I cannot pretend to know. I do know that basic decency, honesty, love of family, and attempts to better their lives are common through the world's geography.

Closer to home we have national issues. Here the geography is more precise. I hope for leaders, working for the good of the country with every skill they possess. I hope for rain that will fill the streams and lakes we fish in. I hope for intelligent work toward solving California's incredibility complicated water problems.

When we get local, the geography is clear. I hope for continuing love within my family. I hope for things like enough room in the garbage can this week so it doesn't overflow; that someone doesn't steal the motorized moose Christmas decoration in my front yard; that everyone gets to where they are going safely and on time; and that people take this season to heart. The Holiday Season is a reminder of what we should be and what we should strive for every day of the year.

The smallest geography is ones self. I can only hope that the diet I am on works, this time. This year I hope to go fishing more. Now, I see that my trips are becoming numbered. And I will seize the day.

Happy Holidays to All!

– George Conway