Paradise

Merril’s sister was here and chose a word from the dictionary for us.  She did what we do and choose a word at random.  The word her finger fell on was “paradise.”
There seems to be a number of applications of paradise.  The religious one is obvious.  But it seems a lot of people are looking for paradise here and now.  A walk through a favourite place can be seen as a visit to paradise.  Many scenes looked at are considered paradise.
By the same token the loss of many places seems like the loss of paradise.  I must admit growing up in a country town I was surrounded by what many consider paradise.  That has become more real to me in revisiting the sites.  The swimming holes I took for granted are now seen as prime real estate and manicured and managed like never before.
What I find particularly tough is how so many of the nicest places are now being taken from the everyday people and becoming the domain of the rich.  According to a Four Corners episode the place where the Crown casino is located in Sydney, was earmarked as a people place, but was bought and taken over by money.
It seems all religions have a form of paradise.  I must admit for me I do not think about it much.  It is coming but it is not here yet.  What is here is a lot of hurt and heartache.  For me, it sounds a bit corny when written but it is true, it is all about making a difference for the better in my life and the lives of others.  Right now is the best I can hope for.
I sure believe in a future of no more tears and no more separation, but I reckon there is work to be done right here right now.  It seems to me if I get it right at this point good stuff awaits.  But at best it is a hope.  A hope achieved is no longer a hope but a present reality.  I don’t hope for what I have.
Merriam-Webster defines paradise as “a very beautiful, pleasant, or peaceful place that seems to be perfect.”  Peaceful does seem to feature in many a view of paradise although a waterfall or the like is hardly peaceful.
Paradise to me can be really noisy.  I want it to be noisy.  I joke about partying on the inside and that is good, but I reckon partying on the outside is better.  Paradise to me features the noise of happy people.
It seems paradise features in a lot of people’s thinking.  A lot say if only I had a “sea change” or a “tree change.”  But I reckon paradise will never be possible without a “me change.”