Half Fast Living @gaillardiapress.com

This whole world is sacred — every blessed inch of ground and every precious particle of matter from the four corners and seven seas of this good earth. And we all are its keepers.

In myth and legend, higher beings dwelled on mountaintops — in “God’s country,” as it were. But who among our lower kind were worth the salt in their veins? Those folks who kept their noses clean? Good, honest people who had positive values and never followed a nattering nabob of negativism — that is, a lying leader?

Yes, but also simple working people — like carpenters, merchants, teachers, fishers and ferrymen — who lived in the most humble or desert places, quaint seaside villages or inner cities where, guilty or innocent, they all died.

This song’s key requires listeners and readers to keep ears and eyes open, to hear and see, with instruments at ready, that the theme and variations in this symphony of life depend not so much on a catchy, recurring tune, but on a firm foundation of harmony and a steady beat.

The iSoul is my Prime membership; I can order everything from A to Z.

My packages — of which I am part and parcel — lie in carrier facilities; they run along a river of conveyors to carriers who brave wind, rain, snow or sleet. My purchases restore my credit; and my rising annual fee ensures two-day, home delivery.

Yes, even though I navigate cyberspace through the shadowy threat of identity theft, I will fear no malicious hack; for the iSoul’s security and loss prevention team has my back; whether the corporate logo is an arrow or a smile, they comfort me.

I can search for, say, the perfect coffee table (but some assembly is required); I can bulk order toiletries and other sundries in which to bathe myself from head to toe; the beverage in my new spill-proof mug stays hot or cold, as the case may be.

My goodness, I’ll stay on Prime ’til I drop, and I will shop at home forever (or vice versa).

Sometimes I feel snakebit, like everything I touch has been poisoned. I ask for help, but no one seems to hear me or see me. It’s like I’m invisible.

Other people — usually “true believers” — whine about every little thing that goes wrong; and when they get their way, everybody hears about it.

To them, I’m lower than a snake in the grass. I’m a pissant, a maggot in something they just stepped in. They hate me worse than that on their shoes.

They look at me and laugh. “This guy’s always running his mouth about some universal spirit,” they scoff, “so let his ever-loving iSoul save his ass.”

But all my life I’ve known there’s more to spiritual salvation or cosmic consciousness or whatever you want to call it than what you hear in any church.

Many of those true believers mainly believe in making money, piling it high, and burying the poor and the weak with it. Their alternate truth is just lies.

I’m washed up. I don’t have the heart to keep fighting. I’m surrounded by lying jackals who want to steal all I have left — to rip the shirt right off my back.

I just hope that the quiet folks speak up before it’s too late and show the true believers that the domain of the universal spirit is within us all, even them.

Then all people who ever live and die will know — as I do, when playing possum — that we have met our enemies and our friends alike, and they all are us.

Some rich folks act like they’re God’s gift to the world, but expect every day they rise and shine to be Christmas morning just for them.

Well, of course, they deserve everything they have — more power, fame, happiness, even better health care than all of us poorer folks.

And those rich, powerful, famous, happy and healthy people live without fear that their God — the Almighty Dollar — might redeem them.

Whatever it is you worship must give you whatever you want and take you wherever you need to go in exchange for whatever you sacrifice for it; otherwise, you’d do just as well to put your money on a fast car or a spirited thoroughbred.

Nothing compares to the wild blue yonder or a starry, starry night. Although mere words can describe a cerulean sky, and we do know why celestial bodies shine, light is the shot heard round the world as it turns and turns on itself.

The sun rises in the east and sets in the west; and shines down on everyone and everything.

These laws are simple, sure, perfect, pure — the warmth in our souls, the light in our eyes.

To quote an old Doc I knew, “Life gets teejus, don’t it?” But I have the strength of my convictions to protect myself, even from liars and crooks who do their best to bring me down.

Fear of many different things can paralyze a person nowadays — for example, one’s mortality, climate change, and natural disasters on the land, sky and sea. But I’ve survived.

I’ve held true to my beliefs and haven’t given in to the temptations that ruin some people’s lives. You know, everyone gets what they deserve. Their chickens come home to roost.

Truth is the light that shows us the way. All of the knowledge and skill that I have comes from my dedication to the truth about the interconnectedness of everything in the universe.

Liars and crooks eventually get caught and fall victim to their own deceitfulness, because they just don’t believe that a wholly universal spirit exists. But the iSoul is why I survive.

I’m not gonna lie – I expect to be judged fairly.

I don’t hide my feelings. I’m the same person in the dark of night as in the light of day. I call things the way I see them, and I stay away from bad people so that they don’t trip me up.

Those of us who stand up for the truth should be protected from the liars and bullies who threaten us. They’re unfeeling braggarts who push good folks around and try to ruin them.

Haven’t those jerks been rewarded enough? They need to be slapped down. It would serve them right if they just dropped dead, and their kids got to enjoy all the wealth they amassed.

I know right from wrong – I’ll keep doing right.

I’m on the right track about the secret of living in this material world. As an individual, I am weak. But as a community, we are strong, our sum being greater than its parts.

Alone or not, people who follow other paths are disappointed in the long run, especially those who seek power and resort to violence to make names for themselves.

All I want out of life is the satisfaction of being part of a community that strives to make this world a peaceful place in which to live. That’s the best life anyone can hope for.

Still, I’m surprised when I realize I’m “enjoying the passage of time,” as an old song goes. I often hear that sweet singer as I lie awake at night and think of the good ol’ days.

I’m sure that if I can look at this ever-changing world in a positive light, then I can stay happy, hopeful about my place in it, and satisfied that I won’t lie there in the dark forever.

A good person walks the walk by always doing the right thing and telling the truth.

A good person says nothing mean, does nothing wrong, and doesn’t fuss at friends.

A good person doesn’t support bad people and always stands up for other good folks.

A good person is honest enough to admit having been hurt, but doesn’t seek revenge.

A good person neither bilks anyone out of money nor accepts money to hurt people.

Anyone who does the opposite of all these things deserves neither respect nor support.