MY UTOPIA

I’ve been accused of desiring to live in a utopia. Utopia, let me imagine for a moment that I am the father in the movie, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” … “Utopia comes from the Greek words “ou,” which means no, and “optos” which means place. And there you have it, No Place.”

Sir Thomas More in 1515 wrote a book called Utopia which describes a fictional island in the New World. It is an imaginary society that is perfect. So, I’ve been accused of wanting to live in a society that is perfect. Who doesn’t want to live in a society that is perfect or nearly perfect? Of course, perfect is subjective, isn’t it? My “perfect” is filled with music, friendship, cozy bunnies, humorous frogs, spirited dachshunds, chocolate and tea parties, as another friend observed by my frequent FB posts.

I am deeply troubled by the world I see; I’m sure most of you are as well. We have become the opposite of utopia. Dystopia. Yes, it is dystopia or cacotopia, a society or world that is extremely bad or frightening, where there is suffering, injustice, and hopeless is the future. If those are my choices, I choose to be desirous of the utopia.

I see falseness, cheating, lying, dishonesty, unkindness, harshness, foul language, escalation of hate speech, a lack of decorum, racism, and war. Sometimes, I think I would rather live a shortened version of life on this earth because I can’t face what is has become and where it is heading. Then I think of my family and friends, and I think I should stick around for them, but that’s the only reason I would want to stay. I fight within myself to counter my pessimistic feelings; they creep in occasionally. I try to push them back with optimism, but it’s hard.

What’s the answer? The answer to this dystopia has to be love, of course. Nothing is more powerful. God is love and love conquers all. And giving, giving to organizations that benefit people, giving love to your friends, to strangers, using your time on Earth for good, and helping others less fortunate than yourselves. Otherwise, you turn inward and self-destruct. So, what is the answer when you live in a dystopia? Keep pushing forward, my friend, doing what is right, loving and serving God faithfully, doing what benefits society, and your community. Can I see a show of hands for those who want to live in this kind of utopia with me?