There’s been so much doom and gloom in the news these days that I began falling into a dark funk.

Gutter politics going on in my homeland. California up in flames. Fanatics and madmen on the loose, spreading bloodshed across the globe. It felt like chaos had taken rule, that the universe was spinning out of control.

So to keep from getting sucked into a swirling vortex of negativity, a few nights ago I shut off the boob tube and the computer, heading out for the terrace to shush barking dogs and get a whiff of fresh air. The moment I stepped out the door I was enveloped by a sweet perfume. Following the intoxicating scent, I discovered that a half dozen night blooming cereus buds had burst into full flower.  Just then, right on cue, the rising scarlet orb of July’s Thunder Moon peaked out from behind a cloud.

It was a magical instant. And I was immediately reminded of the words my 20-something son had pronounced a few days earlier. “Quiet the mind. Live in the moment.”  

Since he certainly isn’t the most centered and mature person in my family circle, he is not someone I’d normally turn to for sage advice. In fact, I knew that he had drawn the thoughts from reading an inspirational book called “Practicing the Power of Now.”

But somehow the ideas stuck with me, soothing my state of anxiety the following morning as a lovely Chapala dawn lit the sky and sun rays struck the fragrant night bloomers, making them wither and droop.  Here they call the flower Reina de Noche, for she rules for a single night of glory before succumbing to the forces of nature.  

Continuing to “live in the moment” over the next few days, I saw wonderful examples of kind hearted expats sharing their time and creative talents with eager-eyed Mexican kids. Faith in the innate goodness of humankind was restored … 

A pause here, because just as I was mulling over words to wrap up this saga, cruel fate put me to the test. A sharp pop sounded outside my front gate and the power that runs the tools of my trade vanished in a flash. Ok, with my deadline looming, I admit I blurted out a few vile curse words. 

Then I took a deep breath, packed up the week’s notes, essential electronic gear and my cookie stash to set off for an alternate work place. Scrambling down the road, frazzled nerves calmed as I gazed out at the majestic scenery. Emerald slopes of the Travesaño mountain range solid under a heavy cloak of summer clouds. The vast expanse of silver-streaked water quivering in the mother lake stretched below. 

I repeated the mantra: accept this moment fully; be at ease in the here and now. Yup, the world’s crazy. But life is good!