Other Perspective

  Sometimes hearing other people’s words opens other perspectives. A word or two uttered in a conversation can lead to a lifetime of discussion. Listening to each other is becoming more important than ever. I heard a new expression last week. We were in Sault Ste. Marie and had taken a lunch break from the running around chaos. While I enjoyed a toasted western at a Queen Street eatery, I overheard the strange words “chaotic good” from a couple of young diners. But the TV, with an interview with Chris Hadfield at the space station, distracted me from the rest of the young philosophers’ conversation. However, the odd terminology stuck with me. So once at home I turned to the Google world, which told me that chaotic good refers to the combination of a good heart with a free spirit. That was easy enough.
 And that trip to the Sault had been an easy one. The highways were clear and the snowstorm factor was nonexistent. In fact, most of the snow has disappeared from this part of the world. Last week we were able to snowshoe through at least 10 inches of beautiful soft powder that had arrived in late December. But then January thawed into April. A wild wind arrived with the mild temperatures. Lake Superior churned and roiled. Ten-foot waves crashed the shore, tore to the back of the beaches and released thundering echoes into the air.
 On the second morning of the storm, as the lake was trying to calm down, we noticed a large bird, a partridge, fly into the birch tree outside our front window. The ruffed grouse was exquisite. It tiptoed along the slender branches, stretching its neck to reach and grab the tender fat fingers of “fruit” at the end of each birch twig. We marvelled at the bird’s dexterity and balance as it walked on the multitude of tree tightropes. It was so amazing to watch that Ward grabbed his camera and filmed a minute of the acrobatics. You can watch the bird on YouTube under the title, “Lake Superior ruffed grouse in birch tree.”
 The bird’s tiptoeing was an effortless exercise in time and space compared to some of the recent antics that humans have undergone up in the sky. Not only has Hadfield been sharing his insight, but NASA’s Kepler mission also has been relaying some mighty sublime stuff. The advanced scientific project has revealed the possibility of some 2,400 candidate planets a few light years away and even suggests that there is a planet that is composed of diamond. The study, launched in 2009 to search for other earth-like planets, now suggests there are even more possible habitable planets up there. Some of the data from Kepler suggests that we could have 17 billion further sisters and brothers. Such planets exist in what researchers call the “goldilocks zone” — not too hot, not too cold, just right.
 Chris Hadfield, Canada’s philosopher astronaut, is living on the edge of the goldilocks zone right now. And we were lucky to be among the millions who could appreciate his 20-minute live interview last Thursday from the Interntional Space Station. Hadfield is an incredible ambassador for Canada and our world. From his module he can watch his own nature channel and observe the earth roll around space, showing its different faces at each turn. Hadfield shares his view with more than 165,000 followers on Twitter. His crystal-clear images of familiar places emphasize the beauty and vulnerability of our world. And he adds his own introspection: “Yes, there are important territorial issues; there are important personal issues. But at the same time, with increased communication, with increased understanding, comes a more global perspective.”
 Chris Hadfield, I think we need your insight right now. From your perch in the sky give us guidance. Canada could be in trouble. We are dealing with a multitude of conflicting ideas. An ever growing chorus of voices and opinions fills the media and the streets. The chaotic good is walking a risky tightrope. And it’s not easy for people like it is for the grouse. This tough balancing act teeters between wanting to do good and not wanting to impose force to do that good.
 We must be careful with what we say and how we treat each other. Unkind words, heavy blame or rash actions could tip the scales. Judgemental biased opinions could condemn any combined successful future.
 Columnist Brian MacLeod put it well when he said that we need an omniscient observer. Maybe Hadfield could be one. Maybe his Twitterverse can give our country the balance it needs. And then we could adopt Hadfield’s simple, yet complex, perspective. “We’re all in this together.” Those are words that could unlock any door.