All looks rosy

This is the picture that greets you as you enter the Bangkok Refugee Centre, a colourful and thriving garden.  It is a lovely welcome space into a facility that is fast taking on more and more the look of a refugee camp with so many Palestinians from Syria, Pakistanis and others just hanging out there each day.  Each family is another story of misery in their escape from war and terror and their search for hope.

Today is Valentine's Day - a huge day in Thailand.  They sell roses galore, 'lovers' go out, many buy gifts.  It is also a Buddhist holiday.  So you would think that the place is full of Buddhist peace and human love but not so.  The endless protest continues.  The ridiculous political games continue as all fight corruption, while all sides are corrupt; as all proclaim democracy but so many have hidden agendas; as all want to take power and govern but each side has failed dismally when they had their chance.  The political egos grow and no one can lead the country in a way forward. 

All looks rosy but it isn't.  The rosiness hides a harsh reality.  That has been true of my own particular work scene this week.  As I struggle to manage part of Caritas and create good order, I learn that one person I had faith in and fought for has betrayed my trust.  I was shocked and disappointed on learning this.  That is my first response.  My continued aim remains good management and so my resolve is to follow what needs to be followed through good process and good management. 

We can't be ruled by false pictures that show a rosy present and promise an even rosier future.  Rather we have to deal with what is and do what we can to make our response.  We can't solve life's problems or make life perfect.  We just do what we can and make our contribution.