Think back 15-20 years ago to all those college courses and books where the question was whether society would be able to thrive or survive at all in an ever-faster-changing, ever more crowded world. Some of the direst predictions have not come true; some of them have.

If you reread some of those textbooks, you might gain an appreciation for how well we are doing in some respects.

On a slightly different note: I came very late to one awakening. I was almost 30 years old when I had an epiphany on taking responsibility. I was crossing the parking lot to my job and as usual tossed my cigarette butt away. I walked on a few steps then suddenly came to a complete halt. It had occurred to me to wonder who was going to pick up my cigarette butt? If I didn't do it, someone else would have to. I went back and picked it up and deposited it in the nearest trash. I was never quite so cavalier again.

Ebbie