The Best We Know

Marcus - Ramon - Jay - BayBay

With me at Fort De Soto (near St. Petersburg, Fl)

When we decide to effectively make a difference based upon a motivating vision, we must also yield to the plain realization that we are now and forever will be limited. Our actions in no way show that we are pristinely good. In fact, knowing that “We're neither pure, nor wise, nor good” is a prerequisite to being helpful. (Music from Candide follows.)  To believe otherwise is delusional and dangerous for it is based upon self-righteousness. Unbridled lusts based upon self-indulgence are closely akin to self-righteousness—and are just as harmful. “We'll do the best we know” embodies a sense of limitation and signals an acknowledgment for the need of spiritual guidance from others and from God. I once had a terrier for a pet—his name was Stanley. I loved him deeply. He embodied a combination of humility and spunk. Outlandish as it seemed, one could easily imagine him on command bravely mixing it up with a wily fox. It took me a long time to realize that this characteristic signaled humility and spunk—and not just foolish arrogance.

The photo above shows me with some friends (kids) at Fort De Soto Park. We decided to make a difference, and we did so. We stood on solid ground.

The lyrics to Make “Our Garden Grow” (Candide):

CANDIDE

You've been a fool

And so have I,

But come and be my wife.

And let us try,

Before we die,

To make some sense of life.

We're neither pure, nor wise, nor good

We'll do the best we know.

We'll build our house and chop our wood

And make our garden grow...

And make our garden grow.

CUNEGONDE

I thought the world

Was sugar cake

For so our master said.

But, now I'll teach

My hands to bake

Our loaf of daily bread.

CANDIDE AND CUNEGONDE

We're neither pure, nor wise, nor good

We'll do the best we know.

We'll build our house and chop our wood

And make our garden grow...

And make our garden grow.

(ensemble enters in gardening gear and a cow walks on)

CANDIDE, CUNEGONDE, MAXIMILLIAN, PAQUETTE, OLD LADY, DR. PANGLOSS

Let dreamers dream

What worlds they please

Those Edens can't be found.

The sweetest flowers,

The fairest trees

Are grown in solid ground.

ENSEMBLE (a cappella)

We're neither pure, nor wise, nor good

We'll do the best we know.

We'll build our house and chop our wood

And make our garden grow.

And make our garden grow!

(The cow dies)

VOLTAIRE

Ah, me! The pox!

[Thanks to BestOfAllPossible@yahoo.com for lyrics]

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