~Problems are Small, Life is Huge~

Most of the time when our apple carts are upset, it is of no real importance. Mere (just) bumps in the road. (Refer to the last post (entry) in the blog about apple carts, in case you didn't read it, and don't understand the reference). At those times when we become upset, we lose sight of the big picture.
Two days ago my insurance company refused to pay for a perscription for an ointment I have been using for eczema (very sensitive and dry skin) for years. I let it upset me more than I should have. I realize now I will just have to find something else to use, but at the time I became depressed and angry. How silly of me. It really is nothing earth shattering (no big deal).
I read a quote by Robert Redford (for those that don't recognize the name, he is a very famous actor and movie director) in the paper today: "I believe in mythology. I guess I share Joseph Campbell's notion that a culture or society without mythology would die, and we're close to that."
Mythology is a body or framework of myths. Myths are stories or beliefs that may or may not be true, that explain our world, our history, and the meaning of our lives. The Chinese culture has an elaborate (large and complicated) mythology going back into the long history of China. The most studied mythology in classical education is Greek Mythology.
Joseph Campbell is an authority and expert on mythology and has written many books, some extremely well known and well read, about mythology. His books are not only famous, but are used in many college, and some high school, courses of study.
To me, the importance in mythology is that it not only adds meaning to our lives, but it also adds mystery, magic, and wonder to our lives. It gives us a big, no, make that huge, picture to look at, so those little apple cart upsets, or small bumps in the road, look even more insignificant (small, of no importance).
One of the big problems we face with all our scientific progress and new technology, is that our cultures and societies are losing all our old mythology, but we are not creating a new one. And I also believe in Joseph Campbell's notion that we need mythology for our cultures and societies to survive.
Anyway, this is a subject that could be talked or written about for a very long time. This is probably too long for you, and probably boring as well.
Tomorrow I will write about something not so serious, and hopefully more interesting for you.