When a society slides into a place where serving one another is replaced by taking from everyone, the environment we exist in decays at an even faster rate. Human Beings by our nature are communal. We need each other not just to survive but to thrive. Basic existence is overrated when thriving is not only available and possible but is engaging and profound.
Our culture is confused as to what is good and what is evil. The standard for defining the difference has been intentionally blurred over the years. Might this shift be the attempt to reduce individual and group accountability? This disguise of being free without recourse to behaviors? As you ponder these thoughts allow yourself to explore a society where no good exists because we neglect to take accountability for our actions which do not serve the best interests of our communities. True freedom allows good and positive choice. Evil jails us into self and communal cages of false independence.
As we go about our day, we are compelled to be in a rush. Hurrying from this activity to the next intending to accomplish more and more each day. Suddenly an event happens with the loss of a loved one and our world is put back into a clearer perspective. As valuable as contributing to society is when done for the benefit of all, if we rush into it without enjoying the journey then we are just piling up activity and not true value for our society, neighbor, or culture.
Our culture and society are bombarded by stuff on all fronts. From the office to the home and every other distraction that either falls in our way or we invite in to make the path less visible, we have reduced seeking the truth in the meaning of life. We seek transactions hoping they will be fulfilling but ultimately, they end up falling way short and we feel empty.
Bring on the GREEN! – May the luck of the Irish be upon each of us on this day as we all hope to find that infamous 4 leaf clover or pot of treasures at the end of the rainbow. Should you be so blessed, remember to share as generosity is contagious.
As we rest each evening and sleep at night our brains are in a constant state of processing. Although part of this processing we must be thankful for as it keeps us breathing and heart pumping, there is a completely different part which is in the mode of distilling all of information overload points of the day. What to keep, what to discard and what to shape into valuable tools and skills to bring value to the culture we live in. It is in this gap of silence where we do our best sorting of data points so don’t miss out on that time of quiet.
Our world is filled with variety and change. This ever changing landscape is a testament to the profound beauty the universe gives to us each and every day. Our challenge is to view this beauty through the lenses of purity and not tainted by the biases we have assimilated into our minds.
Our world is filled with numerous situations each day to use the skills of problem solving. The challenge these days is the sharpening of the skills before they are needed. Too often we let them get rusty and then when called upon expect them to work like brand new. If we are not improving our skills, then they are becoming antiquated and out of date.
Valentine’s Day may be a date on the calendar each February, but it is rooted in the foundations of the heart. At its core is “LOVE.” Whether from an ancient traditional story of a saint giving love to help others or a more secular perspective of showing affections for a loved one, our society needs to reflect on the truth behind love of neighbor. Today, go out of your way to say hello to someone you don’t know. Genuinely show them the simplest of love by this kind gesture which recognizes them as part of our human race.
Our culture tends to live in 140-character snippets of information and expectations of split-second timing on decision making. Although there is definitely a place for each of these, we need to pause and reflect that not all actions, transactions and relationships are fully captured in these short bursts.