Now that the extravagance of the Christmas holiday has passed,
and the decadence of the New Year’s Eve rituals are but three days away, I
wonder how many of us become aware of our human condition. Just what is the human condition?
The news reports that terrorists are intent on killing the
infidel’s; that our Police officers are under attack; that domestic violence is
happening more than we realize; that children are being abused physically,
sexually, mentally… and sometimes by the very people they should trust; that
scientists are feuding about global climate change; that education is failing
our children; that homelessness is rampant; that hunger is rampant; that drug
and alcohol abuse is rampant; and the list of negatives about humans and their
lives is endless.
Good news doesn’t always make front page. And yet, there
are, in my opinion, more good people than bad people. There are zealots in
every religion: some become terrorists, and others do individual acts of
violence. But how about the humans who are kind, generous, thoughtful,
forgiving, caring, and who act on those feelings? These people are evident and
probably in every faith known to humankind. And there are people who do not
espouse a religion or go to church who can also be kind, generous, thoughtful,
forgiving, and caring, and who can act on those feelings.
How do we address these issues individually? Aren’t they
larger than we can handle?
I would like to suggest that each person who becomes
responsible for his/her behavior is on the path to overcoming all the evils we
encounter. How many of us do random acts of kindness just because it feels
good? How many take actions, however small, to improve the day for even one person? All of the good taking place in the world is
more powerful than all of the evil/bad that takes the headlines.
Before he died, my Father used to call me almost every day,
and his first words to me were always: “what have you done for the good of the
order?” He never expected to hear
earth-shattering news, but he just wanted to make sure I knew that I had the
power to do something good at every turn. He was not a religious man, but his
actions were on a Biblical level: do
something for the widows and orphans; teach young people the value of hard
work; help anyone willing to learn without expecting anything in return but a ‘thank
you;’ and to be respectful of every person.
As we say good-bye to 2014, my wish is to spread good and
generosity where ever possible; to be thankful for the bounty we have; to be
appreciative all I come in contact with; and to be kind to everyone, because
everyone struggles in some way.
May you welcome the chance to improve life around you in
2015! And enjoy every minute of the NOW
that you are given.
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