Today a very dear friend pointed out to me that I am too
quick to judge. Since he is dear and we
have an understanding I asked him why he was slow in arriving at the same
conclusion that I do quickly? We both
smiled knowingly.
Of late I have been a bit unhinged.
I have struggled to make sense of the violence that has
flooded our world. I have been angered by the insensitive words of our
want-to-be leaders. I have quit a chat group upon feeling compelled into entering
useless discussions. Having argued for peace, preached tolerance and issued
commands for compassion, I too have been a fool.
It is hard not to get
caught up in the madness that surrounds us, the news that shouts out tempting theories, the panic of voices that beg of us to act and the helpless sadness
that accompanies violence.
Somehow I had forgotten in all of this that a good bit of
the compassion that I professed was indeed necessary for my own life. My lack of attention and caring towards my
own helpless anguish had made me into just another hysteric voice blaring out
at the deaf and tired world.
Anyhow, after a few days of strictly enforced quiet I feel
restituted. Distance from noise has re-established my own dwindling faith.
Let’s take a moment. There are more democracies in the world
today than has ever been. Women world over have more rights today than they
have ever had. Diseases and deaths related to diseases are under control more
than ever. Poverty rates are falling.
Attempts to provide, education, clean drinking water and electricity are on the
rise. Environmental consciousness and awareness of the impact we have upon our
surroundings is increasing. And most
importantly people world over are more inclined to help each other.
Nothing has been perfected. Yet mankind has made some
impressive strides in the past few centuries than ever before.
Maybe all I can do today is to thank the store clerk like I
really mean it, allow a car to merge into my lane, express my gratitude to my
friends who have stood by me like family, volunteer a tad bit more, extend
kindness towards random strangers, hug my children more often, speak of my love
towards everyone in my family, clean my home, exercise, meditate, read, write,
paint pictures and laugh when I have the opportunity to do so.
Like it or not, this is it, there is just one earth and we
are all in here together.
