The Grass Looks Greener On the Other Side

Evil needs glamour to attract and distract us.  When we look at the world, it is often seemingly boring and confining as we "follow the rules of society". We need to have "fun" and do not want to be bogged down with responsibilities.  Many of our dreams involve becoming famous, making huge sums of money and being able to "do what we want when we want".  It appears to be a wonderful life to have others hanging onto our every word, wanting our autographs, relationships constantly changing, owning huge properties, hiring many servants, gambling, having plastic surgery to preserve our looks, finding creative ways to have sex with the potential of pornography, using profanity without censure and forgetting the norms of society. How many of these individuals are truly happy, who have friends who will be honest and caring, who have family who love and respect them?

Truly beautiful individuals who love from the heart need no superficial trappings to attract.  They present themselves with honesty and compassion as they share unconditional love.  They can't be "bought".  They are willing to hold up a mirror to us to show us how we truly are.  They encourage us to become people of goodness and faith.  They show us how to make a lasting and positive difference in this short lifespan of ours. The grass is not greener on "the other side".  Glamour is fleeting and fraudulent while while truth is enduring and sincere.  Look beyond the glamour when making decisions. When the facade is gone, the reality is barren and often ugly.  Find the inner truth and find peace and joy.

Life Changing Decisions

I know a beautiful woman who lacks nothing except confidence.  She has been in a long term relationship but has never married.  She was so excited when she had an unplanned pregnancy.  She had never spoken to her significant other boyfriend about her wish to have a child.  When she told him about the pregnancy, he became angry and adamant that he did not ever want to have a child.  He told her to get an abortion at his expense or she would have to leave him.

"Glenda" was so distraught.  She was afraid that financially she couldn't make it on her own with a child.  She had been with "Tom" for many years and felt that she loved him and couldn't survive without him.  She was torn between her love for her boyfriend and for the child she had always wanted.  As time went on, she knew she had to make a decision.  She had the abortion.  She regretted her decision immediately.  She knows that now she will never have another child since she has chosen to stay with Tom.  She is depressed because she imagines the child that was not allowed to have a chance to be born.  The due date of the baby was especially difficult.  Everyday she remains sad and wonders what it would have been like to hold her own special child.

I think that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was able to overcome her fear with faith.  She was an unwed mother, engaged to a man who had never had relations with her and would be stoned by her neighbors if the situation was known.  Sometimes, the only way to avoid life regrets and pitfalls is to face the fear with our faith and do the right thing that is in our heart.  Glenda knew it was wrong to cause the death of a human being but she was afraid of life changing and of loneliness.  We never know what is around the corner.  God can accomplish all things.  Maybe Tom would have decided to stay with Glenda and would have loved his son or daughter.  Maybe Glenda would have been alone with the baby, but would have found the strength and courage to figure out a way to survive financially and emotionally.  Maybe she could have given the baby up for adoption for another couple who could not have biological children, We don't know what possibilities will open up for us in the future. What we do know is that God is always present and willing to help if we ask Him.  He also forgives us when we allow fear to make our decisions for us. I know that God has forgiven Glenda but she is having a hard time forgiving herself.  Forgiveness is the first step for healing.

tough love

Pope Francis states,"Experience teaches us that each time we seek the path of privileges or benefits for a few to the detriment of the good of all, sooner or later the life of society becomes a fertile soil for corruption, drug trade, exclusion of different cultures, violence and also human trafficking, kidnapping and death, bringing suffering and slowing down development,"

Simply stated--we all need each other to reach out in love to combat the unimaginable cruelty that can exist in a faithless and loveless world.  Selfishness and greed do not have to rule the world.  Love, faith, peace and generosity can overcome evil if we choose to become a part of the solution instead of part of the problem.  We need world leaders who choose compassion and diplomacy whenever possible so that all of us can prosper.  When we die, all of our possessions, power, and money will be worthless.  It is our humanity that will be judged.

Valentine's Day is about love.  Love can encompass many people that we come in contact with as we live our lives.  We have constant opportunities to feel and demonstrate our morality with kindness and openness to others with different cultures, ideas, lifestyles and environments,  We are all human beings who love our families, friends, countries, and beliefs.  We want safety, food, meaningful jobs, clothing, homes, education and opportunities to practice our faiths.  We want to be happy and productive.  Without love, the world has no future.  Love has to be tough sometimes to help us find ourselves.

Waterboarding and Torture

I have been reading and hearing about candidates for president who espouse waterboarding and torture as tactics for keeping our country "safe".  I guess if I behead you, you have the right to behead me. Sadly, when we respond to cruelty with cruelty we become the tormentors ourselves and we are no longer a part of the solution to the issues.  God has entrusted true leaders with wisdom, compassion, justice, mercy and charisma.  He has high expectations that these individuals will govern with the needs and rights of all citizens as the primary focus.  With great power comes great responsibility and accountability.  When a leader orders war, torture, unjust laws regarding prejudice, financial hardship, cruelty; loss of life, home, sustenance, medical care, etc., that leader is choosing to lose his or her own soul as they lose their humanity. Anyone can cause the death of another and inflict torture on the body.  It is the wounds of the soul that are the greatest and most significant loss. Those who are tortured and die unjustly will be in the hands of God.  Those who torture and kill for power, money, or cruelty will have to live with a damaged soul when they die themselves and have to answer to God for their crimes against humanity.  When we die, we will know either the pain and suffering we have caused for others or the alleviation of their pain and suffering. What kind of legacy we leave is up to us.

We have choices when live our own lives and choose those who govern us.  We must make our choices wisely and with compassion for our fellow human beings. We must keep God in our government and in our lives.