I was driving at night and was waiting to turn right into traffic in a single lane. I could see the lights of a car coming from a distance and decided to make the right turn. I was quickly travelling at slightly over the speed limit. Suddenly I noticed a car that was obviously speeding come up behind me. He was apparently angry that I was in his way. He came up on my bumper, turned on his bright lights and stayed there. I was blinded by the lights and had difficulty seeing the road ahead. I was finally able to distinguish a left turn and exited as fast as I could to the left. He raced by and honked loudly and repeatedly. I was not able to see well enough so I probably missed the visual hand signals as he vented his anger.
I am a senior citizen. I am able to see well enough at night to be safe but the bright lights in my rear-view mirror blinded me to a point that I was afraid I would crash into something. I could have experienced an accident and could have lost my life. I wondered if the man's road rage was important enough to endanger a life.
A just anger can be used to facilitate change, right a wrong and make the world a better place. An unjust anger has no outlet except to cause pain, suffering and create fear. Hatred, bigotry, prejudice, hostility, and malice are like "Burning down your own house to get rid of a rat." Quote from Harry Emerson Fosdick. We to decide if we send out ripples of love or hate into the world. We can be the light of love shining into the darkness of hate. I decided to pray for the man and send him some pease and love.
From the Author
Saturday, February 25, 2017
Thinking Outside the Box
I was recently distracted as I left my doctor's office. I was exiting the parking garage and I had a ticket from the office to use to open the gate with no fee. I was very frustrated after several attempts to use the ticket failed and the machine kept spitting out the ticket. I must have tried it about 5-6 times and the machine refused to accept the ticket for payment. Suddenly, I hear the person behind me yell out that the gate was already open!
I had to laugh at myself because I hadn't observed my surroundings. I kept doing the same behavior and was expecting a different outcome. The machine obviously did not accept the ticket because the gate was already open. I was slightly embarrassed and sad that I had inconvenienced the person waiting behind me to exit the garage. It made me realize that I was not living in the moment.
As we go through our lives, we are often creatures of habit. We do the same behaviors and expect everything to go smoothly. Sometimes our repetitious behaviors are not productive because we are facing new information, new outlooks, new facts, but we are not looking outside the box to find better, more comprehensive solutions to issues in our personal, political or professional lives. Just because we have "always done it this way" doesn't mean that it is the best way.
We can strive to think outside the box and find creative answers to problems and issues that are win-win instead of win-lose. If we can respect each other's viewpoints and actively listen, we can then find a compromise that enables us to each walk away with a high self-esteem and a resolution of hope.
I had to laugh at myself because I hadn't observed my surroundings. I kept doing the same behavior and was expecting a different outcome. The machine obviously did not accept the ticket because the gate was already open. I was slightly embarrassed and sad that I had inconvenienced the person waiting behind me to exit the garage. It made me realize that I was not living in the moment.
As we go through our lives, we are often creatures of habit. We do the same behaviors and expect everything to go smoothly. Sometimes our repetitious behaviors are not productive because we are facing new information, new outlooks, new facts, but we are not looking outside the box to find better, more comprehensive solutions to issues in our personal, political or professional lives. Just because we have "always done it this way" doesn't mean that it is the best way.
We can strive to think outside the box and find creative answers to problems and issues that are win-win instead of win-lose. If we can respect each other's viewpoints and actively listen, we can then find a compromise that enables us to each walk away with a high self-esteem and a resolution of hope.
Monday, February 6, 2017
Nation of Hope
"It shall not be at it was in the past...Not with dreams but with strength and with courage shall a nation be molded to last." Taken from a Hallmark movie.
We will never be the same. Life is continuously changing and maturing. We have choices. We can remain in our own safe cocoon and try to avoid what is happening in the world. That has not worked well historically. We can become a proud citizen who is not afraid to stand up for what is right, just and fair. We can have influence with our elected officials by voicing our concerns and by exercising our rights, especially our right to vote. If we don't take care of each other, no one else will. Sometimes we are the voice in the darkness. It only takes a small light to reach out cheerfully in the darkness to bring hope. Many small lights can combine to become a beacon of optimism and anticipation. Many prayers can light up the darkness and bring peace and reassurance of God's love and guidance. Become a light in faith! Make our nation a land of peace and comfort.
Remember a just man or woman is a light in the darkness!
We will never be the same. Life is continuously changing and maturing. We have choices. We can remain in our own safe cocoon and try to avoid what is happening in the world. That has not worked well historically. We can become a proud citizen who is not afraid to stand up for what is right, just and fair. We can have influence with our elected officials by voicing our concerns and by exercising our rights, especially our right to vote. If we don't take care of each other, no one else will. Sometimes we are the voice in the darkness. It only takes a small light to reach out cheerfully in the darkness to bring hope. Many small lights can combine to become a beacon of optimism and anticipation. Many prayers can light up the darkness and bring peace and reassurance of God's love and guidance. Become a light in faith! Make our nation a land of peace and comfort.
Remember a just man or woman is a light in the darkness!
Power
"Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely." This is a quote I have heard but I can't tell you its origin. It, however, makes sense.
Many human beings have political, financial, physical and other types of power over others, some over nations. God has given many gifts to those who have the charisma to achieve power. However, God also has great expectations and accountability for these individuals who can cause hardship or justice for a large population. We have historically seen the rise and fall of those who choose to abuse this trust. The triumph of the rise to power without humility and charity may bring great riches in this life. It is the accountability to God that may be the pitfall for those who create chaos in the world.
"Whatsoever you do onto others, you do unto me." God expects great things of leaders who may not realize the gravity of the burden of justice that is placed in their hands. These powerful individuals are not so powerful when they are facing death and are answerable for their decisions and for the suffering that may result. There is not enough money or possessions to buy eternity. A true leader has the opportunity to make life better for their constituents who have many needs but no political power. A true leader weighs the ultimate human cost versus the accumulation of personal gain. A true leader has compassion, humility, and courage. A true leader impartially promotes ethical laws and looks carefully to a fair and just outcome.
We need to stand up for the rights of all citizens and let our leaders know that we expect honesty and fairness to be a priority. We can't remain silent as many continue to suffer. Our prayers can be powerful also! Be kind, for everyone carries a heavy burden!
Many human beings have political, financial, physical and other types of power over others, some over nations. God has given many gifts to those who have the charisma to achieve power. However, God also has great expectations and accountability for these individuals who can cause hardship or justice for a large population. We have historically seen the rise and fall of those who choose to abuse this trust. The triumph of the rise to power without humility and charity may bring great riches in this life. It is the accountability to God that may be the pitfall for those who create chaos in the world.
"Whatsoever you do onto others, you do unto me." God expects great things of leaders who may not realize the gravity of the burden of justice that is placed in their hands. These powerful individuals are not so powerful when they are facing death and are answerable for their decisions and for the suffering that may result. There is not enough money or possessions to buy eternity. A true leader has the opportunity to make life better for their constituents who have many needs but no political power. A true leader weighs the ultimate human cost versus the accumulation of personal gain. A true leader has compassion, humility, and courage. A true leader impartially promotes ethical laws and looks carefully to a fair and just outcome.
We need to stand up for the rights of all citizens and let our leaders know that we expect honesty and fairness to be a priority. We can't remain silent as many continue to suffer. Our prayers can be powerful also! Be kind, for everyone carries a heavy burden!
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