The Star

We each are the stars of our own lives. Most people are extras that make entrances and exits. Shakespeare wrote of life being a stage.

Some are villains, some are helpers, some switch roles being both positive and negative at different times, some walk a long way with us and some only fleetingly. All are teachers.

There have been teachers in my life that dish out really painful lessons. I am still too sensitive as I am still easily wounded by some. I think it is my expectations that get in my own way. A Christian is kind, loving, forgiving, etc. But that is not actually the case. Some who proclaim Christianity are angry, judgemental and opposite of how Jesus taught.

So when I walk into the wall of hypocrisy, especially in regard to someone I care about, how do I avoid heartbreak? Do I rationalize, all are flawed so don't expect congruency. Do I cry? Well, yes sometimes I cry. Do I ask myself, what would Jesus do? Do I ask myself what am I to learn here? Yes, I do the above. And it can still hurt. Life has no guarantee of a smooth sailing life, so I better get used to it.

How do I get thicker skin? I'm getting there, but I don't want to be callous either. Sometimes it feels like a difficult path to walk somewhere in the middle, caring yet not so vulnerable that I am easily wounded and not numb or distant either.

My touch stone is what I learned reading and rereading the New Testament in my childhood and my youth and continually through my life. Jesus was mistreated but did not mistreat. He was attacked but did not attack. He loved. He forgave. He healed. In my own flawed way I must do my best to do likewise. I cannot control others. I can control myself, I maybe cannot protect myself from outside things, but my heart and mind and soul I can protect.

East vs West and Resurrection

I'm reading a Crossen book that looks at the differences between Western and Eastern Christianity, especially as seen via art. Icons, frescoes, statuary, wall carvings, art in general portray viewpoint. The main focus in this book is upon resurrection.

A simplification is that the Western art shows Jesus in various stages of resurrection alone. He emerges from the tomb with one foot still in the tomb, alone. He floats above alone.

Eastern art shows Jesus holding out his hand and bringing with him Adam and Eve as representatives of humanity along with assorted Biblical characters such as David, Isaiah, etc.

Orthodox or Eastern Christianity sees us as sharing the resurrection.  This is obviously so different from our Western teaching where Jesus alone rises. We are left behind. We have to earn our way into heaven.

There are an incredible amount of assumptions made based on which view is the starting point. Maybe it is time to reexamine our assumptions.

Imagine Jesus is holding out his hand to you. You have not been abandoned. All you need to do is reach out to Jesus and accept his hand.

Mortality

Last week I was diagnosed with macular degeneration. It turns out it is hereditary. My dad lost almost all of his sight, unable to do his beloved gardening or crossword puzzles. It was challenging to say the least.

For some reason, this diagnosis brought to the forefront in my mind my own mortality. I look at these hands, looking a lot like my mother's. One day they will be dust, no longer writing words, caressing loved ones, no longer making quilts or painting pictures, no longer whipping up new and creative recipes. My body will be returned to earth, no longer "mine" and no longer the garment my soul uses to navigate earth. This phase of my eternal journey will conclude.

So I ask myself, I am using it as fully as I could? Are my hands helping always? Is my mind seeking Truth always? Is my heart loving with abandon? Am I the best I can be?

I believe I am accountable for loving unconditionally.  We all are. I believe there is a purpose for me to be here at this time and place. We all are. We have purpose. Can I honestly answer affirmatively to these when I'm done here?

I need to look at myself and keep moving in these directions, for the hourglass of my life has just a little left. I will be 80 next year. of course it is possible I could live to be 100. Even so, the most of this life has gone before and some smaller piece remains. I know I must use it wisely.

Divine Presence, fill me, lead me, guide me to employ each moment in service of Your Highest call to me. Cleanse my heart of all darkness so Your Light shines brightly. May these final years be lived to Your Glory. Let it be so.

My Lyft Ministry

For the last year or so, we've been using Lyft to get around. It has been a fascinating experience. We've met drivers who moved here to our little valley from all over the world, as well as lifelong locals and people who moved here from other states. We've gotten personal insights into all kinds of matters, from personal to global issues.

Most of these drivers share their lives and their issues as if we are old friends. I've shared experiences, counseling, philosophy  and spirituality with these "strangers." I seem to be an unofficial minister to Lyft. It is a blessing to me and hopefully a blessing to them.

It has been a pattern of my life. In my youth, I often heard the words, "You're a lifesaver." There is something that makes people feel safe to talk to me. I often marvel at it all.

I wish the people of this world could feel safe with one another. I wish people of this earth shared genuine caring and compassion with all. It is possible, but so far unlikely. 😢

Thoughts = Truth?

Our thoughts are not necessarily the truth, especially not The Truth.

I see people acting as if every random thought they have is really important and must be acted upon. I think part of the cause of this predicament is lack of a developed core of values against which all can be measured. We develop our core by filling our minds with wisdom of the ages and by daily quiet times when we still our minds in meditation and contemplation.

When we ask ourselves important questions, what do we answer? Who am I? What is truly important? What is my life? What is the legacy I create with my life? What shall I do in this moment?

What would happen if we journal on these questions for the next month? Let's see. Let's do just that.

Another Lesson From History

I read a rather detailed account about what happened in the siege and following destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem in 70 CE. Can we learn from it?

First of all it was more violent than anything in recent history. For example, during the 14 month siege, Titus and his soldiers crucified 500 Jews daily, deforesting the entire area and piling up bodies to be devoured  by wild animals. And that was mild compared to what happened when they finally breached the walls.

The soldiers and mercenaries went into a wild frenzy of horridness. Titus tried to stop them, but it was too late. They already had gone over the edge between humanity and crazed bestiality.

It does seem there is a tipping point for humans, especially in groups. Right now there are those who want to end The Constitution, flinging wild lies at everyone and everything. They call others what they themselves are. They follow Saul Alinsky's formula for bringing down the West and establishing a Marxist dictatorship. There is a clash between Alinsky's worldview and the American worldview, but few recognize it. Many seem to be unknowingly seduced by it. Some are quite aware. I wonder... How close is the current tipping point? Can we learn from history before it's too late?

God bless us and guide us through these perilous days.

Are You Drunk?

The Dalai Lama says that many people are drunk. They are filled with negative emotions such as fear, anger, hatred, greed. It makes them act like drunk people. I certainly see this, especially with much of our political class, our entertainers and entertainment, and actually in many people.

I also see care, kindness and compassion in most people I meet. It seems to me, these positive responses to life need to be taught, reinforced and held up as not only ideals, but also as the way life works best. Religion was once the carrier of goodness training. Now with its decline, we have to either turn that decline around or find another way to inculcate positive values lest we fall into ugly anarchy and chaos.

So much research now verifies our natural inclination for community. Solitary confinement is a dreadful punishment. Our heroes are those who rescue, overcome, uplift, empower and care daringly.

Maybe we need a 12 step program for negativity. 😇 We need to sober up from the drunken state of negative emotions and the awful behavior that follows.

Oh Divine Presence, grant me the wisdom and courage to rise out of all negativity. Fill me with awareness that Your Seed is in me and is ready to sprout and grow and expand so that all I am and all I do is as You would have it to be. Lead me to fully shine Your Light.