Walking Spirit

I've struggled over the topic of this post for the past week. I had planned to do an update this past Monday about showing gratitude. A topic that was inspired by our discussion in last weeks Sunday School class, which centered around a concern about a generation of children who seem to demonstrate a sense of entitlement rather than gratitude for the privileges their families provide. Then, I continued to hear wonderful feedback about the last post "Choosing to be Happy" (although only four people actually made public comments on the blog) and how it had helped people when they were struggling with difficult issues in their lives. As a result I decided to leave that post up a little longer before getting into what would have been called "Gratitude", but something else kept niggling at the back of my mind that said that wasn't the right topic, even though it seemed perfectly appropriate for the season. A little voice that has been intruding into my thoughts for the past month. My voice, but not quite, because it's been speaking about things that I don't usually think about all that much. Now, maybe this is because I've been paying more attention to the news, or maybe they're just words that need to be spoken...

Peace On Earth, Good Will Toward Men. About a month ago, while taking a shower, I began thinking about all of the fighting that seems to be happening all over our planet. In some cases it's wars between legitimate countries who, for whatever reason, can't seem to get along. In other cases it's Priest's refusing to allow communion, or a funeral mass, because they disagree with some one's political views. (Refusing to accept that a politician, out of the need to do what's right for the people of a rich, multi-cultural society, might need to support something that is actually against that politician's personal religious views.) In other cases it's everyday average people discriminating against others because they don't like the way they look, or dress, or their sexual orientation. The list goes on and on, and in most cases someone chooses to use God or religion as their justification for their absolutely inappropriate behavior toward someone else.

It's so frustrating to me that in the 21st century we continue to fight with each other about who is right and who is wrong. Hasn't the human race evolved beyond that point? I'm no expert on all of the religions of the world, but I have to believe that if you took all of the major religious texts and boiled them down to their basic message that they would all say the same thing...Peace On Earth, Good Will Toward Men. Yet, for some reason, instead of working towards that end the human race seems to be intent upon fighting with one another, and more often than not, we use our religions to justify it!

Any person who has been reading this blog for some time should know that I firmly believe that there is a divine power at work in this world that performs miracles, both small and large, everyday. After what I have experienced there is no way that I can deny it. I am here today because of divine intervention, otherwise my life would have ended in the flames on October 22nd of 2005. However, that doesn't mean that I will refuse to associate, or will condemn, someone who doesn't agree with me. I cannot believe that God would have created this Earth, all creatures great and small, and then set the human race upon it with a mission to destroy anyone who would not agree with the majority about what religion is right, what sexual orientation is appropriate, or what political views were best! The focus of the human race must be Peace On Earth, Good Will Toward Men!

I am concerned about the future of the human race, should our current course continue. It is obvious that our planet is hurting. Our natural resources are drying up. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but one day they will be gone. Sadly, our global civilization has allowed much of our resources to stay in the hands of individuals and governments who dispense these resources for profit rather than working together to ensure that those in need receive the help they deserve. We continue to hurt one another and wage war when we should be working toward Peace. We continue to allow religious and political extremists to distract us from what we, as a race and global civilization must focus on. Education, health care, medical and scientific advancement, sharing resources globally to help those in need. The day will come, hopefully far in the future, where our world will no longer be able to sustain us, and I have to wonder what will happen to the human race when that day comes? Will we even still be here, or will we have exterminated ourselves long before that day comes? All because we continued to fight amongst ourselves rather than learning to be tolerant of each other and learn to celebrate the beauty of our differences. All because we did not insist that the leaders of our nations focus on Peace On Earth, Good Will Toward Men.

Now, forgive my rant, because I do believe that we have the power to change our current course. Everyday I meet people who are intelligent, rational thinking, people who believe in tolerance of one another and "agree to disagree" about views that do not align. I have to believe that we are actually in the majority. I do believe that Peace On Earth, Good Will Toward Men is achievable. It begins by taking the power away from the extremists who like to distract us. It begins by our governments focusing on the needs of the people of their nations rather than the profit of the corporations. From there we reach out to other nations to focus on the issues that face man kind as a race and global civilization. Only when we learn to be tolerant of each other can mankind truly achieve enlightenment and move toward the next stage in our evolution (spiritually and physically). What amazes me is that we have known the secret to that enlightenment for generations, but as a race we have refused to accept it! The answer is simple Peace On Earth, Good Will Toward Men.

Maybe this isn't the most uplifting message for the holiday season, and I apologize if this brings people down. That truly is not my intent. However, it seems to me that Peace On Earth, Good Will Toward Men, is what the holiday season is all about. I just think that it's time for us to focus on that goal for more than one or two months a year. It must become the focus of our entire race. This year please join me in this, my holiday wish and prayer, for Peace On Earth, Good Will Toward Men! It is not a simple saying or a pipe dream. It can be a reality. However, please remember that just as with any prayer or wish (or whatever you want to call the act of focusing positive energy on a desired outcome) it also takes action and conviction to make the dream of Peace On Earth, Good Will Toward Men a reality. Happy Holiday's!