InSpiritry

In several conversations of late, I have been reminded of how overpowering the world’s problems seem to most of us. We would like things to be better, but global situations like terrorist threats, war, extreme poverty, religious persecution, human rights and famine seem, well…just too global!

Maybe there’s our answer. We keep our perspective at a global level. What if we reduce the world’s terrible dilemmas to personal proportions — to our everyday lives? Maybe then, we can see that we really can “make a difference.”

For those ready to “be the change” (Gandhi) we want to see in the world, who believe religion is a personal practice, who want to lead meaningful lives, here are my suggestions for personalizing that desire for the Greater Good:

• First, look deep into the face of the person in the mirror. 

Who is your best self? How can you be that all the time?

• At home, model positive living.

 How can your family members encourage one another?

• At work, stand up for justice in ways great and small.

How can you succeed– without someone else losing out?

• Stop making excuses for violence or inequality or hatred.

What is your small part in the big problems of the world?

• Act for the Greater Good in personal encounters.

How might you be less selfish in your relationships?

• Speak up for those who cannot.

Who in your life needs you to speak on their behalf?

• Listen. Listen. Listen.

When do you need to really hear the needs of others? 

• Forgive a person who has wronged you.

Who needs release from your anger, deserved or not?

• Call, visit or just reach out to somone who is lonely.

Who would delight in your showing concern for them?

• Laugh when you could cry.

How can you be more gentle with yourself and others?

• Seek creative, collaborative solutions to old problems.

How can you embrace new ideas from new or unlikely sources?

• Gladden the heart of a child.

What younger person needs your encouragement?

• Let your words be a blessing.

What would an audiotape of your day sound like?

• Welcome life - see the sacred everywhere.

How can you celebrate and support what is good as holy?

• Open your heart, your mind, your home and your wallet.

How can you embrace others as a sign of personal peace?

 

When you personalize the Greater Good,

You Can Be a Blessing! 

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 31st, 2007 at 10:02 am and is filed under Greater Good, InSpiritry, Anne McCrady, Workplace, InSpiration, Peacework, Family, Social Issues. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.