Gratitude and perspective

A secret of happiness is the constant cultivation of gratitude.  It helps to focus on what one has that is good and could be much worse and not on what one has that is disappointing.  Which can be the same thing, viewed differently.

March 23, 2014

Recent discoveries in astronomy have been mind-boggling.  Roughly thirteen million years ago, the universe began with a Big Bang at a point – where?  About a trillionth of a second later, waves of gravitation – some divine afterthought? - went out from that point.  Since then, the universe has been expanding at an ever-accelerating rate – into what?   
If the entire planet earth were as dense as a black hole, its diameter would be seven tenths of an inch!   
My reaction is, “Dear God, you have a lot of explaining to do!”

Today, the response I get is,

“No.

“I don’t owe you anything. 

“I gave you life and the opportunity to make of that gift the best you can see to do. 

“I gave you tools with which to work: the tools of physical capacities and the senses,

the tool of intellect, and the tools of emotion and compassion.

“I have no explaining to do.

“You have a lot of learning to do.”

March 2, 2014

There is so much trouble in the world. 

It is natural to ask, “What can I do to alleviate troubles in the Ukraine, in the Central African Republic, in Venezuela – or in our country?” 

It is natural to be discouraged sometimes. 

But there are a couple things we can do.  First, we can refuse to permit discouragement to keep us from doing what we can where we are.  Second, we can practice peace.  We can strive to increase our capacity to contribute to peace; to think clearly, to speak truthfully, and to act with integrity, courage and love whenever and wherever we are called.