"If not now, when? If not you, who?"

This ancient truth has been expressed by many different thinkers.  Now, 3 months into recovery from spinal injury and continuing daily physical therapy, there is a truth that burns inside of me.  This truth challenges me.  It will not let me rest.  It demands I offer my best self in all interactions.  The truth reveals itself with every sharp lightning bolt of pain that travels down my leg from my spine. 

The truth is this, "do not wait for tomorrow."  Act now, speak now, live now, love now.  Tomorrow is not guaranteed.  I expect to live a long time.  I experience daily painful reminders that today, now, is all I have.  

This beautiful life is not a dress rehearsal.  This is the only life we get.  No more putting off truth, joy, love, gratitude, forgiveness.  "Drop everything and follow me." - Jesus

Daring to be different

"We must dare to be different, to point to ideals other than those of this world, testifying to the beauty of generosity, service, purity, perseverance, forgiveness, fidelity to our personal vocation, prayer, the pursuit of justice and the common good, love for the poor and social friendship."

- Pope Francis, 2019

I read this on June 2, 2019 and I was thrilled and challenged.  Daring to be different and living up to ideals that are not of this world has always been my calling.  Generosity and service go hand in hand in my life.  I have always enjoyed giving my expertise and materials in service to others, especially students and schools.  I enjoy finding ways to provide my services at a reduced rate or at no cost.

I live with purity in the form of our special needs daughter, Ashley.  She is pure in heart, mind and body.  Perseverance has always been a trait that I most admire.  I will hire perseverance over great intellect or talent every time.  I believe true success can only be found in perseverance.

Forgiveness is an ongoing process in my life.  Everyday I learn, everyday I have an opportunity to forgive.  I pray to be more forgiving.  Social justice and the good for all, especially those in need, is the mission of our work.  It has been the mission of my life.

Forgiveness

 The process of forgiveness means that I will no longer feed anger and resentment for past wrongs that I perceive were committed against me.

I forgive and I still remember the lessons. I need to forgive and I need to remember so my part is past hurts does not continue.

For my health and well-being, I need to make peace with the past. When I forgive, I feel a weight lifted from my shoulders and my spirit elevates.

Psychoneuroimmunology teaches that our thoughts influence the cells in our body. The quality of our thoughts affects our entire organism.

Empathy plays a significant role in forgiveness. If we can  allow ourselves to see the world through the eyes of our offender, see and understand his life situation, suffering and intentions, it will help in the process of forgiveness.

We need to be less invested in judgment and more invested and understanding. Forgiveness helps us transform. Letting go of past hurts allows our kindness to grow.

Forgiveness and kindness is not something we do, it is something we are. 

Do no harm

The hippocratic oath that Doctors agree to is "Do no harm."  Although this sounds passive, doing no harm is quite active.  Doing no harm involves self-awareness, self control, and kindness.

Doing no harm requires strenght of character.  We must choose to not participate in hurting anyone.

"Be kind toward anyone you meet, because they are engaged in a big battle." - Philo of Alexandria

Harmlessness and kindness require that we reflect on our thoughts as well as our actions.  Are our thoughts hostile to ourselves or others?  Are we surrendering to anger and negativity?  If we surrender to anger and negativity, we harm ourselves physically and phychologically.  Our inner condition impacts relationships.  Harmlessness also helps us grow spirtually.  It is impossible to grow our consciousness while being negative and judgemental.

Our world and each of us is in need of collaboration, kindness, respect and nonviolence.  

Compassion

Be kind; everyone you meet is struggling with something. We don’t know someone until we know them. Kindness and compassion are always a wise choice.

“Genuine compassion must have both wisdom and loving compassion. That is to say, one must understand the nature of the suffering from which we wish to free others (this is wisdom), and one must experience deep intimacy and empathy with other sentient beings (this is loving kindness).” - Barbara O’Brien