On Being Our Best

    

These present days really need our best, our best ideas, our best actions, and our consistently-guided intentions. We may be traditionally religious with a distinct belief system, or we may think of ourselves only as “spiritually inclined,” but whatever connection we may cherish to something greater than ourselves, these are very much the times to emphasize it and begin to think clearly about who we are and what accountabilities we may hold to our vital lives.

The people must lead...

Last week I blogged that some very unlikely types are running for public office… teachers, scientists, doctors… those who usually put their energies elsewhere. Could this be something other unlikelies among us might consider doing? I have said that when our leaders do not lead, the people must lead. This is the real meaning of the final line of the Gettysburg Address, the one that refers to government “of the people, by the people, and for the people.” 

Our thoughts matter...

Like it or not, we are not sojourners in a strange land; we are not islands in a stream; we are connected by our humanity and love of our land. Our thoughts matter because all acts are preceded by thoughts, however measured or fleeting, and we must ask: What kinds of consequences do my thoughts lead to? Are we careless and unconcerned about the mental atmospheres we create? We should not be any longer. Therefore we must bring our best thoughts and acts into life every day, day by day. We must bring thoughts of compassion, attitudes of creative cooperation and a little thing called love to the fore all the time. Let’s imagine what it would be like if millions of us determined to be the best for ourselves, our neighbors, our cities, our country! Can we imagine what kinds of leaders would come from among us?


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