Sunday, September 16, 2018

KEEPING LIFE BEAUTIFUL


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I saw this and was so touched it made me rethink my recent attitude and actions. I confess to having been pulled down into the maelstrom of political bitterness, to have been nearly overwhelmed with distress over the direction of our nation. 

During my long lifetime the United States has been a SELFLESS defender of freedom for others, a strong tower and champion of good causes across the world, mostly a kind and gentle nation that demonstrated  "speak softly but carry a big stick" as Roosevelt counseled.

Maybe I am a hopeless romantic that thought things would always be that way!! 

This little poster jolted me back to a better place. TODAY I will try my best to follow the guidance of this simple lessons that Jesus of Nazareth taught.  I will try to overlook the many distressing signals and be a gentle, more loving, less critical follower of the Master Christian. 

This hymn from the Christian Science Hymnal is a mainstay for me:

Speak gently, it is better far
To rule by love than fear;
Speak gently, let no harsh word mar
The good we may do here.

Speak gently to the erring ones,
They must have toiled in vain;
Perchance unkindness made them so;
O win them back again.

Speak gently, ’tis a little thing,
Dropped in the heart’s deep well;
The good, the joy that it may bring,
Eternity shall tell.

I know that as I put my limited, mortal critical view of life on hold, and speak gently and think gently,  I will see the beauty of loving gently and living a more joyous experience. 

My little friend below is a great example of the peace and joy that comes with a more simple life!!






10 comments:

Unknown said...

I know the feeling ,Pat. When everything around you focuses on the negatives of life, it is hard to see the beauty that still exists. When I see a story of unselfish kindness or heroism, It reminds me of the good that is still around us. I just need to spend more time LOOKING for those acts of kindness. Jerry

Anonymous said...

Enjoy the peace and harmony your new outlook with surely unfold. Love you! mel

Kelly Mac said...

Thanks, this is lovely and YES !!

I was at a meeting last week where our US Congressman was talking to a group in our community. He said having spent the last year and a half in Washington, it is clear that the only hope for our country and government is with prayer. I was touched that he shared there is a group of Senators and Representatives that meet several times a week for prayer: Both sides of the aisle, both men and women, black and white, Christian, Jew and other religions. All that understand the importance of meeting on a regular basis to pray for unity, wisdom, tolerance, understanding and peace for our leaders and our nation. I just love that and shouldn't we all be supporting that effort as well?

Thanks for the reminder to "speak gently' -- it's what the world needs more from us.

Patrick Collins said...

Thanks dear friend! We continue to trudge down the road!!!

Patrick Collins said...

Thanks sweet lady. You are a perfect example of love!

Patrick Collins said...

Thanks lovely lady! It is a daily task, sometimes hard to see above the mortal strife but well worth the effort!!!

kevin said...

Great message dad, the world and each of us can always use more Love!

Unknown said...

This was sent to me by a friend. Unfortunately, I was feeling exactly what these words said. It’s like they were speaking to me and sent to me at a crucial time. I am not that person but it was creeping into my life and I love what you wrote as well. You’re a little puppy at the end smelling a simple flower reminds me of what life should be. It is a perfect example of how simple and beautiful our world and things should be. All I know, is that it has moved me and I want to try and live words. Thank you so much this message. I think we all need to hear this, I think it should be on billboards and banners in the sky and anywhere else the majority of people could see it. I would like to post The first part on Facebook if you don’t mind! Please let me know if that’s OK and thank you, thank you, thank you!

Patrick Collins said...

Thanks, Christina!! I would be delighted if you shared this with others. THANK YOU.

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