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!!