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Monday, August 25, 2008
LIVING OUTSIDE ILLUSION
It is amazing how often illusion passes
for reality. That is because our egos often feed us distorted facts that dissolve when light is shone on
them. One such “ego fact” is that we only have to take care of number one. Some of us also
look out for our family and friends, and feel satisfied we have done our duty. All kinds of groups, institutions
and secret societies have sprung up around this premise. Our false mirrors only reflect us and render others
invisible.
We should take care of ourselves, but we are also responsible for caring for everyone else. “Do
unto others as you would have them do unto you.” What about immigrants, abused or neglected children,
people who practice different religious faiths, prisoners, crime victims, just plain strangers and others outside our self-made
circle? We can think of simple things we can do to bring joy and blessings into their lives.
One group is teaching
yoga to hardened prisoners. Another sends socks to poor children. Sometimes, a smile,
a kind word or a hug brings hope to a person who feels troubled. My mother, Vesta Coleman, found something
positive in everyone she met, and genuinely complimented them on the spot. That’s the kind of thing
I’m talking about.
The Creator has blessed us with wonderful imaginations. Rather than relying on old solutions,
join me in brainstorming fresh approaches to uplifting others. Let’s agree to set aside just thirty
to forty minutes to imagine ways to alleviate someone’s suffering. Then, we’ll send an e-mail
or instant message to friends describing the idea. We can challenge our friends to do the same.
This starts a network of people shedding the “It’s about me” illusion. What do
you think we should call this project?
Love and
light,
Patricia Churchill
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