In a Season of Gratitude and Giving...

In a season of gratitude and giving, most of us gathered together yesterday to acknowledge our blessings and reflect on our thankfulness for them. But in the midst of all that, we can't pick up the newspaper, watch TV, or listen to the radio without wondering what's wrong with the world − there is no guessing anymore.

We simply can't escape the bombardment of negativity, even if we try to avoid it. But, I know if we let that negativity into our psyche, we will form opinions that might terribly skew our perception of the world, judge others inappropriately, and even inadvertently transform ourselves into part of the problem. 

Frankly, I don't want want to be like scammers who prey on other people, a cheater or a liar, a person who  practices "me-first" at the expense of others, a vessel of hate who wants to harm people, or someone who forgets how very blessed I am. (This is not to be confused with Luke 18:11 "The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector."') I just don't want to be like them, and I pray I never will be (with God's help, of course).

Instead, I want to focus on what's right with the world, and yes, there are a lot of right things; I think people inherently want to do good. But, perhaps, the best news is we DO know how to make this world a better place. 

Like most of us, I love this time of year. It's one of the times when the majority of humanity comes together and recognizes one another as our fellowman. We show what should be our true nature in wanting to help each other, taking care of those in need, binding over common causes, and basically allowing the goodness within us to do what our creator intended us to do.

So, here is my prayer for this upcoming season: I want the capacity to show grace to those who don't deserve it; I want the ability to forgive those who may have no remorse for their wrongs; I want to be more caring and understanding.

In short, I want to be a better person tomorrow than I am today, regardless of the negativity that I so want to avoid. I don't want this because I desire others to think well of me —I want it because that is what God tells me will make the world an even better place, and it starts with each of us.

A Blast from the Past

Several months ago, I wrote about hoping to have a 50th high school reunion. I then commented that I wasn't as much interested in the accomplishments of my classmates as who they are today. I'm happy to say that both of my desires were met this past weekend.

Shortly after my blog post, I received an email about our reunion − indeed, there would be one thanks to three special alumni along with a number of others. Of course, I had to do my part of contributing to the event and promptly volunteered to do a reunion yearbook. Creating and distributing a questionnaire allowed me to ask the obligatory questions like family and past career/jobs, but it also presented the opportunity to ask my fellow alums to describe themselves today. Although there were not as many responses as I had hoped, the book was a hit and very much worth all my time and effort.

I was especially proud of the prevailing attitudes of my former classmates. Many chose altruistic careers, lived adventurous lives, and had impressive accomplishments whether professional or personal, but the true test of knowing who we were came when I asked their philosophy of life, favorite quote, or words they live by.

Perhaps because we are getting older and well past half our life span, most cited living and enjoying the present, and valuing family. Many also indicated their faith as a factor in how they perceive and live in this world. It all made me grateful.

As a person of faith, I don't see most things as coincidences; I see them as blessings or even interruptions in our normal lives that make us pay attention.  Whatever comes our way in the future, the reunion was a small glimpse of what we share on a more global scale − our humanity. That was greatly exemplified by how happy we were to see each other, even those with whom we weren't particularly close to in high school. What was not common to us then, is now.

We are older, and I dare say, better versions of our younger selves. We have learned many of life's lessons, and are keenly aware we are just a small (although important) part of this big, beautiful  world. Yes, it was a blast from the last and I am grateful.