Thanks for sharing. I do agree with the words as well. I am reminded of Jesus words in Matthew "Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye' while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye." (Matthew 7:3-5)." How can we change the world and make the world better when we can't even take good care of ourselves. The answer truly is love which you pointed to. To love God, our neighbours and ourselves. Once again, thanks for sharing.
Great post! I'm reminded by the quote from Howard Thurman:
“Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
I agree with your final statements of trying to make it better for the people who surround us, our family, our friends, our co-workers, etc. How can we expect the world to get along when most people can’t even get along with their closest members in their lives? I try to live by the golden rule. I think the golden rule can be applied to any person, no matter what religion.
That is what I find wrong with government rules/laws. They apply to all of us but are very seldom upheld by the government legislators who vote for them. It feels like we are children being told, “do what I say, not what I do”. I am an adult and not a child so I resent those who tell me how to live. We all have to face the consequences of our actions. I think that might be punishment enough. But those consequences also teach us on a deeper level about ourselves.
This was a big argument in social psychology. Psychologists want to make the individual better. Sociologists wanted to make populations better. They couldn’t agree and the world didn’t improve.
Two thoughts come to mind in response to your excellent brief reflection here, Clinton
First, have you read Paul Johnson's classic book INTELLECTUALS? It's a long-form critique of the entire tradition of philosophers and intellectuals who have thought they had some grand idea with which they could improve the world, but with which they actually made themselves asinine, problematic presences. Brilliant reading.
Second, your closing insight about making the world better for the people immediately around you brings to mind my favorite single line from Dickens, specifically from A CHRISTMAS CAROL. It's spoken by Marley's ghost, who, in laying out the terrifying stakes for what's about to happen to his old partner Ebenezer Scrooge, laments the ignorance of those poor, benighted souls who do not "know that any Christian spirit working kindly in its little sphere, whatever it may be, will find its mortal life too short for its vast means of usefulness."
I haven’t read intellectuals but will add it to the list. I’m still reading Infinite Jest, man it is long. That’s the deceiving thing about reading on a Kindle. I had no idea it was so long. I had forgotten that quote from A Christmas Carol! Complete tangent, but the best movie version is the Muppet version with Michael Caine.
I couldn't agree more! Oh my goodness! Our country is a mess right now, as is the whole world, and one can feel helpless and overwhelmed by this situation. So many people seem so angry and aggressive so much of the time. I am trying to treat this situation the best that I know how by keeping my mouth mostly shut, endeavoring to be a good listener, and trying to treat everyone that I meet with courtesy and kindness, plus minding my own business, and trying to not be judgmental, knowing that I certainly do not have all the answers to life's problems ... far from it.
I think you are right, and I felt a weight lifting off my shoulders as I read this. I remember something a friend said, and it has always stuck with me: Our interactions with one another should leave the other person feeling a little more whole. Of course, that means we have to be more whole ourselves first. Thanks for sharing this.
Hey Clint, I have read these in the past. The difference today is that I’m taking the day off and doing whatever I feel like doing, so I’m going through your writings slowly and thinking about them. I’m cutting down to just a few subscriptions and yours often resonates. It’s honest and humble.
Thanks for sharing. I do agree with the words as well. I am reminded of Jesus words in Matthew "Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye' while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye." (Matthew 7:3-5)." How can we change the world and make the world better when we can't even take good care of ourselves. The answer truly is love which you pointed to. To love God, our neighbours and ourselves. Once again, thanks for sharing.
Great post! I'm reminded by the quote from Howard Thurman:
“Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
That's a great quote and deep on a few levels.
Like what you said here Mo, and once again, I’m on the road to discovering what makes me come alive at this station of my life. Not exactly sure yet.
I agree with your final statements of trying to make it better for the people who surround us, our family, our friends, our co-workers, etc. How can we expect the world to get along when most people can’t even get along with their closest members in their lives? I try to live by the golden rule. I think the golden rule can be applied to any person, no matter what religion.
That is what I find wrong with government rules/laws. They apply to all of us but are very seldom upheld by the government legislators who vote for them. It feels like we are children being told, “do what I say, not what I do”. I am an adult and not a child so I resent those who tell me how to live. We all have to face the consequences of our actions. I think that might be punishment enough. But those consequences also teach us on a deeper level about ourselves.
Very wise commentary!! So agree !
Yes
This was a big argument in social psychology. Psychologists want to make the individual better. Sociologists wanted to make populations better. They couldn’t agree and the world didn’t improve.
Two thoughts come to mind in response to your excellent brief reflection here, Clinton
First, have you read Paul Johnson's classic book INTELLECTUALS? It's a long-form critique of the entire tradition of philosophers and intellectuals who have thought they had some grand idea with which they could improve the world, but with which they actually made themselves asinine, problematic presences. Brilliant reading.
Second, your closing insight about making the world better for the people immediately around you brings to mind my favorite single line from Dickens, specifically from A CHRISTMAS CAROL. It's spoken by Marley's ghost, who, in laying out the terrifying stakes for what's about to happen to his old partner Ebenezer Scrooge, laments the ignorance of those poor, benighted souls who do not "know that any Christian spirit working kindly in its little sphere, whatever it may be, will find its mortal life too short for its vast means of usefulness."
I haven’t read intellectuals but will add it to the list. I’m still reading Infinite Jest, man it is long. That’s the deceiving thing about reading on a Kindle. I had no idea it was so long. I had forgotten that quote from A Christmas Carol! Complete tangent, but the best movie version is the Muppet version with Michael Caine.
Hear! Hear! And Amen. 👍
I couldn't agree more! Oh my goodness! Our country is a mess right now, as is the whole world, and one can feel helpless and overwhelmed by this situation. So many people seem so angry and aggressive so much of the time. I am trying to treat this situation the best that I know how by keeping my mouth mostly shut, endeavoring to be a good listener, and trying to treat everyone that I meet with courtesy and kindness, plus minding my own business, and trying to not be judgmental, knowing that I certainly do not have all the answers to life's problems ... far from it.
I think you are right, and I felt a weight lifting off my shoulders as I read this. I remember something a friend said, and it has always stuck with me: Our interactions with one another should leave the other person feeling a little more whole. Of course, that means we have to be more whole ourselves first. Thanks for sharing this.
Hey Clint, I have read these in the past. The difference today is that I’m taking the day off and doing whatever I feel like doing, so I’m going through your writings slowly and thinking about them. I’m cutting down to just a few subscriptions and yours often resonates. It’s honest and humble.