As I stare out the picture window at the windswept snowflakes crisscrossing in front of a myriad of trees laden with a fresh coat of beautiful snow, I'm thinking about betterment--what can I do to better my work, my home, my school/system, and community? After watching the violent film, Silent, last night, I am struck by the fact that the way we spend our time matters--what we do each day in the aim of betterment makes a difference. In Silence, I couldn't get past the heartless cruelty and violent treatment used in the name of religion--how horrible. Yet today, this still exists--those thinking they have the monopoly on truth impose violence, hate, disrespect, and cruelty on others in the name of religion. No religion at its heart is about hatred, violence, hurt, and despair, and all religions as I see it at their core reach for truth, justice, peace. Though I've heard that thought debated, and will pay attention to those debates. In the meantime, I'll hold onto the truth that religion is human-made which means, like humans, no religion is perfect and all have flaws of one kind or another, and no one anywhere should use religion as an excuse to overpower, hate, kill, demean, and hurt others. If one can use religion to further his/her journey towards truth, justice, peace, and love, then by all means, follow that path.
How can we use religion, our time, others, and experiences for betterment--to improve, and to go to our graves with the sense that we made things better, we mattered, we made a difference small or great? Why does that matter?
What is life like without a will towards betterment for ourselves and others? How can we work together to further rid our world of selfish pursuits and greed, the kind that snuffs out the lives, livelihood, and good living of others? How can we further our efforts towards betterment?
When you ask this question and truly look around, it's limitless what each one of us can do? We won't always know exactly how to act, but with good intent and collaboration, it's beyond imagination what we can do.
Each word, each act, each effort matters--and the more we are cognizant of that, the better we will be. Onward.
