Very strange times

"Y'all think getting busted because of uncovering old yearbook photos from the 80's is bad? Just wait until 2040 when your social security check is revoked because some loser liberal finds your facebook status from when you were 19 that said "pedophiles make me sick"."
 
A bud on FB posted the words below...came from a funeral program he just attended...some good direction...if only the masses could all try and "be the light" rather than the ones turning it off...good shit...said the fly!

Have the Heart to be a Light in Today’s World

“Don’t be discouraged by your incapacity to dispel darkness from the world; light your candle and step forward.” This wisdom from contemporary Hindu spiritual teacher Amma is a constant reminder of how to live in this troubled world.

For as least 100 years, writers have used some version of the proverb “It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness”. Judeo-Christian scriptures, from the prophet Isaiah to the Gospel of Mathew, emphasize “being light” to the world to let the ways of God be known.

Amma’s version of this ancient wisdom includes taking action. Light your candle and step forward. Act in ways that add light to the world, not in ways that increase fear and anger and violence.

Pema Chodron, a Buddhist nun, advises people to examine their hearts and words and actions, to see if they are adding to the aggression in the world or adding to the kindness.

Another question to ask ourselves: are we speaking and acting more in fear and anger or from courage and compassion? There is much to be afraid of in this world and much to make us angry. But we do not have to speak and act from those murky places in our hearts. We can, instead, practice courage and compassion.

Courage is a wonderful word. At it’s root, it means “heart”. To have courage is to have the heart to face what is happening and say and do what is needed to bring light, to bring healing, to bring hope.

There is one more word to consider as we look for ways to “step forward”. That word is “mercy”.

An Episcopal bishop in Southern Ohio writes: “It’s hard to pin down what mercy means. Sometimes it looks like compassion, but it is possible for mercy to be quite cool and distant. Sometimes it looks like justice, but mercy can throw justice overboard and pardon those who have done great wrongs. Sometimes mercy looks like forgiveness, but it need not entail it: when we are not prepared to forgive yet still spare the one who hurt us, we are showing mercy.”

Mercy recognizes the infinite worth of Earth as part of God’s family, regardless of what people deserve or have earned. This is the way God sees the human race, knowing our frequent tragic failings and terrible cruelty, and still treating us with mercy.

Mercy is God’s steadfast connection to us all, Creator to creation, whether we deserve it or not, whether we ask for forgiveness or not, whether we know it is happening or not.

What can any of us do about violence and anger and fear? Be light to the world. Practice kindness. Speak and act with compassionate courage. Show mercy, with grateful hearts for the mercy God has shown us.
 
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