The day after Jan. 11, 2008

I have stumbled upon a situation where there is what I can only describe as a spiritual intransigence. I recognize it because I have and do experience it in my own life. There are times when we feel a certain way, either happy or sad, and it is not based on material conditions or the terms of our circumstance and situation. We can be happy while surrounded by situations that others (and possibly you yourself) would consider bleak. Then there are those persons and the times when each of us may feel depressed, deserted and dejected in the face of prosperity and plenty (whether physical, emotional or spiritual). But what do we do when the view does not coincide with jconcrete conditions or a particular reality of the situation.

A 16 oz. glass with 8 oz. of water in it is only that. But we each make value judgements concerning whether it is half-empty or half-full. Based on the value judgement we release a torrent of emotional responses that manifest as physical sensations, attitudes and obeservations.

I am talking with someone who is only willing to see the "lack" in their life. When asked about all the abundance they respond "yes, but what about what's missing." It is difficult to let go of the desire to decide the life choices of others. We think we know best or at least better and if only they would do what we think it would be so good for them. Their not doing it (whatever we might think "it" might happen to be) then locks us into their frame of reference and perspective.

I think for each of us we must face and fight or at least a personal "jihad" against the demons of evil that wait in the shadows of our minds for a chance to pounce and persecute us. The weapons that we use in this battle can be love and healing, no, must be love and healing. An important step is to heal ourselves so that our whole, healthy life can be an example to those we wish to reach out to. We reach out through love. We reach our through caring. But caring must be expansive enough to except ourselves and the other just as we both are.