The world is calling us to lead from our hearts. The repercussions of hate and anger can be seen everywhere. Keeping our hearts open is the only way to heal and overcome the excruciating disconnect from inherent morals and decency that is seen in the world today. Any rhetoric alluding to the justification of massive devastation of human lives, innocent populations caught in the midst of political violence, has not an ounce of reality in it. There is no justification in any situation for the deliberate massacre of civilian men, women and children.

It gives us no peace to ruminate over the tragedy and torture unfolding. If we are to find peace within ourselves we must overcome the immorality of evil with goodness and compassion. We must speak truth in the face of falsehood. We must overcome hatred with love. The atrocities that abound are unconscionable. There can be no justification for any nation or crusade that validates mass murder or offhandedly dismisses those caught in the midst as collateral damage. We, individually, must stand up and be heard. We must open our hearts and find our courage.

The world is calling us to shine our light and illuminate the way for others to follow. We can find peace in ourselves by turning to the quiet within and embracing all who are struggling and suffering. Give them hope through our prayers and actions. Both are needed. Our prayers and thoughts are not limited by time and space. Now more than ever we need to shine our light. We cannot allow the darkness to destroy humanity and our planet. History has shown us all too clearly what war is capable of. Modern weaponry will keep advancing until nothing is left. That can be stopped. But only when we stop justifying killing as the answer to differences, stop justifying that one population is inferior to another, stop taking sides, and begin holding all those who are accountable for perpetuating destruction to be banned from power. To be banned from any form of support. To be stripped of authority.

The world is calling us to rise from apathy. Immaturity is rampant. We must not stand back when we know better. We must not vote into our governments those very individuals who perpetuate bullying, untruths and lack of respect for the rights or differences of others. We need to demand ethical representation based on intrinsic wisdom. The division of haves and have nots grows. Homelessness continues to grow. Even a full-time minimum- wage worker cannot afford a modest apartment in any county or state in the U.S. It would take someone making minimum wage nearly 90 hours a week to afford the smallest apartment. We cannot think that this inequitable wage earning is accidental.

The world is calling us to shake off the filters that suppress the truth. A study of the 100 wealthiest US billionaires has found them to be extremely conservative on economic issues:

“Obsessed with cutting taxes, especially estate taxes – which apply only to the wealthiest Americans. Opposed to government regulation of the environment or big banks. Unenthusiastic about government programs to help with jobs, incomes, healthcare, or retirement pensions – programs supported by large majorities of Americans. Tempted to cut deficits and shrink government by cutting or privatizing guaranteed social security benefits.” (The Secret Influence of America’s 100 Richest, The Guardian,)

These purveyors of economic policies are sometimes known as paragons of philanthropy. We need to look behind the veils. We need to shake off the filters and discover the powerful force of a wealthy minority directing policies that favor their further accumulation of wealth at the expense of those with the least, of the environment and the chemical contamination of our food supply.

The world is calling us to shine our light. We are not called on to follow someone else’s light but to find the light that is ours to shine. It doesn’t matter how small our actions are but that our actions are motivated by love and compassion. No light is too small or too large. Only light can penetrate the darkness. Darkness only prevails when light is not present. As we know better, we must do better.

Resolutions for the New Year and beyond

Be a harmonious note in the human orchestra.
Smile at strangers.
Offer a word of cheer to those who might be struggling.
Offer help if needed.
Act when an opportunity arises to be of service.
Whatever you do, do it from a place of kindness and compassion.

"Man has subjected himself to thousands of self-inflicted bondages. Wisdom comes to a man who lives according to the true eternal laws of nature." The Vedas

The Inspiration of Saint Francis:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Cheryl Canfield, CCHT, 2024