Thoughts to Ponder
“When your life is over,
how do you want the world to be different
– in larger ways or small –
because you have lived?”
Martha Beck
Message
This quote requires much thought and introspection. Most of us would say we’d like to know we made life better for our families and others who have crossed our path.
How do we do that?
We must walk the walk as well as talk the talk about our own personal truths. What our truth is does not matter so much as living that truth. For many of us that means sharing our faith, however, sharing our faith verbally, is less important that showing it in our actions.
We’ve all heard of televangelists who have strayed from the path, spending the congregation’s donations on luxury items or building a huge worship center rather than giving to charities as they claimed in their sermons. These people’s misdeeds are remembered long after their good deeds are forgotten.
We’ve also seen people who act saintly in public, yet mistreat their families. In this instance the families often go along with the act and praise the “saint” while fear churns in their bellies. Eventually, the truth becomes evident, leaving the do-gooder to sit in the ditch. Their home is no longer a refuge.
On the other hand, we’ve seen people who never mention their faith, yet live it every moment. They do good deeds and encourage others without caring for awards or praise. This person is the one who makes the world a better place.
One way to check which road you are traveling is to imagine what words will be engraved on your grave marker. Will it say, “____ ____” born ____, died ____? Or will it say, “____ ____ made the world a better place?” If your imaginary marker does not say what you would like it to say, you can make changes in your words and actions. It is never too late to walk a new path and correct your wrongs.
Moving ourselves onto a new path is not always easy. Sometimes the old habits do not want to leave. You and they were comfortable with the old way. We can make a list of things we want to do and check it daily. We can keep a journal and watch our progress. We’ll know we have made the change when we feel content more times than not.
Meditation
Creator Spirit, thank you for giving us reminders when we wander from our true path. We know that if we don’t respond to the small reminders, larger, painful ones will follow. We thank you that when we are on the correct path we feel peace, love and joy.
And so it is.
© by Sharon Dillon, August 18, 2014
Sharon D. Dillon, energywriter@cox.net and Laugh your way to peace, love and joy at http://energywriter.me
Chesapeake Bay Writers, Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop, Southern Humorists, National Society of Newspaper Columnists
Author of one of 14 stories in The Book of Mom: Reflections of Motherhood with Love, Hope and Faith, published by booksyoucantrust.com. Available in print and e-format at Amazon.com
Contents may be forwarded, but please give credit where credit is due and erase all email addresses on original message.
Laugh your way to peace, love and joy 
Dear Sharon,
This is a little long. I would start the 5th paragraph with something like “By contrast, …” rather than the cliched “On the other hand.”
Sincerely,
Jack Lott
Thank you, Jack. I knew it was a little long. Didn’t know how to shorten this one. I try to watch for clichés, but miss some.
sd
A peaceful tranquility emulates from your thoughts, Sharon.
Wandering and wondering are equally fine in my mind.
God is patient, and full of surprises sometimes.
Have a great weekend! 🙂 Cheerz, UT
Thank you, Uncle Tree.
How did you come up with that name?
You’re welcome. 🙂 See my “About” page for that short story.
Sharon,
Interesting essay. But as always I’ll be the skeptic. Why do we need faith? Why not Reason? A clarity of thought that sees rationally that ‘doing onto others as you’d have them do onto you,’ makes perfect common sense? This observation was first made by Origin (Gr. 150BC and the Zens?). Why do we need to appeal to a higher power (whatever that means) when cardinal virtues work without intermediaries? That if there is a God, -which opens up all forms of questions about Its goodness when children suffer in the Sudan and from malignant parenting- it would seem we’ve more than enough miracles in life, to practice not faith, but virtue as an end in itself. See you Thursday.
I wrote a long comment agreeing with you but guess I rambled too long because it was bleeped off the page. I believe in a creator spirit and angels, but know that we are all powerful, if we choose to accept that concept.
Im so glad you write these posts. I find them very grounding in my crazy middle aged life. Just spent some time in Hollywood Cemetery (tour, not funeral), and this pos just reinforced some of my same thoughts. keep up the good work, Sharon!
Thank you so much, Libby. I’m grateful to readers and those who respond, whatever their opinion. Each post like yours gives me incentive to continue.
Oh I see you ARE an author of not just one, but several books. It is amazing what you find out when you have time to discover what your followers are about. Thank you for following me, I am humbled and honored. Blessings,
What? The closest I’ve come to a book is having a story printed in an anthology. I think there are several other Sharon Dillons out there, but I’m the only energywriter.
Well then I am encouraging you to write a book, because- you’d be great at it! (You can dedicate your million’eth copy to me 🙂 )
You have a deal.
So many things I’ve learned but need constant reminders of. Thanks for the great post, Sharon.
So glad my thoughts can help someone. Need lots of practice myself.