A Slice of Life Tuesday

So much of what is happening in the world comes down to making decisions, whether right or wrong. Too often people blame their upbringing, their boss or other things in their life.

A quote by Stephen Covey really struck home this week with all the tragedies, especially in Colorado and Toronto:

"I am not a product of my circumstances, I am a product of my decisions. "

Albert Camus said: " Life is the sum of all your choices."

To pick up a gun and carry it is a decision. To take it out and fire it in public is a decision. And those decisions have huge ramifications.
The mayor of Toronto made the decision to cut funding for social programmes that affect young people. He also made  the decision to push for greater police presence and stricter laws.

We too have choices and decisions to make in the face of such evil. The people of Colorado are facing their fears and standing up for all the victims.

There are so many places in the world where injustice rules and the value of each person is diminished. We need to raise our voices in justice, hope and anger as well.

As Jane Goodall has said:
"We have a choice to use the gift of our life to make the world a better place - or not to bother."

It comes down to choice, to making decisions that are for the greater good. We all must work towards:
 granting dignity for everyone;
to reducing poverty and violence against women and especially children;
 to closing the gap between rich and poor;
to allowing everyone to live life with all their needs met.

"Each activity of daily life in which we stretch ourselves on behalf of others is a prayer of action."
(Richard J. Foster


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A Slice of Life

I had such mixed feelings over the past 3 or 4 days.

It has been four years since my Mom passed away and the first Mother's Day I did not feel the terrible ache. I still miss her so much, but the ache is less.

I also had all my children come for supper Saturday evening - a first in a very long time. It was such a treat to see them all together and to be able to share a lovely meal with them. They even brought a beautiful flower arrangement.

I phoned my sister on Sunday and it was a blessing as we have not been more than acquaintances since before my Mom died. We actually talked and shared and I even had tears. It felt so good.

Then there is the lady from church who is in hospital with cancer and a blood clot in her lung. So vibrant less than a month ago and now struggling.

From one extreme to another. So many emotions over the past few days.

Then today, just being able to talk to my minister about all these disparate feelings and events. It just felt good to talk and be heard. Thank you C.

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