Meditations on God

Influencing The Future
We never know how our influence will reverberate through the lives of the people we come into contact with.

We do not know how far-reaching and long-lasting our presence and our actions will be in the lives of others.

For this reason, it is important that we try our best to put good into the world.

Our words, deeds, and influence may last an eternity through other people.

We have no way of knowing where our impact will end.

It certainly does not end with us.

Of that much we can be certain.

We should keep this in mind as we go throughout our days.

Everything we do and say may actually last forever.

Of course, we will make mistakes.

We will cause pain, discord, and discomfort from time to time.

But, at least if we think beyond this moment, beyond our finite and flawed selves, we can try to make positive change in the world of the future, one word and one action at a time.
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April 20, 2021

actions, future, impact, influence
On Self Care
Once it becomes clear that someone we thought would take care of us will not, it should also become clear that we must start taking care of ourselves.

It is important, however, that we do this without the bitterness, resentment, or fear that we will naturally be inclined to have when we are disappointed, frustrated, or disillusioned.

These feelings are counterproductive.

They will only cloud our judgement and hinder our progress.

Taking care of ourselves does not have to be a selfish act.

In fact, it should not be a selfish act.

Taking care of ourselves does not mean taking care of only ourselves.

Very little can be accomplished in life by taking care of only ourselves.

We need other people and they need us.

We must, if we are to be successful, take care of one another.

Taking care of ourselves, therefore, has less to do with being selfish and self-centered than it does to do with seeking out people who will reciprocate our care, respect, and support for them.

Taking care of ourselves means seeking out, creating, and growing healthy relationships of mutual caring, respect, and support.
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April 19, 2021

caring, respect, self care, support
Looking Forward Softly
It is important to have ideals, to set high standards for ourselves.

However, it is also important to understand that we will fall short of whatever ideals and standards we have.

No one is perfect and life is complicated.

We must be adaptable.

This does not mean that we should easily accept moral compromises within ourselves.

But, we will have to compromise.

We will make mistakes.

And, our ideals and standards will be challenged by the realities of life and our own flaws, frailty, and shortcomings.

There is no point in morbidly obsessing over our failings.

Instead, we should reflect, reevaluate, and adjust our perspectives or our actions accordingly.

We must constantly be looking forward.

But, we must look forward with a soft gaze, not a rigid stare.
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April 18, 2021

ideals, morality, principles, standards, values
Honesty Up Front
When there are things we know we should do or are told we are supposed to do, but know we are simply not going to do, it is important to be honest with ourselves and others.

There is no point in deceiving ourselves or those around us by saying that we are going to do something we are not going to do.

There is no use in pretending.

It helps no one.

Not only does it cause us internal discomfort when we say one thing and do another, at least if we have any kind of conscience, but it also causes other people discomfort as well.

People count on us to do the things we say we are going to do.

So, if we do not do them, those people are let down and, beyond that, the thing we said we were going to do never gets done.

If it was an especially important task, this failure on our part could cause all sorts of problems.

If we were just honest from the beginning, even if it initially caused some hurt feelings or conflict, at least we would give others the opportunity to seek out alternate solutions to the problem we were meant to solve.

By being honest up front, both our conscience and our honor are able to remain intact.
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April 17, 2021

honesty, honor, integrity
Allowing Life
Things will not always go how we hoped they would or planned for them to go.

In fact, maybe most of the time things will go differently than we wished or assumed they would.

This is simply part of the path.

We cannot control every detail, variable, and circumstance so that all of life conforms to our will, our plans, and our designs.

That is an impossible task and one that will leave us exhausted, frustrated, and disappointed if we attempt it.

Instead of even trying, we are much better off accepting how little we truly know, preparing to be adaptable to the inevitable changes that will come at us, and embracing the mystery of the moments that lie ahead of us.

Life is much more interesting and enjoyable when we let it happen and participate in the happening than when we limit our experiences to our finite imaginations and desires anyway.
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April 16, 2021

desires, enjoyment, life, plans, wishes

Influencing The Future

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On Self Care

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Looking Forward Softly

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Honesty Up Front

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Allowing Life

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