Showing posts with label Good. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Good. Show all posts

Sunday, May 30, 2021

Prohibitions

Why are certain things prohibited? Why impose restrictions? Could a prohibition be a sign of Love?
Photo by Marcial Bollinger on Unsplash

When we are children, we use to hear the word no a lot. For example:

  • Do not put your finger in the socket.
  • Don't bite your brother.
  • Do not take cold.
  • Don't go there because it's dangerous.
  • Do not do it.
  • Do not do that.

Parents use a list of prohibitions to save and protect their children from the evils that could befall them as a result of certain actions.

The younger the child, the less able to understand the extent to which certain attitudes can generate. The parents, then, do not negotiate. They impose prohibitions to preserve themselves from dangers and suffering, both to themselves and to those around them.

As the child matures, the ability to understand grows. The more mature, the greater the sense of the relationship between cause and effect.

Not putting the finger in the socket makes sense because the shock will cause pain. Not biting the brother is understandable because, in addition to causing pain in the other, there may be retaliation. Not taking cold protects you from getting sick and bedridden.

In summary, that list of prohibitions has the character of preserving pain and evil, a sign that parents care and love their children.

A balanced life

When Humanity was in its infancy, out of barbarism, God, Father of infinite love, sent, through Moses, a list of rules for a more balanced life and a harmonious coexistence on Earth.

This list contains the Ten Commandments and, among them, several prohibitions:

  1. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
  2. You will not kill.
  3. You will not commit adultery.
  4. You will not steal.
  5. You will not say false testimony against your neighbor.
  6. You will not want the next man's wife.
  7. You shall not covet your neighbor's house, nor his servant, nor his handmaid, nor his ox, nor his donkey, or anything else that belongs to him.

At that time, Humanity was unable to understand the scope of these rules.

It was not aware that these commandments brought the essence of the Divine Laws, the only knowledge necessary for happiness. God has put these laws in our own consciences to guide us towards good. With discernment, we know what we must or not do and are guided to happiness when we follow them, or to unhappinness whenever we violate them.

In the same way that some children defy their parents and violate the rules suffering later, many of us also refuse to follow the Divine Laws. Our immaturity and rebellion against these laws is what causes sufferings for ourselves and for others around us.

Final Thoughts

The only way to live a peaceful and happy life is to not see these prohibitions as authoritarian, but as proof of love.

Those who don't fight with God and its Laws, know that doing so will only make them suffer. They understand that God is a loving Father, waiting for His children (us) to mature and to love and understand these Laws that rule the Earth and the whole Universe.

And God knows that when that happens, no prohibition will be necessary as human beings will act with conscience always aiming for the good of everything and everyone.

Adapted from Momento Espírita, originally published on April 19, 2016

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Sunday, March 14, 2021

The next big revolution

The next big revolution is already here, in our homes. Would you like to be part of it?
Photo by Piron Guillaume on Unsplash

In silence, the grandmother watched the behavior of her three and four-year-old grandchildren, in front of their father's notebook.

From where she was, she could see the little hands acting on the keys.

She noticed, surprised, the calm way in which the boy taught the little girl to find, on the Internet, the cartoon she wanted to watch.

As a good teacher, he indicated what she should do, letting her press the keys while searching of what she wanted, leaving her little fingers until she succeeded.

Then she turned to her brother and said: Thank you! It's easy. I've already figured out how to do it. You can leave that with me now. I can do it alone...

Checking the speed of learning and the resourcefulness of the little girl, the grandmother started to think about her own limitations with some of the current technologies. She recalled the difficulties in finding the right keys, memorizing the actions, answering an email, sending a message.

Impressive, she concluded, how easy it is for the little ones to absorb the news, adapt and interact with technology. She rested her eyes on the magazine and returned to her article.

The next big revolution

The next big revolution will not be technological. Instead, It will be moral, and led by evolving humans who are currently in our homes, in our laps!

This generation of humans is very different. They are very fast in their cognition. Deeper in their way of translating the world and feelings. And his notion of ethics and morals is more refined than ours.

In fact, today we often see scenes of great respect and, spontaneously, among children. The affection shown with animals, plants, sick and poor leaves us in awe.

And these awake-minded little ones, who learn everything around them will take real advantage of science and technology. They are souls who bring in themselves the elements for transformation, for the true revolution that will take place on Earth, for the benefit of all.

Moral revolution, in which the ethics they bring vigorously will spread, nullifying the current human hypocrisy.

Final Thoughts

We need to ask ourselves what kind of parents we are. How we are educating those souls who come into our arms, for the goodness of Heavenly Father.

May we be able to give the necessary support and much love to this generation because we will be responsible for the tone and gift that they will use in this revolution!

Fathers and mothers, may we value the trust of the Heavenly Creator, who gave us his children, possibly able to transform the Earth's scenery.

For this very reason, from the cradle, we need to offer them examples of the good, of love, of respect, so that you do not deviate from the planned route. We need to lead them to school, offer them precious instruction, let them express themselves in art, in science and sport.

However, above all, let us not forget to teach them to pronounce the name of God with anointing. Teach them to elevate their thoughts in prayer so they can learn how to dialogue with the Father and Creator by themselves.

Adapted from Momento Espírita, originally published on April 23, 2016.

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Sunday, December 6, 2020

Ryan's Well

How far would you go to help those in need?
Photo by Amevi Wisdom on Unsplash

He was only six years old when the first grade teacher spoke of the sad fate of children living in impoverished and disease-ravaged Africa.

Ryan shuddered to learn that hundreds of thousands of African children died each year from drinking contaminated water. His school was raising funds for Africa and he knew that seventy dollars would fund a well.

When he got home, he asked his mother for the money and said why he needed it. The mother suggested that he do extra chores to get the amount.

He took a sheet of paper and drew a diagram containing thirty-five lines. For every two dollars received, Ryan filled a line and kept the money in an empty cookie tin.

He washed windows, collected pine cones that fell in the yard, worked as he could.

One day in April 1998, Ryan handed over his seventy dollars to an international organization. The lady who answered, thanked him and explained that a hand pump cost seventy dollars, but it took almost two thousand dollars to drill a well.

So I'm going to work harder, said the boy. Parents got involved and started a donation campaign. At the age of seven, Ryan had managed to raise a little over seven hundred dollars, and the missing amount was completed by the Canadian International Development Agency.

Ryan and his parents were invited to a meeting with the Ugandan representative at the Canadian Doctors' Association for Aid and Assistance, a group that collected the funds raised and, with the help of the villagers, built and maintained the wells.

Ryan was hugged by representative Shibru, who confirmed to the boy that the well could be located near a school in Angolo, northern Uganda, but he said it took twenty people working ten days to build a well with a manual digger. A small drill cost twenty-five thousand dollars.

Willing to get the money, the boy had his story published in a Canadian newspaper and, in two months, had inspired $ 7,000 in donations.

Already in the second grade, Ryan and his classmates began to correspond with the boys of Angolo. Meanwhile, Ryan would spend hours writing letters asking for money from various organizations. Finally, he got the amount due for the purchase of the equipment.

On July 27, 2000, a truck, carrying Shibru, Ryan and their parents, went down the dirt road near Angolo. About three thousand children were waiting by the side of the road, clapping their hands. The village leaders received Ryan and took him to the well, next to the school's vegetable garden. On the concrete base it was written:

Ryan's well. Built by Ryan Hreljac. For the Angolo elementary school community.

That night, in bed, Ryan said to his mother: I'm very happy. That unforgettable day ended with the prayer he said every night: I wish that everyone in Africa has clean water.

Conclusion

Fraternity knows no boundaries and love knows no limits.

Let us allow the contagion of the good, with this willingness to help, with this feeling of caring for the other, even if we do not know the name. Even if all he needs is a glass of fresh, clean water to keep him alive.

Adapted from Momento Espírita, originally published on November 27, 2013. 

References

Monday, October 26, 2020

A Transformative Power

How far can your work, your thoughts and your habits take you?
Photo by Wikipedia

In the region of Puglia, in Italy, there is a charming province called Alberobello. The name derives from Sylva Arboris Belli, which means jungle of war trees. Well located geographically, between the Adriatic and Ionian seas, on top of a hill, since ancient times, it deserved the greed of conquerors of different origins.

The trulli houses (which means dome) are noteworthy. They are white, cylindrical and are built by overlapping stones. The ceiling is formed by a dome, also made of stone, where symbols are often painted.

Trulli exist only in this region, north of Puglia, but nowhere else is the concentration greater than in Alberobello. For this reason, they have been considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1996.

The province has a rich history of glories and sacrifices, and is currently a major producer of olive oil. Its calcareous soil gives life to twelve million olive trees, some of which are considered the oldest in the world.

In the past, this region was the bottom of the sea, with the soil covered in limestone, thanks to the natural changes that occurred on the planet. Devastated by audacious conquerors, their farmers kept breaking up the earth's crust until they found suitable soil for planting and life.

This gigantic work, which required great effort and persistence, resulted in this abundant production of olive oil almost enough to feed the entire country and still sell abroad.

What are capable of?

This region attracts thousands tourists every year interested in seeing what human beings are capable of doing. Our transforming power conquers the soil and overcomes the rock seeking fertile land for abundant production.

In these difficult days it's up to each of us to use our own extraordinary powers.

Faced with the stones of the difficulties, we can overcome our challenges if we want to. And by working together we become a stronger force for progress, converting deserts into gardens.

Our verb, our attitudes can encourage those around us who are indifferent and tormented to change their attitudes. Our actions serve as important examples to those around us who, stimulated by them, become an important support to solve serious problems that distress many.

Conclusion

With continuous effort, we will find the blessed soil of love for the planting of happiness and peace.

Aware of ourselves, we can make our life worthy, acting in a positive way. The unhappy land, still useless and covered with stones will receive the beneficial action of our actions.

Together we are able to eradicate ignorance, alleviate hunger and warm up those who suffer around us. Let us put our hands into action and use hearts and brains for good.

Adapted from Momento Espírita, originally published on September 09, 2017.

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