I wrote this essay around a year ago. I had just finished reading the manuscript of Martin Rutte’s new book. He honored me by referring to How to Achieve a Heaven on Earth, the book I edited, to which he contributed an essay, and naming the ten elements. But even more gratifying, his next-to-last quote was one from me that a Heaven on Earth is “humankind’s natural destiny.”
We must reach toward that destiny with love, compassion and kindness—in all directions globally. We must not fight to slice up the pie, materially and otherwise. We must allow our little pieces of God to shine to all. Pay it forward day by day, lifetime by lifetime. There is no need or excuse for violence, except in self-defense, the eradication of genocide, and other serious atrocities.
We are all wired for kindness. Let that potent force come out and be manifest in all our actions, to ourselves and others. When we forgive others, we become better persons or nations ourselves.
We must engender wonder throughout humankind. That’s not an easy task but it is a simple goal. Perhaps many people in developed nations could put serious wonder in their lives and free themselves of greed and envy.
We must appreciate what we have and, if one’s means allow it, contribute to worthy causes, including the donation of one’s labor, mind and creations.
We have not yet reached a Heaven on Earth, but I have a firm conviction that God has that in store for us, somehow, sometime. We must open our minds, bodies and little pieces of God within us to the concept, potential and goal of a Heaven on Earth. The obstacles may be huge, but the opportunity is even greater.
