Both President Reagan and Gandhi were ambitious, and I am, too. I seek to be a pathfinder toward heaven on earth. It may involve political endeavors within the Republican Party and/or a path more like Gandhi.
The world is full of ambitious people of all degrees. All seek freedom and liberty. Read “The Case for Democracy.” Life is not a straight line, up or down or sideways. It is full of twists and turns, and all sorts of challenges and obstacles.
The goal is The Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This is simply said – yet difficult to apply throughout and consistently. Nonetheless, it is critical to reach toward Heaven on Earth.
Almighty God loves each of us and all of us with an enduring, steadfast love. This enormous presence is within us, too – in our mind, body and “little piece of God.”
We each have an important role to play in this inevitable and loving march toward Heaven on Earth. I wish and hope to be a pathfinder for others. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote quite eloquently what I have in mind, “Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
I hope and pray that I will leave a trail that many can see and have the freedom and wisdom to decide for themselves whether to follow my trail. The essence of life is to seek truth and wisdom within oneself and others – to be kind to oneself and others.
God marches with us, in us, and for us. Recognizing God in our values is good, but more importantly, God should be present in our behavior. God cares deeply about each of us and all of us, as well as how we treat ourselves and everyone else. My God is not judgmental. My God has led us from very brutal, barbaric times to our 21stcentury. Of course, there is still much to do.
I believe sometimes the hard way is the best way. What do I mean by that? Suffering can and oftentimes leads to wisdom and a more balanced, purposeful life.
As I wrote before, we each have an important role – to be kind to ourselves and others. This involves things that are difficult, self-discipline and delayed gratification. Kindness is not only a momentary phenomenon, but one of short-term, mid-term and long-term tenacity.
Perfection is not an attribute of us humans – certainly including me. But I do try and so must you. The wisdom-associated values of Copthorne MacDonald are essential on our quest toward Heaven on Earth – empathy, truth, honesty, justice, cooperation, peace, compassion, universal well-being, creativity and general knowledge. This is a march, not a dance or an easy reach. At the same time – continually, moment to moment – we must reject Copthorne MacDonald’s negative values – selfishness, hate, revenge, envy and greed.
I go back to the song, “What the World Needs Now is Love – Sweet Love.” Perhaps it’s a song that is dated, but to me it’s timeless – ready for prime time now and in the future.
