Connected

I’m thinking about the idea of loving others as I would myself.  If I believe the idea that we are all connected by this life force that began at the beginning of time and will go on to the end of time, then I must realize that everyone, even those who are difficult to love, are a part of me and this life force.   

In a way, this idea makes it much easier to love others.  If I think of myself on a smaller scale, then pick out something challenging or difficult about myself to love.  For example, I am prone to anxiety.  It is in my nature.  I just have to accept that about myself.  It is a part of me that I have to accept and love about myself even if it is a challenge to do so.   

Now, if I take it to a larger scale, there are people in the world, who are scared to lose their perceived power.   They do horrible atrocities to hold on to that power, which affect millions of people including the people I know and love.  It would be very easy for me to hate these evil men and women, but I must recognize that they are the insecure and fearful.   They are a part of this life force that makes up humanity and although I hate their evil attacks, they are still a part of me.  Just as I find a way to accept the part of my anxious self that has led me to do some evil acts, I must accept the insecure and fearful part of the life force.  I must find a way to love it as I would myself because in a very real way those people are a part of me.  They are my brothers and sisters.  They are connected to me.  It is a great mystery of God and yet if I believe it and accept it, then my heart is filled with more love than I could ever know is possible.  

My faith saved me.  May God’s peace reside in all of our hearts.