When I wrote my post yesterday, I found myself writing something unexpected. It seems like all my life, I have heard people talk about following rules and doing the right thing. They make it seem like it isn’t easy, but doing these things will lead to great rewards.
I remember distinctly going with a friend to speak to a preacher. The preacher asked me if I thought people were inherently good or evil. I didn’t answer what I thought. I answered what I thought he wanted me to answer. I said we were inherently evil because of original sin. He didn’t like that answer. However, the ironic part is that most religions, systems of belief, political systems, and other institutions make it seem like humans are defective and they need to somehow fight against their nature in order to be good people.
I don’t think it is true. I am beginning to believe that inside of each of us is the capacity to love and if we love as God teaches us, then everything else falls into place.
It sort of fits into the idea of school performance. If a person is enrolled in school, then they just need to participate. They don’t really need to make an effort and they will make a passing grade. If they make an effort, they might make excellent grades. However, a person has to make an effort to deliberately not participate in order to achieve a failing grade. In life, I think it is much the same way, if a human being just is, then they will be able to have an ordinary life. If they make an effort, then they may be able to see all the love, miracles, and beauty in the world. The converse is also true. A human being can make every effort to go against their true nature and they can make their life miserable.
My idea is just that the effort to make your life amazing and miraculous isn’t huge. You don’t need to be constantly trying and pushing to be a good person or to follow a moral and ethical code. The only true need is to open your heart to love and once that happens to rest will fall into place. The hardest part is having the faith to open your heart.
My faith saved me. May God’s peace reside in all of our hearts.
