We allow ourselves to be swayed by rhetoric designed to  keep us in a constant state of fear and apprehension, about what MIGHT happen, in order for those we have elected to serve us, not in our best interests, but in theirs. When, what we should be doing is appreciating just how very fortunate we have been, and are.

 None of us knows what the future may bring, we have no real control over what fate has in store for us. But, we do have a great deal of control over what today will be. And we are frittering today away. 

 Why is it still so difficult for us to  recognize that every human being on this planet is a Child of God. No matter what race, colour, or creed. Taking upon ourselves the responsibility of judging others, even those who have broken no laws of Man, is contrary to everything our faith teaches. That prerogative belongs only to the Almighty,  no matter by what name He is known to His children. Certainly there must be restraints against those who wish harm to others, but what others believe or how they choose to live is not our right to determine. We do a poor enough job of living up to our own standards that we are hardly in a position to judge others.

 This has been graphically brought home to me in recent months as I observe the macabre display we are being subjected to on the American political scene. What started out as a fresh new perspective, driven in large measure by a generation, which sees more clearly than we do that we are all one people, is once again degenerating into a hate filled display of bigotry at its ugliest. I believe it is a minority of their people and that those who do believe in equality for all make up the vast majority of Americans but it has poisoned the atmosphere at a time when unity and hope is an imperative.

 The struggles of the sixties made progress from a legal standpoint. It hasn't changed the shame of American history still poisoning the soul of that country. And the sad thing is there are still too many Americans who aren't even recognizing that the genie is out of the bottle for the whole world to see. And this is being  capitalized on by those who wish it to continue in order to further advance their own lust for power and to maintain the status quo.

The entire world is watching and events are confirming their worst fears about what kind of people we are. The consequences may be dire in days to come as our enemies watch in glee as we prove once again that they are right. Its long past time that we all remembered the teachings of our faith. If we do not, and soon, we will be nothing more than a footnote in history before the next century arrives on the scene. We are no longer the majority on this planet. If we don't begin to embrace all mankind as one, we may not be around to pay the price, but our children and their children most assuredly will.

Time passes so quickly and it's running out. Kindness, compassion and communication, are infinitely more potent weapons than the most deadly weapon ever conceived by man. Our planet is in peril, humanity is suffering all over the world, nature's creatures are disappearing at an alarming rate thanks to our mistreatment of their environment, and still our answer is violence and polarization. All the modern advances made in our lifetimes have come with a toll which is only now showing its true cost and yet we continue on this same path of destruction.

 Time and life are gifts which we have taken far too much for granted  and our day of reckoning is almost upon us. And the indisputable fact is we have failed all the tests.

I have tried to recall who first made this statement and cannot,  but they are words we all should have heeded as they most assuredly are true.

"If future generations are to remember us with gratitude rather than contempt, we must leave them more than the miracles of technology. We must leave them a glimpse of the world as it was in the beginning, not just after we got through with it." 

 We may have made amazing advances in our lifetimes but have we succeeded in protecting the world we  were bequeathed ?  Are we leaving a better world for those who will follow us ?  No, we are not. We are leaving them a world consumed by hate, an environment in peril, and a realization that there is precious little time to undo the damage we have done.

In the midst of global crises such as pollution, wars and famine, understanding and acceptance of those whose customs differ from ours are too easily dismissed as a luxury to be addressed after the urgent problems of the moment are solved. But the greatest and most urgent need in all of these areas … toward the environment, toward other nations, toward the needs of people who are suffering, is a commitment we cannot afford to ignore. Until we reflect  a sincere desire to meet one another half way in everything we do, our political gestures will be fleeting and fragile. Simple kindness and unity may be the most vital key to the riddle of how we human beings can live with each other in peace, and care properly for this planet we all share. 

Time and life are precious gifts. We have shamelessly squandered these gifts. I only pray that we have not also squandered the futures of those to whom we shall leave this colossal mess . I devoutly hope they will have the opportunity to value their gifts more wisely than we have done.