I’ve been thinking a lot about that word lately, and strangely, it seems anything goes…as long as it’s not moral. That “moral” has come to mean closed-minded, judgmental, censorious or dogmatic is a sure sign that we don’t know what it means. It has come to be used as a political volley ball, or a religious whipping post. But nothing short of love can be moral.
I’m so grateful we have a day to remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., but it’s not such a bad idea to keep his work at the forefront of thought every day. A fine example of a moral man, he pointed out “The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: “If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?” But… the good Samaritan reversed the question: “If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?” (in reference to Jesus’ parable about the “Good Samaritan”, found in Luke 10:25-37 and relating to Jesus’ most basic teaching to love God–or Good–and our neighbor as ourself).
To me, the most moral I can be is put the Golden Rule into practice as often as possible: be proactive in loving others, as I would want to be loved, appreciated, thought of by them. I like to think big, so I immediately think this means hopping a plane and going to the most nightmarish place on earth to help out. Thank God there are people that do that, but I’m not in a position to (yet). Instead, I have to calm myself and be honest in the present moment…ask, how can I love most right where I am? It usually means starting those closest to me (myself, for example! –but not leaving it there, because when I really am inspired, it spills over) and with my family. It means overcoming the small or petty annoyances, or being lovingly disciplined in the seemingly minute things.
Late last night, I needed time to organize my thoughts, meditate and pray. But I reeeeeeeeeeally wanted to watch a little TV and snack on some smoked almonds. It took EVERYTHING in me to turn the lights off, leave the nuts in the pantry (I think that may need to be the title of my memoirs), and be still and listen instead. I had to have an honest moment with myself and ask, “what is the most loving thing I can be doing right now?” So I snuggled up with inspiration instead, my heart going out to all those around the world needing a mental hug. As a result, I felt connected, alive, and victorious…all that “moral” really means.
A small victory for me, a big lesson in morality.
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Angela! Thanks for your thoughts on this. I, too, need to take the time out to organize my head so I can actually enjoy the view of looking OUTWARD, and not have so much “stuff” in the way. And good work on leaving the nuts in the pantry: sometimes I can’t see past the fact that there’s more to life than smoked almonds [or substitute any food item here].