It’s a beautiful summer day. Warmer than I’d like it to be, but my morning walk was still doable, and the flowers dancing in the morning breeze were perky and lovely. Looking up and down my street, I was once again aware that I have so much for which to be thankful, whether it is friendly neighbors, food on my plate, the cells in my body, the blueberries we joyfully picked on Saturday, or the trash man’s faithfulness. The list goes on and on. But in the midst of my gratitude, I am also feeling a bit somber and fearful for what may lie ahead. I am all too aware of the hatred and mistrust that is creeping into our beloved nation.
We studied the concluding verses of the Beatitudes on Sunday, the ones about being persecuted for doing what is right and being light to the world. We circled around the verses, not really coming to grips with the reality of what Jesus was saying. I think he was reminding us that when we turn our will and our lives over to a loving, caring Higher Power, there will be consequences. The powers that be are rarely open and accepting of everyone. Every nation needs its enemies to function. When I was growing up, it was the Russians. Then it was the Vietnamese, followed by Iraqis and Muslims, and now it seems to be anyone who wants to immigrate but is not blond and blue-eyed and has the wrong last name. Not having an external enemy upon which we can focus, we have manufactured ones internally to give the government and a faction of our population a reason to pander to the rich and disparage the poor. Standing against such injustice may become increasingly unpopular. I am hoping that is not so, but we will have to wait and see what the future holds.
I am very concerned about the direction our country is going. I am fearful of what might happen. Left feeling powerless, I focus on what is good and true in my life. The zucchini and cucumbers my neighbor gave me. My new neighbor who is already a joy to have close by. Friendships with the women in our little community and the wonderful friends and fellow pilgrims in our little church. The 12-step program and how its philosophy has inspired and expanded my life. But, be very clear. Having gratitude as my default setting has not come naturally. Learning to look for the opportunity and hope in every situation has been hard work, and choosing to be grateful has required a lot of discipline. And while gratitude is not the answer to many of life’s issues and problems, it can make addressing them easier. I have learned that assuming the worst leaves me with nowhere to go, but starting from a perspective of being actively grateful for what I already have has helped me see possibilities that had previously been hidden behind my doubts and fears. In the end, it all comes down to living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time, and accepting hardship as the pathway to peace.