In Remeberance and Reflection

"Pity may represent little more than the impersonal concern which prompts the mailing of a check, but true sympathy is the personal concern which demands the giving of one's soul. "

We are supposed to take today and reflect and honor with service to our community. This is something that so few stop and do today. When was the last time that you helped a neighbor? Offered your services to a community center? Gave something to someone. Because you know they needed it, and you could offer it? When was the last time you gave of yourself? Of your time? We all want to do it. We say it often, more so around the holidays. We are reminded of course. Usually at least once a day.

"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."

The bell ringers remind us.

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. "

 The women in pink racing remind us.

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?"

 The men and women in the red or blue coats that work in hospitals remind us.

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."

So many opportunities to serve our community, and yet. We think, oh someone else will do it. I just dont have the time. In our busy schedules we can not see how we could possibly take the time to give of ourselves. There just can not be time for this. Yet it takes so little to make the move to that direction. All it takes is a having the thought, and for once, instead of allowing it to slip back into the depths of our unconciousness, actually grasping it and bringing it out into the light. Letting it flourish in the sunshine. Give it some attention. It will take off on its own then. Become more then you. Become its own. This is all that it takes. For one person to make that choice.

"Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness."

 Until then we will continue to see our reminders each day.

The big red cross on the side of the van will remind us.

"History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people."

The man with the sign will remind us.

"Human salvation lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted."

 The big bags of clothes in your garage that you don't wear anymore will remind us.

"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."

THE POLAR BEARS must remind us!!!

"All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence."

The cat that is sitting next to you while you read this blog........

......or the dog laying at your feet.

"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity."

Your frail elderly neighbor who never seems to have any visitors.

"In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."

The crys in anguish that break the silence of the photo.

So today when I reflect, and try to hold onto that thought. These are things that will help remind me of what I can do to serve.