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“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”
— 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

The current phrase of “Let’s Make America Great Again” has taken on a very different definition than what the words actually mean, depending on your viewpoint.  Today’s post is NOT a political blog.  It is one, I hope, of thoughtful deliberation.

People seem to measure life in a sequence of events: birth, childhood, adulthood, old age and death.  It is the connection of life events throughout these stages that define what we actually do to make our family, friends, neighbors, community, city or town, state, country and the world great – by our own individual actions.

An approach might be to view things from your own personal perspective and where you are in life and ask yourself “how can I make life great?”  You don’t need the word again – the fact that we breathe in and we breathe out already does that.

My method for myself, as a most flawed individual, is to do more than just breathe.  I’m a simple person and approach life with a simple outlook, primarily through these three things.

  1.  Demonstrate my faith.  Regardless of your choice of faith, or non-faith, this is not hard to do.  Respect. Kindness. It is simply helping others even when you don’t want too or don’t have time. Often this is made difficult because of the voices screaming to follow one path – their path.  While that may ultimately be the case, show respect for yourself.  Vetting it out will create an inner peace that will shine through your actions and help others return that respect.
  2. Stop and think.  Suspend any bias while you allow your mind to free flow without external noise.  What is the root of the issue? Why is it an issue?  Look at all sides.  Respect your own ability to reason, your own spirit to respect, and your own heart to love.  Find a point of collaboration – I promise you, this point exists. 
  3. That old expression, sometimes you have to go slow to go fast, is still true.  Rushing to action without going through steps 1 and 2, is fraught with heartache and can be damaging.  If I could have a do over for my rushing mistakes, knowing what I know now,  peace would be mine.  Peace doesn’t only come from regretting mistakes.  It comes from forgiveness.  When I learned to forgive, whether from someone asking for it or from my letting go of old hurts, I finally understood that I too could be forgiven.

In your hearts, set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.  — 1 Peter 3:15