While I doubt the new year will see me lose any of my outrage over the political machinations of our elected 'representatives', this is the season for reflection and hope. In that vein, I offer you the following. It reflects my own perspective, one that was not always easily achievable in my younger days of work stress and providing for a family.
In the years since my retirement, I think I have come to understand the meaning and purpose of life: to be as kind and helpful as possible to others. Indeed, we can never know the ripple effect of even a bit of kindness, gentleness, a small gesture, or simply the affirmation we give when we listen openly to another.
Beware of your ‘destined mood,’ Dec. 17
Cathrin Bradbury’s article is storytelling at its best because its characters teach us by their lived experience; instead of letting the human failings of your neighbours make you mean and nasty, you should assert independent thinking to be kind and tolerant.
Character is not fate. Destiny is determined by choice.
This choice of “personality to be” is wonderfully illustrated in the Indigenous American tale told by a grandfather to his grandson about two wolves living within each of us. According to the grandfather, they fight because each one values different qualities of being human. The angry, mean, cynical, and predatory wolf wants to dominate the happy, kind, hopeful, and peaceful one.
Provoked by suspense, the grandson asks who is the winner of this clash between human traits.
The grandfather replies that it depends which wolf you feed.
The story illustrates that our behaviour is a direct result of the choices we will make along the way.
During this fractious time of gaslighting by populist leaders imposing their phony sovereignty over others’ democratic rights, it’s good to be reminded about peace on Earth to persons of good will.
The root word of both good will and beautiful mind is the Greek “eunoia.”
There is a beauty in choosing to do good. Peace on Earth to those who choose to do good this Christmas!
Tony D’Andrea, Toronto
