We can notice the beauty physically around us, the loveliness in each other (not the outside gorgeousness but the exquisite soul of an individual). We can delight in the moment we meet another person; maybe even someone who appears quite different from us physically. We can meet the “inner person” knowing the depth of each person’s same longings--desires we all share. And in that recognition of each other, that same beautiful energy will pass on to others. Like thoughts and actions attract like magnets. We can breathe compassion in the world by just one act of kindness each day. A simple gesture is all that is needed. A sense of real caring about people unlike us but who share our humanity.
Or we can focus on the beast we all carry inside of us: the one that feeds hatred, greed, vengeance, blame, self-righteousness. We can let the events of the day from the news, our home, our job, and on the road temper our anger leading us down the path to savage behavior—like the boys in the novel “Lord of the Flies.” We can fuel our own feelings of entitlement, power, and control to join others in becoming beast-like. We can continue abusing, killing, acting unjustly only to send a message that this is what we are called to be. We can continue this same pattern so that our legacy we leave to our children and community imitates our behavior.
Or we can take measured steps to remind ourselves each day of how similar we all are in our differences. We all hold the same hopes and dreams. We all want the important things: love, trust, friendships, and peace. But we cannot even envision a peaceful world or home or community unless we address and confront the inner beast inside each and every one of us each and every day.
What are you called to be today? Who are you feeding—the beauty inside you and others or the beast? It is always your choice.