Life is how you choose to live it

This is the third Opinion Shaper article, published on April 15, 2012, in the Mansfield News Journal, Mansfield, Ohio. It was right after my dear brother passed away.

There certainly is something in the air that doesn't agree with everybody. There is an ongoing feud with the economy, politics, education, finances, religion—in short, the quality of life.

My brother, Ronald, recently let uncertainties of life finally get to him. He called me on Feb. 27 to wish me a happy birthday. We had a cordial conversation, but three days later he was gone, a victim of his own discouragement.

He had admitted to being very discouraged but he wouldn't, or couldn't, lay a finger on the cause. We mentioned retirement, touched on the state of the economy, and, worst of all, the political scene. He was close to retirement age, still in good health and working, and had a lovely wife, two beautiful daughters and six grandchildren.

So, where does that leave the rest of us? We are concerned about the same things. The economy is trying to get onto its feet, and politicians are trying to prove some kind of aristocratic ardor; vying for the top seat in government; trying to appeal to the masses, which is mainly how one of them will manage to get there—or stay there.

Then there are religious and societal differences that figure into the mix. Catholics, Protestants, other religions, atheists, races, creeds, lifestyles. In a free society that should not be a problem—to each his own—but there seems to be the curious need to watch each other and make a judgment about the different ways of viewing the world.

There is an ongoing need for happiness and contentment—song, dance, sports, religion. That's on the right track, but then there are drugs, sex, alcohol, tobacco and excesses of all kinds. It all plays a part in giving a sample of temporary happiness, at the risk of one's own eventual downfall. But that's when one is focusing full attention on it.

There is another focus that can help alleviate the discontent or madness in one's existence, which can last longer; paying attention to that which was already set up for countless ages—the beauty of what you see around you. It's there when you look for it. It's there just by being, without judgment of its own.

You can withdraw inward for a few minutes a day and quiet your mind and contemplate on the exquisiteness of a flower, a tree, even grass. Let your mind focus on the unseen microscopic world. Somewhere in that orderly mass of cells, molecules and atoms is the essence of life that keeps it all growing and flourishing, a mode of intellectual pursuit even at that level to complete the cycle of life, assisted by DNA patterns, and evolving according to the environment in which it finds itself.

Then there is the magnificent thought in watching the stars and planets take their steady course through the heavens. If you have an active imagination, you can allow yourself to soar among them, oblivious to what is around you for the moment, taking a little time to relax in that feeling of wonder.

Or you can consider the birds, animals and insects with a sense of awe as you realize that each species is different. You can also adopt some of their characteristics for yourself—strength, courage, patience—which can help you give order to your own existence. It's just taking lessons from that which has a divine order about it.

Then there is the joy of doing what you love—reading, writing, expressing yourself in art and music, helping one another in time of need, enjoying the kind of life that can be shared and enjoyed by all.

A universal law is in place: what you give out will eventually return to you. It's called the Law of Attraction, which is beyond the realm of philosophy or religion. It affects everyone, regardless. On a personal level it has to do with the ethic if reciprocity, the Golden Rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

It can work the same way on a much broader scale. Somewhere along the way wars must cease if there is to be world peace. Governments must pay attention to the governed in positive ways. It can start with you, a single source as an example of encouragement and appreciation for those around you, an influence for good as a role model for others.

Love for our fellow humanity will go far, which includes respect, tolerance, self-control, forgiveness. It also includes a love and respect for the Source of life, however one knows, believes or imagines it. This applies to everyone--everyone!

When you are finished quietly contemplating the natural order of things that has existed for millennia and beyond, you can return to your conditioned life's programming with a refreshed outlook of being able to help make some kind of order out of the chaos that made you seek the solace of withdrawing inward in the first place. You can call it prayer or meditation or just relaxing. Inspiration comes to a quiet mind.