A Lesson From the Past

We have just returned from a trip to the west of Ireland. It was my first opportunity to travel to Europe and it was an amazing experience visiting a country filled with ancient and sacred spaces. It is a wonderful place to expand awareness and contemplate the rich past and history of our ancestors. Many have traveled before us and we can learn from their lives and experiences and from a place in nature that is filled with lessons for those with ears to hear and eyes to see.

Today, more than ever before, we are faced with choices about where we will go in the future and what our lives will look like. We have the ability to change our course of direction or self-destruct. The past provides a clear record of our past choices and the effects of those choices.

One of the things that struck me in traveling through the countryside of Ireland was how many times they had been invaded and attacked. When you look back at history they are not the only country. We have a long history on planet earth of developing domination societies. These are societies in which a few rule over the many. This was exactly the type of culture that was in existence at the time of Christ.

When you study the message of Christ you hear one theme coming through. His was a message of love and equality. Over and over the message is repeated that the kingdom of God is a kingdom of love. We are here to learn how to get along with one another. How well are we doing?

A few years back we built a house and I acted as the general contractor. In reality, it was not much different than being a kindergarten teacher. My job most days consisted of trying to get everyone to work together nicely and to just show up and do their job! Our choices on earth on not much more complicated than that. We have the choice to learn to get along with one another and show up to learn the lessons we are here to learn and to do the work we are here to do.

Each soul is precious and valuable. We all have something important to contribute. But as long as we are interested in dominating one another or feeling that some are important while others count for nothing we will continue on a course of self-destruction.

History is a clear lesson book that shows us where we need to change. Ironically, we keep making some of the same choices even though they have been proven over time not to work. As we begin a new century it is time to starting making new choices—choices of equality and love—choices that honor the interests and concerns of all regardless of race, gender, religion, or nationality. We can honor history and the past by learning from the difficult lessons of our ancestors and creating a new and harmonious future.

Today, in the present moment is our opportunity to begin again. My own heart is a great place to start.

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