On the most positive side, I appreciate all of the hugs folks have left me on that little click gadget that I found as I was looking for other blogs that had written about “hugs.” Neat! Thanks! I received 30+ hugs in less than 24-hours. Of course, I still yearn for a human hug, but that’s another blog post.
I perceive the week hasn’t been good for all my fellow bloggers. For example, someone vandalized Squirl’s car. A pellet gun was used to shoot 30+ holes in the windshield alone. That’s not good. Then someone shot at one of her neighbors while he was driving in his car. That’s more than not good!
I posted a comment on Squirl's blog:
Damn, Squirl! That’s vandalism almost at its extreme! I hope you catch the bastard and shove his/her rifle (I assume) up her/his butt. Well, I really don’t hope for that. It’s against my ethics. However, I hope you do it at least allegorically.
Squirl responded:
I know exactly what you mean. I've heard the phrase "thoughts are deeds", so I try to not even think bad things about people. It's hard some days, though.
A bit ago, while reading her comment (above), I came up with the perfect ethical answer. It doesn’t infringe on the phrase "thoughts are deeds” that concerned Squirl and actually should do “good.”
The “perfect ethical answer” is a prayer I learned a long time ago that I have since used to replace those short prayers the most people utter at times of stress and when they feel violated. You know, like when the red car pulls out in front of you and you have to slam on your brakes as you pray, “____________( fill in your own word) you!” Rather than those short prayers I now pray a longer one. For example: “May the Light of God shine upon the driver of that blue car that just pulled out in front of me for the greatest possible good.”
The key is the words “the greatest possible good.” That’s because the greatest possible good may not be what the driver of that blue car may want. If it is, that’s OK, too. With that prayer I can let God be the judge of what happens—and I ain’t cursing the jackass who almost caused me to wreck!
So, for the culprit who intentionally damaged Squirl’s car, I raise this prayer:
May the Light of God shine upon the person or persons who shot holes into Squirl’s red car for the greatest possible good. Amen.
Excellent phrase "for the greatest possible good" - I believe as we work for that in the lives of others, God will work it in our lives. ec
ReplyDeleteMreddie: Thank you. I really believe that the phrase “for the greatest possible good” says a lot about God in our lives as well as letting go of that which can and does wound us.
ReplyDeleteThomas: Perhaps at the moment we are each in touch with the same part of our collective unconscious—or maybe there is a psychic connection between us.
That is a wonderful prayer, Nick. I'm going to have to memorize that one. Thank you so much for your support. I appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteThat's a neat prayer.
ReplyDeleteI have heard that prayer somewhere before. Do you know its source?
ReplyDeletei like yr prayer
ReplyDeleteSquirl: You’re welcome. I hope you car recovers from the attack on it. As for the prayer, there are several versions of it and several more with modifications I have made through the years. I think that for me the main idea is to turn the curse I am tempted to pronounce into a blessing.
ReplyDeleteAbby: Thank you.
Azsonofagun: The source for me was a series of books entitled “Life 101.” I can no longer remember the authors, so I probably need to find them in my library and re-read the wisdom in them.
Jody: Thank you.