Too often do we take for granted the lives we have been given. Count yourself fortunate to be able to read these words in front of you, no, count yourself blessed, for by a slim chance you were born into one of the wealthiest nations in the world. You were taught to read and write, you were fed and clothed, and you were given a home to shelter you until you matured. But with your needs met, your inherent quest for survival was turned into a quest for consumption. In this nation, we are taught to aspire to achieve great things, and because the rest of the world does not have the privileges we do, we should be grateful, but we are not, because we cannot possibly understand what the poorest majority of the world suffers (Starvation, disease, oppression, homelessness to name a few) until we go through it ourselves.
Now we suffer as well, and we desire change, but outside our dome of concerns we have people who are fighting for their lives against every enemy imaginable. Our problems suddenly seem dwarfed, but do not feel ill-represented. I do not weigh suffering, for we all fight our own personal battles. (And these battles destroy us.) But the truth of the matter is that, for us, our problems are our world. And as troubles loom, we retreat into our dome of concerns and then forget what kind of world we actually live in.
It takes a single tragedy for us to realize that we are truly alone in the world. But these tragedies are windows into the lives of others because people are, in essence, united by tragedy. The wealthiest of us, however, are singled out by a virus that attacks our hearts, twisted by greed. As time passes on, our only goal is “to make it”, yet we accumulate wealth that has no value after death. In the end, we would have left all our worries in the world for eternity, and the wealth will be left to those still alive to be squandered in greed. Our goal is to make it into heaven, but our lives on earth are what count the most.
It takes a single tragedy for us to realize that we are truly alone in the world. But these tragedies are windows into the lives of others because people are, in essence, united by tragedy. The wealthiest of us, however, are singled out by a virus that attacks our hearts, twisted by greed. As time passes on, our only goal is “to make it”, yet we accumulate wealth that has no value after death. In the end, we would have left all our worries in the world for eternity, and the wealth will be left to those still alive to be squandered in greed. Our goal is to make it into heaven, but our lives on earth are what count the most.
And here is the mission, the great sacrifice of self to God. Let your aspirations be motivated by a need to see others helped and replenished. For we are all humanity, God’s creation, flesh and blood. It is gluttonous of us to consume while others live without. We should not be so quick to indulge excessively, but rather hold yourself when you are content, and reserve the remainder for another. This is not in reference to just food, but for all finite commodities like money or work. Realize you will not be able to aim for these desires that once ranked so highly on your agenda. There is a possibility that you might not get to attain the riches of the world and live the life of your dreams because you realize that there is something more important than getting what you want. And that is giving to others what they need.
Our bodies are mere vessels, small and passing, so what justification have we to weigh that which is eternal over that which is temporary? Yet we do it everyday when we complain to ourselves about ourselves, fret about nuances that have no meaning in the end, awe at luxuries that offer no real value to our lives. Boasting potential, self-indulgence, self-concern, pride: this trend of self is the very sin that was brought into the world the day of the fall. And it is Christ’s teaching that tells us to abandon self and look to others.
Our bodies are mere vessels, small and passing, so what justification have we to weigh that which is eternal over that which is temporary? Yet we do it everyday when we complain to ourselves about ourselves, fret about nuances that have no meaning in the end, awe at luxuries that offer no real value to our lives. Boasting potential, self-indulgence, self-concern, pride: this trend of self is the very sin that was brought into the world the day of the fall. And it is Christ’s teaching that tells us to abandon self and look to others.
So live life with others in mind, not just yourself, for when your work is done, someone else will reap the rewards. Don’t let your heart be stolen by tantalizing lusts, nor let your work be in vain, for we only ever get one chance to make things right. Whether we squander on pleasures or save for the future, we all need to check our hearts. For we hoard these passions to alleviate our bitter suffering and are too blinded to accept our fates. We can never have it all.
I believe our talents should be used in any way possible to better the life of another, not just our own. Whether that be to inspire, coordinate, or lead, just make that the goal in your life. I believe the world would be a better place if we just put others ahead of ourselves.
I believe our talents should be used in any way possible to better the life of another, not just our own. Whether that be to inspire, coordinate, or lead, just make that the goal in your life. I believe the world would be a better place if we just put others ahead of ourselves.
