For your consideration…
Mary Wortley Montagu said, “Civility costs nothing and buys everything.”
Our message today tells us that the exact opposite is also true. “Lack of Civility costs nothing and costs us everything.” If we can not be civil to each other…in all things…we will lose our civil society and ultimately our country and then the world.
From the beginning of life on earth, there has been some sort of war or another. It is the civilized countries that have held it together. Wherever we see violence we see lack of civility. In conflict or disagreement, we should first ask ourselves, “Why am I seeing or hearing that?” “Why is it striking a cord with me?” Remember the mirror image? We own it to recognize it. So why all the conflict? Why can’t we speak our truth? Why can’t we hear another’s without anger?
Respect, kindness demands civility. Civility is something that each and everyone of us can do. I saw this post recently and think it gives us a good tip on how we might be civil.
Before you post (I would add or “speak”) , ask yourself:
Is it kind?
Is it necessary?
Is it true?
(I would add , do we KNOW that it is true…not taking someone else’s word for it.)
Does it improve the silence?
These things should not be hard for anyone who makes the attempt. That’s all that we are being asked to do…make an attempt.
That is the HOPE. And so it is.
Bit by bit, piece by piece, HOPE by HOPE action steps anyone can take…
-Affirm…“I am loved.”
-Share that love with others through civility.
-Meditate/pray…ask…”What is my next step for my highest good and the highest good of all?”
-Drink lots of water.
-Get outdoors and take in at least 10 deep breaths.
What made me smile yesterday…
-I was glad I made the long drive home and got to wake up and be lazy.
-Alex and James made it home in enough time to have a short visit with her sister and family.
-Lots of little tasks done in prep for the back to school week.
-A beautiful text from Amelia.
-Catching up with my sister, Lori.
Love, Blessings and Gratitude,
Rev. Chris
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