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| The Mystery within... |
Just as Kermit the Frog sings, “It’s Not that Easy Being
Green,” I have been thinking this past week it’s not that easy being good. My daughter recently gifted me with New
York columnist David Brook’s latest book, “The Road to Character” in which I
read we also need to help others be good.
I thought, wow, it’s hard enough to be good and then I have to help
others be good too. And doesn’t
that then open Pandora’s box because what my idea of good is not always true
for another. But I am learning
there are some guiding principles to promote goodness in myself, and relate to
others in a good way.
It seems the first necessary understanding is that I am
flawed. In realizing and confronting my flaws, I build character. Knowing that everyday presents
opportunities to build character, and serve others, comes through disciplined
daily reflection that exposes my limitations, shatters my illusions, and leads
to humility. Ironically the gift
becomes dependency--teaching indebtedness, knowing that I am just a part of the
greater whole. It also teaches me,
regardless of the flaws of others, I need to affirm each person’s inherent
dignity. And then like Kermit’s
other famous song I understand we are all part of the “Rainbow
Connection.”
So being good is not all that easy. Worthwhile things aren’t. Real suffering can be involved. But it is the kind of suffering that
eventually leads to a larger purpose beyond myself and reveals some of life’s
deepest truths where joy is found.
What if our flaws, and those of others, teach use how to be
good and help other be good too?
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