“To live is to be slowly born.”


Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Sunflower Seeds

Celebrating Everyday Spirituality

State of the Union

DSCN2599I stayed up late last night to watch our President give his 5th State of the Union address and to listen to the Republican response.  And then I could not get to sleep!  Questions kept coming to me:  What are the “great divides” in our hearts?  our lives?  Whether or not we gift ourselves with labels of Democrat, Republican, Green Party, Independent, Libertarian or who knows what, how willing are we to reach a hand “across the aisle” of our “great divides?”  What might it look like for our nation if we could do just that?  Maybe even on a smaller level, if we experience strife in family, community, cities, states … what might it look like if we all made a mighty effort — meaning, listening to the other, maybe setting aside some of the ego-self — to search together for the common good?  Many of the Saints might call that honest discernment.  It takes some looking at the “state of our own union” … the “state of the heart.”  Perhaps that’s where we all need to start:  a good look at the State of the Heart.  Maybe, just maybe … just maybe? … it could lead to “a more perfect Union.”  Think on it.  Let’s begin today by listening to one we might otherwise dismiss.  Let’s begin today by reaching out in a handshake of peace and welcome to the one we label as “the other.”  Let’s begin today to work toward “a more perfect Union.”  Yes, God bless the United States of America!

4 Responses

  1. It is not always an easy thing to do, this reaching out. Sometimes we need only. be open to reach out and God dies the crossing. We are put here to be his foot soldiers. We do his request and all he ask is for us to be willing and open to do the rest. Today’s society is o distant. Afraid even yo cross and touch another. To be the link. Why do we fear when he stands beside us always.

    1. Kathy … what a lovely reflection that we provide the openness and God does the crossing “to the other side of the street” or reaching “across the aisle.” I love that. Yes, may we be open channels of God’s love and mercy, God’s compassion and listening to “the other.” Gee, if we just gave God the chance to work, eh?! Thank you for this inspiring sharing.

  2. I feel eager for compromise for the good of the group. US citizens just keep listening to radio commentators, TV stations, creating groups, etc., which affirm our own beliefs and make us more aggravated with “the others” – the opposite direction of compromise. Looking at the State of our Hearts is probably the best place to start.

    1. Teri, thanks for this insightful response. Yes, we do cluster around those who think as we do. Only natural, I suspect. More comfortable, that’s for sure. Ah, yet we know how good stretching exercises are for our bodies and our minds … now we need to stretch our hearts!

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