| The good in the bad | | Print | |
| Written by Haley Atkinson | |
| Wednesday, 27 May 2009 | |
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In the moments when we are pushed to our absolute limits, our true character is revealed. In times of great fear, we rise with courage or cowardice; in instances of embarrassment, pride or humility swells within us. When faced with the shortcomings of others, we must choose forgiveness or bitterness. It is through these trials that we become the best or the worst versions of ourselves. The current state of the economy has had a direct impact on our daily lives. The fears in people’s eyes and the concerns in their voice are clear. During this economic collapse, we are confronted with the choices between: showing generosity or selfishness, offering dignity or shame, responding with compassion or callousness. I have been amazed by the selflessness that surrounds me: the nurses who voluntarily take fewer hours allowing their co-worker to keep her job, the café owner in Denver who allows his customers to pay or work for their meal, and the teacher who stays after school helping his struggling pupils free of charge. Through these trials individuals are reaching out into their community giving what they can, while receiving what they need. We are so easily swept into our day-to-day lives that the simple, foundational aspects of humanity can easily slip by unnoticed. The elderly lady next door goes a week without visitors; the homeless man on the corner stands for days without a friendly smile. It is not until a time of panic that we are shaken from our dream-like state and we begin to realize those around us. We invite our neighbors to dinner, sharing not only a meal, but pieces of our lives. We bring a homeless man a sandwich, a hot cup of coffee, and a friendly conversation. It is through these times we are able to see what we are basing our lives on, and whether we are living lives of significance. In the moments when we are forced to confront our reality, we often find that we have based our lives on fleeting desires. As we look closely at the life we now live we begin to realize its temporality. The importance of investments, cars, nice houses and clothing begins to wane as we realize they have no lasting consequence. We must take this opportunity to examine the impact we have had. As we are all facing these economic struggles together we have a beautiful opportunity to set aside our own desires, and even fears, to help meet the needs of our neighbors. Once we begin to choose courage, humility, forgiveness, generosity, selflessness, and compassion, we will begin to live lives of value, lives that will have a lasting impact. And suddenly the temporal concerns will fade as we begin to focus our attention on the lasting. |
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