I believe every generation feels this way about those who
came before. That’s how we progress as a species. That is why we no longer live
in caves and drink from dirty streams. That’s why we have electricity, running
water, and, blessedly, AIR CONDITIONING!
Having dabbled in genealogy over the past few decades, I
have come across ancestors whose actions don’t exactly fill me with pride. I
mean, there are definitely some slave owners and murderers (hey, some died in
the Tower of London!) I wonder, just what will my great-great-great grandchildren
think about me and how I lived my life? What values and beliefs do I have that
they will consider selfish or small minded or even wrong?
Here’s the real question:
Will they simply dismiss me and want to destroy all evidence I ever
existed on this earth because something I believe now is considered bad in
their time? I sure hope not. I mean, I hope I really am a good person and not
simply because I try to be an honorable woman according to the dictates of my
conscience and the social mores of our time. Even more important: I am NOT the person I was 40 years ago. Thank
goodness. That girl was so immature and self-centered and oblivious to what was
going on around me in this world.
I feel very strongly that everything that came before us is
important to remember. First, we don’t want to forget the things that we now
consider wrong because how will OUR descendants remember that those things were
bad? We don’t want to consign our ancestors to heck because of their missteps
and even wrongdoing. Thankfully, that’s not our role. They all make up who we
are as humans.
I just watched a fun video of a starlet from many years ago
dancing. It was such fun to watch. The people were beautiful. The costumes were
lovely. The dancing was fabulous. And I had a thought: Right
then in the world that was swirling
around these dancers in that day there was a lot of social injustice.
There
were people who suffered from discrimination, hate, deprivation, and
several
other bad things. But these people had something beautiful to share with
the world. I am so grateful that so many things have changed, but I
can’t
help but long for some of the things from those “good old days.” Imagine
how it
would be if we were to remove all the evil and hate and terrible things
from
the world and fill it with every good thing from every generation that
ever
lived on the earth. I feel a simple peace in my heart and even joy when I
imagine that.
Please keep pushing for reform and growth in our society. It
is painful, but we need that. We always will, if there are humans on this
earth. But slow down. Recognize the worth of every soul, past, present, and
future. Open yourself to being willing to see the spark in most people. Start
by seeing it in yourself. It’s there. I promise.
The other day I was struck by the thought that I TRULY need
to love those who hate me and despitefully use me. They won’t care, nor will
they likely know, but relieving myself of the anger allows more room for
filling myself with the spark that I will then be more able to see in those
around me. Concentrating on REALLY loving those folks at least helps me to
appreciate the good things they contain within them.
It’s a good day. Go out and make it a better day for someone
else.
