If You Were God – What would you change?

I’ve heard many people use the existence of suffering as a reason for not believing in God. They would say things such as, “If there were a God why would He allow so much suffering in the world?”

 

First of all we are only in a position to speculate or ponder about God because we don’t have the assurance of anything we could consider as being factual about Him. We may quote what we have heard, studied, read, or even in our own way experienced, but that does not prove beyond the shadow of doubt, to others, what we choose to believe.

 

It is said that God is unsearchable, unknowable, unimaginable, unfathomable, unreachable, or otherwise unsubstantiated to us by means of physical proof. Essentially that means that what the world accepts as proof is virtually unavailable to us in reference to God. According to the Holy Scriptures no mortal man has ever seen God, yet we’re encouraged to do so, not merely to believe in, but also to worship this unsearchable God/Being.

 

If you were to think about this for a moment this notion would be the epitome of a quagmire. Not only would it be most difficult, it would be virtually impossible. In essence we can’t know, perceive, imagine, find, or understand God in physicality, but it’s supposed to be completely possible through spiritual means. That means that we would need to shut off the five physical senses in order to open senses that are not physical.

 

In order to come close to God one would need to strip themselves of the carnal (flesh) attachment and enter a non-physical state, that which is spiritual. We would need to learn how to place our trust in things that are unseen above those that are seen. In essence we would need to reprogram the manner in which we view things in a new way contrary to how we were previously conditioned.

 

Think about it: having faith means being certain of things that you cannot see or touch. You believe in it using non-physical means. There is nothing tangible with which you can connect. 

 

What is it that one may use to enhance one's ability to have faith? How can you afix this in your mind in order to get a glimpse or grasp of what this entails?

 

If you have ever witnessed a magician at work you may notice that the good ones have the ability to make you totally believe their tricks. Even though you are aware that he or she used legerdemain, or tricks plus techniques to fool the mind, they appear to be so real.

 

If you have ever been hypnotized or seen someone who has you will note that they believed in something that was totally not real, but their mind accepted it as though it were.

 

Even many of the movies you see today have such great special effects that you actually feel that you have entered the world of make believe. It feels as though you are right there with the mythical characters. If you totally immerse yourself into the story it is almost hard to draw the line between the imaginary and the real.ity.

 

We actually go to such places in our minds quite often, but we do it so naturally that we don’t really realize what we are doing. Temporarily or even for long periods of time we allow our minds to be in a different reality. The only problem is that eventually we have to come back to our physical reality otherwise we could literally run off a very steep cliff.

 

Have you had dreams that were so good that you didn’t want to awaken and others from which you fought hard to awaken out of fear? In both cases the mind accepted where it thought it was. Even the body may have gone into a cold sweat from what you were experiencing. People have organisms in their dreams. They feel real to your senses.

 

Subconsciously we can enter such states of mind, but consciously it is much more difficult to convince the mind and body to accept what you do not believe to be real.

 

Since we know we have this hidden ability to cross over into a different realm of existence, as we do in our minds or in dreams, our challenge is to learn to cross over that threshold while we are awake. Many believers manage to do this in varying degrees. For most it requires a lot of practice and dedication.

 

If my examples have allowed you to grasp spiritual things in the few minutes that you have been reading this essay, imagine what you could do if you were to seek Godliness, or those things that are spiritual, on a daily or regular basis.

 I would like to share a secret with you: God is not really hidden. He reveals himself in plain view for all to see and know.  The only thing secret is that you must seek Him in order to find what is clearly there. The more you seek the more you find. The more doors you knock on the more will be opened to you. The more you ask the more you will be answered.

 

The operative verb here is that IT, the draw, must be generated from you. When the desire comes from your being it attracts what it seeks. It does so using the very laws of nature that were set up from the beginning. It happens when the universe, God, knows when all things are ready. It is similar to how a seed knows exactly when to sprout without either a brain or a heart. God made it work in the manner He intended.

 

So if you were God what would you change? Until you take the time to seek the heart of God you have no idea how perfectly created things are. Try not to just look at what your physical senses reveal, but instead try opening your spirit to see God’s perfect divine will. It is not here that you need worry, for this is but a drop in the bucket of your eternal existence. God sees all things in their infinite existence.

 

I’m so happy that none of us are God because we would only change things that are for our own selfish ambitions in such a manner that we see fit with our very small physical limitations. If I were God I would do exactly what God did and does. I would only LOVE!

Community – Harmony, Charity, and Unity

An interactive group sharing a particular populated environment

A community forms when people coexist in a particular area. It begins to take shape and character when the participants are secure enough to start sharing and learning how to get along with each other, in various degrees. Not all the inhabitants get along peacefully, but that does not mean that they don’t form a community. Their ability to assimilate, or not, forms the character of the community. It could be a close-knit warm community or a cold segregated one.

One might say; it takes all kinds to form a community these days. With the invention of the World Wide Web communities have essentially shattered the previous boundaries where people share commonalities.

Our world community is developing its own character as never before. Since this technology is relatively new it will take some time for people to get accustomed to sharing such a large space. Most will need to make some adjustments.

How do we begin to build small bridges that could be exponentially duplicated in order to form a more harmonious habitat in this new world frontier?

I’m not sure if there is enough commonality within the human species where all could agree with anything in particular. Even when suggestions are offered that are intended to make a positive change there will usually still be naysayers, those that disagree. One would wonder, are there any things we could agree upon just for the sake of forming community?

In order to build a foundation it would be necessary to first understand what causes human beings to be (exist) as they are.

Perhaps there is a common belief that people should think and act in similar ways; that is not true. Different people think and act in ways according to the factors that shaped them. In truth they are so uniquely assimilated that there aren’t even two people who are identical in every way, out of the nearly seven billion people of the world.

Because of how people are indoctrinated and how they process that indoctrination makes it virtually impossible for any two to become truly identical. Both internal and external factors cause people to develop as they do. Additionally, they are guided by their hearts and minds through a maze of decision-making processes of countless choices.

The five natural senses shape people. This means that what we see, hear, taste, touch or smell become molding factors. These are the navigating tools we use to process the physical reality. In addition we have other senses such as intuition, premonition, clairvoyance, and other hidden or submerged senses that shape us, mostly without our perceived awareness.

On top of all the above-mentioned factors we also have to deal with pride and ego. Some think too highly of themselves and others too lowly. In between the two are countless degrees of variations of people dealing with themselves. That does not even take into account how they perceive what others think about them, something that helps shape their personality.

Obviously we can’t overlook traits such as race, culture, gender, physical characteristics, size, and other personal variances we have. Also did I mention our personal preferences as in likes and dislikes? These all make up our personal and unique chemistry.

I remember at one time thinking why other people did not think or act like me. When I put together the many ways that shape us into the individuals we eventually become the better question was how could we possible think or act alike. This leads to another question, which is, how can we learn to utilize our vast differences in order to develop things that achieve the common good? This also leads to a roadblock of discovering what is commonly accepted as good.

Speaking of distinguishing what is good or bad, right or wrong, or otherwise defines our concept of morality, this is where some of our sharper dividing lines exist. Coincidentally this brings back into the equation things such as religion, spirituality, culture and environmental issues again.

So when you put all this together is there any hope of creating a community among human beings that are so distinctly different? There is one element that can bridge all the gaps: Love is the key. In order to create community, harmony, unity, peace and other such redeeming qualities one must put love in front of all other differences. Without love there can be no community.  

Trying to make a difference

 I personally know of many people who are aggressively trying to make a positive difference in their worlds. The problem most face is finding allies that would assist them with their selected generosity.

Unfortunately when you are in the mode of making positive changes you are not usually in the majority. Even though many would agree with what you are attempting to achieve they are not willing to go out on that limb with you.

How many people do you know who are willing to go against what is popular in order to make an unpopular positive change? People like this seem to take on uphill challenges akin to swimming upstream. Is it any wonder that so many surrender to the forces that war against their well-intentioned efforts?

First of all one should understand what they are undertaking in deciding to take on a philanthropic goal. One does not take on such a venture based upon its degree of difficulty; they do it in spite of it. When they offer their gifts, talents, or abilities to those who can’t achieve it for themselves they do so against insurmountable odds.

Not all people are born with the same adeptness. Some seem to come with extra stamina, tenacity, perseverance, compassion, or loving-kindness. Some are givers while others are takers. Some seem to care more while others are far less compassionate. Some of our basic qualities may come through their DNA, even though many can be modified by willful choices.

The fact that we are so differently and wonderfully made seems to indicate that it was done with intent and purpose by a very sophisticated, divine intelligence. Many believe in this divine being, GOD, but know very little about His operations. Such knowledge is far above our ability to fully comprehend, for our thoughts and ways are not even close to that of our Creator, yet we have been told that we are made in God's image.

It is said that as the heavens are that much higher than the earth, so are God’s thoughts and ways that much higher than our thoughts and ways. Trying to understand things such as nature or the operation of the universe are beyond our abilities to totally grasp, yet they are fully known in the minutest detail by the Creator. Our ignorance of such things does not make them cease to exist, including God. It simply means that we are not aware.

There are those amongst us that appear to be more finely tuned to the heart of God. They care about others because they feel a connection with God’s purpose and intent. Fulfilling a need or trying to assist others comes from the awe-inspired God Spirit. Some are more intensely aligned with His magnetism than others, but this Spirit is within us all because our spirit is part of the whole from which we were all spawned.

As you attempt to compare your benevolent offerings with those of others just know that to each is given a mission according to the ability that was given to them. Each has different abilities that should align with their purposes. If it is serving, let them serve; if it is teaching, let them teach passionately; encouraging, let them encourage; and if their purpose is to contribute or fill  the needs of others, let them do so generously; if it is leading, let them lead diligently, and if it is showing mercy, let them do so cheerfully.

Do not think of yourself more highly or lowly than you ought but always do so in sober judgment according to the measures God has given to you. In truth we all come from one Source that is the Creator of it all. We are actually members of one body with many different parts. A certain purpose was given to one with a different one to another. It is how things were designed from the very beginning.

You, too, can make a huge difference, but do so in the manner that you were designed. Find your God-given gifts and use them to administer your unique brand of helpfulness.  Most of us can help and it doesn’t have to be an uphill battle. When you offer yourself to be of service let all credit be to the One who designed all things for the good of those who live according to His original purposes. Don’t get so caught up on trying when you can just do what you do best and let that be your godly gift to others.

As bad as it gets - keep hope alive

 There are times when you’re ready to throw up your hands in disgust at how bad things are in this country. We’re facing one of the greatest financial recessions since the Great Depression of the 1930s, we’re in two costly wars that are draining our available financial resources, crime is up, education of our children is down, morality is a joke, and most are just not having a “happy time” being Americans during this period.

Usually when I get into a funk thinking how bad things are, I see something that reminds me of how blessed I am personally compared to the really “bad things” that are happening around the world.

The conditions some children of the third-world countries face daily are unfathomable. They are born into a world that most American children can’t even imagine. Some are sold into prostitution, slavery, forced into labor camps, malnourished, and otherwise given over to dark satanic forces. This is the only life they know from childhood and even beyond. 

Many countries have corrupt governments and next to no policing, so there is literally nowhere or no one to turn to for justice. Those who have money can buy themselves out of crimes against children, no matter what the charge. Organizations and individuals are able to commit the most horrific crimes against women and children and there is no one to stop them.

"Google" topics such as child prostitution, child trafficking, child slavery, child abandonment and see what you find. Look at countries like India, Cambodia, Philippines, Viet Nam, Sudan, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Darfur, and the list goes on and on. Do you want to see what having a tough time is really like? Try living in a place where there is constant war and/or persecution.

Imagine also how frustrating it is for those on the front lines that are trying to make a dent in suffering around the world. The problems are so deep and full of despair that they appear to be virtually insurmountable. If you knew that at your best you only had a teaspoon to offer and you needed the Indian Ocean to solve the problem, what would keep one going?

It’s like a huge pink elephant standing in your living room, and it has been there for quite some time: how could one possibly get rid of it? Perhaps they start by taking one bite at a time, never thinking about how long it would take to eat the whole thing. Completion may not happen in their lifetime, but at least they might realize that they would be making some small amount of progress each day. 

All one can ever do is their own personal best and then leaving the rest to its own conclusion. Obviously there are much more powerful forces in the universe that are ultimately in control.

Now that you see the big picture, bring your concentration back to your immediate situation. How bad is life for you personally compared to the really bad stuff? It may not make you feel better knowing that many are suffering much worse than you are, but it should help put things in their proper perspective.

No matter how bad things may be for you at the present time, time you just have to toil through each day doing your best and know that once you have given it your best the rest is not in your hands. This is called faith. Faith is the substance of things unseen.

Looking back over life most of us have seen both good days and a share of the bad ones.  There may have even been bad times that you thought would never end, but eventually they did and you are still here.

Realizing these sort of trends to be true about life one can only say to themselves in the midst of the next storm, “This, too, shall pass.” Though it may not make your problems go away or even make you feel better, it does guide you into the future, where hope remains alive. One day  even hope will burn out because that too is the way of life. Even death is certain for us all, but as long as we keep hope alive, in the moment, we should treasure what we have.

In nearly every life there will come a time when one needs an adult pacifier. Although it will not take the misery away, it gives one a moment to reposition their minds in such a way that they will be moved forward to that place where hope lives. As bad as it gets, try to always keep hope alive because one never quite knows what the future may bring. 

Live each day with purpose

Each day of life is truly unique. There are really no two days that are identical. Such changes are even more drastic as you count the years. For this very reason we are cautioned to relish each day as though it could be our last.

Even knowing this to be fact most will allow the mystery of life to take over their conscious mainframe. We go through the motions, but we’re not really that much in each of them as they pass through. This is fairly common behavior for most of us. We rarely live in the current moment and savor what it has to offer.

This is brought to light when we loose someone who was close to us. Once they are gone you try to remember the found memories and wish there had been more. You wonder did you take full advantage of all that was possible from that living soul. Perhaps you wish you had shared or given more. One thing is certain; once they’re gone the link is severed. All that is left are the memories of what was or could have been.

The older you get the more deaths you will experience. One could say death is a part of life. You are born and eventually all will die. Those are fixed points in time. Between those two points is where life happens. What you do with that relatively brief period of time in between those fixed points is the question, and your personal challenge.

Unfortunately far too many people spend the majority of their time worried about what they don’t have rather than what they have. Consequently they live with their blessings, but do not relish them. This is especially true about those who pursue success in the fields of art and entertainment. So much time is spent trying to get a “decent break” that very little is realized about the life that is happening in each and every moment along the way.

This is likewise true for those who pursue careers in the various fields of endeavor. If they are constantly looking forward to future gain there is a tendency not to see the current moments. Consequently the present is virtually “washed under the bridge with time.”

The only thing certain is that you cannot get back what was washed away. It is only real and present while you are in the present moment. Once it (time) is gone it’s eternally gone. Past moments never come back; only new ones arise to replace them.

I recently lost a dear friend. I was very fortunate to have spend a lot of quality moments with this person. Our time together was filled with joy and meaning. For my friend there will be a time of shock and mourning, but there will also be eternal good memories of the good times spent. This is not the way it happens most of the time.

We are not always in a situation where we can be in the presence of those whom we love so dearly. Since everyone has an obligation to live their lives with purpose and meaning we are usually doing what life compels us to do.

How many close relatives, friends or associates that you love so dearly, but are currently separated by the necessities of life? It’s not that we wish to be separated by time and space, but that is simply how life operates.

For the older bunch death is a reminder of how fragile life is. It begs us to pay more attention to the present moment because you truly don’t know when it may be your last encounter with someone. When you are in the moment doing what is offered that is all you can do. We need to constantly remind ourselves of this fact.

Try not to spend an inordinate amount of time on negative things and people. If they wish to remain habitually negative choose instead something that is more positive.

This is not to say that you should not help others that are in great need or to be less compassionate with people. However I am saying that for whatever reasons some people are just stuck on being perpetually negative and you are not obligated to swim in that “negative pool” with them. Offer to help them, but if they insist upon remaining in their negativity that is your signal to move on.

Whether you know it or not, your days in life are precisely numbered down to the second. Very few know when the wick will burn out, but we do know that eventually it will. Knowing this to be fact wouldn’t that encourage you to at least attempt to make the good moments out-number the bad, when there is a choice?

When you are in the company of people you love and admire make sure they know that you love and admire them. Spoken language seems to be the most understood.

When you send your children out into the world make sure they know how you feel about them. Hug them really tight.

When you part company with people of whom you are connected try to do so on a positive note. Part with a lasting joyous smile.

Try as best you can to make each last moment one with intentional and well-meaningful purpose. Live each moment with that kind of zest.

Do the right thing

For most of you this goes back to your childhood days when your guardians were trying to teach you a life-lesson by encouraging you to always do what was right. I’m not so sure we really teach that principle any longer or know what the current “right” (as in righteous thing) may be.

It appears that with time we have drifted from the clear-cut black and white differences to the various shades of gray. Society as an entity, especially in America, has metamorphosed into something totally different when it comes to “true” right or wrong. Many things today are permissible that were definitely wrong just a few years ago.

Back then the ones with the power of “the hammer” determined that distinction. By that I mean wherever the perceived threat of punishment rested was the hammer. With many it was with either mom or dad, if they were in the home. Since the institution of marriage has also transformed the traditional role of parents, they, in turn, have changed.

Where is the stability within society today? Where is the compass of true right or wrong? Is there even such a thing? Instead of “do the right thing,” the new paradigm these days seems to be “do your own thing.” Whatever one can get away with seems to be the new rule.

I admit that I did not always agree with the strictness of my guardians when I was a child. Very few enjoyed strict discipline and consequences when they were young. Knowing what you know now perhaps you realize that children don’t have enough wisdom in order to make the rules. Therefore it shouldn’t be up to them to determine what is right and wrong, or good and bad, not in the sense that they should have choices based upon their individual preferences.

Children have to be taught what is right or wrong by those who have the life experiences that come with wisdom and maturity. If we allow them to make such choices it would be like asking the blind to lead a new hiking expedition through a strange wilderness. Without the foresight and knowledge they have nothing to guide their choices.

In today’s society there seems to be a lackadaisical attitude about disciplining our children. Perhaps it may stem from our memories of our guardians being what we considered overly strict with us so we in turn lightened up on the next generation. Although many see this as doing them a favor, in truth it actually punishes them because they don’t get to learn clear boundaries. They feel empowered to do their own thing rather than following the established societal rules of law and order. That’s not good!

Unless you are very wealthy and powerful you will run into others that have the ability to force you against your will. They can make you do things that you would rather not do. If you don’t learn how to conform to boundaries or restrictions you have a rocky road ahead of you. Look at some of the very rich and powerful that are now incarcerated for their crimes. All their power and wealth could not override the even more powerful justice system.

Although doing the right thing does not guarantee fame, success, or happiness, it does increase your odds of living cohesively and at peace with the elements around you, while going against them increases your chances of facing consequences beyond your will.

Unfortunately, and especially when it comes to children, doing the right thing is no longer considered to be a thing of honor. In fact you are criticized more for doing right than for being one of the bad boys or girls, in certain settings.

How do we re-calibrate this moral compass?

Firstly, doing the right thing needs to become a habit. It needs to be instinctual so that as the situation or circumstances arise you almost automatically respond in the manner in which you were trained. This is key to most of our human endeavors. We must train ourselves in the ways that we wish to operate so as we go about living our lives that training becomes the immediate action and /or reaction. This usually requires a conscious effort with much practice, many trials, and even errors.

Obviously if we train our children in the ways of right living that training normally stays with them as they mature: It becomes part of who they are. Without any training there are no guidelines to help a person stay within boundaries.

Secondly we have to handle our human nature. Many times we do wrong things while knowing we are crossing a line. We willingly do things that we fully realize to be wrong. Why? We do it because our nature often compels us to do so.

I might over-eat, drink excessively, drive while intoxicated, cheat on someone that trusted in me, make harsh remarks about others, take something that does not belong to me, or commit a number of acts and deeds that I know to be wrong. In order to correct such behaviors I must first have the desire to change and then put practices in place that will help me modify my infractions. The key here is having the desire to do right that is stronger than the desire to do wrong.

Somehow as we mature these lines become increasingly clear. Perhaps the desire to do wrong, "just for the hell of it”, diminishes somewhat. It may also be because you realize that there is no real or lasting gratification in doing wrong. It could also be because a person gets more spiritual or religious and becomes more conscious of their sinful or evil behaviors.

The bottom line is that it is always the best choice to do the right thing, even when your human nature tempts you to do otherwise. This was equally true when you were a bit more mischievous as a child.

It matters not what others choose to do and why they make such choices, but as for you personally, you must desire to do what is right and decent before you become right and decent. Whenever possible, and it is always possible, do what you know to be the right thing. Your soul will thank you later.

The Great Human Divide

One must be careful not to incite negativity but at the same time there may be a wound where something needs to be done to heal it. Unfortunately many such painful afflictions are hidden from common view. They fester and even grow like a cancer. They can grow to a point that may become overwhelming.

It has been fifty years since the great civil rights movement in this country. Back then it was mostly about race relationships, but along with that movement women’s rights were addressed as well.

The Civil Rights Laws of the 1960s covered a fairly wide spectrum of discriminatory practices including race, gender, handicap, and such. Its purpose was to guarantee all citizens equal protection of the law. In spite of passing and modifying amendments, imposing laws and changing the hearts and minds of people does not necessarily work congruently.

In truth most people have prejudices, but they may not realize it, or just don’t want to admit being so shallow-minded. When people are different from us we normally see the difference and at times, without consciously thinking about it, draw a line in our minds. This is how the mind does things. It makes distinctions about data. It also forms opinions about things that it recognizes.

When you see someone who is grossly overweight your mind makes a distinction about them, and perhaps a judgment as well. You may not consciously do that, but in this society we are programmed accordingly. We are fed images of what is considered to be beautiful, leaving the insinuation that others are not beautiful.

Even black things have been labeled as bad or evil while things white are considered to be good and pure. Such labels carry over into people and things as well. A black cat is considered bad luck. A hero usually rode on a white horse from the cowboy movies, while the villain rode on a black one. We have been programmed to be color-conscious and with it come prejudices.

Just in case you are not aware, there are black people that are prejudiced against other blacks. There are white people that are prejudiced against other whites. There are Mexicans who are prejudiced against other Mexicans. In fact within most races there are prejudices.

There are Jews that hate other Jews, Muslims warring against each other, Christians killing each other, or Catholics against Catholics. When it comes to religious prejudices there are wars inside families that cause brothers to turn against each other. Prejudices are not just limited to certain races.

This is not to make light of the major Black and White racial issues we have faced in America for hundreds of years, but an attempt to identify a sickness at its very root. In a sense prejudices are natural. It is the way things are distinguished. The problem happens when people use certain distinguishing qualities and vilify one against another.

In truth differences are the way nature expresses itself. Differences are the rule rather than sameness. The world, even the universe, is comprised of innumerable differences that were often intentionally designed that way and for specific purposes, from the beginning. However, somehow, and somewhere in our small minds we decided to make them something bad.

Image a world all yellow, all pink, all green, all white, all black, or all one color? Would we really want all things to be the same? What if we all looked alike, would that be a world you would appreciate more?

I say to you, our prejudices are etched in our small human minds. They are not the rule; we just made them seem so. I know it is hard to deprogram your mind, but that is our challenge.

When you see yourself judging others because of some perceived difference, override that thought and replace it with something positive. It’s not always easy to find the good in things, but that too would be your personal challenge. Challenges usually push us beyond where we would normally go. They assist us in becoming our best.

Take on the personal challenge of erasing many of the senseless prejudices you are hoarding. There are too many more serious issues in the world today than to divide us over the color of one's skin, their weight, gender, preferences, and the like.

Perhaps the greatest human divide of them all is the one inside your own mind that compels you to take issues against your fellow man. The great human divide is stored in the mind of mankind.

Defending against false assusations

It’s interesting witnessing the evolution of the freedom of the press. Apparently the fences that previously protected us are broken.

For a long time there seemed to have been rules that governed what one could or could not do. Unfortunately with the advent of the Internet and the ability of ordinary people to post information and opinions there aren’t enough agencies to police everyone that publishes information.

This brings to mind, how would one defend their integrity if someone made a blatant false accusation against them? With the combination of accessibility to the airways and the lack of policing this could be a contentious problem.

Once information is communicated one must form an opinion about what was stated. They may choose to either believe, disbelieve, or even ignore what was communicated. There are usually consequences for each choice that one might make.

If they accept the accusation as truth, there is usually a negative opinion formed about the perpetrator. If they disbelieve it they may feel sorry for the victim, but that would be no real aid to the accuser. If one decides to ignore an accusation it might become a non-issue to them, but not necessarily to the person that was accused.

Now let’s look at this situation through the eyes of the accused. If they firmly refuted what was stated, the public may wonder why they were so offended by something they claimed to be false.

If they do nothing, hoping it would go away soon, people might assume they were guilty because they did not refute the false accusation.

I suppose they could take the lead and just tell the truth, but who would believe them over their accusers? It is almost as though you are damned either way.

Although there are no set rules in dealing with negativity, you must deal with each incident on its own merits.

If there is sufficient proof to refute an accusation you can present the facts ASAP. If there is no proof to defend yourself against an outright lie perhaps it may be best to deny what was stated and leave it alone because people tend to have their opinions regardless of the truth. Once you state your assertion people will do what they are inclined to do anyway.

What appears to be most counterproductive is trying to judge what others may think about what they hear. People tend to have their own opinions regardless of what we would prefer. If you constantly bring up the subject in hopes of clearing your good reputation it is like pouring gasoline on a fire because it keeps the subject alive.

Although time will usually heal an open wound, some healing takes longer than others. As unfortunate as it may seem, we are subject to both the good and bad as we live in society. It rains equally on the just and the unjust. We are exposed to the elements as we live and breathe and go about our business.

Once you have done your best in any given situation that is where you should consider drawing the line. Know that in your heart you can feel good about yourself based upon what you know to be truth about yourself and not of what others falsely accuse you. Proving a false negative is impossible so why even try.

Know also that “every dog will have its day.” Understand that as you plant seeds, no matter what kind they may be, they will produce fruit of their own kind.

For the “dogs” that insist upon planting negative seeds… let them do what they wish with the understanding that the law of karma is very precise. Each will get what is due to them depending upon what seeds (causes) they choose to plant.

When it comes to malicious accusations, defend yourself with the truth and let the cards fall where they may. Do your best and let the rest land where it finds itself.

However, If things such as this happen to you on a frequent basis I would look inwardly in order to see what seeds I might be inadvertently planting. Things don’t tend to happen without a reason, albeit some reasons are not visibly sitting out there on the surface.

Unfortunately even yesterday’s news needs time before it fades into memories of the past. Live by the truth and it will set you free.

Defend yourself as you feel necessary, but in the end, let dogs lie where they choose. It will all work itself out in the final mix.

Is Morality Dead?

Morality means conformity to the rules of right conduct. It goes further into manner, character and behavior. It’s a sense of behavioral conduct that differentiates intentions, decisions, and actions, those that are good and bad, or right and wrong.

Here is where it gets tricky. It is developed around a moral code, which is a system of morality based upon a specific belief, religion, culture, or philosophy. The problem we have is defining the moral code based upon which guidelines are used.

Obviously society comes to a silent agreement concerning what is most offensive. When someone does something that offends the overwhelming majority we call their actions morally offensive. That would be to the majority of the people. Even though we don’t know exactly where that ball balances, we know that it finds its own level, just as water does.

In spite of our many different philosophies and belief systems somehow a natural gravitational point becomes the moral code. That overall scale is what appears to be lowering more and more with the passage of time.

Morality is not dead but it is certainly descending ever lower. What was once offensive is becoming more flexible, tending to become somewhat normal. Many facets of our entertainment have lowered the code so greatly because what is popular seems to have taken over what is considered as morally decent.

Nudity, graphic violence, foul language, blasphemy, demoralizing statements about women, demigod statements, and the like have become the new norm. . Once there was a natural and general reverence for God, women, children, the church establishment and other things we called sacred, but that bar has been lowered to the extreme..

It is one thing for individuals to exercise their rights and go completely against the moral code regardless of the consequences. These were formerly the "bad eggs" of our society and not that long ago. However, today they are the “bad boys or girls,” which are socially fashionable and considered to be pop culture icons.

Why the sudden turnaround? It is because some of the top financial institutions will finance what is popular regardless of its offense. Companies that we consider to be our media giants will broadcast of publish things that are morally repugnant and reprehensible. If these are now our gatekeepers, then God help us.

If the moral code was previously at ten on the Richter Scale, it is now down to and below five. Things that were embarrassing and deplorable just a few years ago are now fashionably acceptable. Morality may not be dead, but it certainly is evolving into a new creature that barely resembles what it used to be.

Chances are what we once called the moral code is dead. I can’t see it coming back as it was. Now that the cat is out of the bag it will not go back in. Where does that leave us?

I was once a young man and thought as one. Now that I am older I no longer think the same way. It appears that with each passing generation the bar is lowered. What does that mean for the elders? In all probability we will all die and leave the world differently.

We were part of the cause of lowering the morality code when we fought against the system. We wanted and demanded that things be different and far removed from the strictness of our parents. Now the question is, where will all this rebellion end?

Is morality dead? You tell me.