The blind man acted as though he could see.

In Matt 15:1, Jesus said this about the Pharisees: "They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch."
How many of us stroll through life thinking we have all the answers – yet in reality we don’t have a clue?
Many will agree that politicians blindly lead. Republicans readily point towards the Democrats as blind – and believe it or not the Democrats point their fingers at the Republicans.

For centuries (actually since the beginning of time) religious leaders have preached false doctrines.

Really – how can a war be “Holy?” The Mayans drugged young virgins, so they would hallucinate – so they believed they were talking to the gods. Then they would clad them with heavy jewelry and throw them in a lake. They would tell the village people that if the gods found the sacrifice favorable they would keep the virgin – if not they would send her back to the top.

In the 1700s the church proclaimed that is was in God’s plan for one man to own another. The cited scripture that declared it was His will.
Today the church turns it heads when members bash people because of their sexual orientation. “Homosexuality is an abomination to the Lord,” they scream. Yet, Jesus who came to the world to fulfill the law never mentioned homosexuality. He did have a few choice words for divorcees. He, also, commanded us not to judge – lest we be judged.

Most religions condemn opposing religions as being wrong – or even of the devil. They do all agree that we should tithe to them. And they all have rules to find salvation – since they all claim to be right, who do we believe?
So are we all blind – are we all just feeling our way in the dark? How do we know the difference? If we cannot believe the politicians or the religious leaders, who can we believe?

We are all on a journey – a trip that will entail many lessons- the key is to learn those lessons.
I believe there are a few rules that will assist us on this trip.

1. Love all people and all things. Learn to cherish yourself and then cherish
your brother as you do yourself. Spread this love to animals and plants too.

2. Gratitude – always show gratitude. Before you eat – say a small prayer of
gratitude. Make a list every morning of your gratitude’s and add to it as
the day continues.

3. Send warm thoughts (subset of #1) to all people you encounter each day – no
matter what their attitude may be.

4. Allow each individual to have their own journey.

5. Ask questions of the Universe – and listen for the answer: with your eyes,
ears and senses.

I admit I am a blind man – and at times I lead other blind people – but hopefully I will never lead them into a ditch.

One Question.................

If you were walking along the beach and found a magic lamp - and the genie offered to answer just one question; what would that question be?

The logical answer for most would be the winning numbers for the lottery – for some, a cure for cancer – and yet others how to find the perfect mate.
Those are all good questions – in fact there really aren’t any bad questions. I suppose – that I may myself ask one of those questions. However, since I believe the soul is eternal and that I will live forever; love, health and wealth should be secondary concerns.

I would like to think I would ask for the purpose of my life – what is my mission. For if I discovered that mission, then I would unlock the door to ultimate joy – the ultimate happiness.

There are some who have discovered their mission: The Dali Lama, Gandhi, Mother Theresa – yet that one truth eludes many of us…..perhaps most of us.
Have you given much thought to what your true mission in life is? Is it something that is important to you? If, you knew (or know) would it make a difference in your life?

I believe we all have a “collective” mission to make the planet a better place when we leave it, than what it was when we arrived. I would like to think in some small ways I have accomplished this feat – yet I have more work to do in this area.

As for my individual mission – I am still searching for that – which possibly could be my mission.