Progress Requires Faith

Progress in our personal lives and in our country requires faith. It requires the belief that in spite of the harshness of the past and the challenges of the present, things can change for the better. If one has that faith he or she will be part of that change. If not,  one can easily get stuck in frustration, hopelessness, and hate.

We’ve had some wise words to help us in this country.  Let’s use them as places to start acting towards a more positive future.

In this time of social divisions, I remember Franklin D. Roosevelt’s word on his inauguration.  Among many things, he said that we have nothing to fear but fear itself. Whether he meant it this way or not I always believed it was a warning that fear and actions generated by fear could be far more dangerous than a present crisis. Today we need to deny the fear mongers access to our emotions. People who are afraid gather in groups for safety. The groups fear or hate the other groups. People say and do terrible things when afraid. The danger of people lashing out in fear and hate is a worse danger to an improving society than their differing views politically or otherwise. Let us guard against fear and go forward with confidence.

Martin Luther King in his “I Have a Dream” speech said, ” I have a dream that my four little children will live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but the content of their character.” We must not lose the dream the hope that stereotypes and caricatures will be put aside for the knowledge of the true persons. Every ethnic and racial group has its challenges but people of good will can change the narrative and the world one person at a time.

Change does not just happen, but we have the ability to change things for good. Just because there has been evil change is no reason not to fight fear, hate, and other evils with good. No griping or wringing of hands will do. Progress requires faith and acts of faith from us as we work to shape a better future.

YOU can do IT.   (God will be glad to help.)

I love nature. I just don’t want it crawling in my picnic basket.

• Work is a fine thing if it doesn’t take up too much of your free time.
• Besides “I love you,” what three words does a wife want to hear most?  “I’ll fix it.”
• Why don’t lobsters share?  They’re shellfish.
• A profound question. Why isn’t there mouse-flavored cat food?

To all my friends and family- I LOVE YOU.