‘Tis
the time for
Self-awareness
New Years is the time of spiritual renewal. Unlike
spring it requires human effort. When the grass turns green, the
trees bud and the perennials bloom, it is quite enough to stand
in awe of Mother Nature. But no such passive posture will do for
New Years.
On January 1, every thinking human being must face himself or herself
and conduct an assessment. “Have I made progress this year
in the process of self-development?” Most human beings understand,
more or less, that their most important task is to develop to the
extent of their abilities.
Every child understands the challenge of developing physically to
be able to conquer the obstacles in his or her environment. Some
youngsters understand the importance of excelling in school to develop
their intellectual acuity. Unfortunately, too few adults understand
that there is an even greater challenge before them once they have
gained physical maturity.
As the New Testament states in I Corinthians: “When I was
a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought
as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”
Becoming an adult means much more than accepting responsibility
for a family and becoming successful in business or a profession.
The Old Testament advises in Ecclesiastes that worldly success is
only “vanity of vanities; all is vanity.” What is missing
is wisdom and divine understanding.
Every human is capable of attaining divine wisdom, no matter what
his or her status in life. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructed
the multitudes to “Be ye perfect, even as your Father which
is in Heaven is perfect.” For devout Christians, this is not
an admonition to be taken lightly.
New Years is understood to be the time for renewal. Most people
think that it is the time to get serious about quitting smoking
or to start that diet to lose weight. But it is more than that.
It is time to begin those habits and practices that will bring you
closer to divine wisdom and understanding.
The process of maturing to physical adulthood is easy. It requires
little more than good health and the passage of time. However, the
process of becoming a “perfect” human being requires
a strong will, contemplation, the assistance of a divine being and
considerable effort. For those with understanding, the goal is worth
the effort.
Community
resolutions
New Years resolutions are usually private, personal
commitments. They usually concern the development of an individual’s
good qualities. But there is every reason to extend the concept
to accepting responsibility for the improvement of one’s community.
The tranquility of Boston’s black community has been shattered
of late by a spate of murders. Not everyone has the courage and
disposition to interfere in situations which might spawn violence.
Nonetheless, everyone has the capacity to contribute to a climate
of peace that will discourage the youth from resorting to violence.
Resolutions might include to:
1. Speak courteously and respectfully to all you encounter.
2. Encourage youngsters, even strangers, to exercise discipline
and do well in school.
3. Encourage family members and neighbors to register to vote.
4. Be kind and helpful to neighbors when possible.
The adults must step up if the community is to end the violence.
|
Melvin B. Miller
Editor & Publisher
Bay State Banner |
