Walls or Bridges: February 21, 2016
Walls divide and bridges connect or bring together. Recently there has been a lot of talk among one of the current presidential nominees about building walls. We allow many things to build walls between us such as religion, politics, race, sexual orientation, and gender. We also allow many emotions to build walls between us such anger, resentment, bitterness, jealousy, and the need for power.
We are ALL created by one source and one power which makes us ALL part of the same source. We are ALL created equal and in the image of God. When we make a decision to exclude someone based on our differences, we exclude ourselves from God because we are ALL part of his creation. God is all-inclusive. God is love. God is source. Since we were ALL created by one source, we have a responsibility to love that source in its entirety.
It is not important or realistic to think that you have to agree with everyone else’s views, beliefs, or ideas. What is important is that we build bridges to connect us, by loving ALL without judgment. Remember bridges connect and bring together. We can agree to disagree but at the same time respect others.
Writing this makes me think of my dear Mom. She was a devote Christian who lived the life instead of talking about the life. She lived by example. In her many years of caring for the sick, at the hospital where she was employed, she provided the same loving care to ALL people regardless of their religious belief, race, gender, or sexual orientation. She would often tell me stories about her patients and their different lifestyles, beliefs, or rituals. She was so compassionate and none of the differences made a difference to her. She chose to build bridges instead of walls. She chose to come together instead of separate. It will always be the thing that I remember and respect about her most. I always knew that Mom did not agree with my lifestyle from her Christian point of view. It made no difference in the way she looked at me and loved me. The beauty is, it wasn’t just me. She truly loved all without judgment. She did let the differences make a difference.
Are you building walls or bridges? Do you love ALL of God’s creation or just those who see things the way you do? Our similarities are far greater than our differences. We ALL experience hurt, sadness, and pain. We ALL breathe the same air. What can you do to build more bridges and tear down more walls?
I make a conscious decision to practice more bridge building, to see ALL life as part of God’s creation, to love ALL, to respect ALL. I put the word ALL in capital letters each time in this sharing of my thoughts in an effort to emphasize the importance of the word. Make a commitment with me today to work to build more bridges in every area of your life. It is sure to lead to a happier, more fulfilled life.
See you next Sunday for my weekly Sunday blog. Thanks as always for your support and don’t forget to enter your email address and sign up to follow my blog.
Peace and blessings
Thank-you for your post Vincent, seems very timely given what is going on these days. In one of your recent blog post you talked about secrets making people sick, the same goes with prejudices and exclusion. All of these are typically fear based, and sometimes it is arrogance based. Either way the anger, judgement and fear have a negative affect on our health. As I said before “Fear can save us and it can kill us. It is a survival tool, but emotional fear causes stress. When your body experiences stress response, it cannot do the job of repair. Repair comes with physiological relaxation, emotional calm, and lack of fear.” If you take a minute to think about it, it takes a stronger mind to build a bridge, than it does to build a wall. Anybody can stack a row of blocks, or boards, or rocks to make a wall. To build a bridge you have to find and plan support, you have to work together and extend forward until you reach the next support. You have to be strong enough to withstand the constant pressures, be they wind, water or peer! We are all subject to the subconscious lessons that we have been taught over the years. But we must think for ourselves as adults and come always from a place of love. “If we are told that God is love, then we shouldn’t just say it in our place of worship during a ceremonial weekly religious service. We must live it.” (The late Wayne Dyer)
Love heals! All it takes is 5 minutes of watching the news to see that Prejudice Kills!
Peace! Love! and Healing!
Greg,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful response. You are educating me and making me think. I love the feedback.
Great reading Vince..it’s so real! Can’t wait until next time!!
Thank you Cedric
I love this!! Everyone needs to see this! It’s something we all can learn from DAILY!!
Thanks Ness
I’m learning to build more bridge building than walls. Excluding the walls from around me. I am part of God’s creation, to love, respect all. So, I May have a happier and prosperous life.
Dianna,
Thanks so much. It is all about love. We are called to love all.