Humans undoubtedly have the ability to create. We are innovative beings that are able to adapt quite quickly to changing environments and such. However this creation ability can become a menace to society as we have seen in the recent economic crisis. Another aspect of our human nature emerges, greed, which can destroy everything that was previously created and intended for good. Today is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the lent season in the Christian faith. It is simply a day of reflection and humility. Amidst all the chaos and uncertainty that is currently going on in my country and abroad, it was refreshing to slow down and take a dose of the humble pill. Sometimes I think we let success and achievements go to our head, which blinds us from the reality that we are limited and fragile beings. On this day, ashes are used as a reminder..
Remember that you are dust
and to dust you shall return.
What do we do with humility? We turn it into a response built upon love. I have been humbled today, and have therefore been challenged to think outside of myself. The hungry, the oppressed, and the thirsty are on my mind and heart tonight. I hope to have a go at humility, and will look for opportunities to bring freedom to those that currently are not experiencing it. Create, innovate, and dream but do it with a gentle heart; with one that understands that we are ultimately part of something so much bigger than ourselves. I leave you with a prayer from a very special woman.
Lord, open our eyes,
That we may see you in our brothers and sisters.
Lord, open our ears,
That we may hear the cries of the hungry,
the cold, the frightened, the oppressed.
Lord, open our hearts, that we may love each other as you love us.
Renew in us your spirit,
Lord, free us and make us one.
-Mother Teresa
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