It’s easy to feel the heaviness of external events, not to mention our own minds. Today in the U.S. there is serious injustice, highlighted by the recent killing of an innocent man at the hands of those supposed to protect citizens. In the mist of a pandemic, protests are happening all over the U.S. and the world. In some places violence and darkness has erupted. People are angry, some are acting out. The anger is understandable.
The United States has allowed horrific racist violence and turned heads while innocent people are harmed, and sometimes killed, all because of the color of their skin. It is an appalling, heartbreaking reality. And it needs to change. The anger that has erupted on our streets is due to way too many years of racial injustice. When there is injustice there will be these responses.
I do think violence and aggression rarely results, in the long term, in much good. Every act we commit, whether it is saying something kind, or saying something incendiary will have a ripple effect. And so we have to be willing to live with the karma we create for ourselves.
A couple of months ago I had a dream that was quite profound and wise. I was getting advice about the danger of out of control anger, and the importance and power of goodness. Anger has a place in the human experience. We all have to decide what to do with our anger. Anger, if harnessed correctly and with good intention, can be used for the good and for social change.
There is also goodness, and power in goodness. Now, more than ever, may we come together as a human family, and use our wisdom, energy, faith and strength to fuel the power of the good within each of us. May we act with intentional kindness. Let’s hope and pray true kindness and wisdom prevails. May we all find peace, justice and tap into our goodness.