1. Hiring the Disabled/Discrimination in the Workplace
Addiction, Crippling Diseases, Societal Norms, Religious Practices?
I am a recovering person, full of continual hurt and grief. As a person that has suffered from a debilitating
illness, without severe complications, and is in the process of recovering from these medical/life maladies,
it has become harder and harder to cope with what our so called “loving” world puts on us.
I see around me, many, who take people for granted and do not accept the fact that we are not on this earth
forever. We take each day and push people aside with due angst, leaving them to fend for themselves. It
reminds me of being in foreign countries working with the orphanages and the abandoned children, put out
to fend for themselves and yet, still smiling at life because some people do actually care.
Where are the people that care about people and not about just wealth and power? Where are the people
that are truly concerned about each other and not about the tax write off? Where are the people that are
concerned about each others quality of life? Where are the people that actually have feelings that are real
and will go out of their way to supply needs and wants without any questions or any conditions?
I read the Bible, Gita, Koran and other spiritual works and find the writings all there about unconditional
acceptance and love, and yet, I’m reminded of the infamous quote, “Practice what you preach, or do as I
say, not as I Do!”
At this point in time, I refer to First Corinthians 13, the love chapter, with a beautiful definition of Love and
what pure love entails, and I wither at the thought of how many of us try and try and try to love and want to
be loved, and yet are not able to take being judgmental and control out of the picture. “I’ll love you if you
do this, or I’ll love you if you dress this way or look this way or behave this way!” How many of us
actually take the time to listen and hear what each other is saying?
It amazes me to hear the condemnations and the denouncement of different classes in our so called society.
We can’t seem to get over that, try as we may, and acceptance cannot be legislated by any laws of any land.
Acceptance of each other is a personal thing, intensely personal, and involves the most precious gift of time
and understanding that we can give to each other.
I actually mourn the loss of souls that never feel this love, instead feel emptiness in life that nothing can
fill. In that emptiness, I see people strive for the most toys, the most things, the most money, the very
finest that money can buy, and yet, seem to be lost and always seeking more money, more power, more
fame to make them happy, Why can’t people just look around them and appreciate the wonderful world
that God has given us to enjoy, his own special garden for our happiness and peace.
People, wake up and smell the coffee, if a stranger is alone, why can’t we just say Hello, How are you
today? A very simple act full of compassion, hope, joy, peace and actively involved in humanity and the
act of sharing, time, with a stranger.
It doesn’t matter to me how anyone worships God or their Higher Power, whichever label you put to that
supreme being, it’s all about acceptance and understanding.
I’m thinking of a song made famous by Louis Armstrong. All the pains he suffered in life seem to come to
a head in this song, “What a wonderful World”, and it truly is, when we all open our eyes and souls and just
see it.
Enjoy each moment of life, do no harm to anyone or anything, and peace be with you always!