Thoughts for Today

"In a world that values image, holding up a mirror and taking a good, hard look at who we really are is a challenge most will not undertake. It is far easier to project blame onto everyone else who is judgmental, mean-spirited, or any of the myriad of complaints we hurl against others, than to recognize this darkness resides in our own souls. How difficult it is to acknowledge what the ancient prophets understood: The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Or to keep firmly in mind what Jesus asked those listening to him preach his first sermon: Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

"Carl Jung, a student, colleague, and later critic of Sigmund Freud noted that “everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.”(3) Other people can be a mirror for us, showing us who we are if we are courageous enough to take a look. To do so holds a great reward. Seeing our real selves in the mirror of our irritations and critiques of others opens us up to a deeper compassion. As one author notes about facing our real selves, “This is the reason why in the spiritual life our enemies are our best friends. That is why Jesus’s command ‘Love your enemies’ is so important. When we keep the enemy outside the door, when we don’t allow the not-I to enter our world, we’ll never be able to look our sin…in the face. Men and women who get on my nerves, who threaten me and cause me anxiety, need not become my bosom friends, but they have an important message for me.”(4) As I gaze into the mirror of the other, I am invited to see myself and recognize the kinship between us."  Margaret Manning Shull, Slice of Infinity

" . . . smearing opponents is not only a left-wing value; it is the left's modus operandi. And the reason for that is: The left does not win through argument. It wins through smear. If you differ with the left, you are, by definition, sexist, racist, bigoted, intolerant, homophobic, Islamophobic, xenophobic, fascist and/or a hater. The proof? You cannot name a single opponent of the left who has not been so labeled."  Dennis Prager, Townhall, 2/25

"Meanwhile, the United States continues to reduce its carbon emissions into the atmosphere at a faster pace than virtually any other country in the world."  Stephen Moore, ditto

"Bloomberg appears to be using his considerable wealth in ways other than paying for those ubiquitous TV ads. If his record as mayor of New York City is any indication of how he would behave as president, he should not even be allowed in the tourist line at the White House, unless you are comfortable with government telling you how large a soft drink you can consume, whether salt should be available at restaurants and you are fine with your guns being taken away, along with other constitutionally protected liberties."  Cal Thomas, ditto