Looking For Satisfaction In Utah? Be Happy With Your Refection

Every once in a while I come across an article that really makes me hold up a mirror to myself and see if the reflection I get back is one I am satisfied with. Often times, the reflection I see shows me that I am still very much a work in progress, with improvements to make if I desire to have a good effect on those near me.

Such is the case when I read this excellent article by Lawrence Reed. I highly recommend that you take the five minutes or so it takes to absorb the words. In essence, Reed suggests that if we are disappointed with the anger and divisiveness we see in society today, it is up to us as individuals to make adjustments to ourselves.

All sixteen suggestions that Reed makes have remarkable merit, and would, I believe, be good to incorporate in to our day to day interactions with those around us. Two of his suggestions had a deep resonance with me.

Suggestion 5 from Reed is

Judge every individual by the 'content of his character' and the merits of his actions, not by the group by which he was assigned by birth, origin, faith, color, or politics.

I've always hoped that when I meet an individual for the first time they come to me with a “clean slate.” I must sadly admit I still need to be better at this.

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Suggestion 6 from Reed ties in very closely with the 5^th.

Elevate the importance of personal character in your life. No society can flourish if it denigrates virtues such as honesty, humility, patience, responsibility, tolerance, courage, gratitude, self-discipline, and respect for rights, property, and choices of others.

This is another suggestion that I believe needs daily effort. It's sometimes very difficult when someone, especially someone we have great affinity for, is making choices we believe to be detrimental. Our first reaction is generally to speak out and warn of the dangers of those choices, and certainly there are times we need to raise that voice of warning. However, many times the best course we need to take, especially to cement those relationships, is to remain silent.

Ultimately, while collective changes are needed for addressing the roots of societal division, the cumulative impact of individual choices can significantly contribute to healing, unity, and acceptance. By choosing empathy, challenging bias, engaging in acts of kindness, and promoting positive discourse, individuals can play a pivotal role in creating a more inclusive and harmonious society.

The story is told that author G.K Chesterton responded to the question of “what is wrong with the world” posed by the editor of a London newspaper with the words, “I am.” While there are some questions as to the authenticity of the story, the lesson learned still remains instructive.

If we truly want to see a world with less division and anger, we must first be satisfied by the reflection we see from the mirror.

One final note. If you know me at all, you'll know I'm all in on Reed's eighth suggestion.