MuttonChops

Written almost 20 years ago, the song is as relevant today as ever. Some things, unfortunately, never change. Bottom line - when one is living a good life and chooses to ignore the needs of others, the least he can do is tend to the ones he loves. The Ones You Love Children cry on the street They don't have enough to eat Mothers wait for days on end A hopeless situation they can't mend Is it good for you? Is it good for me? I don't know how the world can sleep It's just not right to close the door turn out the lights They'd better be the ones you love The children ought to get some love If no one else should ever get enough They'd better be the ones you love Daddy waits there in line A little work he hopes to find Something wrong with times like these It's enough to bring a man down to his knees Is it good for you? Is it good for me? I don't know how the world can sleep It can't be right to close the door turn out the lights They'd better be the ...

I need to get busy with a couple of last minute holiday preparations but find myself thinking about several people at the moment that have guided my behaviors and beliefs. What better time to share such contemplations than on Christmas Eve? Many years ago, I worked in a large office building, analyzing health insurance claims. A young co-worker maintained an altar at her desk with various items such as a Christian calendar, her Bible, reference books and scripture dust-catchers. She read during her lunch break and I had to give credit to someone that was a wild-child-turned-holy-saint. One day she perched on my desk top as I worked. "Iris, can I ask you a personal question?" "Sure." I stopped and leaned back in my chair. "Iris, have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour?" Her face showed lines of deep concern. "Well ... yeah Melanie, I have." "When?" "Gee, ummm, well ..." I thought about my affirmation in the Meth...

My mother is always consoling herself by saying things like, "Well, it could be worse ..." or "Other people have problems, too." In response, I share a lesson I learned a long time ago: "Don't minimize your problems - we each have our own reality to deal with." Kudos to a very wise therapist as this has stuck with me and, combined with the bits and pieces I've assembled to form my own conclusions about religious issues, I've managed to survive in spite of great odds. I try not to wallow in personal quagmires and avoid being over-confident because karma has a way of kicking my ass hard when I stray too far from center ground. Perhaps my spirituality is so well-grounded because there is no possible explanation for the cosmic messages I receive on a regular and direct basis. Some folks ask "why" things happen or assume they are a magnet for bad luck. When someone rich and famous gives sincere thanks, I smile and believe they are blessed...