Righteous Leads Us to Peace
"If there is righteousness in the heart there will be beauty in the character. If there is beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the house, If there is harmony in the house, there will be order in the nation. Where there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world."
I have taken a quote Sandra handed me and went directly to the author and asked him apply his thoughts to my world today. Here is what he said:
"Michael, I originally wrote this a long time ago, but it still applies today. What I am saying is relatively simple. Order and peace begin within your heart and soul. If you are a 'just and decent' person, your character will spill over to others and influence the way they think and behave, especially your family. Eventually, this admirable 'character' will go well beyond the family and extend beyond your community and beyond the hills too far to see.
Harmony and stability will become the norm through out your neighborhoods and cities. But, watch your leaders carefully, especially those who make decisions that effect you the most. Sometimes, their character becomes sidetracked by self-gain and self-importance. If this can be controlled, soon, the world will finally know true harmony. Ah, I recognize that puzzled look. Let me make break it down into even simpler terms.
It is like a game of dominoes. If the first domino is a clean and shiny good domino, as he (or she) touches the others, they will become good dominoes. However, a good world, country, state, city or family can be changed with one bad 'character-chipped' domino - one that chooses to fall in the wrong direction. You have seen and experienced this throughout history. Right now, you have a lot of hate and misinformation going around. This has not just happened all of a sudden. It is like a smoldering fire when the wind kicks up. Once again, the flames of hate spread rapidly.
Nonetheless, even the most out-of-control forest fire can eventually be extinguished. However, it takes character. Character at every level. If you must, find a way to force out the bad dominoes so the chain once again gains its strength. As I see it, you have several dominoes, at every level, who have many character flaws- from minor to major. Some just need polishing. Some need thrown away. It's up to you to decide what is best way to restore harmony. Harmony in your family, your cities and towns, especially your country, and beyond."
For those interested, and we should be interested, the quote Sandra handed me was written by a man who was a teacher, an editor, a philosopher, and a politician. His name was Confucius. He died in 479 B.C
We haven't listened to his words so far. Maybe it is time. It begins with Character. In my house, your house and in the White House.
And that's the way I see it this August 21.
Until next time, this is Michael saying,
"It's time, tomorrow may never come."
(English,gov Taipei)