The suicide rate is rising dramatically. Drug overdoses are also rising. Fingers point in all directions as who’s to blame. What can we do about it?
First we need to define the real problem. That problem is an identity crises. We no longer believe what religions teach us about ourselves. Church attendance is less each year. Science tells us we are accidents of nature. There is no omniscient creator looking over and protecting us. Accepting these beliefs leads to a void within, a lack of meaning. A feeling it just don’t matter what we accomplish.
We are at a point in history where change is imminent. No longer can this spiral downward continue. It must be stopped. The people must have a vision or they will perish. Morality is good, but it is not enough. Our efforts should count for something greater than ourselves; and they do, in many ways not readily understood.
It is what we believe about ourselves and our world that makes us strong or weak in the face of adversity. Most of us just accept what we were taught as children. We believe what our friends and parents believe, going back far into history. The few that question old belief systems become rebels and, for the most part, show us new paths into the future. Society advances on the backs of those who think “out of the box.”
Most all belief systems: religious, scientific, political, or cultural contain an element of truth. But none can comprehend the whole truth of our existence. There are just too many questions without answers. Far too many theories trying to explain the unexplainable. Wisdom understands there is knowledge aplenty in accepting our lack of it.
There is an objectivity that comes from facing our dearth of understanding. A feeling of relief. We no longer have to pound a square peg into a round hole. We can say out loud, “I don’t know,” with confidence. In order to achieve objectivity we need to learn about life from the experiences of others. Those we agree with, as well as those who think outside the box of our beliefs. Give up black or white thinking, and consider possibilities. Start by working with yourself.
Take time to listen to yourself. Think about what frightens you the most and put it at the top of your study list. Fear is our greatest enemy. The more we fear the harder life becomes. We are not born with fear, it is a learned process. Others teach us what they have learned to fear. We learn to fear: God, hell, death, the afterlife, police, IRS, strangers, those with different beliefs and/or of different races. Aliens, zombies, demons, evil spirits, vampires, the dark, and certain symbols are more feared objects. The list is endless.
But the buck stops with you. The decision to fear, or not to fear, is your choice. Knowledge is what you use to break free of fear. Learn everything possible about what you fear the most, and the fear will diminish.
What helps in life is self-confidence. An understanding that you belong and have the tools to be successful in your endeavors. This means accepting yourself and approving of your accomplishments. It is a form of self-love, and the goal in life is self-love. You may think that impossible because of how you look, or what you have done at this point in your life. But that is only because you lack the knowledge of who you are; what you are doing here; and what happens when this life is over.
Knowledge, and/or experience are the foundation for answering the hard questions of life. Some of us have had a glimpse of the afterlife, and know why we exist. It is called a Near Death Experience. Millions of people in the U.S. are Near Death Experiencers. Thousands of their stories are posted on the Internet. It is through these experiences we can gain knowledge of our existence. Each experience is different because we are different. But there’s a thread of truth that exists in all of them. It is necessary to read a lot of them to better understand their meaning. Over 300 are posted on the “Thoughtful Living” site.
NDE’s take away our fear; change lives and give meaning to our existence. We are not accidents. We came into the physical world to learn about ourselves and others. There is a purpose and a goal for us to achieve. The physical world is a classroom, and not an easy one. We learn by experience, overcoming hurdles and obstacles in our path. It takes courage and determination to keep going. Those who become addicted to drugs or alcohol are attempting to find that meaning. Looking for a reason to endure. But it can’t be found in addiction, so they begin to believe there is none. Yet, the answer is close, in a different direction. It is within them.
Near Death Experiences teach us we are eternal beings, created from pure energy. We live in an energy world, sometimes called a spirit world, surrounded by caring and compassion. In order to grow we come into a physical classroom where caring and compassion are not so prevalent. Here, we gain knowledge about ourselves and others by bringing caring and compassion into the physical world. Through our acts of kindness we make the physical world more gentle and loving. Even the smallest act of kindness never goes unnoticed.
The tools we all bring into this world are profoundly simple. They include the ability to learn and understand the motives of others. The power of forgiveness for ourselves as well as others, and the ability to overcome fear with love. Please read all the Near Death Experiences you can find and all other information written about them. You will begin to see the pattern of reality they reveal to us. They will allow you to love and appreciate your life. They will add meaning and purpose to your physical existence. They will teach you to love yourself and others.
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