Back to the Basics

Happy Sunday.  Wow!...what a weekend!  If you have not been affected by the tragedy that has taken place in Connecticut, then I don't know where you live; because even around the world, people have felt the pain of the families and friends in the small community of Newtown, CT; it has truly been overwhelming.

So with that being said, I want to talk about, "getting back to the basics."  What are they you ask?  Family.  Things and people that you cherish and that have value. 

In the midst of our busy schedules, we tend to place people and some things on the back burner; we don't mean to, but it just happens like that and because we live in a world where cell and smart phones dominate a huge part of our lives by allowing us to talk, text, tweet, FB, Instagram, etc on the run, we have a tendency to skip the basic steps such as hugging, kissing, touching and laughing with our loved ones.  Now am I knocking technology, absolutely not. Technology, when used in its is proper place, is what makes the world productive.  But what technology has done, I believe, for some of us, has caused a disconnect to the basic human values in life.

Most of us when we leave home, we are rushing.  The time that should be taken to spend time with our love ones, we set aside; because now, we text them, I love you vs. telling them face to face.  And although we think we know how our day is going to go, we are out the door assuming that all will be intact when we get back. Really??

So much calamity has hit our country this year - people have lost their homes and possessions in the wake of the storm Sandy; and throughout, many lives have been taken by senseless, random acts of violence.  Will it stop?  I don't know; because as flawed humans, we are unpredictable in our thinking and in our actions when it comes to certain circumstances that we are dealing with in our lives.  But while in my time of meditation and self-evaluation, here is what all these tragedies have taught me:

• Love your love ones with all of your heart and with all that you have
• Forgive each other quickly because you don't know if it will be the last time you see, talk or hug and kiss them
• Pray.  Pray individually and collectively as a family.  Remember the saying - a family that prays together, stays together
• Every chance you get let your loved ones know how much you love them
• Communicate - get to know how your loved ones feel, what they think, what's important to them. 
• Make time, to spend time with each other no matter how old they get...keep that connection to come together to fellowship with each other. 

Now I can't say with us doing these things that there will not be moments where we still do not get upset with each other; that's inevitable, but how long we choose to let it go on is of our own volition.

But here's my thought:  I believe all that is going on throughout our country is awakening on so many different levels.  And not to take away anything from the things of the past; but when traumatic events come in waves so forceful to the point we cannot compose ourselves before another one hits, its time that we step back and begin to look at what is important and what isn't. 

So today, while in your quiet space, let's get back to the basics.  Let's prioritize the things that have value, worth and meaningfulness.  Agree?

Peace and Love.....