How is it that in the year 2024, we are still at the crossroads? A situation in which crucial decisions must be made that have far-reaching consequences. Every life has meaning, and all humans have a right to have food on their table, a roof over their heads, proper health care, education, and financial stability.
God provided for all our needs, but it seems that greed has not allowed all to partake of his bounty. Greed and popularity seem to pervade the world. There seems to be nothing worthwhile that invades the mindset of heathen thinkers, who are regarded as lacking culture or moral principles.
Morality, after all, is knowing the difference between right and wrong behavior and acting on it.
It is wrong to try and overthrow the government, lie, steal, and cheat. It is wrong to take from the poor. Racism, homelessness, starvation, and lack of an education are wrong. There should not be starving people all over the world, lacking bare necessities.
When we vote for people to serve in political office, these thoughts should be foremost in our minds.
The world comes in many dimensions, and people fall into different categories: loving, kind, and caring. Or greedy, callous, hateful, and vengeful. There must be a way to a “better world,” a world of beautiful and loving people. Where every day is a beautiful day of cloudless skies and star-spangled nights, worry being a truckload of bygone conflicts stored away, never to return in anyone’s lifetime.
However, “Life is not a bed of roses,” as the saying goes. The life we live is a challenge today in a world of disarray. This does not dispel the fact that most of us are free agents and have complete control over our life. We do not live in a third-world country yet.
We are free, but many of us are treated as second-class citizens. We are not equal until many changes are made to make this world a better place to live. We just celebrated the birth of Christ with much fanfare. There was not a celebration of human lives. This is not to say that all people do not care. There are many that do. Food giveaways and free dinners, clothing, and shoes. Christmas parties.
I speak of every human being and their equal rights. No matter what color of skin. A celebration of human character is in order. Where anyone of moral character recognizes the grave injustice of treating others as unequal.
To try and deprive minority children of the knowledge of their history is wrong. To try and hide the wrongs of your forebears is despicable. Continuing to sell guns and be completely immune to the death of children is immoral. Lying and cheating and thievery are each against one of the ten commandments of God.
Your background, history, and lifestyle follow you to your grave. It is your family legacy. No matter how rich you may become, it means nothing if you lose your character and honor.
The new year is upon us. It is the perfect time to assess who you are as an individual. Do you really care about other human beings, or are you wrapped up in self-preservation only, no matter what?
Upon self-evaluation, then, you will know what you need to do to make changes. If you choose to do so, then you will receive many blessings in your life. “To God be the Glory.” Happy New Year to all!
Dorothy Dempsey is a senior citizen who loves to write. She thanks God for allowing her to share this gift through published articles in The St. Louis American, St. Louis Post Dispatch, Belleville News, St. Louis Catholic Review, and in various books.
