Now it is 2020 and we are waiting for the changes it will bring. An election, birthdays, anniversaries, new friends, lost relations, successes, failures, inspirations, learning, forgetting, praising, and forgiving. The future as we wish to make it. It is not just the year that is 2020 nor our eyesight that should be 20/20, but our vision of what is, could be, and should be 2020 that we observe and live with 20/20.
What is our reference point to measure from? Being a Christian, a Catholic, I can reference the 10 Commandments. But, there are also the Beatitudes and the seven deadly sins, directing and forbidding.
The Ten Commandments are pretty easy to know and understand, except perhaps for the first Commandment, "I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt not have any strange gods before Me." New to me is the interpretation of false gods. These are people, activities, and objects of desire. A house, car, statue, gem stones, lover, sex, drug high, television show, sports event, etc. are not to be placed in our lives before our God. These are, regardless, gifts from God.
The Beatitudes tell us of those sufferings and behaviors that will be rewarded specifically in heaven. The poor in spirit who realize their complete dependence on God, they who mourn, they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, and they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness. The meek, the merciful, the clean of heart, and the peacemakers.
Concerning our other acts and attitudes, we need to pay attention to and avoid the Seven
Deadly Sins. Pride, Envy, Anger, Sloth, Gluttony, Avarice and Lust. You may want to consider
these ideas regarding how or why to avoid these sins:
Pride with Humility: Aren't we supposed to blow our own horn? Let your attitude, compassion,
commitment, and performance be the horn you blow. That will take you farther. Also, the
better friends and managers see your real talent.
Envy with Kindness: consider these quotes "The things you own end up owning you." and "Be
careful what you ask for, you might just get it."
Anger with Patience: Anger is punishing ourselves for someone else's mistake. Along with guilt and worry,
achieves nothing.
Sloth with Diligence: Sloth or laziness and lack of action, achieves nothing positive, but can affect your health
and your relationships.
Gluttony with Charity: About Gluttony, consider "Everything in moderation." and
Proverbs 23: "(20) Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, (21)
for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags." While receiving is nice and
gratifying, giving is better, emotionally and spiritually.
Avarice with Temperance: Regarding avarice(greed), consider "He who is not contented with what he has, would not be
contented with what he would like to have."
Lust with Chastity: Marriages of those not having premarital sex are less likely to end in
divorce. Relationships started in lust can lead to heartbreak as no friendship may have been established.
Also consider this Jon Foreman observation on our modern world:
"Greed, envy, sloth, pride and gluttony: these are not vices anymore. No, these are marketing
tools. Lust is our way of life. Envy is just a nudge towards another sale. Even in our
relationships we consume each other, each of us looking for what we can get out of the other.
Our appetites are often satisfied at the expense of those around us. In a dog-eat-dog world we
lose part of our humanity."
Considering all of this and the impact on ourselves and others (a favorite subject of mine), changing your approach to your life, the lives of those around you, and the world in general, how much better can your 2020 be following your 20-20 understanding, given by God. Imagine if everyone changed their approach on life how wonderful the world would be.
