Message #10

Thank you for welcoming me into your day. I am delighted that we are connecting again.
Although we are experiencing disruption of so many norms in political governance,
experiencing uncertainty of our economy, and changing global relationships, I am not
despairing. For good reasons: First, there are checks and balances to American
assertiveness. I take seriously, for instance, our democratic foundation and am continuing
to do my small part in supporting initiatives that I believe in. After all, shrinking government
expense and operations happens from time to time. I have no direct knowledge of whether
we need to shrink costs. Who really knows? But lies are a problem. Machiavellian deceit for
the sake of justifying a particular means erodes trust. I wasn’t born yesterday. So, I will
continue to have faith in a democratic system and do my small part in keeping it whole.

Second, we live in an interdependent world, thankfully. Our financial markets for instance
have their own amoral logic. It responds to political policy, consumer behavior, and
international stability. Because we place such importance personally in what affects our
income and investments, the markets have a sovereign effect on power. When the market
doesn’t like political aggression, it pushes back with an authoritative impact.

Third, America operates globally in an ideological balance of power. As America begins to
assert a new construct of power, that system will react and push back. It has a check and
balance effect such that we may not get what the Administration wants.

Fourth, there is another world for me, my spiritual existence. I have come to believe it is my
most important world because I experience love, trust, and power of different values. Such
a world opens me today to beauty, friendship, fun, and grace. I am moving from my home of
42 years on Main street to a family farm in the country. Horses are next to my house.
Chickens are strutting around making tomorrow’s eggs. And my daughter’s family is next
door. All my Kennebunk based relationships continue…more family and friends, church,
health food store, and my recovery group. I am aging, but not old.

This God-given beauty of people and nature need my care, determining how I live and how I
serve. This is the true world. I can trust it and count on its honesty. The human-made world
is ephemeral. This new age will pass.

So, today I will reach out for the beauty of life where I can live fully and serve willingly. I can
trust it. The checks and balances of my material world will even out what I cannot change.
In fact, this spiritual Sovereign will rule.

My thanks.