I remember one of…, if not my very first lecture in Psyche 101 being, “Man’s tendency is to seek pleasure and avoid pain”.
“There are plenty of things on this “Old Earth”, and beyond to feel both joy and sorrow for…” – I’m sure some of the age -old philosophers have made mention to this effect – This is not an original thought lol
One should make a minimal effort towards being conscious of as many as possible – if not embracing them!”
As difficult as this may be I can think of several reasons for the logic behind this:
•God either made or allowed all things for a good purpose.
•God-created the universe with man in mind. “WE FIT”. And therefore, everything in it… and everything on us… The universe is something of a proving ground – though some treated as their own personal amusement park! It was created in part for man to explore God’s many great attributes, and in that process gain a deeper understanding of ourselves. And amidst all the ups and downs (challenges and heartaches) we face on this plane, to ultimately decide whether we are to side with God or satan – who we are to be in the end.
•You see, “what” we choose to run towards, and away from in this life, determines “who” we run towards, and away from in this life.
•Everything in this universe is the ultimate reality created by God! If we are to find ultimate sanity and build ultimate character one should neither deny – nor overindulge in any of it.
•All of man’s relationships: Whether with God; with himself; with his fellow man, creatures, are vastly, and deeply affected by his attitude and approach towards that exists. Many of man’s issues stem from his choice to run from X and run towards Y.
-WAR & FAMINE- You take for example conflict (be it individual or global) – In his efforts to have more than his fair share, “man often steps on the toes of his fellows and they retaliate”. Famine – some of us may not think of it this way but… Let’s face it, last time I checked the world is not comprised of infinite resources. “Selfishness — self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles. Driven by a hundred forms of fear, self-delusion, self-seeking, and self-pity, we step on the toes of our fellows and they retaliate”. (from chapter 5 of the book Alcoholics Anonymous – courtesy of Bill W. and approximately 100 other alcoholics).*
When we take more than our fair share we leave somebody out in the cold. People end up suffering, and hating as a result of it.
•Man was created with a certain balance in mind. His will of course, along with his thoughtlessness (of his fellow man) are (usually) to be found at the bottom of mankind’s constant imbalance.
God wants us to become more like Him – our Heavenly Father – and to build the best possible relationships with Him, our fellow human beings, and with ourselves. We can neither do this by over indulging in nor running away from – REALITY!
* Alcoholics do not have a monopoly on the misuse of self will – Self will run riot!