They Are Precious in His Sight

i've just finished reading the book of joy, a book based on a series of conversations between the dalai lama and archbishop desmond tutu as recorded and moderated by douglas abrams.  at the end of the book there is a chapter that outlines various meditations that reflect the teachings of the two great spiritual leaders.  one of those meditations concerns the setting of intentions for each day.  yesterday i spent part of my morning meditation time pondering what my intention for the day should be.  

my intention for the day yesterday was to not say anything negative about another person.  i was surprised that i had managed to achieve my goal when i reviewed my day late in the afternoon.  i was proud of myself for having managed not to speak critically of anyone the entire day.  i thought that perhaps there is something to this idea of beginning the day with some thought given to what i hoped to achieve in the way of being a better person.  i'm excited to realize that i may be able to change and become a more joyful and compassionate person even after almost three-quarters of a century of living this life.  i'm not stuck being the person i am today; tomorrow i may become a "new and improved" version of myself.

so as i write this little post, i am thinking about an intention for this day, as well as keeping to my intention for yesterday.  today i hope to see each person i encounter as a small child that i must care for, as loving parents care for their own children.  to do this, i must see that their physical needs are met, that they have enough to eat, that they are comfortable.  i must also think of their emotional needs.  are they hurting because of some loss?  has someone or something caused suffering for them?  in writing about this intention, i realize that what i have set for myself is a difficult task.  if i can achieve my goal, i will have made a number of other lives better and helped others to find joy.

may i succeed at the task i've set for myself.  may each of us have the intention of making life better for others and thereby for ourselves.  may we see our mutual interdependence and the connection of all things.  may we look for the good in even the most difficult beings and wish them well.  may we be grateful for the blessings we enjoy and learn from that which causes us to suffer.  may we be willing to forgive even when we are unable to or should not forget.  shalom.