Values are important

Your fidelity to love, that is all you need.

No day will then match your strength.

What was once a fear or problem will see

Your coming, and step aside… or run.

                                         Hafiz (Landinsky, A Year with Hafiz, p. 184)

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What do we value?

What fires up our jets?!

What gets us up in the morning

And keeps us moving through the day?

Who is important to us?

What is important to us?

We have so many choices

We can value power, and its use

A the thrill of winning

That surge when we know we are in control

We dominate

We can make it happen

For ourselves

We can value money

And all that it can buy

We can value titles

And positions

But what we value shapes

How we live

And there are risks

Huge risks

If we lust for domination and power

We risk being abusive, perhaps cruel

If we adore wealth

We risk losing sight of people

If we crave position or possessions

We risk relationships, or health, perhaps even peace

But worse, we get wrapped up in fear

And we see others a threats

Or worse enemies

We hug resources to ourselves

And while pretending to be strong

We become weak

For there is nothing weaker

Than a fearful, abusive, hoarder

It is only when everything is driven by love

That we find true strength

The strength of Jesus

The strength of forgiveness

And compassion

And generosity

And service

And sacrifice

The strength that allows us to let go of all

to gain all

to let go of ourselves to find ourselves

love casts out fear

it transforms all it touches

What do we value?

What drives us?

What gets us up in the morning,

And propels us through our day?

What gives us the strength to endure?

love

Love

(the One Who Is Love).