The best we can do

I was very touched by a Roger Ebert quote this week.  To paraphrase:  He said that kindness was at the heart of his political beliefs and our purpose is to spread joy where we are able.  Making someone else unhappy is a crime and making ourselves unhappy is the beginning of crime.

I would change that to say that kindness is at the heart of my religious beliefs and our purpose is to spread joy.  Making someone else unhappy or making ourselves unhappy results in sin.  Jesus did not say "Go forth and spread the bad news - You sinners - you."  He did not say "If you see a splinter in someone's eye, go after it and make laws about it."

We should ask ourselves these questions before making decisions, "Is this based in kindness?"

"Will this result in making others or myself unhappy?"

We are all faced with complicated issues in our lives.  It's tough enough to figure out what we, ourselves should and should not do.  But if we focus on the splinters of others it just makes them and us very unhappy.

Walk softly.  Seek kindness and love.  Use your abilities to spread joy.  That's the best we can do.