There but for the grace of God go I.

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By Claire Edwards DSNU

December 2024

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As many of us start to prepare and become excited for Christmas and the prospect of a new year and new experiences draws ever closer, I ask that for a moment you spend some time acknowledging the blessings that surround you that we all take for granted. 

And perhaps as we look at the wider world at the moment and the conflicts and tensions that do not necessarily affect us presently, but that do have the potential to in the future, we can truly appreciate that whilst we may not have all that we want, most of us are blessed to have that which we need.

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The pressure to spend and buy presents for others when the cost of living means higher prices only adds to the stress many feel as they wish to meet the expectations or fulfil the Christmas wishes of family and friends when sharing gifts.

And whilst it may sound twee, I truly believe that we need to look at those whom we love and to be thankful for the time we share with them.  To give them the present of our full attention when we are with them.  To listen and hear what they are saying when we talk to them, rather than allowing our mind to wander and other thoughts to enter into our consciousness so we become distracted and are only half listening.

 

We all know that our time upon the Earth has an end, and when that comes we do not know, many talk of living for the moment but I wonder how many of us do that?

 

I, as I am sure many have been watching and reading about the recent conflict in Gaza, as well as the vast number of people being freed from an underground prison in Syria, where the suffering they have experienced is beyond the comprehension for most of us, and I am once again shocked at the capability humankind has to harm and kill others simply due to a difference of beliefs, religion, ethnicity, gender among other things.

 

What leads some to believe that they have all the answers and that their ways and ideas as to the nature of life are superior and right compared to those who do not share those ideals?

What level of arrogance, as well as disregard for others, means that many people can inflict such unimaginable and unjustifiable acts of violence?

 

As far as my understanding goes, every single one of us and all things in our world, animal, vegetable or mineral, has that same animating force within it that created it and sustains it, that thing that many call Spirit and that Spirit coming from the Divine Intelligence that many call God.

 

And if all things share that same given Spirit, it means that no one life has more value than another.  We are all created equally.  We all have a right to a life with joy, purpose, love and peace.  And whilst I realise that life is not simple, it is full of nuances and the need for compromise, we should all be able to be mindful of the Spirit that is within all of us, and to treat others with respect and kindness regardless of the differences that we have.

 

I read and hear people talking about the illegal immigrants in this country and others, saying that they should not be allowed to come and live here.  But surely, we can all agree that if they had the same opportunities or living standards as us, then they would not need to come here, indeed many would not choose to come here. 

 

But for some families, the reality of the situation that they find themselves in, due solely to the country of their birth, means that they are willing to risk the arduous and dangerous journey to an unknown land with unfamiliar ways.  For many this is purely based on the hope that it must be better than where they come from. 

 

I don’t feel many truly believe that as soon as they set foot on our shores, that their lives will become easier and somehow gilded.  They will experience anxiety and fear as to what happens to them and their families next, and yet still this uncertainty is a far better choice for them than to remain in the country they were born.

 

It truly is there but for the grace of God go I.  Whilst there are many things that are not “right” in our country, we are fortunate to live in the country and the communities that we do.  We may moan about the price of a loaf of bread, but we are not being crushed by hundreds of others as a truck from a charitable organisation hands out a limited number of loaves of bread that will serve only to abate our hunger for the briefest of times.  And all the while we are able to open our advent calendars, enjoy a Christmas tipple and the treats that we are given and that we allow ourselves to indulge in at this time of year.

 

I am not saying that we should not allow ourselves to celebrate, I am simply hoping that many of us can see just how blessed we are, and that as such we should be able to offer that generosity of Spirit to all whom cross our paths.

 

Has the grumpy shopping assistant been dealing with stressed Christmas shoppers for eight hours, all the while worrying about what happens when they go home to a partner who does not treat them well? 

 

Has the person driving the car that has cut us up as they speed pass us, done so because they are a bad driver or are they trying to get to a loved one as quickly as they can due to some family emergency?

 

I know it is not easy to take into account the motives behind the actions of others at all times, but we can, however, cultivate a centre within ourselves of peace and calm, that means that whilst all may be chaos around us, we are mindful that this too shall pass and that in many different ways we have more blessings than others at this moment in time.   

 

We can make our way through our experiences with the understanding that all are doing the best that they can within the current circumstances that they find themselves in, including ourselves.  And if we begin each encounter with others with this presence of mind, it means we can carry forth that peace and understanding that we have cultivated within ourselves and not be quick to judge.

 

We can look around at the gifts and the blessings that we do have, not the material things that we are told bring happiness and are the means to judge whether ours and others lives are valid and successful, but the true things, the gift of love from family and friends who seek to share time with us and are inviting us to share their lives with them.

 

Those whom we love and who love us, those who offer us friendship and seek to be friends with us are the measures of a life well lived.  If we walk gently upon the Earth, leaving footprints of love and kindness to others, we also create an energy that carries forth and expands in ways and means that perhaps we will never fully see or know, but it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to do so. 

 

By sheer luck, or maybe for this time the plan, of where we were to have our birth, we have blessings others do not and will never have. 

 

Whilst this Christmas may not bring all that you think you need or want, maybe look around and truly see what you do have, and then ask if you really do lack that which brings you joy, and if need be, how you can begin to change the life you have to bring that peace to your own consciousness, to that Spirit that you are.