Hoping for Harmony

The common mistake I think that we make in coming back to the path of Holiness is believing that we can push others off the path by our behavior and not have any responsibility to hold out a hand to help the harmed back onto the path. We do not exist in a vacuum; we are accountable to each other for our actions toward them. We are also accountable to Our Creator for the way we impact the earth. As creatures of a vast community, we must look past our own fear and greed to the rest of the earth's need.

My father had a violent temper, which gravely harmed many of his children. In his last years of life, I've heard that he attempted to make amends to many that he harmed. I don't know that they were completely healed, but at least I hope it gave them an opening to begin the process. My mother and I had a very distrustful relationship; just before her death, we made inroads into a form of communication that seemed to have promise for openness and honesty. This small step has helped me to get past many of my fears of becoming my mother so that I can embrace that which is good in me that comes from her. Maybe in their children and our children, my parents can finally have harmony.

Harmony does not require absolute agreement, but it does require respectful engagement. I have even been told by our professional singer friend Sweet Mary that dissonance is what makes for interest in orchestral performance pieces. What a wonderful world it would be if we could learn that we are all different and equally important parts of the same chorus, rather than trying to drown others out because we think our beat is best.