Commentary

February 15th, 2007

Our Earthly Journey
by Henry Sanford

Since it is everyone’s destiny, at some point we must come to terms that our life will end and later, if not sooner, we will embark on our eternal journey. Each daay is a gift and, unless by accident or illness, in this twenty first century the average life span expectancy has risen to eighty years, or even more.
As Americans, after birth we’ve been handed the great blessing of liberty and the right to pursue our own happiness. How we do this, beyond our parentage, our environment and physical condition, begins with the lifetime choices we are free to make, like choosing a high standard of moral values, pursuing an education, establishing a vocation, selecting a spouse, having and raising children, voluntary community involvement and philanthropy. Even if bad choices create roadblocks, they can often be turned into stepping stones. Sometimes experience can be the best teacher!

At some point in life we’re most likely to lose a spouse, if not a friend, hopefully not a child. There are tools that can help foster healthy grieving, moving through the emotional trauma to adjust to a new chapter in life. Faith, family and friends are the greatest conciliators. Joining a grief support group or seeking counseling can help in the adjustment. Woe be to the atheists and agnostics who choose to deny themselves the solace of religious faith.

When a person has had a full, happy life and fortunate enough to depart quickly on their eternal journey, this is a blessing for them. Granted, the loss, especially to a spouse, is heart wrenching but grieving should not extend to the point of self pity. As life goes on, the choice remains to adjust and make the most of it. Celebrate for what you have rather than dwell on what you’ve lost or don’t have.

Hello, God. I call on you because I need a friend who will listen. Give me faith to face each hour, each day, not to think of myself but to reach out to share my time and talent with others. Support us in this troubled life until the shadows lengthen, our work is done, the busy world is hushed and the fervor of life is over, that we may then be granted a place of Holy rest and peace at last.