Sal's Reflections

No one normally seeks out ways to suffer ,but it is amazing how some grow because of it.I have witnessed numerous situations where despite great pain persons have somehow risen above it ,and dedicated their lives to others.Some have lost both parents tragically while still in their formative years ,and others have had the painful road of raising multiple children with severe handicapping conditions.Yet despite these enormously difficult hurdles somehow theyhave grown and used their pain to become more aware of the needs of others.I marvel at their courage,tenacity and deep appreciation of their roles as change agents.Some do it on an national or international level seeking justice for those incarcerated because of war or political upheaval, while others commit themseles to service in their domestic situations.Their modeling is an inspiration that enables many to have hope.

It is pure fantasy to believe that anyone has total control over every circumstance in life.There are daily issues,some small and others quite significant,that occur without our ability to immediately control them and the implications.However ,even in the most difficult set of circumstances the human spirit always has a choice of how it responds to any challenge or issue. I have personally come to the realization in my own life that total control is an illusion but response is always available.In the lives of so many I have seen people rise above the most painful situations by choosing to control not the circumstances but how they will respond.At times the responses have been heroic and it reminded me that we are all capable of more than we can imagine.Some individuals today are living with issues beyond their control but I pray they sense their ever present ability to choose their own responses.

Whenver we become aware of a new opportunity in life it is most normal to be aware of the risks involved.I woulld venture a guess that most of us are rather skilled at identifying all of the negative consequences.This seems prudent and wise.However,if we short change the same effort on the rewards of this potential choice we may miss opportunities that bring more meaning and fulfillment to our lives.It is not a venture into the irresponsible to screen the positive side of the ledger.Life is not always about advoidance and the call to full examination can be a rewarding path to follow at any age.

In times of great social challenges there is the ever abiding temptation to believe that as an individual one is powerless.Today we are confronted with serious challenges like voting rights,equity for women ,a balanced approach to immigration and marriage equality.These are only a few of the significant issues and they will never become positive outcomes if each of us waits for others to become involved.In my lifetime every great social issue began with the courage of one apparently powerless individual whose courage led to massive positive social change.The time is now, and the power of one waits for each of us to get involved.

In the ebb and flow of life I have found the one reality I could always count on was friendship.At every point of sorrow or joy my friends have been there to share it all.Whenever I think about all of those experiences a flood of voices and images bouy my spirit.Gratitude is too weak a word for all the caring and love that has been showered on me, but it is a feeble attempt to say thank you.Today and all the days that are to come are opportunities to respond in kind to their generosity and love.

I spend a great deal of my time giving presentations about the Holocaust all across the country because I believe that we must never forget that horrible period of time.The sad part is that we as people never seem to learn that violence never wins ultimately ,and yet it happens over and over again.The latest massacres are in Syria and Egypt where tyrants under the pretext of restoring peace and justice wantonly kill civilains.These assassins will fail like all those before them that chose the sword instead of the plowshare but how sad it is that the violence never seems to end.

When Newtown occurred the level of outcry on the part of almost everyone was epic. People demanded change and it appeared that the pressure would force a conversation that would lead to new ways to address our persistent problem of gun violence.However,it appears that those who desire no change have won by waiting until the cries for change have been replaced by silence.The pressure has waned, and it seems that the strategy to do nothing is winning. If we are silent are we consenting to accepting the status quo? I think it is wise to revisit the horror we felt months ago and pledge that we will not be silent. The children and all those who live with the pain of those losses deserve to hear our voices.

It seems that there is at least one goal or hopeful achievement that more than occasionally visits our conscious mind. Caught up in the myriad chores and responsibilities of life the goal often seems to be blotted out by the”lack of time” or “the lack of resources.”One way to push this into the possible is to try and plan the outcome for one week. It may not be enough time to achieve the desired result but it will allow you to test” is this something that is more than a wish”?A week does not demand that you continue to pursue the goal ,but it is enough time to place in front of your brain the benefits of continuing to seek the goal and to formalize a plan to continue.

It seems rather simple but once when I was writing a paper in graduate school it dawned on me that the present is the only time that actually exists.The past is memory, and the future is rather unpredictable and wistful.The importance of this realization is that the most control we have over our lives is now.The past is not an absolute predictor of the future, and the future may hold so many challenges and opportunities that are hard to imagine.However the now is something that we can influence. and to some degree shape in our favor.If this is true then what do I want to place my energy and will into this day because it is the only part of time that is really available to me?

Today I had lunch with a dear friend who is suffering from what appears to be an incurable disease.I will not name him because his humility would find my words most embarrassing. This man has brought more to the world than most human beings who will live much longer than he will. There are thousands of people whose lives have been altered by his direct action in their lives. Most will never know his name, but their lives and future generations can fully share in the good life because of what he achieved in his life. I stand in awe of him, and know that in many ways he is one of a kind whose legacy will literally never end.My hope is that in some small way he will realize what a wonderful life he has led.