Adversity

"Man's inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn," Robert Burns. Today with our inclusive language we might more accurately say: human's inhumanity to other humans makes countless thousands mourn, as women are as guilty of unkindness as men, and yet women can be so healing too. Of Greg Mortenson's new book, "Stones into Schools", he says that the key to peace is in educating our girls. What hope! Tom Brokaw says of Mortenson that he is clearly indication of the positive difference one person can make.

I am of the firm belief that we each make a difference, and it is within our choice whether it is a positive or negative difference. Which one do you intend to make?

Last night we re-watched the movie, Diary of Anne Frank. The story is, of course, familiar and still horrific. Watching the eight people in the attic interact and live in fear for over two years. Amazing. It was of interest to me this time to watch the portrayed interaction of the people. Adversity can bring out the best and the least in people. There were the courageous people who hid the Jew and those who obtained their food. There was also the person who stole of the food intended to feed them all. There were those who fought and screamed, and those who maintained equanimity.

The movie portrays a very dramatic example of adversity which, thankfully, most of us will never face. But we each have examples of adversity visit our lives. Daily we have the opportunity to face our adversities with courage and good will toward all. Or we can choose to be part of the problem, instead of part of the solutions. Living with dementia is a type of adversity. We can choose how we want to respond.