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The Winter of Our Discontent is one of John Steinbeck's finest novels. He got the title from the first line of Shakespeare's play, Richard III. But neither the Shakespeare play nor Steinbeck's novel was actually about winter. Winter was used by Shakespeare and Steinbeck mainly as a symbol of deep discontentment and I am using these words in exactly the same way.
Even though spring started yesterday, for some of us, this may be the winter of our discontent, as perhaps it may be throughout our lives. I can't possibly list everything that by all rights we can, and probably should, feel deeply discontented about. I don't see how any of us can be contented about what has been happening in Iraq, Israel, Afghanistan and other places in the Middle East as well as in Haiti, Spain, places in Central America, the Kashmir and seemingly all over the world where religious and ethnic hatred continue as they have in some places for centuries. As a result, there is a constant threat of terrorism almost everywhere. I am not content about any of these things.
Racial hatred and bigotry in this country are far from being eradicated. We still have too much poverty, homelessness, drugs and violence on our streets and in our homes. There is an unprecedented trend toward violence in the movies and on television, violence which acts almost like a magnet to our children whose minds have such great potential if properly directed. The current national debate over gay marriage has reminded us that there is widespread misunderstanding of the gay world and the rights of gays. What are we doing to clean up our air and our water supply or to address global warming? The national debt is now at a staggering $24,000 per person. Social security and medicare are being threatened. Health care in this country leaves many without adequate access to treatment, while widespread insurance scams and frauds leave many of the elderly without medical insurance when they have promptly paid insurance premiums for years. I am not content about any of these things.
Some here at church are understandably discontented about the departure of our minister last year. How can any of us feel comfortable until we can say "I forgive" - until we accept each other for who we are - until we are fully united in the principles for which Unitarian-Universalism stands - the principles that are listed on the back of your order of service?
Few of us are without personal problems, perhaps involving health issues, relationships with our spouse, our children, our parents, our friends, our jobs, money, or maybe a search for meaning in our lives.
I may well have left out an area of discontent that is important to you. We can't fix all the problems of the world. Some seem insurmountable. Our personal problems often appear at least as overwhelming as do the problems of the world. But we can move toward a better world and a better life - for ourselves and for others.
I love the movie, What About Bob? A psychiatrist in that movie wrote a book called Baby Steps. His prescription for addressing problems was to just take it in small steps - baby steps. It was a very funny movie, but by golly, he was right. The movement that can be most effective usually comes in baby steps. We can make a meaningful difference, but that difference often comes in steps so small that we may not be able to see the difference that we are making. But the difference is there.
I suggest that there are four keys to making a difference. The first key to taking those ever-so-small steps is to choose something to focus on. We must focus - not dissipate our resources and energies by distributing them between every worthy cause that comes along, but not ignoring them all either. To make a difference, we must focus our passion.
And then, we must do something. The second key that I suggest is to follow whatever course of action seems right. Money of course, is most always helpful and in some cases absolutely necessary. But our time and energy may be even more valuable. On the other hand, with some problems - especially the personal ones - money may not be a factor at all.
There are many in this church who are on the front lines of action. If you can't figure it out for yourself, ask them how you can get involved. If they don't come up with something that suits you, do something really important: assist in public education, volunteer to teach in the religious education program of this church, present an adult education program in your area of expertise or get someone to do it in some vital area. Join a committee or organization. Take some sort of action! Did I say teach in the religious education program of this church? Yes, I did. The best solution to many of our problems is through the education of our children - and adults.
The third key is to respect our adversary. Some would say, love our enemy. Whatever is done, we must do it with love and with as much understanding as we can muster. By all means, we must be assertive in presenting our perspective on the truth, but we must never be confrontational in a way that comes from lack of respect.
My suggested fourth and final key is to believe and persevere - not to lose heart or become discouraged. Sometimes, we may not be able to see a tangible difference. When we need to see the difference we are making, we must make our goal more tangible. But by focusing, we will make a difference. We must simply believe that what we are doing is making a difference - and keep on keeping on!
We can do something! We can and we must stand up and be counted. Find your discontentment! Make it your mantra, then do something. Be discontented about something, so discontented that you are driven to action. If you're not on fire about something, then light one!
We must believe in ourselves -- believe that we can and will make a valuable difference. Unless we do something about our discontentment, we are simply absorbers of life, just observers. It is only when we feel intently and focus our attention on improving what can be that we become truly human, that we are indeed the best that we can be.
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Good morning! I'm glad you're all here. This is Contentment 101, The Spring of Our Contentment to be exact. Those of you who just heard a few words about discontentment, they're all true. They all express my feelings. But we're on to a new subject now.
If winter for some is a symbol of our discontent, spring is a symbol of our contentment. Spring is a symbol of the rebirth of life, the newness of life, the beauty of life, beauty itself, life itself! How can you not feel good just knowing the vernal equinox is behind us. No matter the few cold days that are ahead of us, it's spring! Doesn't it feel good just knowing that it's spring?
Spring reminds me of the beauty of the world - and it is a beautiful world! Magnificent flowers and trees, majestic mountains, rolling oceans, the clear blue sky, and fantastic sunsets, the moon, eclipses, the planets and stars, wild animals, birds, waterfalls and streams, even the thunder, lightning, clouds and rain. All beautiful! And this world is filled with so many beautiful people - not just beautiful to look at, but beautiful inside. I have found that when you get to know someone - anyone - even those you don't like being around - you will find beauty.
Years ago, I did some volunteer work with ex-offenders who were incarcerated in a pre-release center. The pre-release center was a place that allowed the inmates to go out to a job in the daytime, but they had to return as soon as the work day was finished. Several of us volunteered to get them away from constant evenings of television by taking them to a movie or to a bowling alley or maybe even to dinner. I had a chance to get to know several thieves, a couple of fellows who committed domestic violence, and one murderer. Now I don't kid myself. They all hid some of themselves from me and most lied to cover up things that they didn't want me to know. Some simply lied out of habit. But I found every one of them, including the murderer, to have redeeming features. When I looked closely, they were all likeable. Some had pleasing personalities, they all had their own version of honor and for the most part, they all had something or someone they loved. And that to me is beauty!
And spring is a symbol for beauty! Beauty is everywhere. I know there are many people - I hope some of you - who love winter: crisp, clear air, snow angels, ice skating, skiing, snow boarding, frolicking and having fun, and then, snugly warm with a fire in the fireplace.
And for some who anticipated spring before winter started, today is - with apologies to Martin Luther King - "Spring at last! Spring at last! Thank God Almighty, it's spring at last!" Spring is finally here and I, for one, have a greater feeling of contentment.
I may be discontent about many things, but I am content with what the world offers and I am content about who I am. I may not be as quick-witted as some or have a quick comeback to every remark. I may not be accomplishing much when compared to some people, but I am doing the best I can. Why shouldn't I be content about that? Why should I be unhappy because I am not perfect, or because I don't have great gifts and talents, or because I cannot measure up in some way to someone who from the beginning was different, whose life has been different, whose problems are different, whose motivations are different, whose pleasures are different, whose abilities are different? Why should you not be content with who you are?
Didn't I just tell you to be deeply discontent about something? And now I'm telling you to be content? What's going on?
It sometimes seems to me that there are at least two realities superimposed on each other. There are many things in my life that don't go together that are all a part of my reality. The inconsistencies range all the way from personal relationships to physics.
A physics example: Particles and waves have fairly well known behavior characteristics which are quite different from each other. Even from the beginning, experiments have shown that light behaves like a wave. However, if tested to see if it is a particle, it behaves like a particle. There is a dual nature to light. Several members of our congregation are physicists. For more details, ask them. They will tell you that there are other dualities in quantum physics as well, dualities whose nature depends on how you are looking at it - which depend on your perspective.
And so it is with life. It appears that truth about many things depends upon how you are looking at it. It's easy to focus on the highly negative aspects of our world. And some people dwell on them and conclude that we live in a terrible, miserable world. And yet -in balance - we live in a wonderful world!
We are not a perfect people. Who does not at some time yield to temptation? We get angry at people who are doing the best they can and we often do regrettable things. But, in spite of my faults, I believe in myself and, in spite of your faults, I believe in you - not that we're all doing it right, but that we're all doing the best we can and that we all have the potential for doing better. Maybe we can all help each other do better.
And I believe in contentment - a pervading, overriding contentment. Yes, there are things in life to be discontented about! It is OK to work toward a better self, a better life and a better world. In fact, that is what is demanded of us. But remember that we live in a dual universe. In the midst of our discontentment, we must be content about each moment as it comes - content about who we are in the moment. I don't suggest that we be content about tomorrow. We must work toward a better self and a better tomorrow. But today - and every day - have an overriding feeling of contentment, even in the winter of our discontent.
In this world where there is so much to be discontented about, you can find peace! You can find contentment! Where? Find peace within yourself. And there you will also find contentment.