The world, especially on the online world, can be so full of rage, misunderstanding, miscommunication, tribalism, racism, and partisanship. I’m not sure what to do about it yet, except to change how I interact with the world, both online and off.
When I was a teenager, I heard a choir sing the Prayer of St. Francis. Over the years, the lyrics frequently come to mind. Going forward, I will be using them to guide what I say, how I say it, and when I say it, both online and in person.
Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me bring love;
where there is injury, pardon:
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope
where there is darkness, light
where there is sadness, joy
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.
Hugh Spackman 