REFLECTION: On change, beliefs and faith

Socrates is credited with the famous saying “The unexamined life is not worth living.” And, in many of the great beliefs, there is a phrase similar to “He who knows himself, knows his Lord.”

It can be challenging to examine the world within us when the world around us is in such a frenzy. Our reactions to that world can tell us much about ourselves. One might ask “How do I use my beliefs — to guide my own life or to condemn others?” The answer can be revealing. We can ask ourselves the questions “Am I willing to allow other people to be themselves, or do I want them to conform to my beliefs? Am I strong enough in my faith, comfortable enough about who I am, to allow others to have their own beliefs?” Living together in harmony can require courage and self-awareness.