HINDSIGHTS: 2020

If you stare at a negative image for too long then look somewhere else that image stays in your sight. It’s known as negative afterimage. It’s an illusion and affects us all.

Some time during the Christmas break, I fell asleep watching a documentary on Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber. When I woke, my wife told me that his psychologist believed the catalyst to his hatred was when he was hospitalized and isolated as a small child. His parents said he showed little emotion for months after his discharge and would recoil when shown pictures of physicians holding him down as they examined his hives.

Sound familiar? I have no sympathy for the devil but if we don’t understand the past we’re condemned to repeat it.

2020 will impact us for years to come. Anxiety, depression and anger are just some of the mental health challenges that are already impacting billions. Hearts are hardened. Minds are closed. We have so much information and misinformation it’s difficult to figure what’s true. It’s exhausting. Everything’s peppered with patronization and indignation. No wonder there’s so much discord. There’s a simple fix though…

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”Matthew 7:12

These are not empty words. We are all flawed and can point out each other’s mistakes, but throwing mud at each other isn’t solving anything. How we treat others affects everything especially our own perspectives.

We’ve been staring at the negative too long so when we turn to what’s real our vision is impaired. Our eyes deceive us. We couldn’t see clearly in 2020 because of the sty that limited our perceptions. But we understand history and know where this is going if we don’t start practicing the golden rule. The path to peace will be overgrown with weeds. Lost in the noise.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart; and you will find rest. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” —Matthew 11:25-30.

We are carrying a lot of baggage with us into 2021. We can’t let go of everything. COVID-19 will remain a threat for some time. Political division will widen as representatives chant and dance around the truth as if it were a massive bonfire. They can’t do that and claim to be peacemakers. Peace comes when we let go of the sins that’s scar us. We need to drop them and open our arms to those who think differently than us. We’re all brothers and sisters, made of the same stuff, and know the difference between what is good and evil. We have a capacity to do more good than evil and can change for the better.

As this year ends, remember. People are hurting. Stop slinging mud and start giving love. Offer peace. We don’t need to agree on everything but this is the standard given to us by God. The truth remains true. It’s never tainted and never wavers. It’s forever. Let’s treat each other better, because if we don’t we’ll suffer more in the future.