Does any one know?

Hi neighbors. I think the secret to a happy life is the determination to let yourself be happy and to find some good everywhere.

We all know people who are never happy. Their attitude is always sarcastic and critical. Their demeanor is always withdrawn and paranoid. Unfortunately, we all have these feelings ourselves now and again. Life does take a toll on people.

Still, it’s more comfortable to be happy, not worry, and believe that people are really good at heart. It just feels better to not worry and to be content.

However, we are not genetically inclined to be placid. To survive we must strive. If we strive successfully, we thrive – so my mother always taught.

What is so confusing is when people who work, and work diligently for years, end up with little to survive on when they can no longer work. People who suffer injury, disease, accidents, old age, or bodily harm from others come to mind.

Why are they suffering so much? Why does their suffering appear so unearned? Why do children starve or die of disease or accidents?

These and similar questions have been asked for centuries in all cultures. The purpose of most religions is to answer these questions; and they all have some reasons to offer.

One is the concept of Karma – what goes around comes around – is the catch phrase that covers this one. In conjunction with the theory of reincarnation, Karma explains that your problems in this life are payment for past life mistakes.

My limited understanding of the caste system reveals that these concepts are accepted. Groups of people are classified by the outward appearance of their lives, which, to them, signifies a past life classification.

People who are poor and uneducated, may be socially viewed as being the lowest of castes. They are guilty by association with the conditions they were born into. This attitude indicates these people get what they have earned, and to interfere with that repayment of Karmic debt would be a sure way to earn the same for yourself in a future life.

Any hardship, suffering, disease or injury encountered in this life was earned in a past life. Of course, this is also true of wealth and good health. For some, acceptance is the key word for survival in whatever situation in which they find themselves.

Other cultures and religions determine that service to God and mankind is a two-way barter. It seems they feel that if you are active in your faith; it should pay off. If you are going to worship God, you should be rewarded for the adoration. I think God addressed that concept when He reminded Job that although beloved of God and faithful to God, Job was a human. As a mere mortal, Job had no concept of what a god should be and do and was in no position to pass judgment on his God.

So far, we’ve found a couple of concepts that don’t answer many basic questions.

Why do people need religion? Because they do not have answers for these basic human longings to know. Unable to find their own answers, they assume there is someone or some being somewhere out there who can answer these questions.

Many people simply pass these questions by and wave them off with “We’ll know all by and by.” “If we are meant to know we will be enlightened.”

Some turn to others who claim to know these answers and are told, “No one can know these secret truths.” Or the most popular, “I will share my knowledge for a fee.”

I don’t know how long humans have been around, nor how long various civilizations and religions have been growing. I also don’t know anyone who has all the answers yet. Maybe “by and by” we’ll figure it out.

On a personal note, I’ve found that the biggest truth to a happy life is simply living it, accepting trials, and striving to overcome them as they come along, and trying to show kindness to others and to oneself. There are no easy answers that explain the nature of the universe, mankind and god. But I feel it is important to have your own understanding of these concepts thought out, researched and accepted – with room for improvement as you learn more.

Until the next time friends, remember, we are all here together and will share the burdens of protecting the world together. You might as well enjoy life daily and not wait for another tomorrow.