WHERE DO I BEGIN?

We are told to begin well, for mistakes are often fatal! To begin well is to start at the right place. Where is the right place? Many will ask the question; however we were all created with a conscience, which tells us when we are doing something that will hurt us. We know that it is wrong to hate others, we know we should not steal, we know that it is right to be respectful to others and so as we look in to the requirements of the Law of God we find some basic principles which if rightly followed can provide a compass for our journey through this life.

The gift of influence is a very powerful gift and yet many of us are unaware of how we can make or ruin the lives of many by our actions. Many individuals have gone through life limping because they have walked with the lame. We all are surrounded by an atmosphere of its own--an environment, it may be  filled with positive life giving power of hope, and love. Or it may be weighty and made colder with the gloom of unhappiness and self-destruction. By the atmosphere surrounding us, every person with whom we come in contact is consciously or unconsciously affected. Whether we know it or not our word and actions, our attire and our behaviour has an influence.

Every action is a seed sown which will produce a crop. It becomes the link in the long sequence of our behaviour. To the extent that none of us know how far reaching it will become. If by our example we help others in the development of good values, we influence them to do well. In turn they will use the same influence upon others; consequently by our unconscious influence thousands are affected.

It is human nature to blame others for our weaknesses and our failures. However we need to recognise that unless we strike that balance in our lives we will not be able to lead a life that is of benefit to anyone. Although temperance is such a simple act many have violated this and only end up along the road of destruction. Most people do not realize that the self centred individual enjoys their condition, therefore efforts to guide them away from their behaviour becomes futile.

Let us not forget that anything that lessens physical strength weakens the mind so that it becomes incapable of discerning between right or wrong. There is no man who can be a standard for all other men. All have been given different gifts according to their varied capabilities. It is God who gives to all men with different degrees of capability.