In the early 90’s, when cell phones and laptop computers were considered to be rare luxuries, I was working in a rat-infested, structurally-vulnerable building on Federal Highway in Pompano Beach. The office, there, was set up to serve as an outpatient facility which was part of a larger organization with several satellites branches throughout Broward County. One day, a large organizational meeting was held to review the needs of all executive administrators of each program. The administrators of the non-rat-infested programs asked for cell phones and laptops. I asked for a pest extermination contract.

So much of what we think is important or what we want in any given moment, is a product of what we are feeling in that moment, what we perceive to be our needs and our issues. That’s because we have a tendency to think within the confines of our problems. To expand our thinking is to see beyond the problem, to see that the problem is just a moment in time. The ability to be still and unaffected allows us to develop compassion, understanding, and focus; to find a place of peace in the rattling of our vulnerable structure. When I was finally able to see, think, and function beyond the presence of the rats, I was able to ask for something more, something more beneficial for my staff and to the clients we served. Within a year, we were moved in to a beautiful, newly constructed, sate-of-the-art building with great big windows, wonderfully relaxing views, and no rats. We all need to practice functioning from our spiritually-disciplined minds and hearts, not from our emotional reactions. It is the only way to find a way out of our most troubling times, and it is the only way to find peace.
And so it is with the current situation in the world as we see it in this moment. Economic hardship, wars, and more wars. We need to see, live, and BE peace. We need to allow for moments of peace to be who we are, what we belive in, what we are willing to work on within ourselves, to struggle and commit to as a way of being. One at a time, one mind, one heart, one individual focus sent out as expanded mind-heart- spirit to all others. It’s up to us, it’s our job, our duty, the reason for our very existence. It starts with a simple but sincere apology to those you’ve hurt in your inner circle, then prayers for those outside of it, prayers for those you dislike, prayers for those you don’t know, prayers for those you wouldn’t vote for, prayers for those you call terrorist. Let us pray. Let us never stop.

Rev. Dr. Lori Cardona. Pastor LMC Interfaith Ministries, Fort Lauderdale,Fl, Author, Coach www.revlori.com

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