May 15, 2025

The Buddha died,  
nothing changed.

Jesus died,
nothing changed.

Everyone dies.
Nothing changes.

All of the changes 
that have been made--
and there be multitudes,
from the caves to the high rises,
from clubs to nuclear warheads--
have changed nothing.

Everyone who dies
lives in the service of something.
For what?
More people are destitute today
than were destitute on the first day.
More people are homeless.
And what does "hope" mean?
Do we have more reason to be "hopeful" today
than any day?
What do we hope for today
that hasn't been hoped for every day?

All this being said,
In light of what do we live?
I suggest these words as values, aims, intentions
to live by and for, serving with our life always:

Authenticity.
Integrity.
Truth.
Equality.
Justice.
Liberty.
Nobility.
Honor.
Kindness.
Compassion.
Gentle heartedness. 
Trustworthiness.
Sincerity.
Valor.
Devotion.
Allegiance.
Perceptivity.
Balance.
Harmony.
Good humor.
To know what is called for
in each situation as it arises
and do what needs to be done about it
when, where, how it needs to be done,
no matter what all our life long.

I invite you to add to the list
as you see fit
and to live in ways that bring the list
to life in your life all your life long.