Dear friends,
Welcome to our meditation today,
Which is designed to encourage you to gain inspiration from the fact of your inherent goodness.
We do not give ourselves enough credit for the truth that we are trying our best.
We have the intention to be good and decent and kind.
Some years ago here in Dublin we had an elderly priest in a church nearby.
His frequently repeated mantra was,
We are not bad people trying to be good,
We are good people trying to be better.
So an opening reflection.
Help me to recognize and appreciate all the goodness that is in my heart.
At times when I'm tempted to up for the second best and even the worst,
In those times may this reflection on my inner goodness hold me fast to the best of my good intentions.
Let us recall some events from which you might gain encouragement.
What have you done for your family?
Have you been a sincere friend to someone and have you helped a friend?
How have you worked for a living?
And how have you contributed to society?
Have you been a good neighbour?
Have you worked to improve your community?
Have you tried to inspire and encourage young people?
Have you been a help to someone in trouble or distress?
Have you been kind to animals?
Have you done your bit to care for the earth?
Have you taken note of the fact that the earth is not something that we have inherited from our parents,
We have borrowed it from our children?
Have you been a supporter of good causes?
Have you shown respect and care for sick or elderly people?
Have you cared for people with disabilities or people different to yourself?
Are you someone who could be relied upon?
Are you a person who expresses gratitude?
At different times I am sure you have been all of these things.
Maybe there is one particular incident or event that you feel particularly happy about.
If so,
Well done and now spend a few moments in the glow of that happiness,
The recollection of that good deed.
In the course of this reflection it may have crossed your mind that you could have done more.
We all share that regret.
But the remedy is to make up for that by deciding to do better from now on.
If there is a feeling of discomfort the best response is simply this.
You can resolve again to be the decent,
Kind,
Caring person that you know you want to be.
You can renew your dedication to the good life today,
Right here,
Right now.
A closing thought before the final bell.
May I live in awareness of the unique gift that each day offers me.
May I remember that all the little everyday choices add up.
Together these small decisions become the story of my life.
I am not out to try to impress others but may I try my best to live in such a way that when people recall the story of my life they may be encouraged by it.
A day will come when I know my time is up.
In that day may I be able to look back upon the good deeds of my life.
May I be consoled by the knowledge that I did my best,
That it has been not a bad life.
Namaste.
