It is a brand new year. And time to renew our resolve to improve our lives by reconnecting to our faith. A faith based life fills the voids that often create the question, “ Is this all there is?” I am a traditionalist, so the Bible is my source for strength and wisdom, but I realize that not everyone is grounded in that foundation and I have a healthy respect for all that serves as a groundwork of faith for others.
A few years ago I watched a prominent actor being interviewed on the television show, “Actors Studio.” When queried if he was a devotee of the Bible, his response was that the author and playwright, William Saroyan’s “Time of Your Life” served as his platform for wisdom and truth. Being an admirer of this particular actor, my curiosity was piqued and so I went in search of this piece of prose, which follows. See what you think. Here it is:
In the time of your life, live – so in that good time there shall be no ugliness or death for yourself or any life your life touches.
Seek goodness everywhere, and when it is found bring it out of its hiding-place and let it be free and unashamed.
Place in matter and flesh the least of the values, for these are things that hold death and must pass away.
Discover in all things that which shines and is beyond corruption.
Encourage virtue in whatever heart it may have been driven into secrecy and sorrow by the shame and terror of the world.
Ignore the obvious, for it is unworthy of the clear eye and the kindly heart.
Be the inferior of no man, nor of any man be the superior.
Remember that every man is a variation of yourself. No man’s guilt is not yours nor is any man’s innocence a thing apart.
Despise evil and ungodliness, but not men of ungodliness or evil. These understand.
Have no shame in being kindly and gentle, but if the time comes in the time of your life to kill, kill and have no regret.
In the time of your life, live – so that in that wondrous time you shall not have added to the misery and sorrow of the world, but shall smile to the infinite delight and mystery of it.
We really aren’t ever alone nor do we ever have to be if we cement our foundations with a faith based life. My New Year advice: We should share our faith if it is part of our core values, resuscitate it if we have allowed ourselves to wander and be prompt and deliberate in selecting our faith platform if we have been searching.
Many Blessings,
A few years ago I watched a prominent actor being interviewed on the television show, “Actors Studio.” When queried if he was a devotee of the Bible, his response was that the author and playwright, William Saroyan’s “Time of Your Life” served as his platform for wisdom and truth. Being an admirer of this particular actor, my curiosity was piqued and so I went in search of this piece of prose, which follows. See what you think. Here it is:
In the time of your life, live – so in that good time there shall be no ugliness or death for yourself or any life your life touches.
Seek goodness everywhere, and when it is found bring it out of its hiding-place and let it be free and unashamed.
Place in matter and flesh the least of the values, for these are things that hold death and must pass away.
Discover in all things that which shines and is beyond corruption.
Encourage virtue in whatever heart it may have been driven into secrecy and sorrow by the shame and terror of the world.
Ignore the obvious, for it is unworthy of the clear eye and the kindly heart.
Be the inferior of no man, nor of any man be the superior.
Remember that every man is a variation of yourself. No man’s guilt is not yours nor is any man’s innocence a thing apart.
Despise evil and ungodliness, but not men of ungodliness or evil. These understand.
Have no shame in being kindly and gentle, but if the time comes in the time of your life to kill, kill and have no regret.
In the time of your life, live – so that in that wondrous time you shall not have added to the misery and sorrow of the world, but shall smile to the infinite delight and mystery of it.
We really aren’t ever alone nor do we ever have to be if we cement our foundations with a faith based life. My New Year advice: We should share our faith if it is part of our core values, resuscitate it if we have allowed ourselves to wander and be prompt and deliberate in selecting our faith platform if we have been searching.
Many Blessings,
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4 comments:
Thanks for the reminder that faith is so important. I resolve to remember this more in 2009.
I was so delighted to see this excerpt on your blog. It is my understanding that every man's faith should be placed at the forefront of his/her every pursuit. This keeps us honest, directed and on purpose. The slightest deviation can lead us adrift fairly quickly. With faith at the helm we "naturally" experience confidence, security and freedom. Now that's Living!
Love the path you've chosen... keeping making lives healthier.
Blessings,
Zannah Hackett Ph.D.
Thank you Saundra. The intersection of faith is so interesting. I do not believe in any god however I have great faith. I have faith first in myself, next in my family and friends and finally in other human beings. I do believe the Universe has great power. But I believe that it is made up of nothing more and nothing less than the collective love and will of all people. I feel great obligation to honor myself, my loved ones and all people of the earth in all of my decisions and actions. If more people shared my faith instead of their own, there would be far less war.
Lovely excerpt ! Who is the actor? I missed that Actor's Studio.
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