I feel so blessed today, my heart is bursting with all the new things I’m learning about myself and how much good there is in this world.  Let me explain a little better.

Last week my husband and I watched the movie ”Invictus” starring Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela, Matt Damon as the Captain of a national rugby team, and directed by Clint Eastwood. It is an inspiring story based on the uniting of South Africa after Apartheid. Nelson Mandela used the country’s rugby team, the Springboks, to unite previously opposing classes and races.  He was an amazingly gifted leader. I thought “This is what America needs”, a common team to unite around. A sport team we can all support but most of our popular sports are regional teams, whether professional, collegiate, or high school.   Then I remembered the Olympics!  The Summer Olympics can be our uniting event!  Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could meet in large groups to cheer our team on?  Sports bars, school auditoriums, church meeting rooms, and theaters,  just about any place with a big screen tv could organize watching events open to the public. I think it’s just what we need. What do you think? Uniting races as well as political beliefs?  Sounds like a win-win to me.

In keeping with thoughts on unity, I discovered The Episcopal Church is focusing on racial reconciliation in its National ministry. I watched an Episcopalian service this weekend and their message of love in its purity was truly moving. Reuben E Brigety, whom I’ve referenced before says “healing the country’s racial wounds would have an important effect on governance”.

I know, I know, in a perfect world but I believe we change one heart at a time. If we put a little effort into it we could be that little drop of water that starts to spread throughout the pond.

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance 
  I have not winced nor cried aloud.   
Under the bludgeonings of chance   
  My head is bloody, but unbowed.   

Beyond this place of wrath and tears   
  Looms but the Horror of the shade, 
And yet the menace of the years   
  Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.   

It matters not how strait the gate,   
  How charged with punishments the scroll,   
I am the master of my fate:
  I am the captain of my soul.

This poem is in the public domain.