Darkness and death have put on a ghastly show in every theatre and on every stage around the world this year. And though many of us have joined together as beacons of peace, charity, and love, others have sulked onto the streets to argue, spread ill will, and divide. We neither have to endure nor play into the hands of haters. We can overcome evil by not tolerating it in any of its forms. It is up to us to stand as a Culture of Life which will not be crushed by politics, prejudice, and fear.
Gloom is always overpowered by light.
Years ago, my family would gather at Allerton Park near Monticello, Illinois for our annual April Birthday celebration for Grandpa Jones. The elegant mansion and manicured gardens were once the property of railroad magnate and philanthropist, Robert Allerton.
Allerton Park’s The Sun Singer
All of us children were allowed to explore and run around willy-nilly, discovering sculptures, artwork and colorful flowers. But one of the most stunning displays at Allerton was never in bloom until the middle of May.
So, sometime later in Spring my dear Aunt Beulah would take us to the park so we could walk on top of a wall overlooking thousands of perennial peonies. The gardens were just beyond the Three Graces, a Greek statue of goddesses signifying beauty. cheerfulness, and elegance bringing joy to the world.
I never left without being in awe. When we returned to Beulah's one time, I went back to Grandpa's room to ask him about the peonies and statue. He said that the Peony Garden was his favorite, as it had been for Mr. Allerton. And then he went on to say; "I think that life is wonderful and full of wonder. Spring starts with bluebells and ends with peonies. Winter never wins." Grandpa planted seeds for my faith in a Culture of Life.
The concept of a Culture of Life confirms to me that everything eventually gives way to Wonderful. I frequently write about it. My lectures and therapy sessions with clients were filled with it. This is a touchstone of my faith. I can embrace that life is wonderful in part because I have experienced struggle and trouble.
Two members of my family have lost their lives to violence. I have learned that life is difficult even when we are not faced with a pandemic! There is no use in denying the fact. We win and lose, slip, fall, and triumph. People get sick and die. Money comes and goes. This is the way it is. My personal struggles and troubles could make me bitter or imprison me in resentment. But I’ve been down that path and refuse to travel it again. So, with all of the tragedy, how can I continue to affirm that life is wonderful?
“The wind, one brilliant day, called
to my soul with an odor of jasmine.
”In return for the odor of my jasmine,
I’d like all the odor of your roses.”
”I have no roses; all the flowers
in my garden are dead.”
”Well then, I’ll take the withered petals
and the yellow leaves and the waters of the fountain.”
the wind left. And I wept. And I said to myself:
”What have you done with the garden that was entrusted to you?””
Scott Peck wrote about these difficulty of life postulating that they can become our transcendent truth when we truly see it as so. Our difficulties can destroy us or bring forth a stunning garden of compassionate delight.
I believe that we can become A Culture of Life blessed by the attributes of Three Graces only when we accept everything and everybody as being one in God’s eternal loving embrace.
Then, this Culture of Life will overcome tragedy, trials, and difficulties. The fight to comprehend why bad things happen…and the unfairness of it all…will disappear. There will no longer be a need to blame other people, places, or situations for our problems. We will take personal and communal responsibility. Indeed, we will embrace the now-familiar phrase, "We are in this together."