Keep Your Phasers set on Stun...

Inevitably, life delivers pain.  At times, the pain we experience is brought about by those we love, trust and consider friends.  When tensions are high and the hurts acute, it is very tempting to let go of restraints and unleash the full force of our wrath on others.  If the hurts are deep enough, we might even be tempted to take on the role of bully for ourselves and to assert our general displeasure upon some unsuspecting soul who has fallen short of our standards or expectations.

Of course, there is another response to experiencing the pain of unmerited attacks and hostility - that of empathy.  I have found, that when my anger is triggered by others disappointing me and I am tempted to let them experience the full force of my frustrations, that Still Small voice speaks to my heart and asks me, "Sam, don't you remember when you were on the receiving end?  How did you feel when you were berated, belittled, and insulted? Remember and empathize!"  Empathy.  Placing oneself in the position of another and allowing the understanding of mutual humanity to help us to respond in a more restrained and gentle manner.  It's Captain Kirk giving the standing order to "Set your phasers to stun" rather than to kill!

Will you consider giving yourself such standing orders? Will you keep your phasers on stun on social media, in family disagreements and in your place of employ?  A old flower-power era anthem pleaded, "Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me!"  Don't wait for others to step up this challenge.  Take a stand today. Prepare your heart now. Keep you phaser selector switch on "stun" and walk in peace, as much as it has to do with you!