Sobering questions

My Facebook readership is down -- way down -- and I suspect I understand why. I spend a lot less time there myself these days, and cringe when I'm tempted to open the posts in my news feed; so much of what I see is full of hate.

But I made the mistake of reading my email this morning before I meditated, and one note informed me that our president is meeting with several hate groups in Washington. It pretty much derailed my meditation -- I mean, there were so many different reactions; so much fear. Are we, as a friend tells me, in danger of becoming another Nazi Germany?

And anger: why is it that the mass murders we hear about always seem to kill the innocent -- the children, the music lovers, the dancers, the peaceful demonstrators? Why, for once, couldn't they kill the hate-mongers?

And shame, for thinking that, even for an instant.

And then, wonder: what could I conceivably do to offset all that hate? I've been intensely aware lately, of how generous the universe has been with me. What would I be willing to give up, if it would guarantee the Nazis could never come into power in this country? What would I be willing to set aside, if I thought it would honestly make a difference? And what will I do today to bring more compassion and more love into the world?

Sobering questions. But I think we all need to be asking them. And stepping up to the answers.