Do you judge people for the way they spend their money and their free time? These are highly personal preferences and you probably feel as strongly about yours as they do about theirs. Is this a basis for judging them? You may consider their pursuits to be a waste of time and money but if they aren’t harming anyone why would you care about how they spend their time? This is an area in which you should judge yourself and not others. Are you deriving the maximum benefit from the finite amount of time available to you?

My teachings include being grateful and being loving. Do these sound like lofty ideals? I made it real when I taught that you were even to love your enemies. In like manner it is easy to be grateful in times of abundance and peace. Does the same principle still hold in times of deprivation and affliction? You may not be grateful for these things as such, so what does gratitude look like when they are present? Can you view your afflictions with curiosity rather than resentment? Can you pay attention to what you may learn from them?

Do you celebrate Thanksgiving? Do you live a life of gratitude? Does this consist only of reciting a list of your blessings and benefits? You should be aware of these things and acknowledge them. Is there more you can do? Is gratitude complete without altruism, or giving thanks without sharing? If you can see the abundance you have and others lacking would it be an expression of gratitude to share your abundance? There is a larger dimension of thanks than to celebrate your own acquisitions. Do you understand what I meant when I said it is more blessed to give than to receive?

Do you long to share your journey with those who understand because they are on a similar journey themselves? This is a normal desire. It is not good for man to be alone. No one else can take this journey for you, but you can’t take it by yourself either. I know you need companions. How can you find them? Radar was invented to detect airplanes beyond visual range, and is still in use for this purpose today. Is there a human equivalent? Do you find yourself aware of and drawn to those who are at a similar stage on their spiritual journey? Have you ever been wrong about this?