Unless

COVID-19, and how it has forever changed our lives continue to plague humanity and society. As we prepare for Thanksgiving I believe one of the blessings we can be thankful for is the lessons we have learned in life. Often some of the simplest lessons we learn and teach our children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews can dramatically affect their lives. Lessons of guarding their character through honesty, being polite, respect, responsibility, compassion, and forgiveness to name a few.  Such is the Lorax.  I do not know how familiar you are with the famed story The Lorax by   Dr. Seuss, but the story of the Lorax is one of my favorite stories which

Dr. Seuss wrote. 

The Lorax is the story of a boy who's looking for answers. Living in a ruined town he wants to know the story of the Lorax, so he goes to the Once-ler, an elderly

inventor/manufacturer. The Once-ler tells the boy how the town came to be ruined, and most importantly, what he can do to turn things around.

From this famed story, we can learn and apply 7 principle lessons for a life well-lived. 

1. “They say I'm old-fashioned and live in the past, but sometimes I think progress progresses

 too fast!” 

     We live in a world accentuating self, while extolling a disregard for truth and religion.

Contradictorily, morality, integrity, and faith are important characteristics to establish.

We instinctively know to be good, moral and act with integrity by coming to an

understanding of the reasons for morality, integrity, and men of faith. Yes morality and

integrity are values which dispel darkness providing a foundation for civil society to flourish.

 “It is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom

can securely stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue” (John Adams).

John Adams was our second President and signer of our Declaration of Independence. I am

old fashion believ in thevalues of the past will secure our future “We the People of the United States, in Order to form

 a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common

defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our

 Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

Yes as the Lorax said “They say I'm old-fashioned, and live in the past, but sometimes

I think progress progresses too fast!” 

2. “But nobody listens too much don’t you know?”

Listening is not the process of hearing. Listening is the ability to accurately receive and

interpret the communication process. Therefore, listening is key to all effective

communication. When we listen effectively we understand one another. When we listen we

 are disposed to maintain self-esteem and self-image. Ye s nobody listens too much, but

when we listen we become aware. Therefore, listeners grind toward establishing positive

relationships. “But nobody listens too much don’t you know?”

 

3.“It's not about what it is, it's about what it can become.” 

Achieving your full potential is about committing yourself to the process of

self-improvement, not being satisfied with minute development. Consider how the

further down the road of life we journey the struggles and obstacles we overcome often

diminish in the light of the success we have gained. There is not a person here who can recall the struggles and obstacles we overcame to learn to walk. Yet now decades later we do not even have to think, we simply walk. It is never about what it is, where we are, or challenges we are facing. It’s about what it can become, what our life will stand for, will

our life provide support for others to grow, achieving success. In biology I learned

everything is dying. Every organism, every vital entity is in the process of growing or dying.

Your health, relationships, marriage, lodge, church/synagogue, or home.

Yes as the Lorax said “It's not about what it is, it's about what it can become.”

4. “No-one can sing who has smog in his throat.”

Find inspiration by disconnecting from your usual routines. Clear your mind from negative

people, negative influence, and negative circumstances which drain your spirit.

 “He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and

put their trust in the LORD” (Psalm 40:3).  When we follow GOD’s melody and sing we

harness the power of positive thoughts developing positive circumstances. There is a song

which GOD placed in our heart. However, as the Lorax said “No-one can sing who has smog

 in his throat.” 

5. “A tree falls the way it leans. Be careful which way you lean.”

During strong or severe wind storms tree canopies can act as a sail in the wind.

When wind speeds are excessive, storms can cause entire trees to uproot. This is more likely

 to occur after torrential rainfall prevents a tree's roots from securely anchoring themselves

 in the soil. Every day we face life with eternity on the line, and life leans on each of us pretty

 hard. When the wicked winds blow and rebuking rain assails, anchor yourself in faith, hope,

 and charity of GOD. Be careful which way you lean. Yes as the Lorax said “A tree falls the

way it leans. Be careful which way you lean.”

6. “We were all knitting Thneeds just as busy as bees, to the sound of the chopping of

Truffula Trees.”

     Going through the motions of life, but not experiencing it resembles riding a merry-go-roundTo realize and recognize you have been going “through the motions” may seem

overwhelming. When we consider living life versus existing on the merry-go-round many

become apprehensive. Getting off the merry-go-round requires strength, and will not

guarantee happiness. Living life is accepting where you are good or bad. This is called

mindfulness, being in the present moment. True strength comes from letting go and trusting God! Yes as the Lorax said

“We were all knitting Thneeds just as busy as bees, to the sound of the chopping of

Truffula Trees.”

7. Consider the words of the Once-ler,

That was long, long ago.
But each day since that day
I’ve sat here and worried
and worried away.
Through the years, while my buildings
have fallen apart, I’ve worried about it
with all of my heart.

“But now,” says the Once-ler,
“Now that you’re here,
the word of the Lorax seems perfectly clear.
UNLESS someone like you
cares a whole awful lot,
nothing is going to get better.
It’s not.