Let Me Be Mindful

Before I acquire things for myself, let me be mindful of those who have none

Before I satisfy my needs, let me be mindful of the needy

Before I try on a new shirt, let me be mindful of the naked

Before I wear a new shoe, let me be mindful of those whose feet are scarred

Before I adorn my body, let me be mindful of those whose bodies are violated

Before I munch on a new cookie, let me be mindful of the hungry

Before I try a new drink, let me be mindful of those deprived of clean drinking water

Before I buy new decors for my home, let me be mindful of the homeless

Before I set up a tree at home, let me be mindful of the trees that are willfully slaughtered

Before I burst some crackers, let me be mindful of the little hands that have been abused in its making

Before I sing a new carol, let me be mindful of those whose voices are stifled

Before I want to meet new people, let me be mindful of those who are barricaded by walls

Before I celebrate the season with my dear ones, let me be mindful of the lonely and the orphaned

Before I buy gifts for my children, let me be mindful of the ones separated from their parents

Before I relish my freedom, let me be mindful of those who are yearning for liberation

Before I rest with a sense of peace and satisfaction, let me be mindful of those whose lives are stricken by war and violence

At the end of it all, if I am mindful of all these things, if I am mindful of all these people, Christmas would be different. I would be different.

 

[Image by Alexas_Fotos from Pixabay]