Check Your Attitude

Laugh, and he world laughs with you;
Weep, and you weep alone.
For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth,
But has trouble enough of its own.
Sing, and the hills will answer;
Sigh, it is lost on the air.
The echoes bound to a joyful sound,
But shrink from voicing care.
—Ella Wheeler Wilcox

The title of this poem is Solitude. I think a far more fitting title would be Attitude! What Ella Wheeler Wilcox is saying to us via this oft-quoted poem is that whatever attitude we decide to adopt is precisely what we will attract in life. Think sad and we attract emptiness. Think mirth and the world will laugh right along with us.

This poem is also a very elementary presentation of energy field theory. Essentially, energy field theory says that there is an invisible vibratory field of energy surrounding all living objects, including human beings. This field is created by how we think and process our experiences wherever we are in the world. At certain levels of consciousness, the energy field vibrates fast. At other levels of consciousness, the energy vibrates slowly. So, there is a continuum along which varying levels of consciousness are responsible for creating the field of energy.

This was the point Jesus was making about fasting as an act of spiritual enrichment. He said when [we] fast do not look dismal . . . [rather]pour oil on your head and wash your face so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret (Matthew 6:17-18). Again, You are the light of the world. . . . let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:14, 16).

Prayer
Heavenly Father, It is another gray day. I know that the weather around me does not have to dictate the spirit within me. I pray for the courage to choose the Light that is within me that I might be a light of leaven and hope to those who are around me to the glory of Jesus the Christ. Amen.


Mac Hamon, Senior Pastor
Castleton United Methodist Church
Indianapolis, Indiana