We have, in this country, a tradition of leadership that aims to appeal both to the intelligence of the 'common man', and also to the heart within each person that assesses character and that decides upon voting behavior For most people, such decisions are not just based on the ideas and issues that candidates present, but also on the integrity, depth, and commitment that a candidate brings to these ideas and issues

Many people live within the boundaries of a small sphere of perception and interest Within this sphere, everything is very real, very meaningful and emotionally penetrating

There are pivotal ideas that have changed the destiny of mankind and shaped its future Many have remained unnoticed within the shadowy corners of history until a bright light has shown on them, illuminating them, and making them relevant to time, place, and circumstance

Today, there is much darkness that covers events and people on the world stage - in nations where violence is everywhere and no one is safe, in governments where deception is widespread and honesty barely visible, and among groups of people who are willing to hate and blame others who are different from themselves

Most people have hope within their hearts on the eve of a new year, and plans and dreams that they vow to bring into fulfillment With or without New Year's Resolutions, we are tuned to the future and to having the hope that the new year be even better than the last – that it fulfill whatever has lacked fulfillment for us, and that it extend whatever has been worthwhile and precious to us

Many know that the world is in need of great help at this time in order to change conditions that are harmful to body, mind, and spirit and to the Earth itself Among those who feel most deeply concerned, some become discouraged or despairing, some find a means of taking action within social or environmental movements, and some seek to address the layer of causality that exists beneath the outer difficulties and challenges

It often happens in the course of a life, and especially when inner movement causes the heart to seek new horizons or relationships in order to further its own growth, that the past must be let go of Sometimes this involves a physical change of circumstance and a physical separation from what one has formerly loved

Many emotions typically reside within the human heart that are residues from childhood Some are experienced consciously and are a familiar part of one's emotional life

When souls depart from the earth, family and loved ones may understandably ask themselves why now, why this way Especially at this time when great change on spiritual levels is taking place on the earth, reflections on the passing of souls can become even more poignant

There are circumstances that arise, today, in which it can feel entirely justifiable to blame others, both on the collective level and on the personal, and yet the energy that we give to blame is not conducive to producing any effect other than to cast us even further into a depth of discouragement and despair