What the Rich and the Poor Have in Common

Today is Friday, April 11, 2014.

The other day a friend of mine posted this photo on Facebook, and commented that this is why he doesn't get upset about whatever the Koch brothers are up to at any given time.  Although I do believe it's important to watch guys like the Koch brothers and push back, whenever possible, my friend does have a point.  Everybody dies, at some point, whether you're rich or poor.  No matter what your situation is in this lifetime, at some point, it will come to an end.  When it does, it won't really matter how expensive your funeral is, or how many people attend.  It won't matter how much money you have in your bank account or how beautiful your house is.  It won't matter what kind of car you drive or how many servants you have.

It won't really matter what your religion is, either.  

At death, everyone goes to someplace within the Inner Worlds.  Everyone looks at the lifetime just ended and decides (often with the help of advisers) how well they tackled the issues that they decided to work on before coming into that lifetime.  Everybody starts planning how to continue from there.  Most people come back to Earth to live yet another life, while a few graduate from the "earth school" and continue along their learning curve in the Inner Worlds.  

Those who had money in their lifetime end up judging themselves by the same criteria as those who had little or no money.  How have I grown?  How did I help other people?  What did I do to balance karma from previous lives?  What did I do to acquire negative karma that will have to be balanced in a future life?  

Do I believe in punishment for sin? No, I believe in consequences for misguided actions based on negative principles such as "every man for himself" or "my people are more important than yours."   That's why some people are always suffering in life.  They are experiencing the suffering that they put others through.  Does all this mean that we shouldn't be concerned when rich and powerful people seek to control others, because everything will even out in the end?  I don't think so.  We can't take away everyone's pain, and it would be counterproductive, at the level of Soul, do do so.  But we can be of assistance to others, with their permission.

To be clear, I don't think that any of us will be asked for which political party we voted when we get to the Inner Worlds.  I don't think it's a good idea to label political parties as good and evil, either, although sometimes it does seem that they beg to be labeled.  I don't think that voting one way or another is good or evil.  I don't think having money or political power is evil, either, per se. 

The important thing is how we live our lives.  Do we contribute positively to life, or do we create obstacles for other people?  Do we strive to get along with others or do we simply try to control them?  Do we allow other people to do what they want, or do we force them to agree with us?  Do we assist other people or take advantage of them?  Do we build each other up or tear each other down?  Do we advance while stepping on others' toes, or do we allow others to advance with us?

When we see someone taking advantage of others, I believe we should at least point it out and do whatever we can to stop it or at least soften the blow.  When we realize we've been taken advantage of, we should stand up and blow the whistle, loudly.  Political and social movements won't end all the evil in the world, but they can do some good.  It just depends how you want to participate.  You can often do just as much or more good on your own, on an individual basis. :-)