Disillusionment.

disillusionment:

noun /ˌdisəˈlo͞oZHənmənt/ 
A feeling of disappointment resulting from the discovery that something is not as good as one believed it to be.

My world religions class is changing my life. It has been eye-opening to learn about the beautiful truths found in many diverse religions. Many of the world religions began with a founder, and a common theme I've noticed among these founders is a concept which my textbook repeatedly refers to as "disillusionment."

Lao Tzu was tired of the corrupt politics and questionable ethics in China when he founded Taoism.

Siddharta Guatama decided to seek enlightenment and become the Buddha when he first saw poverty and sickness.

And today we talked about Confucius, who was so disillusioned with war and corrupt politics that he became a great moral teacher.

I've just thought a lot about the word "disillusionment" lately. It's an interesting concept that I don't think I had ever really wrestled with before this class. And I was just thinking over the past few days,

....maybe I am feeling a little disillusioned with society, myself.

I am tired of the meanness and negativity that is circulated all around us. I am tired of people who complain about the state of the world, while doing nothing to improve the world through serving others around them.

I am already tired of this election year. I used to be obsessed with the thrill of politics. Now I am just frustrated by the mud-slinging of all the politicians and the hypocrisy of the political game. I am tired of hearing sound bites manipulated and taken out of context by members of all affiliations. I'm tired of the blatant partisanship that exists in our society.

Everyone has their opinions. Sometimes I think I have more than my fair share. But I am tired of people who see complex issues as black and white, without being willing to consider another viewpoint. And I'm especially tired of ignorant people who can't seem to share their opinions without being insulting.

I'm tired of people who spend their lives on Facebook writing inflammatory things that they would never say in real life.

I am tired of people being rude when they don't have to be. (Do they ever have to be? Really now.) I am tired of the air of superiority that exists in the world and on my own campus. I am tired of still (STILL!) having my intelligence insulted because I want to become a teacher.

I am tired of people who call themselves Christians but don't really treat others as Christ would.

In short, I am slightly disillusioned. But that doesn't mean I am hopeless!

Maybe I have just seen a lot of negativity around me recently.... (perhaps it is time to de-activate Facebook?) but I don't mean to be negative, myself, with this post.

I know I am so far from perfect. I get too focused up in myself, I lose my temper, I forget to serve. And I can get very caught up in my own opinions, especially when they conflict with others.

But the point of this way-too-long blog post all comes down to this:

There is something that I believe in. I believe that you can never go wrong with it, and I am pleading for the world to believe in it too:

BE GOOD TO OTHERS.

No matter what.

It's just a good legacy to leave behind.