16 - Diamonds

Adherence to the Five Keystones is meant to be a comfortable and natural state of affairs. For our members especially, this is something we all enjoy adhering to, striving to live our best lives and be our best selves. But this is not always an easy process. It can be hard for any person to readily humble themselves in adherence with the Second Keystone in remembering their own self fallibility and in being ready to admit and forgive wrongdoing. Most people do not relish an uncomfortable situation where some interpersonal friction is required in order to follow the Third Keystone, in upholding the rights and autonomy of others as if it were their own.

Noone is expected to live a perfect life, and while that may be the goal we strive for, it is not the outcome every day. Look at the First Keystone - Strive to be efficient, competent and autonomous. This, by itself is a tall order for anyone. Is it reasonable to expect everyone to fully live up to this every day? Perhaps not. Is this a good target to hold? Absolutely.

Efficiency is elusive, but this is our guiding light in life. Its hard to stay efficient, it is difficult to be focused on taking the ideal path in every facet of your life. But when you hit the slipstream and the universe just lays itself at your feet - then you know that your efforts are worth it.

This is not something to expect you can master immediately - it is an ongoing process, and something we work on day by day, task by task. We get a little bit better, a little bit faster, a little bit more competent. All you need is the effort and the will to do it. Look to the Paraclete and to your own inner strength. This is something you can do, it is something we all can do! You’ve actually already done it, and you’ve felt the feeling in the past. Can you capture it again? Put forth the effort and the focus, and just watch yourself shine.