A slogan.

This morning I woke early and happened to turn on the radio to hear the great thinker and surgeon Sherwin Nuland talk about life, death, love and belief. (If you've never read anything by Nuland, do yourself a favor and pick up "Lost In America." If it doesn't change your life, it will at least make you think, which may, in turn, change your life.)



Nuland couples brilliant thinking with a soft, under-stated gentle manner. Comforting in an age of shouting, bombast and bullshit.

Today with so much horror in the world and dark worry in our souls, we need pause and we need wisdom. Nuland imparted a lot to me in the half-hour I listened this morning. You can catch a replay of the program here. http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2009/biologyofthespirit/

He attributes the following quotation to Philo of Alexandria, a philosopher who lived from 20BC to 50AD. We could all use a bit of Philo today. Or at least Philo Lite, same great thoughts with 20% fewer calories.

"Be kind, because everyone you meet is fighting a great battle."

That's a lot better than "be kind. rewind." But no one listened to that slogan either.