Reflections from a Pink (Hamster) Ball

I watch Stewart running around in his pink ball (or, as Nick/Mikulas calls it, lunar module). His view of the world is pink, at least from that ball. His interactions are limited physically by the ball. he cannot touch anything outside it, only look out and sniff.

Each of us has a similar ball. I am self-centered. It is understandable--the only perspective I have is outward from this body, this self. However, God has given us imagination and myriad other tools--prayer, meditation, good books--to help us to see beyond our bubbles to the wider world. When we are able to extend our vision, it is a moment of self-transcendance. I believe that this transcendance is a basis for compassionate living. We can never be truly concerned for the well-being of others until we are able to get out of our bubbles enough to see the world from another perspective from our own. It is a gift from God when a story--biblical or otherwise--can open us up to the wider world.

Many things can lead to this opening, perhaps as many things as there are people: travel, reading, contemplation, work, music, talking & really listening to others, and many more ways. I sincerely believe that God is much broader and more all-encompassing than we will allow.