Occasionally a lesson in spiritual principles comes along
that is glaring. Donald Sterling was a successful man as the world judges these things.
Money, property, all the stuff that being a billionaire entails. But what of
his true self, the inner man, his “soul” if you prefer. His wealth provided him
with the veneer of a caring, giving individual, contributing financially to
causes and political campaigns that furthered the image he wished to project. He
wanted to enjoy a certain reputation that in his heart he knew he didn’t
deserve.
He joined a very select club, that of a professional sports
franchise owner. Though the Clippers throughout their history have been a poor
reflection of their cross-town rivals the Lakers, he still owned a franchise in
a major market, a market that included the false glamor of Hollywood. For over
30 years he was given a pass, though many knew his true nature. Money has that
kind of power. All this time though he was planting a crop that eventually
would be harvested.
Having reached an advanced age, he had grown comfortable in
his illusion. Surrounded by people who depended on his largesse to meet their
financial needs, his insulation from reality was secured. Even though there had
been incidents were the true man and his heart were glimpsed, a small fine and
more money thrown at causes and candidates, who we now know he secretly
despised, these incidents soon faded away and were forgotten. The false man
triumphant even lauded and rewarded for his “caring.”
After leaving his wife for a woman less than half his age,
she became the catalyst that began the harvest. Now, his “team” has
become legitimate,
on the verge of truly joining the elites of pro basketball and he is
barred
from being part of it, even to the point of attending games as a paying
customer! Shunned and vilified by the very group that he spent
nearly half of his life trying to impress and be a part of. The
candidates and
causes who would gladly take his calls and money now distance
themselves.
Donald Sterling will die a materially wealthy man. But what
of the man who said and believes the horrendous things that we now know he
holds in his heart, the secret place of his soul that truly defines him? My
hope and prayer for him is that he takes the rest of his days reflecting quietly,
coming to terms with the spiritual cancer eating away at him, realizing that
his checkbook will never cure the inner man.
The optimist in me hopes this will happen, the realist knows
that it is much easier to write a check than do soul surgery. So he will
and has apologized and writen more checks. Those who eagerly take his money will salute
him and shake his hand, business as usual. But Donald Sterling will never be an
“owner” again, never again part of the “club” that defined him most of his
adult life, the carnal world he prized above all else, his spiritual self
ignored, just another lost soul who gained the world but has never known that
which truly matters.
So the lesson is simple, to be free in truth, guard the
crops you plant in the secret garden of your consciousness, for the crop
eventually will be harvested for all to see.
©Vincent Lee Jones Living In Spirit All Rights
Reserved
The Secret, Wayne Dyer, ACIM,
Serenity, Enlightenment, Zen, Emmet Fox, How To Be Happy, Golden Key, Addicts
Today, Chopra, Jesus, Healing Path Recovery, Einstein, Marianne Williamson, Sayeh Beheshti, AKUA
No comments:
Post a Comment