We live a very interesting time. Next to a lot of disaffection, there are repeated examples of altruism and solidarity.

Regardless of whether they are religious or not, people are discovering that there is no such way to be happy besides the suffering of others; that there is no way to enjoy the goods of the Earth, blind and foolishly, while many lack the little things; that we cannot talk about world peace if we do not cultivate it in our own garden.

Lastly, that men can only achieve the happiness they idealize if they learn to collaborate, building together.

In this commitment, with increasing hope, we can see associations, companies, institutions investing in quality of life, sustainability, in mutual cooperation.

We are, on Earth, a great collective being. Whatever affects one, reaches the other.

It was, therefore, with joy, that we have witnessed an experiment carried out with children of different ages.

In pairs, boys and girls were conducted to a table, in front of which they sat down.

The orientation that was given to them was that they would receive a snack and, that was why, there was a dish covered with a dome in front of them.

Seated, each one was waiting for the authorization to serve themselves. When, finally, they withdrew the protective dome, they realized that, in each pair, one had received an empty dish.

The reactions were diverse. There were those who laughed, who were surprised. Children of few months of age simply played with the dome, more anxious to find out what that thing could do than with the absence of content in the plate.

An action, however, was constant in the pairs: the division of the sandwich.

 No one argued. No one cried. No one complained.

The division was made in the most varied ways. There were those who divided the bread, compared the pieces and gave the smaller one to the partner. But he gave it.

There were those who gave the sandwich to the other who, then, proceeded to the division.

Big pieces, smaller, larger, irregular. But everything, between laughter and spontaneity, offering, giving, sharing.

And savored with pleasure.

*   *   *

How would we, the adults, react, facing the empty plate? Would we invoke, immediately, equal rights and would we speak about respect and injustice?

Would we get depressed because we were left aside, humiliated, forgotten? Why was the other graced with a tasty sandwich and nothing was offered us?

The way we would act facing the empty plate also tells us the way we receive the adversity when it reaches us.

Do we cry out, say we were abandoned by God, give up fighting?

Or, as the children did, we smile, look to our side, believing that there will always be someone to attend our pain, our needs? That a friend is on our side and will offer whatever he has.

We must change our focus. Less complaint, more action. Fewer demands and more donation. Divide the little, share the very.

Let us learn with the children and put up a smile, illuminating the face, illuminating the life.

Spiritist Moment Team.
November 10.2014.