The figure of Jesus has always been important to me. Not in a religious way, but in a spiritual, symbolic way.
The world is made of pain. Everywhere you look. Like my grandpa said, “If you think you’ve got it bad, open your eyes and look around. You’ll find someone who’s got it much, much worse.”
The Buddha knows this. That’s why he’s smiling.
Maybe the whole point of this, maybe the whole point is to bring just a little joy into the world. Maybe that isn’t even enough. Maybe what we’re really here to do is do our best to heal some of the world’s hurt.
I’ve tried. Spent my life trying to help people, to heal some of their hurt. Sometimes, they’re grateful. Sometimes, they nail you on a cross. Or strap you down in old sparky. It doesn’t matter how I’m repayed for what I do. I don’t do what I do because of how people will look at me, or how they thank me.
I do what I do because the world is made of pain. And I try my best to heal some of it.