Be a Lamb

Watch me paint these lambs in 50 seconds (time lapse)

Yesterday’s blog post was “Be a Lion“, part 2 of “Are you a lion or a lamb?” Today, we’ll take on part 3. Let’s ponder why being a lamb is important to a happy life.

The definition of the word lamb, as it applies to humans as per The Free Dictionary:

a sweet, mild mannered person, a dear
a person easily deceived; one who can be duped or cheated especially in financial matters
a person who is innocent, meek, good
like a lamb to the slaughter (without resistance, innocently)

Of these, we don’t mean 1, 2, or 4. Of course we don’t want to be deceived or destroyed. Nor do we aim to be “mild mannered”. No, we are also lions! For the purpose of this blog post, what we mean by “lamb” is a person who is innocent, meek, and good.

Innocent

There are two paths to innocence:

Not guilty of wrongdoing
Forgiven

A person who is innocent because he’s done nothing wrong, or declared innocent because he’s been pardoned is free. Being a lamb is about service and sacrifice. It’s difficult to serve from a position of slavery. Freedom isn’t a selfish choice; it’s our responsibility to remain free.

2. Meek

Meek also has more than one meaning. A person who is meek may be “easily imposed on; submissive”, which is the definition that many people think of. This is not what being a lamb is about. “Showing patience and humility; gentle” is the definition we mean.

Why are we happier when we are innocent, meek, and good? What do the traits of a lamb have to do with living an ideal life? Goodness, mercy, and prosperity are often grouped together, along with blessings and a secure future. We can meditate on these things as spiritual gifts, but who we are in spirit and the rewards we manifest spiritually also impact the natural world.

It’s an upside down world when evil people are depicted as exciting, popular, and living ideal human lives, when the opposite is true. Evil is wrapped in hate. Malice is born of anger, bitterness, resentment, impatience, vanity, hostility, and no moral accountability. Does any of that seem happy? Not only are they themselves not radiating happiness, but their tendency to control and dominate people leads to misery of many others as well.

3. Good

Whereas, when we see a good person, we find peace, patience, perseverance, humility, and inner joy. These are traits that seed a happy life. Not only do such people manifest happiness in their own lives, but they inspire other people as well. This is why we must be lambs. The world needs innocent, meek, good people. Lambs reassure and encourage others. Haven’t you often heard people say, “It makes me feel better to know that there are still good people in the world”?

Goodness Checklist

Tell the truth, even when it’s unpopular, uncomfortable, risky
Be generous with your time, talent, and treasure, even when you have little to offer
Do what you say: be someone people can trust
If a crisis situation presents itself, be heroic

Lambs don’t lie, aren’t selfish or vain, and don’t betray our fellow humans. We don’t betray each other by arriving late to relieve them from work, or to meet with them socially. We don’t betray them by not completing a chore that we promised we’d do. On a grander scale, we don’t betray them by complying with oppressive actions that will then grow in greater power over more people as a result of our selfish cowardly compliance. And we certainly don’t shame, bully, and coerce others to comply with coordinated propaganda campaigns to control the populace. Lambs do not terrorize anyone in the name of “virtue”, “health”, or “science”. The actions of good people match the words from their mouths.

Lambs live a happy life because they embody the character of happiness. Happiness doesn’t hold grudges or seek revenge on those who they perceive to be enemies. Happiness doesn’t have an unquenchable thirst to control others, or a hunger to dominate them. Happiness gives space and freedom to all. Happiness is sweet, humble, and kind. Anger and happiness are not compatible, nor is hate or tyranny compatible with happiness. One cannot oppress others when one is happy, as actions of malice aren’t created from a state of happiness. It is like planting a pumpkin seed and expecting a tomato. Malice doesn’t seed happiness; love does.

Goodness brings the fairness and joy we seek, and our joy is then shared beyond our own lives. Although we make a difference when we are as a lion, we are incomplete without the character of a lamb. Wise people from long ago understood that the pursuit of happiness is an important freedom. For while evil has been made popular and lucrative, it is a lie. Happiness is seeded from good. Therefore, goodness- not evil- is the state of being that is truly exciting and ideal.