Living through two World Wars, and becoming intimately involved as the President’s wife, Eleanor Roosevelt wrote with an insight that is applicable today. Her book, The autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt, included an interview she had with Nikita Khrushchev, Former First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

The interview was given during the Cold War. Mrs. Roosevelt wanted to dissolve misunderstandings between the United States and the Soviet Union. She told Khrushchev that the United States increased arms to protect themselves from Communism, a lifestyle not representing the will of the people.

Khrushchev told Mrs. Roosevelt that Communism will win because it is scientifically based on the writings of Karl Marx.

Mrs. Roosevelt wrote in her autobiography that Communism was the political means to shape the will of the people to the will of the leadership, which is in reality “dictatorship” which becomes hateful.

Time has proven that Communism isn’t all that stable. The Soviet Union has broken up and struggles to meet the basic satisfactions of the people. But, we here in the United States also need to struggle to make sure our leadership is offering the practical and spiritual needs of the people.

Different lifestyles or governments also exist in religions, therefore, I remind myself to follow not writings first, but God. Religions and churches have leadership and that leadership can represent more than a select few. Pope Francis points to religious convictions yet is able to do so with a forgiving tone, exhibiting an inclusive nature.

I have more to think about on this, however, I do recommend Eleanor Roosevelt’s autobiography. She led an amazing, fearless life with the proclivity to work with people and dissolve misunderstandings.