When you are certain you know the solution to a problem, the best thing to do is work on the solution. If you don't, others will and if it's not the solution you endorse, you may not like the direction it takes.
That's what's happening with the issue of gun violence. Those focused on protecting "second amendment rights" have pointed to many reasons for our mass shootings that they insist have nothing to do with guns; mental health issues, parenting issues, movie/game violences, lack of enforcement of existing laws, etc. If identification of these causes would have been followed by action to correct them, and it actually solved the gun violence problem, we would all be happy.
It's the lack of any constructive actions that led to the marches and the movement that is being led by young people. The issue can no longer be ignored and these people cannot be dismissed. Not listening and trying to discredit them will only deepen their resolve. They see this issue as central to their very survival.
Interestingly, second amendment advocates, at the extreme, also believe their very survival is at stake. There is a deep belief that the right to bear arms is a protection from government tyranny. As long as this group views government as the enemy, or potential enemy, their fears will grow with any attempted actions viewed as infringing on those rights.
Ultimately, neither side of this issue wants to see more dead children. Neither side of this issue wants to see mass killing in public places. We need to start the conversation with that acknowledgement. From there, it will be the ones who actually roll up their sleeves and get to work on solutions that will lead the day. Today, it's a few million young people and those who are supporting them.
Sunday, March 25, 2018
Monday, March 19, 2018
Fearless Healing
Fear is a powerful motivator. It can push us beyond rational thinking and behavior. It ignites anger.
In fear and anger, there is no love and no joy. There may be an adrenaline rush in the "gotcha" moments when we believe we have overcome an enemy, but that is evil and short lived. In those moments, we damage our soul and turn our backs to the universal power many call God.
I often return to the simple command from Jesus, "Fear not!" All his teachings revolve around this command. His ministry was fearless. He did not fear the leper, he healed them. Turning the other cheek is a fearless act. Nothing he did was based in fear.
Some point to his turning over the money changers' tables in the temple as example of justified anger. But first consider his motivation. It was based in love of the people being cheated. He did not call for rebellion. He did not stoke the fears of his followers to act out against anyone. He made his point the moved on and continued his ministry of love and healing.
Fear does not heal. Fear does not resolve problems. Acting in fear and anger can only grow more fear and anger. It is debilitating and destructive. It hardens our heart and weakens our spirit.
As fear grows within us, we seek ways to protect ourselves. We build walls in expectation that isolation will keep us safe. We angrily defend and protect those walls while others shout from the other side. It grows more fear which causes us and others to seek retribution or retaliation.
Fear cannot drive rational problem solving. Fear drives justification for destructive acts. The longer we let it fester and grow, the greater the destruction.
It's difficult to look our own fears in the face and recognize the power they have over us. We all believe our fears, and resulting anger, are quite justified. The laws of the universe (of God) are not in our favor. Fear is the opposite of love. We know we are operating in fear when we cannot look at the other and express love. Something is wrong in our soul.
If we want to heal this nation, if we want to heal this world - we must first heal ourselves.
In fear and anger, there is no love and no joy. There may be an adrenaline rush in the "gotcha" moments when we believe we have overcome an enemy, but that is evil and short lived. In those moments, we damage our soul and turn our backs to the universal power many call God.
I often return to the simple command from Jesus, "Fear not!" All his teachings revolve around this command. His ministry was fearless. He did not fear the leper, he healed them. Turning the other cheek is a fearless act. Nothing he did was based in fear.
Some point to his turning over the money changers' tables in the temple as example of justified anger. But first consider his motivation. It was based in love of the people being cheated. He did not call for rebellion. He did not stoke the fears of his followers to act out against anyone. He made his point the moved on and continued his ministry of love and healing.
Fear does not heal. Fear does not resolve problems. Acting in fear and anger can only grow more fear and anger. It is debilitating and destructive. It hardens our heart and weakens our spirit.
As fear grows within us, we seek ways to protect ourselves. We build walls in expectation that isolation will keep us safe. We angrily defend and protect those walls while others shout from the other side. It grows more fear which causes us and others to seek retribution or retaliation.
Fear cannot drive rational problem solving. Fear drives justification for destructive acts. The longer we let it fester and grow, the greater the destruction.
It's difficult to look our own fears in the face and recognize the power they have over us. We all believe our fears, and resulting anger, are quite justified. The laws of the universe (of God) are not in our favor. Fear is the opposite of love. We know we are operating in fear when we cannot look at the other and express love. Something is wrong in our soul.
If we want to heal this nation, if we want to heal this world - we must first heal ourselves.
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
It's about fear...
What is conservative? What is liberal?
Long ago, as I have written about before, in a single day friends chastised me. "Don't try to convince me that you are a liberal, I know you are conservative at heart." Later that day a friend said, "Don't try to to convince me your are a conservative, I know you are a liberal at heart." Of course, most of you reading this will now say, "Good God, we all know you are a liberal!" The truth is that I am somewhat both. And so are you.
Having the great honor of working up close with a wide variety of people in leadership on boards, committees, organizations, political endeavors, I've witnessed heart. When we are faced with decisions to help someone, we do. When we know there is a need, we will. It does not matter if we are conservative or liberal. We do and we will. It's not liberal or conservative. There is a need and we do and we will.
What separates us is what we fear. When we see risk, we grow conservative. When we see little risk, we are liberal. If we want to bridge our divides, we need to address fears.
Long ago, as I have written about before, in a single day friends chastised me. "Don't try to convince me that you are a liberal, I know you are conservative at heart." Later that day a friend said, "Don't try to to convince me your are a conservative, I know you are a liberal at heart." Of course, most of you reading this will now say, "Good God, we all know you are a liberal!" The truth is that I am somewhat both. And so are you.
Having the great honor of working up close with a wide variety of people in leadership on boards, committees, organizations, political endeavors, I've witnessed heart. When we are faced with decisions to help someone, we do. When we know there is a need, we will. It does not matter if we are conservative or liberal. We do and we will. It's not liberal or conservative. There is a need and we do and we will.
What separates us is what we fear. When we see risk, we grow conservative. When we see little risk, we are liberal. If we want to bridge our divides, we need to address fears.
Sunday, March 4, 2018
When I grow up....
Even at my age, I'm still working on who I want to be when I grow up. Lately I'm thinking that might be to become so at peace with myself and the world around me that no storm, natural or human created, derails me from the pursuit of love and peace. What does that look like? What does that require of me?
As that's been floating around in my head over the last 6 months or so, a song sprang into my consciousness that a group of us sang out for the first time recently. Singing it with this group first in my living room brought great joy. I see so many faces when I sing these words.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ftt5KH6TnhE&list=RDFtt5KH6TnhE
But that song is just an expression of a moment and a sentiment. How do I find that peace with myself and the world in the way I desire? My friend Mary Morgan came to mind and the four agreements she shared one evening.
If I can focus on these and sing out my heart, I just might be ready to grow up. And when I finally do, I know it will be time to go to the next level of understanding. Therein lies my Salvation.
As that's been floating around in my head over the last 6 months or so, a song sprang into my consciousness that a group of us sang out for the first time recently. Singing it with this group first in my living room brought great joy. I see so many faces when I sing these words.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ftt5KH6TnhE&list=RDFtt5KH6TnhE
But that song is just an expression of a moment and a sentiment. How do I find that peace with myself and the world in the way I desire? My friend Mary Morgan came to mind and the four agreements she shared one evening.
The Four Agreements are:
1. Be Impeccable with your Word: Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the Word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your Word in the direction of truth and love.
2. Don’t Take Anything Personally
Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.
Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.
3. Don’t Make Assumptions
Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.
Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.
4. Always Do Your Best
Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.
http://www.toltecspirit.com/Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.
If I can focus on these and sing out my heart, I just might be ready to grow up. And when I finally do, I know it will be time to go to the next level of understanding. Therein lies my Salvation.
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