Last week we have seen and heard a lot of information. Some of it made us sad, some made us angry. And to that effect some of us learned something we didn't know. The purpose of the weeks training was not to create within us a systemic distrust of our society and therefore contribute to the clutter. In fact, I feel I owe some of you an apology, because there is such strong emotions.
But let me offer us this as consolation:
The unique hearts within this class has given us enough room think. Not in terms of thinking about what we can do to change the world, but in what we can do to change ourselves. We are all beautiful and strong, and we have our very own thoughts and bias' to deal with. But the uniqueness of our thoughts and our hopes will put our children, (that is the children of our community) first. We will give them perspective and a chance to think on their own but with a level of love and understanding that can really enhance the way they view life for the positive. Sometimes it is not enough for us to be angry or sad. Sometimes it is not enough for us to want to change the world. But it is always time to offer hope, and love and compassion to everyone. I think back to my incident in Pine Island and realize, I have a right to be angry, but I don't have the right to become like the ideas and sentiments expressed by a single group of individuals within a single community. If I did, then I would in effect be taking their attitudes, their actions, their ideas with me and into my community...and that is the travesty of prejudice and hatred. Our goal is to stop the spread of discrimination. Sometimes that means that we have to understand our enemy, before we can fight against it.
I am an idealist! I believe in hope and justice. But I also believe that if we are to become great facilitators we have to not allow the bitterness of our society to take root in us, because then we become like those who seek to benefit from it.
I love who I am! I believe in hope. I believe there will be a day when discrimination will not be the pervasive action but a gentle reminder of what society would look like if hate was the foundation of what we are.
The human race is beautiful in all it's myriad of colors, and combination of thoughts and ideas. This is how I see, this is what I see. I know the reality. I make the choice to see the beauty of our humanness. Because if I want change then I have to start with me, and know that others will see that hope in me, and be influenced to pay if forward. And if we keep in mind something like this, we can really become a strong force as an agent for change.
Food for thought, you can't eat it but you can always take it with you!
James
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2 comments:
Well said. Each of us is unique and because we are, there are lives (one, two, three, whatever) only we can touch. And hopefully when we do, they will see the real us that transcends judgment, race, momentary anger but who we really are -- an embodiment and fulfillment of appreciation, compassion, love, generosity, kindness, courage, integrity, forgiveness, etc -- an image of God, Buddha, Allah, Tao -- our higher self.
We can be an agent of change either through anger or by loce and compassion. You choose. Your choice will affect your whole life.
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