Archive for the 'Self' Category

The Power of “And”

For far too long, we’ve worshipped at the altar of “or.”  

Mine or yours.
Right or wrong.
Black or white.
Good or bad.
Acceptable or unacceptable. 
Republican or Democrat.
Gay or straight.
Rich or poor. 
Friend or foe.
Your way or my way. 

 I believe in the power of “and.”

 My dream & yours.
 My faith & yours.
 My marriage & yours.
 My sexuality & yours.
 My country & yours.
 My ancestry & yours.
 My child & yours.
 My reproductive choices & yours.
 My generation & yours.
 My point of view & yours.
 My freedom & yours. 

 It’s time to drop the “ors.”

 This country is big, beautiful and bountiful. There is room for everyone. Our founders didn’t ask us to choose between life, liberty OR the pursuit of happiness. They knew there is no freedom in “OR” – only when we make room for “AND” can we all live peacefully. 

So this June, when I’m ordained as an Interfaith Minister, I’ll wear a stole embroidered with different symbols of world religions. But perhaps the most powerful symbol on that cloth will be the ampersand. 

Because I believe in the power of “and.” 

 

(The above image is called “Ampersand Love” by Laura Pavlo and can be found here.) 

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Published on Thursday January 19, 2012 in Blogs and Self. 4 Comments Tags: , , , , .

Kardashian Krazy

My personal Facebook page is usually a rant free zone. I post a few, mostly observational, comments a week. In general, I’m an upbeat person and my Facebook posts reflect that. (Here comes the BUT…)

Last week, I ranted about Kim Kardashian:

“Wow. Even NPR is talking about Kim Kardashian. (I thought I had found a Kardashian free zone.) Hitting the off button because I REALLY DON’T CARE!!”

After posting, I felt even worse. Why was I so ruffled by a woman I’d never met? I’d never even seen an episode of her show. Was I personally affected by her impending divorce? No. What I knew about Kim Kardashian came from the snippets I’d seen on morning news shows and photos on the covers of magazines at the… Continue reading

Published on Friday November 11, 2011 in Blogs and Self. 3 Comments Tags: , , .

Who Do You Think You Are?

Your whole idea about yourself is borrowed – borrowed from those who have no idea of who they are themselves.” ~ Osho

I was at Staples yesterday making copies for an upcoming workshop. As I stood trying to figure out the multi-functional copier, I heard someone say, “Idiot! You’re such an idiot!”

I turned around to see who was talking and was surprised to find an elderly man standing at the copier to my right. He was pushing buttons and talking to himself. I turned back toward my machine and then heard it again.

“You’re such an idiot!”

I looked over my right shoulder and the man was shaking his head. I was just about to offer help when he pushed one last button and the machine responded with satisfying… Continue reading

Published on Friday April 29, 2011 in Blogs and Self. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

Hidden Gems

Sometimes, things aren’t always what they seem.

Like rocks.

Most rocks have a plain, rough exterior and easily blend with the landscape. But not all rocks are alike – inside some rocks are beautiful gems.

This Christmas, a friend gave me a geode. On the outside, the stone was coarse and gritty, but inside, a beautiful blue crystal blossomed.

Ironically, the man who gave me the geode is one himself.

When I first met Marion, I was unsure what to think. He was such a big guy, with broad shoulders, a bushy walrus mustache and hands that were calloused and stained from years of welding pipe.

And he grunted a… Continue reading

Published on Thursday December 30, 2010 in Blogs and Self. 4 Comments Tags: , , .

Arguing With Chairs

“I am a lover of what is. When I argue with reality, I lose—but only 100 percent of the time.” ~ Byron Katie

Are you arguing with life? How can you tell? Look at any part of your life where you find yourself saying:

  • “This shouldn’t be happening.”
  • “I didn’t ask for this.”
  • “I don’t deserve this.”
  • “Why do I have to suffer?” etc.

Why is this important? When you argue with a part of your life that already is, you have no power. All your energy goes into resisting the situation. Struggle (and the pain that comes with it) is created when you insist that something that already is happening, shouldn’t be happening.

Here’s a really… Continue reading

Published on Monday November 15, 2010 in Blogs and Self. 1 Comment Tags: , .

Left Foot Forward

In the early 1940’s, bombs rained down regularly on Essen, a city in northern Germany. Air raid sirens screamed of impending disaster without regard for time of day, sending hordes of citizens scrambling to the nearest bomb shelter. After the “all clear” signal blew, people emerged hoping that the very place from which they fled, would still be standing.

Sometimes the shells hit one of the multiple munitions factories scattered throughout the city, but often, bombs destroyed homes, schools and businesses. Between battles of global dominance, the residents of Essen carried on the ordinary tasks of life. Children played among the ruins, young couples fell in love and families ate dinners concocted from rationed ingredients.

Perhaps it was because my mother grew up in Germany during unpredictable times… Continue reading

Published on Tuesday August 24, 2010 in Courage, Self and Writings. 0 Comments Tags: , , .