Volume 15 - Hope

"Hope is the thing with feathers
that perches in the Soul
and sings the tune without the words
and never stops at all.

And sweetest in the gale is heard
and sore must be the storm
that could abash the little bird
that kept so many warm
I've heard it in the chilliest land
and on the strangest sea
Yet never in extremity
it asked a crumb of me."
~Emily Dickinson

I have to admit, sometimes it's difficult for me to 'look to the future with trust and faith." Or to be optimistic "in the face of adversity." (LKP - Virtues Reflection Cards) The state of the world, and the slow moving attempts to remedy things makes hope for humanity elusive at times. I often feel helpless as to what is my place in the scheme of things. Donating the small financial resources I can spare to Doctors Without Borders and other worthwhile humanitarian organizations feels a bit like spitting in the wind. My work as a Virtues Project Facilitator, though personally rewarding, often seems like not much of a contribution to the world.

Recently, I had an experience that renewed my hope. I was facilitating five days of virtues intensives in the small seaside town where I live on Vancouver Island. The participants ranged from their early 20's to late 60's and included White Anglos, First Nations and Middle Eastern; those from a strong fundamentalist religious stance to an 'open to the possibilities' but not attached to any definition of 'God' base. Male and female. Many of us had been victims of abuse and deprivation, (which might make it hard to trust others) a few had experienced extreme abuse and yet very quickly a safe container was built that allowed us to be really seen and heard.

As we listened to and learned about each other, what became apparent was how much we had in common, in spite of the outer differences, how similar the human journey is, no matter where we come from or what the colour of our skin or the beliefs we hold, and I was reminded that:

“We are all cells in the body of humanity—all of us, all over the world. Each one has a contribution to make, and will know from within what this contribution is, but no one can find inner peace except by working . . .for the whole human family.
"Inner peace is not found by staying on the surface of life, or by attempting to escape from life through any means. Inner peace is found by facing life squarely, solving its problems, and delving as far as possible to discover its verities and realities” Peace Pilgrim - From Words Along the Way

We were exploring the soul qualities that enable us to navigate the circumstances of our lives , and recognizing them in ourselves and each other. This profoundly affected our sense of our selves and even our well-being. We discovered that these qualities, or 'virtues' are necessary for success in any human endeavour. And, most powerful of all, that we could cultivate and nurture these qualities in ourselves (and others) by seeing and naming them, and that would not only assist us through our difficulties, (which in itself would be enough) but had the added bonus of helping us to see others and even ourselves as beautiful.

I've said before that the virtues project is not about some kind of 'prissy morality'. Learning about and drawing on the power of virtues such as courage help us get through our days. And when things seem the darkest, hearing others recognize those qualities in us pulls us up into the light of hopefulness.

To share our deepest pain and greatest fears and experience those present not only accept us, but see and name the qualities of our soul, (such as truthfulness, resiliency and determination) shining through, assisted us to see and accept them in ourselves.

"Hope, as I understand it, bears little resemblance to the kind of sunny-all-the-time optimism that turns away from anything resembling the shadow; nor is it about choosing to dwell in some rosy vision of the future in lieu of accepting what is. In the same way that an honest experience of faith includes periods of doubt, so too an experience of hope is known in part by our inability, at times, to feel its presence. We are able to discern our own experience of hope in part because we know what it’s like to be without it. . . . " Peter Anderson

The times in my life when it's been hardest to hope, I've instinctively known, as Linda Kavelin Popov says, that "there are gifts to be gleaned from all that happens." and that "hope gives us the courage to keep moving forward." Though, "it can be elusive when we have suffered often, ...it is the light that can redeem our dreams."

Barbara Kingsolver wisely suggests, "The very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof."



Each member of the rag tag group of humanity that shared their deepest pain and highest hope in the hall of an aging church in a litle town by the sea this past week, found {perhaps to their surprise} - love, acceptance and perhaps above all - hope. May it be so for all beings.

~Namaste'

~ Kate

The Practice of Hope

I maintain a positive attitude.

I embrace my life fully.

I have faith in the value of life.

I have the confidence to succeed.

I seek to discern life's lessons.

I persevere through all conditions.

I am thankful for the gift of Hope. It is the light of my life.

Reflection Questions

What do I hope for?

What gifts is my current situation bringing me?

What keeps my hope alive?

How can I share my hope with those who have lost theirs?

Voume 14 - Integrity

"If you ask me what I came into this life to do, I will tell you: I came to live out loud." --Emile Zola

For so many years, decades in fact, this was one of the most difficult things for me, to truly be who I am.

I looked outside myself for approval and guidance.  Is this who I am?  If I be this, will I belong?  If I do this, will you like me?  Love me?  Stay with me? Be my friend?  Approve?   And if I be this, am I in integrity?  Often, I knew I was not, but gee, I really wanted to belong, to fit in somewhere.  I would vacillate between trying to be (whole) me, and trying to please others.   

The American Heritage Dictionary of the English language defines integrity thus:

in·teg·ri·ty  (n-tgr-t)

n.

1. Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.

2. The state of being unimpaired; soundness.

3. The quality or condition of being whole or undivided; completeness.

Linda Kavelin-Popov writes of integrity as "...standing up for what we believe is right.   We keep faith with our ideals and live by our deepest values.  We keep our agreements reliably.  Our actions match our words.  We strive to balance impeccable integrity and unfailing tenderness for others and ourselves.  We cherish the challenge of doing the right thing in all circumstances.  We give excellence to whatever we undertake.  We live by our personal covenant."  Weighty words.  

I'm very aware how often I fall short of being in integrity.  In big and small ways.  For instance, writing this newsletter. Here it is the 3rd of October, and I pledged to write on the 1st of each month.  It's important to me do be reliable.  I fully intended to do so, yet I find myself three days late.  Well, that is something I can forgive myself for.  I've had a sinus cold, my kids were both sick, things got behind, it's hard to think when your head is stuffy and sore.  All true.

Today, before writing, I honored an agreement to take my son to a craft fair he was marketing his jewelry at, and my daughter to the costume sale at our local theatre, followed by lunch out, with my two youngest daughters.  And I'm reminded that sometimes it's proper to forgo the important for the more important.  (and does anyone really read this newsletter anyway?)  There are times, when 'taking care of business', or ourselves, trumps our best laid plans.

Was a time I would have stayed up 'til the wee hours to make the deadline I had set for myself, now, increasingly, self care is more often what I choose.  A graceful pace in which to live my life.

I tried for a long time, to live by the values and rules written outside of me.  Rules that in some cases I made agreements to obey. Rules that were clearly those of others.  I looked to my family, friendships,  the society around me, my religion for how to be.  Largely, I followed the rules those institutions laid out for me.

Often, I was not happy. Eventually I became sick.  And, invariably I fell short.  (still do)

A couple of years ago, I made the decision to discover and follow the rules written in my heart.  To 'live out loud'.  I'm still working on it.  It's scary to forge out on a solo path, but if I don't live into my uniqueness, how can I be complete and whole?  How can I be in integrity?  

Many rules I agree with.  Even then, sometimes it's tempting to break them. 

I've been known to neglect to mention it, at the grocery store check out, if an item rings up cheaper than it said on the aisle.  It niggles some, but is soon forgotten.  How does that affect my integrity, my feeling sound within myself?

 Today, on our way to lunch, we discovered a little shop in our small town with a 75% off sale.  Another main-street 'casualty' of Wall-street - closeout sale.

Never one to pass up a bargain, I went right in.   I found some useful and valuable things.  The cashier rang up my total, $ 19.69, I paid and left the store.  Something niggled, rankled.  The retail total of my purchases was something in the order of $ 130.00.  I know math isn't my strong suit, but something must be off.

For some reason, she had neglected to charge me for some items.   I was faced with a moral dilemma.

"She was the person in charge, I showed her everything I was purchasing, it's up to her to make sure she calculates things properly", one of my internal committee members challenged.   

"Everyone makes mistakes. Now that I know she did,  to be in integrity, I must go back and rectify it", said another.

I'm humbled to say, I went back and forth between the polarity of those opinions for at least a minute, maybe two, before I walked back in the store and pointed out the discrepancy.  

 I felt like I was standing in integrity.   I guess, you could say, by standing on my own holy ground, my own internal integrity, I was, in a small way, helping to 'put the world right'.  Had I listened to the voice that tempted me to accept the situation as some kind of 'windfall', what impact might that have had on my heart?  My soul?  And, even in a small way, the world?

"To put the world right... we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right."  Confucius

And, my heart felt good.

Namaste~

~ Kate

The Practice of Integrity

I live by my ideals.

I am faithful to the virtues of my character.

I am trustworthy.

I temper righteousness with forgiveness.

I strive to do the right thing.

I abide by my heart's deepest promise.

I am thankful for integrity.  It supports me to walk my talk.

Reflection Questions

What action does integrity call me to?

What is my heart's deepest promise?

What are my highest ideals?

What is the impact on me, when I fail to live by them?

Volume 13 - Beauty

Can it really be September 1st?  My body is not ready to move into fall, but still languoring in the pace it set for me this summer.

Life is unfolding in beauty and grace and I'm not ready to leap into the fray today.

I'm grateful for the beauty that showed up in my life this summer, new love, new work, new internal  ground.

"Let the beauty we love be what we do. There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground."  Rumi

D.H. Lawrence opined (and I have come to learn this deep in my bones) that 'the human soul needs actual beauty more than bread."

Linda Kavelin Popov contends that 'beauty is a sense of wonder and reverence for the harmony, color, and loveliness of the world.'

Through beauty we are opened to the 'deep patterns of life that inform and delight us.'  We 'feel our connectedness with all creation.'  And indeed, 'Living beautifully is a unique expression of our divine nature."

May you discover and embrace those things that you find beautiful.  

Namaste~

~ Kate

The Practice of Beauty

I spend time in the beauty of nature.

I am inspired by the mysteries of life.

I look for the good within everyone.

I express my own creativity.

I create a space of beauty and order around me.

I speak and act graciously.

I am thankful for the gift of Beauty.  It nourishes my soul.

Reflection Questions

How does beauty call to me today?

How do I reflect beauty in my life?

What creative practices connect me to the beauty that is all around me?

How can I make room for them in my day to day life?

Volume 12 - Initiative

Geothe penned, "Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.  Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it."

Tonight, I saw those words manifested.

My seventeen year old son, an artist/musician/singer/songwriter,  idealist, lover of nature and humanity, philosopher in training, was playing a short set at a local bistro's open mic.

I wasn't sure what time he was on, and didn't want to miss him, so I rolled in there about 7:30, only to find, after ordering my iced latte that he wasn't on for almost two hours.

And so I  sat and listened to some wonderful folks sing and play their hearts out. And I was moved.  What  I witnessed (and was moved by) I recognized as  the virtue of initiative lived out loud.

Linda Kavelin Popov, co-founder of the Virtues Project tm, tells us, "Initiative is originality and creativity in action."  She goes on to tell us, that when we practice initiative, "we boldly express new ideas" and "discover a new method, or find a different way to solve a problem."

"We use our creativity to bring something new into the world.  With initiative, we dare to be original."

This is a card I chose recently, during my morning 'virtues pick'....I took it as a confirmation of a new venture in working with people that I am collaborating on with someone else.  

And tonight, sitting there in the Dancing Bean Coffee shop, listening to those incredibly talented young and not so young people, sing and play their original songs, I was awed by their initiative.

The young girl, who confidently belted out "I am not a piece of meat", an original song she called a feminist rant.  She 'sang' her message, with heart and soul,(and a good dose of 'playfulness') and brought shivers to everyone in the house.

The young adult, (my neighbor) who's fingers flew like lightening on an instrumental that should have earned him a far greater reward that our applause might  ever offer.  And on who's face it could clearly be seen, the playing was the reward and we were gifted with a little glimpse.  I spoke to his father on my way out.  He told me that his son just ran with guitar, after the initial six months of balking at practice.  Hours and hours of 'playing' every free moment he could.  

 My own son, who to me, exemplifies the virtue of initiative is a unique explorer that walks to a different drum.  His own.  Would that it could be so for the rest of us.  How would the world be changed if we all,  'lived out loud' and shared our ideas and talents for the common good.

He got up to the mic, joined by his father on djembe and a fellow musician, invited at the last minute to play violin.  And he played and sang from his heart, making it up as he went along,  holding each of us, riveted to our seats.  His second offering, was the most unique plea for the community to do something for the youth (our international treasure) that I have ever seen.

A song/rap playful rant of common sense that warmed and called and amazed those of us lucky enough to witness it.  Almost entirely improv.

An act of initiative, heretofore unseen.  Hmmm.  What  messages, initiatives await to be born, from my heart?  From yours?

And how can we nurture them.  This question has been on my heart this summer.  

I almost didn't write this month. (and don't plan to labor for hours over how this sounds or how well it's crafted)   I'm taking a little sabbatical.  Time for gestating.  Working on the inner growth that will result in outer manifestation.  Floating in the ocean.  Napping.  Pottering  in the garden.   Writing in my journal.  Playing.  Hanging with my friends, and my kids and my grandchildren.

  Pondering, on - among other things - Rumi's wisdom.  "You are the truth from foot to brow.  Now what else would you like to know?"  

Hearing those musicians last night, knowing the years and hours they spent, 'playing' with their craft, listening to their inner wisdom, and allowing it to flow, encouraged me to keep on listening to my own.   

See you in September. 

Namaste~

~ Kate

The Practice of Initiative

I have the courage to be original.

I solve problems creatively.

I see challenges as opportunities.

I am confident in initiating untried ideas.

I engage in tasks with enthusiasm.

I am a pioneer.

Reflection questions

What truth within me is waiting to be born?

How can I live my life out loud?

What does my heart call me to?

Volume 11 - Trust

Fourteen years ago, I received a very special  (and treasured) gift, from a dear friend I wish I saw more of.

I was on a women's retreat, (the second of what was to become a yearly event) and this dear soul gifted each of us with a cross stitched bookmark of the virtue of Trust.  At the time I didn't know how significant that virtue would become to me.  It has seen me through a series of losses, betrayals and changes that without it, would have sunk me.

"Trust is having faith, hope and a positive outlook.  Trust is believing in someone or something.  We have confidence that the right thing will come about without trying to control it or make it happen.  We trust others to do what they say they will do, and give them the space to be trustworthy.  Sometimes it is difficult to trust when life brings painful experiences.  Trust is being sure, in the depths of our being, that there is some gift or learning in everything that happens.  We move confidently with the flow of life, gathering strength from adversity.  We know we are never alone."  Linda Kavelin Popov, Virtues Reflection cards.

Life has taught me, through various adversities, that sometimes Trust is all I can hold onto.

Recently, a mentally ill ex husband of an old friend has been saying disparaging things about me  to people that I know. Apparently he has false beliefs about me that he has been nursing and feeding for close to two decades.  This individual is not only ill, but someone I have come to know as 'abusive'.  (the reason his ex left him in the first place) For some reason, abusive people have  populated my life in an unbalanced and unwanted ratio, to the point of affecting my health and my well being quite profoundly.

The accusations are not only damning but slanderous, and for the first couple of days I felt so upset I could think of little else.  

"Be careful what you ask for," comes to mind, as several years ago I heard Wayne Dyer speaking about his absolute detachment from caring what others thought of him and I impulsively said to the Universe and various friends, "I want to get to the place where I don't care what anyone else thinks of me."

I've learned that when we put out something like that, what comes to meet us first is everything that gets in the way of it becoming or being true in the first place.   I was attracted to the 'freedom' Wayne Dyer dangled like a carrot in front of my psyche, because  at the time I cared very deeply what others thought of me, so much so, that for most of my life thus far, I  had spent much of my time and energy trying to 'manage' that.  (and what others think about us is not manageable)

For example, I was once hosting a rather critical and judgmental guest for dinner, (someone I very much wanted to approve of, accept and even love me).  I spent the better  part of my whole weekend getting my house in order.  (the only other time it was so clean and tidy that I can be sure of was the day I first toured it, when the previous owners were still in possession) 

The only room that did not sparkle and shine while exemplifying orderliness was the laundry room, whose floor was covered with many loads of unwashed clothes. ( I left the door closed so that she would not see it)  

After dinner, she was to take a sauna and as luck would have it, rather than change her clothes in the bathroom as I invited her to, she decided to go into the laundry room next door, and then had no problem sharing her critical judgment about my 'housekeeping'.

I learned a very important lesson that day.  I have no control over what others think of me.  Got it.  (I'm still learning how not to care)

I wish I could say that when adversity strikes I always have "faith, hope and a positive outlook.",  but that wouldn't be true.  Sometimes to get there, I need to call on other virtues to help me.

In the case of the backbiting slanderer, I have been very much drawing on the virtue of detachment to be wedded to trust and I can honestly say that in this moment, I have no emotional charge about this.

His point of view is his point of view and he is going to hold it until he doesn't.  I myself have been guilty of misjudging another many times.  I can make up stories in my own mind about situations to match the best of them.  (only to be made aware how wrong I was at some future point)

My work it seems to me, is to continue to learn to love and accept myself,  and others in all our messy glory and  very perfectly imperfect humanity.   His work (and whether or not he takes it on) is his business.  And to a recovering co-dependent, finally getting that, is very good news.

Namaste

~ Kate

 The Practice of Trust

I maintain my hope.

I do not nag others or try to control them.

I believe there is some good in everything that happens.

I allow trust to heal my fears.

I am confident in my capacity for lifelong learning.

I rely on Divine assistance.

I am thankful for the gift of Trust.  It renews my strength.

Reflection Questions

How can I allow trust to heal my fears?

What do I believe in?

What are the gifts in my life's challenges?

How can I detach from what others think of me?

Voume 10 - Simplicity

Volume 10 – Simplicity

 

“Simplicity is being content with the basic gifts of life.  We live reflectively and mindfully, aware of what is important and what is not.  We cherish those we love.”  Linda Kavelin Popov

 For most of my life, I’ve been drawn to simplicity.

An potluck dinner  with friends, followed by an evening playing Pictionary, or charades or music.  An  afternoon in the garden, weeding, planting or harvesting.  Filling my mind with new ideas through the magic of the written word in books and articles.  A movie that moves me.  A walk by the ocean or in the forest.   Recently I’ve been enjoying the simple pleasure of sitting on my deck and enjoying the beautiful view of the ocean below my home.   Basking in the warm, sun soaked Pacific coast weather,  watching the sailboats in Chemainus Bay, I almost feel like I’m in Italy or Greece.

 

 A phone conversation with a treasured friend, or an ongoing email conversation with same are among the things that nurture and sustain me.  My morning yoga practice.  These are the things that ‘float my boat’ as they say.

 

When I was home-schooling my two youngest children we spent many an hour at the beach below our house.  We’d pack up lunches, snacks and drinks, hats, blankets, books  and shovels and down we’d go.  Our imaginations and the natural beauty of the place kept us busy for hours on end.

 

It was a cool place to spend hot summer afternoons and we often met some interesting people.  (and it cost absolutely nothing)

 

Yesterday, I spent the afternoon with one of my closest friends, touring local gardens.  We stopped by the ocean, sitting on the beach in the sand to enjoy a delicious picnic and great conversation.

 

I’ve been blessed to have more time for these simple pleasures and I’m looking forward to spending time in my studio this summer, creating beauty from found objects as I explore a new interest, mosaic.

 

Simplicity ‘frees our minds from the stress of overdoing.  We appreciate the little things, daily joys, and opportunities to be kind.  We live in the moment and savor what is right before our eyes.  We enjoy simply being.” LKP

 

Many of us have become more human doings that human beings.  For some of us it crept up on us, unawares, until we realized our lives were no longer sustainable.

We may have seen the signs, but perhaps we ignored them, pushing on further, keeping on keeping on.  If we continue to live complex lives that are not sustainable over the long haul, something’s got to give.  It may be our relationships, our sense of well being, and if we ignore the signs for too long, our health will be affected.

 

 

All of us have been affected by the global economic situation in some way.  All of us have been affected economically, even if we are still gainfully employed.  Stuff costs more.  We might be more aware that things  are changing (and when you think about it, at a deep level, I’m sure you’ll agree they must change)  Our earth and our survival as a species depends on it.  A shift, a transformation is upon us.  And many are rethinking what they need to be happy, to feel successful. 

 

Many people are talking about creating something Eckart Tolle named, “A New Earth.”

 

Whether we are actively trying to create this, or passively watching to see how it plays out, we are co creating right this minute and every minute a new earth.  

 

As we look towards its unfoldment, gestating in this ‘in between time’, let us strive to embrace the virtue of simplicity, whenever and wherever we can.

Namaste~

~ Kate

 The Practice of Simplicity

I am satisfied with what I have.

I know what I care about.

I clear my life of clutter and excess.

I am true to my purpose.

I appreciate the little things.

I enjoy living.

I am thankful for the gift of Simplicity.  It allows me to appreciate what really matters.

Reflection Questions

What simple things bring me joy?

What do I care about?

What do I need to let go of to simplify my life?

What is my true purpose?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Volume 9 - Resilience

When the going gets tough, the tough get going.    Whoever said that could have been talking about the virtue of resilience, (or persistence, determination, perseverence, steadfastness,  well, you get the idea)  Perhaps Nietzsche said it best, "That which does not destroy, strengthens."

Dr. Dan Popov, cofounder of the Virtues Project tells us “virtues are required for success in every human endeavour.”   He further points out, we even need virtues, (the qualities of our character) to do the wrong thing.  How could a street gang be successful in its purpose, without loyalty.  How could a family?  

It seems to me that one of the virtues humanity requires now, both individually and collectively is the virtue of resilience.  Can the news get any worse?  From war and famine, economic collapse, environmental degradation, and now the daily specter of imminent catastrophe in the form of a global flu pandemic.

Sadly, many people lose sight of the importance of the virtue of resilience when things get really rocky.  The suicides precipitated by the global financial meltdown are a tragic and graphic example of how not to be successful.  Nobody can know completely what factors cause a human being to take his/her own life, but loss of money is a very sad reason indeed.

Real success cannot be measured by one’s bank account or monetary assets.  Real  success is more nebulous.  It means different things to different people.  However, I do believe it has something to do with resilience.

“Resilience is the strength of spirit to recover from adversity.”  Linda Kavelin Popov, Virtues Reflection Cards  She goes on to say, "When we experience disappointment, loss, or tragedy, we find the hope and courage to carry on.  Humor lightens the load when it seems to heavy.  We overcome obstacles by tapping into a deep well of faith and endurance."

If you've been following my blog at all, you may have noticed I'm a collector of quotes.  Words and the ideas they portray attract me immensely.   Norman Vincent Peale a lifelong proponent of the benefits of positive thinking said, "How you think about a problem is more important than the problem itself - so always think positively."

Though it may be hard to think of the present situation facing humanity in a positive light, there is much to be thankful for.  Feedback like we are getting (from the environment and the systems that are collapsing around us)  could be the catalyst for the change we need in how we live on this earth.  Some of us in the west are getting a tiny whiff of what it's been like for our brothers and sisters in the third world for eons.  

Problems do abound.  And challenges are great. I'm reminded again of the words of Reinhart Niebuhr.  "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference."

I cannot change others or history, (and often, even aspects of myself)  What can I do?

What can any one person, or family or workplace or community do to solve the problems facing the planet?  Theodore Roosevelt had an idea worth considering, "Have you got a problem?  Do what you can where you are with what you've got."

If it seems overwhelming, just pick one thing, make one change.

One of the results of the tumultuous economy for me is that work has been slower  the last year or so.  I've had more free time on my hands.  I could wring my hands in worry or despair, (something I've been wont to do during past times of uncertainty) but what would that solve? 

I could throw up my hands in despair and give up, but how would that serve anything?

Instead, I chose, sometimes daily, to look to the positive.   I've taken to being more flexible and creative in my approach to my business, which has opened new doors of opportunity to me, including exploring work with people all over the world, via teleseminar.

And I am using the extra time to  put my house in order (literally).  From painting to repairs, to clearing out what is no longer useful or needed, to creating order.  (always my challenge virtue)

Lately, it has involved spending a lot of time in the garden.  I expect to have the best crop of vegetables I've been able to manage in quite sometime.  While I'm working in the soil, it frees my mind to wander; thoughts and ideas float by, like dandelion seeds, and because my attention is more diffuse, I'm catching one of the main themes.  So, in the process of putting my external house in order, I've discovered there's order to be put in my internal house.  My psyche.

 I've noticed in my garden musings that too much of my self talk, is on the negative side.  I've  begun to realize how hard I am on myself.  And I've been pondering that.  Where does that come from?  You've heard the saying, when the student is ready the teacher appears?  

Yesterday, I was blessed to be a participant in a body of work called Family Constellation, a leading form of therapy in Germany, where it originates.   Developed by Bert Hellinger, a German psychologist, Family Constellation  integrates systems theory, psychotherapy, family and group therapy and phenomenology.

"The work is based on a simple but profound idea: our well-being is tied to the well-being of our family system, or 'family soul, which includes the living, the dead, and generations that preceded us.  It invokes an ancient practice (honoring the ancestors) with a post-modern spin (temporarily re-creating our 'tribe')."  writes Louise Danielle Palmer, the editor of Spirituality and Health The Soul/Body Connection in the Nov/Dec 2006 issue.

This is not the first time I've been exposed to this idea.  Most indigenous ways understand the importance of honoring the ancestors.  Mayan culture teaches us to feed (honor) our ancestors, or they will feed on us. Physics has taught us that energy is neither destroyed nor created, energy is transformed.  Could this in some way explain the dysfunctional patterns (such as addiction) that seem so rampant in generation after generation?  You've heard the Biblical saying the sins of the fathers are visited upon the sons?  

Going into the workshop, I didn't know what to expect and thought I'd just observe.  However, I witnessed two 'constellations' which appeared to be illuminating for the 'client', a term used to describe the person who's family dynamics are being examined, so I  decided to put myself in the 'hot seat'.

What unfolded was an uncanny process, whereby 'representatives' that agreed to stand in for the various members of my family of origin, without prior knowledge of those people's personality, somehow were able to tap into the essence of those people.  The impressions, thoughts and feelings  as well as the dynamics that were enacted, very closely matched those of the people they were portraying.  

It would be impossible to give you the flavor of the experience, here in words, and I'm certain it will be some days before I am fully cognizant of the significance of everything that came to light.

One thing I learned  is the incredible resilience it took for some of my ancestors merely to survive.  

This awakened in me a  deeper compassion, not only for the family members that wounded me, but for myself and for the human condition, a unity of spirit between myself and the rest of my family.  And made me awestruck at the resilience of a human being.

 Could it be,  is it even remotely possible, that this process enabled me to shed my shame?  (my stated intention at the outset of my 'family constellation)  I guess only time and perspective will answer that question. What I can report, is that somehow, today, I feel my nobility, dignity and grace, (and my innocence), in a new way.  And  even if it turns out  that is the only benefit, I consider the time more than well spent.

 I'm off to the garden now, (where I will monitor my 'self talk').

Namaste

~ Kate

The Practice of Resilience

When trouble comes, I stay strong.

I have the flexibility to bounce back.

I have the faith to overcome.

I find comfort in community.

I trust hardship to cultivate my character.

I fully engage in living.

I am thankful for the gift of Resilience.  It keeps me growing.

Reflection Questions

How have I grown through hardship?

What gives me the resilience to face adversity?

Who is my community?

What would help me shed my shame for any perceived shortcomings?

Volume 8 - Joyfulness

I spent this past Saturday afternoon, in an altered state. One that transported my body, out of a condition of chronic pain, into one of incredible joy and lightness, almost a feeling of ecstasy.



"I'll have what she had", some of you may be thinking. The desire to feel good, (or more accurately perhaps, to stop feeling bad) is what causes folks to turn to mood altering drugs, both legal and illegal. Fortunately, (and unfortunately, for it requires effort) creating the most powerful 'feel good' substance (10 times more powerful than morphine) is an inside job.

The altered state I experienced was precipitated by my spending the better part of three hours, laughing, which flooded my system with endorphins.  Endorphins are endogenous opoid polypeptide compounds.  They are produced by the pituitary gland and the hypothalmus in vertebrates during strenuous exercise, excitement, pain and orgasm, and they resemble the opiates in their abilities to produce analgesia and a sense of well-being.  Endorphins work as 'natural pain relievers', whose effects may be enhanced by other medications.  (Wikipedia)

Did we know this instinctively, when we arrived here? Children, on average, laugh about 400 times a day. By the time they reach the ripe old age of 35, the average goes down appreciably, to 15! As a matter of fact, my 17 year old son had a near constant smile on his face yesterday as he relished his ideas for April Fool's Day pranks. (I on the other hand, didn't take the time to even consider one)

Maybe it's the crazy weather, or 'midlife' transition, or a 'fibro-flare', or even something new that's arriving. Don't know the exact cause, but the last few weeks I have experienced some intense pain in my body.

Pain is hard to take at the best of times, but when it becomes intense, it has a way of sucking the joy and the energy right out of the equation. I almost 'skipped' the workshop responsible for Saturday's altered state, which was offered as part of the 'advanced training' for Hospice volunteers continual development. Thankfully, I pushed myself to go.



The workshop, called Laughtercises by Denise Arnet, R.P.N. BSc.; is a series of exercises, 'fitness for the mind and body' that come out of the work of Dr. Madan Kataria, a family physican in Mumbai, India who wanted to find an alternative way of treating patients, many of whom were suffering from illness related to stress. (doctor's estimate that over 90% of illness has it's roots in stress).


The session was a rollicking 3 hour journey with laughter, in which I discovered and experienced the health benefits of laughter, which include:

* strengths the heart and lungs

* improves circulation (and mood)

* regulates blood pressure

* boosts the immune system

* helps lessen anxiety

* natural antidepressant

Laughter boosts our levels of endorphins, our body's natural painkillers, while simultaneously supressing levels of epinephrine, the stress hormone. "Laughter is a tranquilizer with no side effects." Arnold Glasgow

Norman Cousins re-discovered the therapuetic benefits of laughter when battling a life threatening disease, by listening to funny stories read by his nurse and watching funny movies. He found that 10 minutes of belly laughter resulted it 1 - 2 hours free of pain.

Proverbs 17:22 tells us that, "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine, but a broken spirit drieth the bones."

Nearly 2000 years ago, Galen stated that cheerful women were less likely to get cancer than those women who were depressed. (Simonton, 1978)

"In this world we are influenced by two sentiments, Joy and Pain. Joy gives us wings! In times of joy our strength is more vital, our intellect keener, and our understanding less clouded. We seem better able to cope with the world and to find our sphere of influence." Abdu'l-Baha

And don't we intuitively and experientially 'know' this. When we are in a joyful state, troubles don't seem to affect us as much, even illnesses are more easily handled.

Linda Kavelin Popov talks about joyfulness as "an inner wellspring of peace and happiness" that " fills us with delight and hope." When we are joyful (no matter the outer circumstances) "we appreciate the gift of live, and savor it's richness."

Though my symptoms have returned since that workshop, I was blessedly given a reprieve for the rest of that day and evening. When the pain returned on Sunday, I remembered that reprieve, and all the times in the past 25 years, when I have had other reprives, (or remissions)
and my hope was restored - those days will come again. This too shall pass.

In the meantime, the words on the reflections card for joyfulness encourage me. I will "appreciate the gift of life, and savor it's richness." I will "enjoy simple pleasures and find the humor in things, allowing joy to carry me through the painful times." Most of all, I will "take myself" (and others) "lightly and remember to play. Joy comes when we are being true to a soulful purpose. It gives us an abiding sense that all is well."

What if I can't find anything to laugh about?  Apparently, the adage, fake it til you make it applies here too.

As a matter of fact, natural reticence  and self consciousness made the first few exercises in Laughtercises feel kind of contrived. However, with persistence, it wasn't long before all of us present, were sincerely and honestly laughing. It's the effort that will make a difference.

Charles Schafer, psychology professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey found in his research that even self-imposed smiling and forced laughter can boost mood and psychological well-being tremendously. “Phoney laughter works because your body doesn’t know it’s fake, even though your brain might,” he says. “Once the brain signals the body to laugh, the body doesn’t care why. It’s going to release endorphins; it’s going to relieve stress as a natural physiological response to the physical act of laughing,” he adds.

I leave you this month with an exercise from Laughercises. When you find life's teachable moments hard to swallow and your well being has been affected by something external to you, usually something someone in your world is doing, is not doing - kids, spouses, inlaws, other drivers, shoppers, bosses and coworkers to name a few, put your hands together, matching up fingers and thumb and raise them to your heart in the namaste position.

Tapping your thumbs together, followed by each finger in turn, ending with the pinkie, (to rewire your brain) say outloud:

Thumb - change is constant

Pointer - bad things happen

Middle - life isn't fair

Ring - pain is part of life

Pinkie - other people were not put on this earth to meet my needs

And remember, to laugh every chance you get!

Off to search for Bill Cosby reruns.
Namaste

~ Kate

The Practice of Joyfulness

I have a deep sense that life is good.

I enjoy the richness of life's experiences.

I appreciate the simple pleasures.

I am optimistic and hopeful.

I am in touch with my purpose.

I feel inner peace even when life is difficult.

"I AM thankful for the gift of Joyfulness. It is the natural state of my soul."

Reflection questions

When I am in touch with my joy?

How do I play?

What is my soulful purpose?

What makes me laugh?

Volume 7 - Wisdom

Miram-Webster's online dictionary defines wisdom as:  accumulated philosophic or scientific learning; knowledge; good sense; judgment; a wise attitude, belief or course of action;  capacity for effective application of the powers of the mind as a basis for action or response, intelligence.   An apt synonym would be common sense.

Somewhere along the road, if we ever had it, humankind seemed to lose our 'common sense'.

As we stand at a pivotal point, an especially important juncture in the journey of humanity, it seems to be that wisdom is the virtue that is most needed.

Linda Kavelin Popov tells that "Wisdom is the guardian of our choices.   It helps us to discern the right path at the right moment."

I believe every thinking person on this planet today would agree that the quality of our future, and perhaps our very survival as a species depends on us collectively choosing what is the right path, the wisdom path, at this moment in history.  

Kavelin Popov goes on to tell us that wisdom "gives us clarity of thought and deeper understanding."

Wisdom calls us to "use our best judgment, resisting the pull of impulse and desire.  Wisdom gives us the maturity and patience to make sustainable decisions."  

Sustainable decisions?  Sounds wise, don't you agree?  

Back to Miriam-Webster's: sustainable - capable of being sustained; relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged.

Again, using wisdom or common sense, one doesn't need a PHD in economics, (or anything else for that matter), to realize that much of what we call the 'western' way of living, is not 'sustainable'.  Nor has it ever been.

The practice of buy now, pay later, in all it's various permutations, has a very deep cost.

And the loan has come due.  The capitalist system that awards the rich at the expense of the poor,  (and the planet) is not sustainable,  and therefore, is not wise.

 The global economic system, currently crumbling before our very eyes, is based on the false belief that 'the market' is the best system for providing the necessities of life.

Yet in the decades since the last major depression, the disparity  worldwide, between the wealth of the rich and the poor has grown only greater.

The age of prosperity has not been so for the many, but rather for the few.  (often on the backs   and at the expense of the many)  How can that possibly be sustainable?  Where is the wisdom in that?

We are a planet of over 6 billion people.  Yet the majority of the worlds wealth is held by about 6% of us.  To put it into perspective, check out this link:  www.vagabondish.com/if-world-had-100-people-video/

What is the answer?  Values must shift. Wisdom must prevail.

Rianne Eisler, author of The Chalice and the Blade, has written a new book, The Real Wealth of Nations.  (Berrett-Koehler Publishers: 2007)

In it, she proposes a new economics, a 'caring economics', which takes into account and includes the contributions of people and our natural environment.

Touted by Christiane Northrup, Deepak Chopra and Archbishop Desmond Tutu (and many others), the book traces the roots of the greatest problems of our time (poverty, inequality, war, terrorism and environmental degradation) to our past and current flawed economic systems, which fail to value and support the most essential human work: that of caring.....for people and for the planet.  

What would wisdom look like, in caring for the planet, which after all is our home?

As a homeowner, it doesn't take much wisdom to know that if I were to treat my home with the same disrespect much of humanity treats the earth , it would soon crumble and fall apart.

In The Real Wealth of Nations, Eisler, a social scientist, puts forward an audacious and bold reformulation for an economics that takes into consideration 'caring' while at the same time offering huge benefits, both socially and economically.  She goes farther than putting forth an opinion, but  constructively carries it through by providing a "blueprint for putting this more humane and effective economic system to work."

The current condition of our world has to be somehow linked to the lack of 'caring' for, and neglect of, our planet and it's peoples.  The current meltdown is the inevitable result of unwise and unsustainable decisions that have been made along the way.   The 'health', or lack thereof, we are facing today, is a result of an accumulation of unhealthy and 'unwise' choices that have been made in the past, and the result of ignoring the feedback we have been getting for decades about the true state of our natural environment.

I know this very personally, on a 'micro' level.  I am one of the millions of people suffering from a chronic health condition.  It's label is not important, what's really important is that my environment, both from within and without, has been unable to sustain my health.

It is, in part, the result of an accumulation of unhealthy circumstances throughout my lifetime.  Some were things I had no control over or choice in, yet choices I made along the way, have made the situation much worse that it may have been.  I may have had the tendency to develop this condition anyway, but it showed up at a time of incredible stress.  Stress that was  a wake up call that something was amiss, and that I largely ignored. 

What I've noticed over the two decades that I have had this condition, is that I have a lot of power to manage how it effects me on a day to day basis.  And I have also noticed, how often, I choose not to.

There have been weeks, months, sometimes even years, when I would have said I was' cured'. My symptoms were so non existent.  This was only possible, because I began to pay attention to the 'sign's my body, (earth) was sending me, and day by day, chose to make changes that would support health; -  sustainable changes, common sense changes.   I began practicing the virtue of wisdom.

Then, for some reason, wisdom would begin to leave me.  I felt so great, I began to 'indulge' again in the practices that were not sustainble to my health.  Staying up too late, eating too much of the wrong foods, staying too long in relationships that were not working and not workable, (and even toxic), not enough physical activity, ignoring my true spiritual needs.

You know the story.  You can probably relate to some of what I've written, even if you don't have a health 'label' of your own.  

As a result of my 'wisdom' lapse, the stresses of the past couple of years have been challenging for me, health wise.   I found myself, once again, too far away from managing this syndrome and too much held back by it's relentless  grip.  Through it all, I continued to push myself, to do more, have more, be more, until the symptoms became, once again, so big and impossible to ignore, I had to face them.  Kind of like what's happening in the wider world.  And, maybe, to one degree or another, in your world.  

When things are challenging, wisdom calls us to take care of first things first.  If we don't take care of our health, our body will break down and make it that much harder to 'take care of business'.  If we don't take care of our planet, it too will break down (as we are finally realizing) and make it that much harder to 'take care of business'.

When chaos seems to be reigning, how to we find the wisdom path?

LKP reminds us that part of wisdom is seeking knowledge, entering into reflection and opening ourselves to inspiration.

" We consider carefully, then act confidently.  Wisdom takes us beyond thought to a deeper knowing.  Wisdom grounds us in grace."

I am only one small speck, a cell if you will, in the body of humanity.  And so are you.

Yet the wisdom with which I live my life, and you yours, has an effect on the whole.  And together, cell by cell and soul by soul, we can make a difference to the whole body.

Namaste

~ Kate

The Practice of Wisdom

I make discerning choices.

I resist distracting impulses.

I listen to my better judgment.

I reflect before I act.

I seek spiritual guidance.

I trust my deepest truth.

I am thankful for the gift of  Wisdom.  It is the messenger of my soul.

Reflection questions:

What is wisdom calling me to?

How can I live a more sustainable life?

In what way do I seek spiritual guidance?

What is my deepest truth?

Volume 6 - Love

I decided, early last month to write about the virtue of love for February. After all, don't we celebrate 'love' this month? I intended to write about love in general, rather than romantic love in particular. As a single woman, who in many ways, would 'love' to find a romantic partner that fits (and sticks), I have often felt a tug of sadness and longing on Valentine's Day.


Truth be told, until I decided to seek for love within, rather than without, an insistent longing began to manifest inside me, each year, around the holidays.


I suspect there are others who share those feelings.


As the end of the month came closer and I sat down to write, I realized I had made a lofty goal for myself. I had naively thought this would be an easy virtue to write about, piece of cake, motherhood and apple pie; love is, well, it's basically what we're all about, right?


When you think about it, what is love? We use the word to describe our feelings about so many things, blithely bursting out, I love your hair, I love kiwi fruit, I love _________. We use the 'l' word to describe our feelings about anything from avocados to God.


Socrates taught us that the beginning of wisdom is the clear definition of terms.


What then, is love? Feeling slightly inadequate to the task of defining such an all encompassing virtue, I sought the wisdom of others, who's thoughts and opinions I deeply respect.


Many years ago, in the Road Less Travelled, M. Scott Peck told us, "Love is not a feeling. Love is an action, an activity.....Genuine love implies commitment and the exercise of wisdom....love as the will to extend oneself for the purpose of nurturing one's own or another's spiritual growth....true love is an act of will that often transcends ephemeral feelings of love or cathexis, it is correct to say, 'Love is as love does'. "


Quantum physics' guru, Deepak Chopra again reminds us that "Love is not just a sentiment। Love is the ultimate truth at the heart of creation। When you have the experience of love, either giving it or receiving it, you become magnanimous to the rest of the world. That's why people in love can do extraordinary things!"


Don't we know this, from experience? The times I have been 'in love', have been the most energizing, productive and physically healthy times I've known. Whether the love was directed towards a lover, a child, a place, a new job or business, a dream or an ideal.


In fact, when my last 'romance' ended, and I found myself in the 'doldrums', wishing for love, (that may or may not show up, and really, do I want to be less than alive before it does?), I decided I would begin to learn to 'really love myself', a cliche that may be easy to say, yet in practice, for many of us, not as easy to do.


Studies have shown over and over, the importance of love and intimacy in our lives.
"Love cures people - both the ones who give it and the ones who receive it." Karl Menninger


Four decades ago, The Beatles' first sang, 'All You Need is Love'.


Penned by John Lennon, the song debuted on Our World, the first live, international, satellite TV production, broadcast in June of 1967. Artists from 19 countries performed for the show that had the largest television audience in history at the time, estimated to be 400 million people around the globe.


Wanting to spread a message of peace and love to the world at the height of the war in Vietnam, the song was composed specifically for the show and remarkably, only rehearsed once, yet Rolling Stone magazine ranked it # 365 in their 500 greatest songs of all time.


"It was an inspired song and they really wanted to give the world a message, "said manager, Brian Epstein. "The nice thing about it is that it cannot be misinterpreted. It is a clear message saying that love is everything." We have oft heard the phrase, "Love is all there is."


How can we live in love in relation to the people in our lives? Friends, family, co-workers and lovers; the strangers in our midst; the planet that's in peril and our own precious souls?


Rumi sagely said, "Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it."


According to, Dr. 'love', Leo Buscalia, who gave a non-credit university course called Love 1A, and made a study of the subject for over 25 years, "love is life . And if you miss love, you miss life."


Linda Kavelin Popov says that love is the vital force at the center of our being that gives us energy and direction and connects one heart with another.


"Love is irresistable attraction and affection for a person, a place, an idea or even for life itself."


How do we show our love? "Love is cherishing others, treating them with tenderness. Love thrives on acceptance and appreciation."


When love is given or received, it "has the power to heal. It calls us to continually hone ourselves, while releasing the need to control or make someone in our image. Nurtured by commitment and seasoned by kindness, love is our greatest gift." LKP



Related to the need for love is the study of babies in orphanages that died if they were merely fed and diapered but not held and touched. We all need to be loved and just as important, we all need someone to love.


Not only does love have the power to heal, the lack of it, is the cause of much of the ills in the world. Without love, though we may have food and shelter, people begin to die.


Dr. Chopra further suggests, "You can trace all violence to the lack of or having poor relationships, either in childhood or in romantic relationships. I think all the people in the world who commit violent crimes or who are engaged in terrorism at some point experienced a deep lack of love."


Or put more succinctly, in the words of Bill Cosby, "Hurt people, hurt people."


Mother Teresa, who's life was an icon of unconditional love put it this way: There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread.

In his book Love and Survival, 8 Pathways to Intimacy and Health, Dr. Dean Ornish puts forward a powerful idea, "Our survival depends on the healing power of love, intimacy and relationships. Physically. Emotionally. Spiritually. As individuals. As communities. As a country. As a culture. Perhaps even as a species."



"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around," Leo Buscalia reminds us. "We live in a small world. Not a leaf falls that doesn't affect a myriad of things. When we reach out to someone in love and the effect is made - everyone, everything which comes in contact with the person we've effected is better for it." (even, and maybe especially, if that someone we reach out to, is ourselves)


I'm not much for new years resolutions, but as winter quickly wends toward spring, and new life begins to explode all around, I will continue to seek to find all the barriers within myself that I have built against love, (of others and myself) and piece by peace (sic) remove them.


I invite you to join me.


Namaste


~ Kate




The Practice of Love


I allow myself to connect deeply.


I commit myself wholeheartedly.


I show love through acts of kindness.


I accept and appreciate the ones I love.


I do the work on myself that love requires.


I cherish the loves of my life.




Reflection questions:




How do I show love to myself?


To whom am I committed in love?


What do I love doing more than anything else?


What barriers have I built against love?

One of the greatest things we can do to show love to others, is to really listen to them.

If you would like to hone your listening skills you may be interested in my upcoming teleseminar on The Art of Spiritual Companioning - Deep Listening.

February 11, 18, 25 and March 4th, in the comfort of your own home.

litlefox@island.net for more information.

Volume 5 - Justice

 My strong feelings about the latest outbreak of violence in the middle east planted the idea to write about justice.  When I finally sat down at the keyboard, it crossed my mind that this was New Year's Day. Many people worldwide use this marker as a time to make resolutions for the upcoming year.  So perhaps, I thought to myself, I should write about something that would support those folks in keeping those resolutions.........I was conflicted and unsure.....

So I did what I often do  when seeking guidance, I picked up the beautiful Japanese drawstring bag that is home to my virtues reflection cards (100 of them) said a little prayer and blindly pulled a card.  Any fellow Virtues Project enthusiasts who may be reading this will smile to learn that I randomly pulled out the virtue of justice!  (1% odds).   :-)

Justice is generally understood to mean what is right, fair appropriate and deserved.  How does humanity collectively decide what constitutes justice? 

 

Humanity has been debating and refining  this for eons. 

In 1946,  on the heels of the atrocious human rights violations perpetrated during World War II,   the United Nations established a Human Rights Commission.  On December 10, 1948, they adopted and proclaimed  The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which you can read at www.un.org/Overview/rights.html

It's based on the recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of each member of the human family which serve as the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.

It's clear, that though much progress has been made, (obviously more in some places than others), there is still a long way to go, to ensure that globally, these rights are upheld.  Even in our own country, we are falling short, though sixty years have passed since it's inception.

In one of the richest countries in the world, (though the overall poverty rate in Canada has fallen steeply, from 15.7 per cent in 1996, to 10.8 percent in 2005),  we still can't provide a living wage for all of our people, nor ensure everyone has a warm and safe place to lay their heads at night.  We are constantly reminded  of the increasing necessity for working families in Canada to visit food banks to make ends meet as well as the ever burgeoning homeless population.  (all this when the economy was supposedly doing well)  

And these are the obvious injustices, the 'in your face' kinds of problems.  There's also the less visible injustices,  the kinds of things that go on, 'behind closed doors', such as the 1993 statistics Canada finding that almost 1/3 of the women in Canada have been physically or sexually abused by a 'partner', or the Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect which suggests that the incidence of 'reported' child abuse and neglect  shot up by 125 percent, compared to figures recorded in 1998.  Or the estimated 4 to 10 percent of seniors that are the victims of 'elder abuse' as reported by the National Seniors Council.  It is generally accepted that reported incidences of abuse do not reflect 'actual' incidences of abuse as much goes unreported.  

Sadly, though we are 'talking a good talk' in the 21st century, when I look around our world, both the small world that I live in on a daily basis and the larger world that I live in along with 6 billion plus others, I can see much injustice.  And being one little soul, it's easy to helplessly wonder, "what can I possibly do to change anything?"

I wish I could wave a magic wand or recite a powerful incantation and everyone, everywhere would have enough to eat, clean water to drink, warm and safe shelter in which to sleep, and loving  and nurturing companions to journey with on their path through this life.  But, alas, this is not a fairy tale, and I do not have that power.

What  then, can I do?

I am reminded of the oft exhorted phrase, be the change you want to see.

Albert Schweitzer said, "Civilization can only revive when there shall come into being in a number of individuals a new tone of mind, independent of the prevalent one among the crowds, and an opposition to it -- a tone of  mind which will gradually win over the collective one, and in the end determine its character.  Only an ethical movement can rescue us from barbarism, and the ethical comes into existence only in individuals."

Eleanor Roosevelt chaired  the  aforementioned, UN Commission on Human Rights and suggested "Where, after all, do universal human rights begin?  In small places, close to home - so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world.  Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm, or office where he works.  Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination.  Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little  meaning anywhere.   Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world." 

So, as well as supporting organizations that work for justice in the wider world,  I can work for justice right where I live.  In the interactions and decisions  of my daily life.

Linda Kavelin Popov describes the practice of justice as "being fair in all that we do.  We continually look for the truth, not bowing to other's judgments or perceptions.  We do not backbite.  We clear up problems face to face.  We make agreements that benefit everyone equally.  When we commit a wrong, we are honest in correcting it and making amends.  If someone is hurting us, it is just to stop them.  It is never just for strong people to hurt weaker people.  With justice, we protect everyone's rights.  Sometimes when we stand for justice, we stand alone."

"Thou shalt not be a victim.  Thou shalt not be a perpetrator.  Above all, thou shalt not be a bystander."  Holocaust Museum, Washington, DC

My new year's  hope and vision is justice for all, and I resolve to practice the virtue of justice in all my affairs, and to stand up for justice,  whenever I can, even if I stand alone.  I invite you to join me and together we can take another step closer to creating the kind of world the human family is capable of having.    May it be this generation.

Namaste

~ Kate

The Practice of Justice

I think for myself.

I do not engage in prejudice or backbiting.

I make fair agreements.

I make restitution for my mistakes.

I honor people's rights, including my own.

I have the courage to stand up for the truth.

I am thankful for the gift of Justice.  It is the guardian of my integrity.

Reflection questions:

What practices does justice call me to?

How can I stand for justice, even if it means standing alone?

What is the truth that I need to stand for?

What would give me the humility to own and make restitution for my mistakes?