Archive for the ‘Politics of Possibility’ Category
Saturday, January 30th, 2010
“Two monologues do not make a dialogue.”
Jeff Daly
There were two notable events in American politics this week. As with most things, if we are mindful, there is wisdom to be gained in each. The first news item was President Obama’s much anticipated State of the Union Address. In it, the President affirmed America’s strengths and issued a call to our best intentions. With calm resolve, he reminded us of how progressive economic policies have avoided the second Great Depression imminent just a year and a half ago; he also encouraged us to have the courage and conviction to continue our progress. Most commentators agree: it was a good speech with a timely and encouraging message. Those of us who deeply believe Barak Obama is uniquely-suited to lead America forward were re-inspired; for their part, the President’s detractors also seem to feel positively about his intentions, if still somewhat skeptical about his ideas.
The second newsworthy political event of the week, though much less publicized and prognosticated, was just as significant. It was the invitation of the President to –and his appearance at — a meeting of the Republican caucus. While fewer Americans watched this drama unfold, those who did witnessed a powerful example of peace in action. With humor and candor, the President framed the current political crisis as a bitter squabble between old friends. He disdained name-calling, suggested dialogue and promised an open ear. Republicans responded by speaking their concerns and asking tough questions. Even from the distance of a television screen, the lessening of tensions was discernable. People began to remember we all want things to be better. (more…)
Posted in Greater Good Thinking, Wisdom, Best Self, Problem Solving, America, Events & News, Greater Good, InSpiritry, Anne McCrady, Politics of Possibility | 3 Comments »
Tuesday, January 19th, 2010
“If there is any great secret to success in life,
it is the ability to put yourself in the other person’s place
and see things from his point of view as well as your own.” Henry Ford
As I worked on a poetry presentation this week, I realized that the the ideas I am presenting are not limited to writing — they are, in fact, InSpiritry ideas worth sharing! The workshop I have been developing is a lesson for poets about persona poems. For the uninitiated, the persona of a poem is the person speaking to the reader. In some persona poems the writer assumes an identity other than their own. That persona can be another person, an animal, a place, even something inanimate. In a persona poem, an alternate point of view means using an intentionally different way of speaking, to become that other voice. Enough about literary technique, though; back to my original reason for this post.
What drew me to widen my considerations about writing persona poems was my assertion that “persona poems compel us to consider how it feels to be someone else.” (more…)
Posted in America, Events & News, World, U.S., Greater Good Thinking, Holidays, Compassion, Best Self, Community, Anne McCrady, Literary, Peacework, Social Issues, InSpiration, Politics of Possibility, InSpiritry, Writing, Poetry | 3 Comments »
Friday, January 1st, 2010
2010 – Happy New Year!
Well, here we are. Ten years into the New Millenium. Post 9/11. Post Economic meltdown. Post Bush-Cheney. Several degrees into Global Warming. Several setbacks into Global Cooperation. The backside of the Great Recession. The end of a decade of decadence. Folks, straighten your chair backs, fasten your seatbelts and prepare for landing; somehow or another, we made it!
So – as we come to the end of this bumpy ride—what’s next for us?
I have no crystal ball to foretell the future, but my hunch is that, like so many generations of God’s people on planet Earth, we are about discover the consequences of having to collectively learn things the hard way!
Here are just a few of the tough lessons in store for us: (more…)
Posted in Consilience, Best Self, Nature, Greater Good Thinking, World, Celebration, Compassion, Holidays, Courage, Commitment, Collaboration, Economy, Community, Science, Politics of Possibility, Healthcare, Peacework, Environment, Creativity, Anne McCrady, InSpiritry, Greater Good, Personal Health, Social Issues | No Comments »
Friday, October 2nd, 2009
He was a Mahatma (Great Soul) and India’s Bapu (Father of the Nation).
October 2 is the birthday of Mohandras Gandhi, political leader, spiritual advisor, social activist and wise elder. Educated and of means, but having experienced the sting of racism while in South Africa, the domination of India by Britain and the brutal violence between Hindus and Muslims, Gandhi turned his life to what he called non-cooperation - just saying “no” to injustice. A student of Jesus’s teaching as well as other world religions, he practiced kindness and forgiveness in a sacred endeavor towards the Greater Good. Because of his leadership, people around the world were inspired. In tribute to Gandhi, the date of his birth was designated several years ago as the annual International Day of Non-violence. (more…)
Posted in Celebration, Best Self, Wisdom, Compassion, Problem Solving, Change, Courage, Commitment, Greater Good Thinking, World, Peacework, Spiritual, Social Issues, InSpiration, Politics of Possibility, InSpiritry, Greater Good, Christianity, Events | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, September 29th, 2009
”Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Action
are meaningless without Freedom to Think.”
Bergen Evans
What a pleasure it has been to enjoy Ken Burns’ The National Parks: America’s Best Idea on PBS (if you haven’t tuned in, it’s inspiring!) As I have been watching the nightly episodes, it occurred to me to consider America’s second best idea. I didn’t have to think long; the blogosphere offered a couple of controversies that confirmed my choice. If the Parks are America’s best idea (although I might suggest it could have been our consitutional democracy), then the second best idea is our First Amendment, and in particular freedom of speech. (more…)
Posted in America, Greater Good Thinking, Celebration, Courage, Events & News, Anne McCrady, Organizations, Politics of Possibility, Books, InSpiritry, Social Issues | 2 Comments »
Friday, September 18th, 2009
“Better than a thousand hollow words
is one word that brings peace.”
Buddha
Monday marks the 2009 United Nations International Day of Peace. Observed each year on September 21st, the International Day of Peace is a global call for ceasefire and non-violence. In many places, it will the first time in months that a pause in fighting will allow humanitarian aid to get to people without food or medical care. In other safer locations, people committed to non-violence will gather to celebrate and learn about peacemaking. This year’s theme is WMD: We Must Disarm, a reminder that the letters ”WMD” can be transformed from their poisonous connotation to a message of hope!
Here in Texas on Sunday, September 20, the eve of the International Day of Peace, I will be participating in a brand new event called the Art of Peace Festival. (more…)
Posted in Greater Good Thinking, Celebration, Compassion, Commitment, World, Anne McCrady, Peacework, Politics of Possibility, Greater Good, InSpiritry, Events | 4 Comments »
Saturday, September 12th, 2009
You Lie!
Representative Joe Wilson to President Obama
I have been thinking a lot the past few days about free speech. I have also been reeling from our abuse of it.
In 2007, long before the current controversies over the economy recovery and healthcare reform, a friend of mine, Donna Bowling, co-authored an insightful book called, Reclaiming Civility in the Public Square - 101 Rules that Work. While I have often recommended it to those I know in leadership, I must admit that in the past two weeks I have been tempted to send it out en masse. (more…)
Posted in Greater Good Thinking, U.S., Consilience, Wisdom, Problem Solving, America, Events & News, Greater Good, Politics of Possibility, InSpiritry, Anne McCrady, Economy, Healthcare | 4 Comments »
Wednesday, June 24th, 2009
We all profit if our healthcare system is transformed…
and that profit will not be just financial!
This week in Washington, the hot topic is healthcare. Those with an eye on the cost and scope of expanding healthcare are calling for reform. Those with a heart for medical care as a humanitarian mission are calling for healthcare to be transformed. Most of us, confused and concerned with how to provide healthcare for our own family and others, are somewhere in between. (more…)
Posted in Questions for the Day, Greater Good Thinking, U.S., Events & News, Compassion, Problem Solving, Change, Courage, Commitment, Mission, Aging, Creativity, Politics of Possibility, Marketplace, Healthcare, Personal Health, InSpiritry, Economy, Community, Anne McCrady, Social Issues | 5 Comments »
Wednesday, May 27th, 2009
“President Obama has announced that Sonia Sotomayor
is his nominee for the Supreme Court.“
Yesterday, after several weeks of consideration, President Obama introduced us to the woman he is nominating as the next Supreme Court Justice. (more…)
Posted in Consilience, Greater Good Thinking, Questions for the Day, Celebration, Problem Solving, U.S., Events & News, Politics of Possibility, Greater Good, InSpiritry, Anne McCrady, Social Issues | No Comments »
Monday, May 25th, 2009
”Regard your soldiers as your children…
look on them as your own beloved sons
and they will follow you even unto death.”
Sun Tzu
Today is Memorial Day. The day for aging WWII and Vietnam vets to polish their medals, memorialize sargeants, call old friends. A day for men and women who fought in Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan to remember their comarades, rub their regrets, wear their honor. Today, mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers of amazing young adults lost in battle will dust off portraits of their special heroes, then tell their stories hoping they will never be forgotten. And on military bases around the world, soldiers will enjoy a good meal, shoulder chuck one another in pride, reread love letters, talk to family by phone or online.
The rest of us will mark the day too. (more…)
Posted in World, Community, America, Greater Good Thinking, Compassion, War, Anne McCrady, Peacework, Politics of Possibility, Greater Good, InSpiritry, Events | 1 Comment »
