We the People
“When
you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life,
for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of
living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in you.”
Tecumseh
(Shawnee Warrior and Chief)
When I hurt my back two
weeks ago, I realized just how angry I was. I had been carrying that
anger within for more than a year. I confess that the political
climate in America fosters anger, and I succumbed to its lure. At the
time, I was furious with everything—global rage on every front, and
in that atmosphere, I lifted a very heavy box and threw my low back
into spasm. Under normal circumstances, I would never have lifted
that box—I knew how heavy the contents were, but I was fueled by
anger, which overrode my ability to think clearly. You've heard
stories of people lifting cars off loved ones after an accident, or
ordinary people running into a fire to save someone they do not know.
Well, the same chemistry that fuels that kind of heroic gesture, also
fuels anger. It's potent stuff and can be easily misused.
I was fortunate to be
able to put two-and-two together, and figure out both the cause and
the result of my own sustained anger. Now I know how to recognize the
signs, and bring the temperature down within myself. I think as a
country, as a people, and as a world, we must lower the anger level.
We must restore our ability to think clearly, and to realize that
escalating anger serves no one. Instead of unbridled rage, we need
working hands and clear heads. Each of us can find one thing we can
do that is both positive and helpful—I, for instance, have become
active in a political campaign here in Alabama. I am working for the
candidate who best represents my views. He may not win, but at least
I am putting my energy into something positive rather than something
destructive.
Free floating global
anger, justified or not, is not the best way to move forward. We must
find ways to build bridges instead of blow them up. There is a
beautiful hymn written by Julian Rush in 1985, “In the Midst of
New Dimensions,” that speaks to this:
“In the
midst of new dimensions, in the face of changing ways, who will lead
the pilgrim people, wandering in their separate ways?
[Refrain]
God of rainbow, fiery pillar, leading where the eagles soar. We your
people, ours the journey, now and ever, now and ever, now and ever
more.
...As we
stand a world divided, by our own self seeking schemes, grant that we
your global village might envision wider dreams.”
We the people must bring
down the temperature and, in spite of our leaders, reach out to one
another in peace.
In the Spirit,
Jane
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