The Beauty of the Transforming Life :0)

http://conta.cc/14almQH  

Here is the post mentioned before which has a beautiful butterfly in the title.  Besides Hawaii the Butterflies, And Moths, of the world have a special place in my heart.  These particular members of the insect kingdom are such good representative creatures of the transforming world.  I choose to use this tense of the word transform as I believe that as with life, Transformed existence is really a journey moreso than a destination. 

I am very happy with the path my life has taken me the past several years.  I'm not so happy with the primary reason for that trip, the passing of my dear wife, Sherita, almost five years ago, 9/14/2008.  It is what it is and her Peace and Reward I am very sure of. 
So while I was still in Laguna for the Rotary Event Fundraiser there was another event going on in the beach area next to us.  For the next couple of months they have what is called "The Parade of Elephants".  When I first heard of it I was envisioning a circus parade.  Not So.  This is an art event where various artists paint what appears to be a ceramic elephant,  about four feet tall,  in all kinds of motif's depicting something to do with animal rights and the horrors of war which has impacted their existence.  It is not limited to elephants but it was motivated by an elephant, more or less. A small elephant in Asia stepped on a land mine and lost his right foot.  He has been fitted with a prosthesis and has become the poster elephant for the cause.  It has been an international effort raising a lot of money for ecological and peace promoting causes. 
Why is this a good story?  Because it points out how much good one person, or elephant, can do with the right connection and community involvement.  The Rotary Clubs "International" is also a fine group which uses "Service above Self" as their motto.  Their work in Education, Water Treatment, Polio eradication, etc. is just the tip of their efforts.  And the big point here is that they do most of this by partnering with clubs all over the world essentially in a "Community of Service". 
Upon returning to the Valley I was able to go see "The Butler".  Not many people in our "over 50" audience were talking much during the movie.  If I am any indication, it was because I was having a hard time processing all that went on during those years.   I was in college during those times.  But I wasn't very awake, I am sad to say.  I did some reports on Vietnam and I saw news pieces on Birmingham but it felt like those places were a long way away.  I was very insulated out here on the West Coast.  It was all about getting a job and finding the right girl, and car.   In retrospect I am very sad and sorry I wasn't more awake.   But as stated above: It Is What It Is.  I am so very glad that I was blessed with the life I've had, especially my kids.  I just hope I can do better in the time I have left to make this world a more "Beloved Community".  I especially hope my kids and their families can because They have the energy. 
Then we hear about "Syrian" issue.  Wow!  Is that a kettle of rotting fish, or what?  What is a peace loving person/country/world to do?  Maybe this is a great opportunity??? For Transformation!

The beauty of the transforming or awaking life is not limited to the individual. It does usually begin at that point and ultimately that is where we are most responsible for the outcome. However the same effect is at work in all levels of society, as long as the ego (individually, familial, societal, national) does not hold sway.



At the “Morning Manna” Book Club last Tuesday we were discussing whether the world is getting worse or incrementally better. It certainly can be argued that the world is going to Hell in a hand basket, however I have a different view. I would postulate that it is a question of perspective. Our world is shrinking at a great rate due to the information revolution. It is said that the total of data available in the world doubles at least every ten years! That is huge sensory input. The result for my point is that we see so much so quickly, good and bad and benign, that it has two major effects on us.

In the first place we see the bad easier than the good. Anyone watching a “reality” show would probably have to attest to this truth. Although a “feel good” story is nice the other pole is more “exciting” and is much better press. It seems the only time wondrous events are really noteworthy are when they are in reaction to a “Natural” disaster. Ironic that these events are often termed “Acts of God” The second effect is that we shut down into a defense mode as the input is too great. We see so much happening that we just want to defend our status quo so we do not get lost in the magnitude of change. This can and usually does yield a very polarized and essentially egotistical position and world view.

So how does this train of thought translate to the current Middle East crisis in Syria.

This is serious stuff. But I still believe that it could be an “incrementally” better step for mankind. A while ago on this site I spoke of the concept of “Contingent Sovereignty” where a Nation is held accountable for how well it does the essential responsibility of protection and care of All its citizens. A truly huge responsibility the dispatch of which none has done with impunity, if truth be told. That being said, I do believe our country has tried to do it’s best to be a leader in this pursuit of human rights. We miss the mark very often, we sin, but there is no where else on Earth I would wish to live. To be the leader does not mean unilateral action. Unilateral action feeds right into that Nationalistic Ego mindset that We are the savior of the world. Also a unilateral action by a leader, however right and powerful, usually leads to some form of suicide. I believe the past ten or twelve years is pretty demonstrable proof of this statement. To be a great leader is to inspire others to follow on a path toward a common goal. Theoretically this was the reason for the establishment of the United Nations and before that the League of Nations. To work together for the common good and the betterment of mankind. Unfortunately in order to gain acceptance these attempts were emasculated from the get go with some Nationalistic Ego impediments. In other words the veto power given to five nations, including ours. The good of these attempts are that they provide a forum for communication and they have done much for health and children. The weakness is still that with that veto impediment any real sanctions of wrongdoing are dealt with on totally Nationalistic and “Treaty/Ally” parameters.

Should a country be allowed to gas its’ citizens in violation of decades old international law? With impunity? I doubt most would agree they should. But a key word here is impunity. Are “we”, whoever we become, trying to punish or correct behavior? If we act unilaterally, or with a group of essentially nominal allies, to punish a wrong doer we have another “Endless” war. If the world acts in consort, after proper but swift deliberation, to correct an injustice then we have a police action to protect the defenseless.

I do not pretend to understand all of the nuances involved with these issues so I will cut myself short with just another few comments and a prayer for good discernment for the ones who do understand those nuances.

I believe that President Obama may be a very sly fox in his overture to the congress in this case. It may allow for better discretion to eventually prevail while he still can make the case for the gravity of the situation.

I am gratified by the call of Pope Francis for a better path. I would be happier if he would seek such a path with other world religious leaders who are close to the issue; including but not limited to the Muslim imams, the Russian Orthodox prelate, the Jewish leaders, and maybe the Dali Lama for good measure. Where are they in this discussion? What good does a religious leader do if he or she cannot speak up for justice?

I am gratified for the caution exercised by the EU leaders and the Secretary General of the UN.

We are at a crossroads in our history which may not offer only two choices. I pray for what many call the “Spirit of the Christ” or the “Holy Spirit” to be upon All world leaders at this time. PAX CHRISTI! RV