This entry could just as easily be titled "Confidence" or "Speaking Up" but "Truth Telling" will do. You see I really believe we need more of it and we certainly need more people with confidence to stand up and speak out.
It seems to be needed everywhere - at local board meetings, at town hall meetings sponsored by elected officials, at "listening" sessions and planning meetings. How about at that staff meeting or at a meeting with government beaurocrats telling you about new rules or funding cuts. It's needed at demonstrations, rallies, and in news coverage.
I saw a statement recently that was clear in its simplicity - Speak the truth, even if your voice shakes. We certainly need that type of truth telling and everyone should be encouraged to stand up and tell that type of truth - truth with passion, the hard and sometimes scary truth.
A lot of truth telling gets shared through personal stories. Sometimes these stories are hard to tell. Sometimes they are very personal. Sometimes though it can be as simple as getting up and stating the facts as you know them to a large group of people and that in itself can be the scary part. But that's how we all learn, by listening to each others' experiences. So truth tellers, beside telling the truth, need confidence. Don't worry about how you sound or if you're going to say things perfectly. Speak the truth, even if your voice shakes.
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Hibernating In The Finger Lakes of NYS
Like so many others, that's what I've been spending the last few weeks doing - hibernating, trying as hard as possible to stay out of the cold, trying to stay warm. Tonight there are wind chill advisories of -25 to -30 degrees again and the driveway has won the battle of clearing, blocking, blocking, clearing, etc. The wind from last night did me in and drifting snow plus brutal temperatures forced me to just say the hell with it. I did venture out today and the all wheel drive had no problem so I'll just follow tracks in the drive for awhile.
It has been one heck of a winter here in the Finger Lakes, throughout the northeast and many other spots around the country. Many of us have experienced some seasonal depression. I know this from conversations with others. There have been times that I've thought how great it would be to have a nice cozy place to sit and read a good book or two during the winter months but this winter hasn't been the time I guess. Maybe it's too cold to read or perhaps it's just too hard to focus. For whatever reason, I haven't been able to do it.
I've finally realized after weeks of listening to weather reports that the weather people are a good part of the problem. They love to report over and over how cold it is, how cold it was and how cold it's going to be. They can make two days of sustained cold weather feel like a week very quickly and they seem to enjoy it. Add to that their safety precautions, pleas to check on neighbors, closings, wind chill reports and predictions for more snow and 48 hours seems endless. On top of that we have a Governor who has taken on the responsibilities of local officials announcing no travel and road closures. It's enough to drive you really crazy.
So I've been spending most of my time at home. My day consists of some fairly long conversations with my deaf and blind Beagle. I do all of the talking as we bump into each other in a narrow hallway. My other dog, a shelter adopted Brittany, likes to romp in the snow until ice balls form between his toes and then he limps to the door with me, happy but done with the damn snow. When he comes in he loves to sit and stare at the fire in the fireplace and I stare at him enjoying his comfort.
So hibernating it is. I just can't find the energy or the wherewithal to get much of anything done. I'm doing some planning for my trip to Selma, Al to remember and celebrate 50 years since the bridge crossing. I'm thinking about painting the basement - even got the paint. Baking bread and scones would be good therapy I guess, but....But I'm going to hibernate for a few more days. Remember there's a wind chill advisory, check on your neighbors, watch the ice. Peace!
It has been one heck of a winter here in the Finger Lakes, throughout the northeast and many other spots around the country. Many of us have experienced some seasonal depression. I know this from conversations with others. There have been times that I've thought how great it would be to have a nice cozy place to sit and read a good book or two during the winter months but this winter hasn't been the time I guess. Maybe it's too cold to read or perhaps it's just too hard to focus. For whatever reason, I haven't been able to do it.
I've finally realized after weeks of listening to weather reports that the weather people are a good part of the problem. They love to report over and over how cold it is, how cold it was and how cold it's going to be. They can make two days of sustained cold weather feel like a week very quickly and they seem to enjoy it. Add to that their safety precautions, pleas to check on neighbors, closings, wind chill reports and predictions for more snow and 48 hours seems endless. On top of that we have a Governor who has taken on the responsibilities of local officials announcing no travel and road closures. It's enough to drive you really crazy.
So I've been spending most of my time at home. My day consists of some fairly long conversations with my deaf and blind Beagle. I do all of the talking as we bump into each other in a narrow hallway. My other dog, a shelter adopted Brittany, likes to romp in the snow until ice balls form between his toes and then he limps to the door with me, happy but done with the damn snow. When he comes in he loves to sit and stare at the fire in the fireplace and I stare at him enjoying his comfort.
So hibernating it is. I just can't find the energy or the wherewithal to get much of anything done. I'm doing some planning for my trip to Selma, Al to remember and celebrate 50 years since the bridge crossing. I'm thinking about painting the basement - even got the paint. Baking bread and scones would be good therapy I guess, but....But I'm going to hibernate for a few more days. Remember there's a wind chill advisory, check on your neighbors, watch the ice. Peace!
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Bringing About Change Is Hard Work
Some times it gets discouraging. There's so much to do and what seems to be so little time. It's interesting that that's the case for the young and the old. Young people are impatient as well they should be and their elders are tired and impatient. We all know that the work is critical. It involves issues around climate change, war & peace, economic justice, racism, equality for people with disabilities, gender issues, sexual preference and choice. The list is long and the challenges difficult. My list is not complete by any means and I know others may have different priorities.
But all of this can lead to frustration over time. I find myself needing some kind of snap out of it therapy every once in a while, especially in mid winter with minimal sunlight and bone chilling temperatures, along with breaking news every half hour - never good by the way.
I've written here before about Dorothy Day, someone I knew and worked alongside in the 60's at the Catholic Worker in New York City. Dorothy had little time for cry babies in the movement for social justice and peace. Here is a quote from Dorothy that I sometimes need to re-read and reflect on when I get myself in a state of 'too much to do, not enough time' kind of thinking.
"People say, what is the sense of our small effort? They cannot see that we must lay one brick at a time. A pebble cast into a pond causes ripples that spread in all directions. Each one of our thoughts, words and deeds is like that. No one has a right to sit down and feel helpless. There is too much work to do." - Dorothy Day
No, we don't have a right to sit down and feel helpless. Perhaps we need a break every once in a while, but that's it. There really is too much work to do. I'm sure I'll continue to get tired, frustrated and even a little depressed now and then but we, you and I, need to keep it up, brick by brick.
But all of this can lead to frustration over time. I find myself needing some kind of snap out of it therapy every once in a while, especially in mid winter with minimal sunlight and bone chilling temperatures, along with breaking news every half hour - never good by the way.
I've written here before about Dorothy Day, someone I knew and worked alongside in the 60's at the Catholic Worker in New York City. Dorothy had little time for cry babies in the movement for social justice and peace. Here is a quote from Dorothy that I sometimes need to re-read and reflect on when I get myself in a state of 'too much to do, not enough time' kind of thinking.
"People say, what is the sense of our small effort? They cannot see that we must lay one brick at a time. A pebble cast into a pond causes ripples that spread in all directions. Each one of our thoughts, words and deeds is like that. No one has a right to sit down and feel helpless. There is too much work to do." - Dorothy Day
No, we don't have a right to sit down and feel helpless. Perhaps we need a break every once in a while, but that's it. There really is too much work to do. I'm sure I'll continue to get tired, frustrated and even a little depressed now and then but we, you and I, need to keep it up, brick by brick.
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Public Needs to Stop Blaming Politicians
It may sound crazy but I think it's true. We've all become fantastic whiners. We do it well. We know all of the problems and have many of the solutions. What we don't do well is take responsibility for how we got to where we are. Obviously I'm including myself in this "we" because I've joined in now and again, placing blame but seldom taking any. Yes, we have to look in the mirror more often as we blame politicians and elected officials for all the wrongs of the world. Why? The answer is easy. We've allowed it, participated in it and sometimes encouraged it.
What's happening in New York State right now is a great example. The Speaker of the Assembly has been arrested and accused of serious fraudulent and unethical activities. The US Attorney has insinuated there's more to come. Some 30 NYS legislators have been accused or found culpable of various violations of law or ethical behavior. We've had people elected or re-elected to office while under indictment in the recent past. The list goes on.
Worse yet, the politicians see it all happening and then turn around and repeat the process in front of the press and the public. That's what's happening it seems with the selection of a new Speaker of the Assembly. There isn't any clear and open vetting process. The selection which was supposed to be more open, happened for the most part behind closed doors. Power blocks and power brokers determined who and what region of the state would be represented and in the end, the candidate selected has what seems to be a list of questionable financial issues.
But the reality is that there is no real outrage. There is no real push for reform. It seems we, the public, are so enmeshed in the sleaze that we find it hard to navigate our way out. Yes, the public is part of the problem. The public is made up of the people who donate to the campaigns and who are members of the clubs and machines. The public is made up of the organizations and causes that are on the receiving end of the corrupt politician's awards and announcements of funding. In reality, most of the public doesn't really see the connection between support and expectations, or worse believes it's acceptable and reasonable.
What am I suggesting? Outrage and push back would be a good place to start. Not letting people get away with closed door processes while they preach transparency and pass legislation on freedom of information would also help. Getting behind real efforts for ethics reform and campaign finance reform would also help bring about change. All of this should cross party lines, so not listening to party hacks connecting these reforms to the opposition is another thing we all need to consider and act on.
So yes, let's stop blaming the politicians and take some responsibility ourselves. Look in the mirror and begin to think about why we let this happen over and over again. The first step is to recognize it but then take some strong action. Speak up about it. Let people know that this is not the way you expect them to govern or lead.
What's happening in New York State right now is a great example. The Speaker of the Assembly has been arrested and accused of serious fraudulent and unethical activities. The US Attorney has insinuated there's more to come. Some 30 NYS legislators have been accused or found culpable of various violations of law or ethical behavior. We've had people elected or re-elected to office while under indictment in the recent past. The list goes on.
Worse yet, the politicians see it all happening and then turn around and repeat the process in front of the press and the public. That's what's happening it seems with the selection of a new Speaker of the Assembly. There isn't any clear and open vetting process. The selection which was supposed to be more open, happened for the most part behind closed doors. Power blocks and power brokers determined who and what region of the state would be represented and in the end, the candidate selected has what seems to be a list of questionable financial issues.
But the reality is that there is no real outrage. There is no real push for reform. It seems we, the public, are so enmeshed in the sleaze that we find it hard to navigate our way out. Yes, the public is part of the problem. The public is made up of the people who donate to the campaigns and who are members of the clubs and machines. The public is made up of the organizations and causes that are on the receiving end of the corrupt politician's awards and announcements of funding. In reality, most of the public doesn't really see the connection between support and expectations, or worse believes it's acceptable and reasonable.
What am I suggesting? Outrage and push back would be a good place to start. Not letting people get away with closed door processes while they preach transparency and pass legislation on freedom of information would also help. Getting behind real efforts for ethics reform and campaign finance reform would also help bring about change. All of this should cross party lines, so not listening to party hacks connecting these reforms to the opposition is another thing we all need to consider and act on.
So yes, let's stop blaming the politicians and take some responsibility ourselves. Look in the mirror and begin to think about why we let this happen over and over again. The first step is to recognize it but then take some strong action. Speak up about it. Let people know that this is not the way you expect them to govern or lead.
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