Simple Idea - Let's Change the World

I write this on Monday morning after what could be a life/world changing experience or another meeting of progressives dreaming big but unable to coalesce. I certainly hope it is the former rather than the latter. Even if it doesn’t change the world through the planned efforts of the group, I am sure, if there are people who had an experience like me, it will help change the world at least through the individuals involved. For those of you who don’t know, last week I attended a conference to create a new Network of Spiritual Progressives. To view the goals of the conference go to http://www.tikkun.org/

I am still exhausted and overwhelmed, filled with thoughts and emotions, thrilled and motivated, scared and typically skeptical. But I am full of hope in a way I have never been before… on a spiritual level. What do I mean by that? Without boring you all with the specific details of my vast spiritual journey, I now find myself at a place to be open and accepting of things that I never thought I would be able to accept. In fact, I am moving beyond acceptance to embracing and that my friends is an amazing change, (in part due to this conference), that already has begun to change my world.

I am embracing this community of spiritual people no matter what their religious beliefs. I am embracing the idea that a community of committed people, with diverse ideologies, belief systems and backgrounds can come together with shared values and principles. I embrace the notion that there really can be a different way for us to relate to each other, individually, locally, nationally and across the global community. And, I believe that we can as a norm, make decisions that will consider the health of our planet and thus the future of our children and our children’s children.

There was speaker after speaker that set the stage. With each speaker’s words flowed the rationale on why we should work together. Each speaker talked about how the current system has abused faith and has provided a manipulated place for those looking for meaning. Each speaker, in their own way offered a vision of a better world, a world based on love, respect, tolerance and compassion, all noble and highly desirable thoughts (even when occasionally using the current language of polarization).

As a part of my own spiritual journey, I am attempting to understand the need to process—to take the time needed to let things bubble. Although I want all these changes to take place yesterday, I know that any good pot of chicken soup needs time to simmer. Ideas will come from this effort that no one has thought of previously. There will be connections, as I feel I have already made, which will lead to collaborations of hearts and minds. One definition of chemistry is, “The elements of a complex entity and their dynamic interrelation.” There will definitely be some “dynamic interrelation” after this conference and through this network.

But here is the thing, in my opinion this can’t be about where you fall on the continuum of left verses right. This can’t be about masking a change to bring people to the Democratic Party. It isn’t about that. It is about creating a new paradigm, a way of looking at politics, human interaction and community in a different context. The challenge with this however is almost beyond comprehension. How can we change a violent world laden with greed, corrupting power , excess materialism and the marketing of the supremacy of the individual verses the good of the community?

I think of that Hummer commercial where there is a soapbox derby car designed like a Hummer. It is designed to show that a Hummer, even one built for a soapbox derby, can go through everything to make you a winner. I see it as teaching us that we can cheat, ruin the environment, and meet our individual needs in order to win totally without regard to the consequences.

I think these changes will like most, come in fits and starts. They will happen inspired by good people working very hard over time. I don’t think they will happen overnight, but I do believe we all must do a little something everyday to keep working on them. (Well, within reason, I am still pretty tired.)

So here I am at a local internet café near my brother’s house. Tomorrow I head back to real life; money concerns, the approaching unknown of my first school experience in many years, and a life ever increasing in meaning. So, in honor of some of my new friends, I will now write something I have never written before. Today I pray the following:

• That we have the wisdom to work together to create systems and processes that bring us together to facilitate this change.
• That we are smart enough to make this accessible to those who haven’t always thought the way we do.
• That people understand and remain committed to the idea that this effort needs to look different then the arguments of the past.
• And, that we can sacrifice where needed, (including our comfort with demonizing the other side), to build a better conversation, one that builds bridges, serves to unite and creates a new framework for moving forward together.

We live in a scary and yet exciting time. I believe we are on a precipice, one that this nation has rarely seen. Through recent years the choices have been primarily left or right or somewhere in between. Today I ask all of you, my friends and family, please open your minds to thinking differently. To join with others that haven’t always been along side you on your journey. To work together based on shared values, to create a unique vision, a vision that we may not achieve in our lifetime but as a speaker said at the conference, “if you are going to call yourself a progressive, that means you must be progressing towards something.”

Let’s cross those boundaries of comfort, find the shared values and work together to change the world. Idealistic I know, but hey, if not me, (or you) then who?

Don't Dismiss Us - (Inspired by Live 8)

On this July 4th weekend do not dismiss me.

Do not dismiss my desire for peace over violence.

Do not dismiss me as automatically voting Democratic.

Do not dismiss the growing chorus of voices looking for different solutions to the same old problems.

Do not dismiss the thought that while there is hunger and death from neglect anywhere in the world, we are all responsible.

Do not dismiss the ability of the earth to make us pay for her scars before she helps us correct our ignorance.

Do not dismiss the precept that no cause, no ideology, no true religion, can ever justify the deliberate killing of civilians -- for this is the purest definition of terrorism.

Do not dismiss that I am "liberal" or "progressive" and I still love my country.

Do not forget that Jesus was an anti-establishment radical.

I believe that there are a growing number of Americans, more than at any time since the 1960's who love this country who want change.

Changes in our approach to conflict resolution.

Changes of the way religion is being used as a weapon of anger instead a path to tolerance, acceptance and spiritual connection.

Changes to the political quagmire in Washington -- on both sides.

Changes to the lack of connection to each other in our communities.

Changes in the way you try to legislate my morality.

Changes to the way our elections are corporately financed.

and changes to patriotism being defined by blind support to an ideology verses the sincere desire to build an ever evolving future based on the spectrum that is America.

I encourage all of us to take a minute away from baseball and BBQ's to reflect on where we will be next July 4th and beyond. Will there be a great jurist of intellectual excellence on the Supreme Court, will there be clear alternatives to neo-conservative ideology, will you add your voice somewhere?

Have a great 4th!