Global Interpretations

Aaron in Mongolia

My favorite weekly news magazine has a regular segment on linguistics. This week the discussion was around “cultural pragmatics”. In Iceland, some of our favorite polite phrases are thought of as just the opposite. Please, thank you, you’re welcome: these are all thought of demeaning in various ways. For instance, if you say, Could I please borrow your car? This question, with the inclusion of “please”, implies that this is a big favor that not everyone would agree to; secondly, it is thought of as humbling yourself before a person who has the power to grant your request or not. And so Scandinavian countries have come up with the word “tack”, which reflects their ideals of equality, self-sufficiency, consensus seeking, and conflict avoidance — along with a desire to not be indebted to other people. So, in essence, requests are made with the expectation that they will be done, not that you’re asking a favor, hence no need for thanks when it is granted! I love seeing the interpretations and different ways of perceiving words and actions!

“Gratitude is a lesson hard to learn for those who look upon the world amiss. The most that they can do is see themselves as better off than others. And they try to be content because another seems to suffer more than they. “ ACIM Workbook Lesson 295

Civility in Discourse

I read an article titled, “Encircling the Interrupters With Civility”. It started out telling us there were 57 interruptions in the June Democratic debate. We are told that cable news shows experience higher ratings when pundits talk over each other. What’s happened to civility in dialogues? It seems as though we have decided that respecting someone’s viewpoint means we support that viewpoint. We apparently think we must refute them immediately or else we will be agreeing with them. There are many groups attempting to redirect this distressing road we’ve taken. John McCain’s widow, Cindy, has launched a social media campaign urging acts of civility by citizens. Another nationwide group of volunteers offer workshops to help liberals and conservatives discuss each side’s criticisms of the other. The First Amendment Center holds events which help the public and media understand each other. The National Institute for Civil Discourse has trained thousands on how to hold civil conversations. A poll shows that 92% of people think that civility among elected officials is important. As the above-referenced article from the Christian Science Monitor states: “The candidates’ interruptions in debates could someday go the way of dueling with pistols.” I sure hope so! 

"Self-denial is practical, and is not only polite to all but is pleasant to those who practice it. If one would follow the advice that one gratuitously bestows on others, this would create for one's self and for the world a destiny more grand than can issue from the brain of a dreamer." Mary Baker Eddy 

The Secret of Life

Today I saw this quote by Alan Watts: “This is the real secret of life — to be completely engaged in what you’re doing — and instead of calling it work, realize it is play.” Years ago I was extremely busy, as we all are when we’re working and have children. Someone once asked me what I did for fun, and I remember telling them everything I did was fun. And I meant it! Today life is much more relaxed and I love it even more! Today I spent the day playing — playing duplicate bridge all afternoon and playing the organ for a wedding rehearsal this evening. The above quote reminds me to remember to enjoy everything, whether it may seem difficult or easy, boring or exciting, comfortable or stressful. Life is ever-changing, and I am most grateful!

"The pains of sense quickly inform us that the pleasures of sense are mortal and that joy is spiritual." Mary Baker Eddy

Vote, Vote, Vote!!

I watched the Democratic debate Thursday night — or at least some of it. One thing rang true: all the candidates want what’s best for the people of our country and the people of every country. They care about people, they care about the earth and what needs to be done to save it; they care about helping us help ourselves. They care. Our current government situation is dire. I see no reason to go into specifics in this short writing. We all know the problems. I truly believe many of the candidates running for the Democratic nomination would be a great president, and I know that any of them can win the election if one thing happens: We all get out there and VOTE! How many of your friends don’t vote? I have been shocked to find out about two dear friends who believe their vote makes no difference and it isn’t worth the effort for them to vote. I ask you to join with me to help the non-voters see why it is so incredibly important. Explain to them that a special election was held this week in North Carolina and the decision was made by around 35% of the registered voters. There were less than 4,000 votes between the winner and the loser. Tell your friends: Vote in your school board elections, vote for city council candidates, vote for your representatives and senators, vote in the primaries, vote in the presidential elections — just vote! It’s fun!! 

"I am asked, 'What are your politics?' I have none, in reality, other than to help support a righteous government; to love God supremely, and my neighbor as myself." Mary Baker Eddy.

Remembering...

Today we remember a day none of us can forget. At the time the tragedy happened on 9/11/01, I remember thinking it was the perfect opportunity for the world to come together to demand peace; to stand up to abject terror and just say “NO”. But that didn’t happen. People became frightened and all sorts of laws were enacted to supposedly protect us. The fear we have fostered has blossomed into terror. We have believed lies, such as thinking it’s true that thousands of people were watching and cheering as the towers fell. We have allowed ourselves to be afraid of anyone with dark skin or certain clothing. Our children are afraid in schools, our adults go to church with guns, none of us are trusted to get on an airplane without being suspected of malicious intent. This is not what I want to remember on this day. I’d like to rewind the clock and go forward from that time, as one human race, insisting that violent terrorism will not be tolerated, embracing each other as members of one tribe, Earth, just as loving and trusting as the day we were born. Namaste...

"The history of our country, like all history, illustrates the might of Mind, and shows human power to be proportionate to its embodiment of right thinking. " Mary Baker Eddy

Hope

Tonight I went to the Carroll County Democrats quarterly meeting. It’s always nice to hear ideas and see old friends, but tonight was particularly enjoyable as there were two university students there to speak to us. They gave us hope with their enthusiasm, for sure! I loved how the young man told us that everything we do is political, and so when we encounter folks who righteously say “I’m not political”, that’s simply not true. I agree wholeheartedly! Every time we shop at a farmers’ market, we make a political statement: real people over corporations. When we choose to give up using plastic whenever possible, we make a statement in favor of our Earth. When we choose Love over hate, we find peace and give it. Tonight’s young speaker also mentioned this, saying that whatever we do in campaigning for our favorite candidates must be done with love to be effective. Agreed! — and Namaste.

"'Love thy neighbor as thyself,' annihilates pagan and Christian idolatry, -- whatever is wrong in social, civil, criminal, political, and religious codes; equalizes the sexes; annuls the curse on man, and leaves nothing that can sin, suffer, be punished or destroyed." Mary Baker Eddy 

Decisions

"Hobbs State Park"
photo by Gerry Toler

Have you ever noticed that once you think you have something figured out, it turns out you don’t? Usually I don’t worry about making decisions because I’ve learned that trusting intuition is the way to go, rather than making lists of pros and cons and becoming anxious about what is the right thing to do. Lately, I’ve come up against something where nothing feels right. I keep thinking I’d rather be kind than right, but it seems I can be neither. In my desire to understand what’s going on, I’ve been studying Chapter 30 in A Course in Miracles text, the part on Rules for Decision. This evening I’m holding to these words: “‘Today I will make no decisions by myself.’ This means that you are choosing not to be the judge of what to do. But it must also mean you will not judge the situations where you will be called upon to make response. For if you judge them, you have set the rules for how you should react to them. And then another answer cannot but produce confusion and uncertainty and fear.” May I not make up my mind and THEN decide to ask what to do!