Moving from Helplessness to Action in Troubling Times
Undoubtedly you too must feel as if the time in which we live is crazy. Proof surrounds us from every corner of the world. Just the other day I received an overwhelming e-mail from a person I’ve been communicating with in Yemen over the last several months. He reported that he had lost eleven members of his family who were part of a funeral procession that was bombed a few days ago. He was asking for help for what is happening in his country. What can we do? Any of us? Is it enough to say let’s start helping those closest to home and our drive of kindness and acts of compassion will catapult beyond our borders? We each need to make our decision, but here are three questions that might help us decide how we can help:
Question 1: What positive result do I want to see in the world. This question will help bring focus to what you are most passionate about: what difference do you want to make?
Question 2: Who else cares about this? None of us can change the world on our own. For whichever issue(s) you chose, ask yourself: Who else cares about this? Very possibly there are members of the Charter who care and are involved in the network
Question 3: What Gifts and Strengths Do I Have to Share? What are you good at? What do you love doing? What do you wish someone would ask you to do? What do you want to get better at doing, and would love the opportunity to practice?
Perhaps you want to become involved in the work of the Charter for Compassion. Let us know—there is much to do.
Upcoming Calls
Oct. 14, 7:30-9:30 am PDT. The Role of Compassion in Owning our Feminine Authority. A call celebrating the anniversary of the inaugural Women’s Assembly at the Parliament of World Religions and a year of inspirational action for women’s dignity and human rights. Join Rev. Dr. Joan Brown Campbell, Malika Chopra, Marianne Williamson, Grandmother Flordemayo, Bishop Barbara King, Phyllis Curott, Molly Horan and Sande Hart in this first of a series of calls jointly sponsored by the Charter’s Women and Girls sector, the Parliament and Sistrum Spirit. The call is being sponsored by Charter partners: S.A.R.A.H., Million Mamas Moving, Hope in Life Foundation and Mindfulness 4 Mothers. Learn more. Register.
Oct. 22: 9:00 am PDT. Global Read—Great Tide Rising. Philosopher and nature essayist Kathleen Dean Moore takes on the essential questions: Why is it wrong to wreck the world? What is our obligation to the future? What is the transformative power of moral resolve? How can clear thinking stand against the lies and illogic that batter the chances for positive change? What are useful answers to the recurring questions of a storm-threatened time – What can anyone do? Is there any hope? And always this: What stories and ideas will lift people who deeply care, inspiring them to move forward with clarity and moral courage? Learn more. Register.
Welcome New Charter Partners
- All Beings Everywhere (New York, NY, USA)
- Community Chef Center, LLC (Kennesaw, GA, USA)
- Equal Shot (New York, NY, USA)
- The Forgiveness Academy (Austin, TX, USA)
- IESB Foundation for Justice (San Bernardino, CA, USA)
- Karuna Center for Peace Building (Amherst, MA, USA)
- Unity of Citrus County (Lecanto, FL, USA)
- Virtues Circle (St. Petersburgh, FL, USA)
Had I a Golden Thread and a Needle So Fine
For those of you who remember Pete Seeger, you might recall his singing this song of “help bind up this sorry world, with your hand, your heart and your mind.” That’s what we need from you, volunteer help with each of our sectors, initiation of new compassionate cities, your expertise from marketing to technology and if you can spare giving financially we promise to use your money wisely. Donate here. Contact us here.
