Pitch a Tent or Set Up a Bench

Let’s talk and truly listen to one another.

Christians celebrate Easter this weekend and our Jewish members will celebrate Pesach beginning April 22. Each of these special holidays as Rabbi Abraham Hirschfield teaches indicates that death can be conquered, and the circumstances which limit are freedom can be overcome. As he said, “We are both products of teachers who lived and died around the message that no matter what the world does to us or tells us, we are free to make a difference, and that eventually that difference will transform the world.”

We have seen horrific events this week--suicide and terrorist bombings in Belgium, Iraq and Turkey, a violent incident in the West Bank and divisive political rhetoric of American politics. Most of us are at a loss for knowing what to do. Then last evening I received a message from one of our partners, John Steiner from the Bridge Alliance. I’m going to paraphrase the intent of his message because it was geared to acknowledging the many divides we face in the current election campaigns here in the U.S., but in truth his thought can be practiced from Belgium to France, Tel Aviv to Moscow. He tells us to “set up a bench or even a tent, with some kind of sign that would signify a true desire to listen, to understand, to empathize.” These differences that divide us are not going away, social media alone will guarantee that. Isn’t it time we participate in some grassroots efforts to listen and learn.  Pitch a tent.  Invite neighborhoods in to share their thinking.

I was struck by a trip King Alexander of the Netherlands took to De Haag following the Brussels bombings. There he visited two areas, Transvaal and Schilderswijk, both neighborhoods have high percentages of ethnic minorities, including Muslim families. His message: “We can all live together in our free society.”  Set up a bench and invite conversation.  

Each of us are reminded that we can do something to promote dialogue and listen with empathy. We are all in this together. No more us versus them. How can you promote listening in your community? Here are some resources from two of our partners:

Center for Developing a Culture of Empathy
Edwin Rutsch runs the Center for Developing a Culture of Empathy: http://cultureofempathy.com
Occupy Empathy: We’re All In It Together 100% – No More ‘Us Versus Them: http://cultureofempathy.com/OccupyEmpathy/index.htm
And this is an intro to empathy and human centered design, suggested by Edwin. A great toolset for building any project.: https://sites.google.com/site/empathycodesign/sort/about-design and https://sites.google.com/site/empathycodesign/home

Fetzer Institute

Conversations About Compassion

This facilitator and participant guide is designed to help you explore the power of compassion in your own and others' lives by providing tools for facilitating conversations about compassion in your community, organization, business, or school. This resource is one of many developed in support of community-wide conversations and activities focused on love, forgiveness, and compassion--all a part of the Institute's Campaign for Love & Forgiveness. Contact Fetzer to access the guide on line or request a hard copy.

Last week I asked people to tell us their thoughts about some good things that are happening. You’ll see these below.

In closing, thanks to all who have contributed $4612 towards our Challenge Grant of $5000. We have a few days more to make the goal. Donate here.

Happy Easter and Chag Sameach,

Marilyn

Out of the Cold

I live in a rather small community in Ontario, Canada - northeast of Toronto. We have many, many resources here to help those in need. I have for 8 years operated a meal program "Out of the Cold." It was initiated in Toronto by Sr. Susan Moran of Our Lady's Missionaries. (Gwen J.)

Celebrating National Women's History Month

Pauline Haynes and myself coordinated a multi-cultural, visual and performance art event in celebration of National Women's History Month. It was held Sunday, March 13th at Enter the Orchid in Carmichael, CA. Our keynote speaker was Dr Janine Bera, wife of Congressman Ami Bera. Other performers included: Brenda Gustin of BraveHeart Women, Dr VS Chochezi and Staajabu - Straigh Out Scribes, Mother & Daughter spoken word, Lanelle Roberts, speaking of both her parents, George S 'Spanky' & Edith Roberts and the Tuskegee Airmen. Peter Salomone, a Shamanic Healer talked about balancing the feminine and masculine, Isaac Williams shared Movement Medicine and Sawako Ama performed American Tribal style belly dancing with her troupe. We had 8 artists present their work for sale with a portion of the proceeds went to Healing Hands Healing Hearts, a nonprofit working with the critically, chronically and terminally ill. The artists were Shonna McDaniels, Maia Huang, Joan Marie, Birgitta McCarthy, Terrie Rockwell, Celia Sanchez, Theresa Polley-Shellcroft, and Alexis Scandalis Genung. (Marie Carmichael)

Peaceful Mind, Peaceful Life

There is a local lady in my town who apart from being a very generous philanthropist is also spreading "peace" through her foundation Peaceful mind, Peaceful life. She holds a weekly satsang that brings in many speakers, recently James Finley, to our university, Florida Atlantic University. The very core of Barbra’s Schmidt's message is to make the world a more peaceful place. She is an astonishing lady, and our town, and humanity is a better place because of her. (Steven Jackson)

Creating an Earth we can leave to our grandchildren's children

My story is that over the New Year's holiday I went on a reality tour of the Ecuadorian Amazon. We had to travel the last 60 miles by river canoe, as there were no roads into the Yasuni National Park, where my group of eight stayed in the lodge.

We saw the devastation of about 50 years of oil exploitation in the Amazon. And the One Earth Film Festival in the Chicago area last year featured a film called Cowspiracy. It introduced me to Dr. Richard Oppenlander, who wrote "Comfortably Unaware; the foods we choose to eat are killing us and the planet." In it Oppenlander writes that 70% of the Amazon is lost to cattle grazing, raising feed for cattle, and mining. So I am a vegan and I started to compost. Now I have virtually no garbage, because I downcycle all those bits and pieces of plastic that are wrapped around bunches of Kale and Collards. Also, I wear thermals so I do not have to turn up the heat. I air dry clothes after washing them. I got a bike to avoid using my car locally. There are myriad things we can do to leave a legacy of caring. (Janice Gintzler)

We would love to publish more GOOD NEWS STORIES. Please send them to us at the Charter.

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