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Your neighbor as yourself
Tina Porter has been thinking about the phrase, “a high tide raises all boats.”
I’ve been thinking about the boats that are only good on dry ground because the owners couldn’t afford preventative maintenance, or about those who don’t own a boat at all. For the people for whom the high tide floods, not raises, their livelihoods. Those who grab onto whatever floatation device they might find that then whisks them outward, away from the shore, sure to die.
Those in the boats that rise–what will they do as they see their neighbors flooding or being cast out on the waves? (Tina Porter, July 17)
The Rev. Adam Dyer writes that Black Lives Matter “isn’t about black lives.”
It is actually about black deaths
and how they have never really mattered
in the white man’s world.
The strident calls for action
Coming from full lips and carved bodies
Dipped in golden, umber and ebony skin,
Their cry is not even a whisper in the shriveled rose pink ears
Of this ongoing colonial experiment.
In a history of proximity to whiteness,
Black deaths are unremarkable, unmarked, unnamed
Unknown and entirely unheard. (spirituwellness, July 17)
Doug Muder exposes the truth that Trump doesn’t even want skilled immigrants.
So suppose you’re a software designer from India who has an H-1B visa to work at, say, Google, and you apply for an extension. The backlog at USCIS might prevent the extension from going through before your visa expires. If your application is denied (more and more are, under Trump), you get an NTA. Now you’re in limbo until your deportation hearing: You can’t work, you can’t leave, and if you’re deported it will be harder for you to ever get a visa to come back. (The Weekly Sift, July 16)
Rise up and roll out
The Rev. Theresa Soto encourages us to move beyond passively observing the fascism overtaking the United States.
I have seen some think pieces lately in which well-meaning liberals warn that we are being prepared for fascism. I wonder how much autocratic rule they are waiting to experience.
United States of America, what are you?
This is it. This is fascism.
Please stop waiting for your cue to act.
Rise up. Roll out. Stop fascism. (Facebook, July 11)
The Rev. Cecilia Kingman warns us about distractions that keep us from actively defending democracy.
My loves, I need to say something hard here. Fascism is overtaking us. Quickly. And one of our weaknesses is our preference for “normal life.” This weakness will destroy our efforts.
We allow our calendars, our daily details, to dictate our responses. We are captive to our normal routines.
If we would defend our democracy we must disrupt normal life. (Facebook, July 18)
The Rev. Lynn Ungar’s dogs offer suggestions about coping with compassion fatigue.
Well, what I am saying is that WTAF should keep barking about the children stuck under the couch, because that is important, but that he should only do it for part of the day, and then let it go when it is not barking time. Like maybe WTAF could decide that they are going to spend two hours a week making noise about problems and seeing if they can get someone to fix things. They could put in the calendar what they are going to do and when they are going to do it. And, you know, do it. And then they would know when they were done, and that it wouldn’t help anything to just worry and feel sad all the time. (Wombat and Dingbat Fix the World, July 11)
Cresting the arc of existence
As he retires from his job, Patrick Murfin looks back over the various kinds of work he has done, and forward to what retirement will look like.
I don’t plan on the kind of retirement advertised on TV—endless rounds of golf, strolling on tropical beaches by the side of an adoring young looking wife, sailing, or romping with my golden retriever. But neither do I plan to vegetate. . . .
I will also have more time than ever for raising hell. Watch out, Donald Trump—there will be a geezer stalking you. (Heretic, Rebel, a Thing to Flout, July 13)
The Rev. Dr. Victoria Weinstein writes that spiritual sustenance is essential to aging with grace.
Spirituality is hard to define—and maybe not necessary to define—but the absence of it in a person is painfully obvious. Spirituality is a work we undertake that orients us toward gratitude and awe and away from complaint, bitterness and living in the idealized past. . . . Cresting the arc of existence and heading toward our death is no less difficult and requires just as many supportive resources as does early childhood. The most powerful resource, however, is the individual spiritual life. (Facebook, July 19)
Broken open to the divine
Chris Crass, moving through the pain of divorce, affirms his belief in the power of healing.
I believe in my capacity to open to pain and let the universe shine through and heal the wounds. . . . I believe in the sacred magic of by being a Dad, and the tears of becoming a single parent. . . .
I believe in my ability to become whole, complete, full in my purpose, power, and open again to the energies of ancestors, the earth, and my calling. . . .
I am broken open to the divine, to the universe and while I am deeply confused by the path, I know I am on a pilgrimage that is and will expand my heart and soul. (Facebook, July 19)