perspectives

PEACE ON EARTH...

It seems this season calls for a different tone --- there is a beckoning for us to ask more of ourselves. Today I read a tattered page in a book written by Emmet Fox nearly three-quarters of a Century past, but it seemed to be a timeless message for us all at the end of a year gone by and one soon unfolding. I share it with you as my gift.

"There is a quaint old legend that is firmly believed in the artists' colony in Paris. It appears that many years ago a poor struggling artist was so hard up that he did not have even enough money to buy a piece of canvas upon which to paint what he felt sure would be a masterpiece. Going along the quay he saw an old daub selling for a few sous, frame included. It was supposed to represent Napoleon III in full dress uniform, and doubtless had adorned some wall in the days of the Second Empire. The artist decided that he could clean off the picture and use the canvas for his own work.

Arrived home, he proceeded to remove Napoleon III, not a difficult task, and to his astonishment found that there was another picture underneath. The last artist had not even removed the original, but simply worked over it. When the last traces of Napoleon III had disappeared, the student was amazed to discover what looked to him like a very fine Corot. He promptly submitted his find to the experts and it was pronounced a genuine Corot. Of course, his days of poverty were ended."

Emmet Fox goes on to say that whether or not the story is true, it is a perfect allegory of the nature of man as we know him. Outside we the "marred image" showing the limitation, sin, sickness and in harmony; but underneath is the masterwork of the Great Artist. Through our hard work and prayers we can become more and live in harmony with all that exists. It is up to us!

What a calling to each of us in this traditional season designed for JOY. May we reach beyond our perceived limitations, aggressions, greed, ill-health and disharmony to discover the masterwork of possibilities that awaits us. May we envision a better world than we know today and act upon it with a new consciousness for the good of all. PEACE.

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center

US: In and Out of Darkness

There are so many things in our government and society that are broken. Bill Moyer's Journal (an always beautifully produced show) this week put our failings on display in such telling ways. The profile with Countdown's Keith Obermann was moving. Then there was the "Massing of the Media" which is going on despite the outcry of the people of the United States --- soon all we will hear are far-right political talking points for news (we are not far off now on many days). It also focused in on how the Obama and Oprah factors were playing in a discussion with Dr. Ronald Walters on Race in the Race. Here we discover that African Americans seem timid and unknowing, just like the rest of us, about the power we hold in our hands if we stood up and took it.

What is deeply sad is most of us don't even care. Many us don't even know. This is what those in power count count on. We're so lost in our own miseries and the hype of celebrities and Dancing with the Stars to numb ourselves that we don't even see what's happening, what's eroding in front of our eyes. The greed for "power and money" seems to be winning on many fronts, but perhaps the "courageous and good" will triumph as it has before. This is my holiday wish.

My wish is that we could find our way out of darkness. I read a story  in an very old book about President Henry M. Wriston of Brown University: "... He might as well have been describing the convention which was called to frame the Constitution of the United States when he characterized the United Nations as 'a squalling, brawling brat of an infant with only about fifty-fifty change of survival. The only thing strong about it is its lungs.' For weeks the United States constitutional convention accomplished exactly nothing. Day after day the air was filled with bitter criticisms and accusations. Finally Benjamin Franklin stood up and addressed the chair which was occupied by George Washington and said:

We have been here, Mr. Speaker, for many weeks trying to act upon this important subject and have accomplished nothing. Only dark clouds of difficulty and embarrassment seem to be gathering before us. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, it is high time to call in the direction of a wisdom above our own. Because we have not, may be the reason why we have been so long in the dark. I therefore move, Mr. Speaker, that it be made a rule to open the business of this house every morning with prayer.

History records that moment as the beginning of the framing of the Constitution of the United States.

I think it is clear that we need courageous leaders to step up to with a new vision and the foresight to help us stop the madness of the seven years of war, greed, corruption, injustice and the ravaging of "we the people". We need an awakening of historic proportions that happens in each of us. Collectively --- in numbers, we have the power of our vote and our presence. It begins within each of us being willing to look at ourselves --- a solemn, serious, necessary, and sometimes frightening responsibility --- to recognize how our inattention and sense of helplessness is why we are in darkness; our awareness and action is how we get out.

What do you think?

Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center

http://www.globaldialoguecenter.com
http://www.debbekennedy.com

Belief and Action Change the World

A few years ago, quite by chance, I happened upon a best-selling book written in 1947 by Claude Bristol called The Magic of Believing. In it he speaks of the power of belief---the kind of belief that can change a mindset, a community and the world. One analogy he uses demonstrates the connection between planting seeds and the power behind the action that follows:

"Once the soil is prepared and the tiny seeds are placed in it, it is but a short time when they put forth roots, and sprouts begin to appear. The moment they start upward through the soil in search of light, sunshine and moisture, obstacles mean nothing to them. They push aside small stones or bits of wood, and if they can't do it, they'll extend themselves and grow around them. They are determined to emerge from the ground."

We have planted the seeds of change throughout the world. Even with the most miserable things happening around the world, you can almost feel the seeds of change as they move upward, upward. The sprouts have made their way through the most rocky soil and there is a ways to go---and we can see them reaching up and bearing fruit in some places. Now, it is up to us to keep the momentum alive by cultivating all the good things we envision for this world of ours. Attending to its needs. Giving it the sunshine and water of our mindshare and actions. We are the force that give this world life.

"There is no better companion on this way than what you do.
Your actions will be your best friend."

---Jalau'ddin Rumi
Mystic Persian Poet
Hold this thought!

Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center

http://www.globaldialoguecenter.com
http://www.debbekennedy.com