"The love of one's country is a splendid thing. But why should love stop at the border?"
Pablo Casals
Pablo Casals
"To him in whom love dwells, the whole world is but one family." Buddha
With the 4th rapidly approaching and already many illegal fireworks punctuating the silence out here on the reservation, I again face the fact that this is NOT one of my favorite holidays! I would like to create some meaning out of this day, and the Network of Spiritual Progressives have come to my rescue. They are encouraging us to celebrate July 4th as Inter-Dependence Day. The point is to take a traditional ultra nationalist holiday with its theme of "bombs bursting in air," and American triumphalism, and reshape it in 2 ways:
- To affirm all the good in America, particularly the struggles of ordinary citizens that led to the expansion of democratic rights and civil liberties throughout the past two hundred and thirty one years.
They suggest that we start talking to our family members about ways we might commemorate how our well- being, as a people, is linked to the well- being of everyone on the planet. It could be a great topic of conversation around the picnic table.
- To affirm that in the 21st century there is no such thing as "independence" without affirming and thinking in terms of our inter-dependence with all other people on the planet, and with the planet itself.
Since Joanne was diagnosed, I am profoundly in touch with our own interdependence on this journey. It truly takes a village to heal a cancer patient.
We both are full of gratitude to all of you. Let the fireworks begin.
11 comments:
Thanks for sharing this. I second the idea and believe our goodness will win out. Hugs, Tess
Mara Says:
Happy picnic~ I second the motion of interdependence in our global village~ hugs, Mara
Hey ladys
this is a great idea or thought i will share at dinner to night
LUV gordy
Dear Joanne and Janet,
Happy InterDependence Day! I think about you two often and you are in my prayers. Having gone through something similiar to what you are going through with a friend not to long ago I can imagine that it is sometimes overwhelming. I am glad that you see the rainbows. Please ask if you think of anything that I can be assistance in. I can even do plumbing. Danielle turned 27 yesterday and I had my 58th on the 28th (oh my gosh, it doesn't seem like that many years have gone by)!
Danielle is also doing authentic leadership and groaning and growing. It's wonderful to see! I hope that booms aren't too loud or that you have good ear plugs. Enjoy the sunshine and the view. Take care, Margaret Curry 360-305-6267
Dear Joanne and Jan
What is nice about "interdependence" is that it is neither one nor the other but a blend of both independence and dependence, the healthy and necessary state for us all, either as an individual or as nations. I am specially aware of this as I watch my granddaughter start to struggle with those issues - only 15 months and already trying to find that balance! I just came back from my q.3 month visit to see her and am so delighted to read the good news about Joanne's numbers, energy, and appetite! Way to go girl, as they say!!
Kathleen Learned
With this least favorite holiday upon your household on the rez, I send lots of vibes from Mexico tonight to you both and the catkids. It's interesting to spend one of my favorite holidays, being such a patriotic military brat, in another country.
Yet when we arrived at the gate, the agents "congratulated" us on the celebration of the American holiday. Nice gesture from our southerly neighbors.... Made me smile. The nice kind of interdependence!
Calming vibes for the entire Better-Than-O.K.-Cafe from Monterrey, reputed to be the most secure city in Latin America!
xoxo,
Ace
I agree completely! I have always spent this day soothing my poor cats who are terrified by all the loud noises. This is also my least favorite holiday, for the same reasons you listed. Thank you for the great quotes - you always come up with such inspirational words...
Thanks for being you
April
Thanks for this...we appreciated the optimistic perspective. Nice talking with you both and hope tomorrow goes well. We will be in touch.
Love,
C&S
Well said Janet! Having worked with folks of other cultures most of my life, I have long concluded that we are all connected and inter-dependent. Is not there one God (force, energy, or whatever) and one creation? So let's say "God bless Creation" including America and all lands! Janet, your words rang so true last night as I walked outside and a constant barrage of sonic-sized booms pierced the beautiful star-lit sky...a far distance from inter-dependence! Likewise, is it not the same on a more personal level? As one scripture passage says: If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. Joanne, we are inter-dependent with you: when you suffer, so do I and when your cell counts are good, so I rejoice! Let joy abound!
Darrell
Yay, Joanne! Cancer markers down; joy, hope, optimism and delight UP!
I agree wholeheartedly about the 4th, Janet. Felt like Baghdad on the Snohomish out here that night. My poor little Lhasa, Dazey, hyperventilated most of the evening.
On Sunday at the Center for Spiritual Living Eastside, we sang the following to the tune of "The Star-Spangled Banner." I thought it quite wonderful, and spot on. A very fine alternative to the glorification of bombs and rockets.
"Earth Anthem"
Words by Stephen Longfellow Fiske
"O, say, can we see
By the one light in all
Our Earth to embrace
At the call of all nations.
Where our children can play
In a world without war,
Where we stand hand in hand
In the grace of creation.
Where the rivers run clean
Through the forests of green,
Where the cities stand tall
In the clear skies of freedom.
O, say, do your hearts sing
For harmony and love forever
On the planet of our birth,
Blessed with peace on Earth."
Many prayers, extremely large amounts of white healing light, and blessings of peace on you both.
Love,
Betty
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