2-21-2010
My seventeen year old daughter showed us a video on the internet today entitled "Butterfly Circus." It is a very well done short film about a young man born without limbs who has a job in a circus side show. The young man in the video is a real person, Nick Vujicic. The video is inspiring, with a strong message of hope for all. Everyone can do something and has something to give.
I have felt like the problems we are having with the recession are a result of dashed hopes. What we need is people who know they have something to give and are determined to do so. Selfless service can certainly cure the economy. It is the essence of freedom. Those who give are more free than others. Giving for others in ways that enables them and does not make them dependent is truly freeing. I have to learn to look outside myself more to experience real liberty. We must produce and give as much as we consume. I had thought that it was important to produce more than we consume, but I am not sure in the eternal scheme of things that this is possible. I must acquire the attitude of giving and cheerfully helping others to be fully free myself. I have to be wise and open enough to truly help and not enable bad behavior as this film points out so well.
Gratitude is another element of freedom. It is paramount. So much is given to all of us. God's blessings are infinite. Acknowledging the source of good and giving thanks are also elements of freedom. Gratitude itself multiplies blessings and creates an upward spiral leading to more empowerment and freedom. The empowerment is personal and communal - as righteous desire is spawned from thankfulness thoughts and actions turn to the well being of others. These actions in turn spawn gratitude and soon the whole society is on an upward spiral of productivity. It exemplified in man-made economic theory, but is born of God.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Tenet of Zen
The first tenet of Zen Buddhism teaches a reverence for all life forms. A story is told of an aged Buddhist monk who was walking one day with a young disciple. The monk walked slowly along a dirt path and occasionally paused, stooped down, and swept aside the surface dirt on the path. The disciple observed this and queried his master.
“Why do you brush the path ahead of you?” he asked.
“My son,” the monk said, “I brush to remove the insects who might otherwise be crushed by my feet as I walk.”
The young man thought for a while.
“But master,” the young man replied, “there are so many bugs. You can’t possibly avoid them all. What you do really makes no difference.”
The monk bent over and pointed to a beetle, picked it up and set it out of the way, next to some ants that he had previously brushed aside.
“What I do makes a difference to this one” he said.
The young man understood and continued on his way with the monk in silence.
This variation of the old starfish tale provides some interesting thoughts to
consider. Sometimes we push issues and programs so hard that we unknowingly “crush” others who we didn’t observe that were in our way. A basic ideal of civic education is respect for others. How important it is for us to be aware of the desires, ambitions, and freedoms of others as we plan programs to educate our youth.
As a second point, our efforts to reach even one (and especially one) are always worthwhile. Sometimes we spend a great deal of time trying to affect a large population of students with a lesson plan, activity, program, or policy. What is more often needed is a more committed and concentrated effort to reach just one who is in great need. Any genealogist can readily tell you how many generations can be affected by one life. It doesn’t take but a few generations to produce a multitude.
“Why do you brush the path ahead of you?” he asked.
“My son,” the monk said, “I brush to remove the insects who might otherwise be crushed by my feet as I walk.”
The young man thought for a while.
“But master,” the young man replied, “there are so many bugs. You can’t possibly avoid them all. What you do really makes no difference.”
The monk bent over and pointed to a beetle, picked it up and set it out of the way, next to some ants that he had previously brushed aside.
“What I do makes a difference to this one” he said.
The young man understood and continued on his way with the monk in silence.
This variation of the old starfish tale provides some interesting thoughts to
consider. Sometimes we push issues and programs so hard that we unknowingly “crush” others who we didn’t observe that were in our way. A basic ideal of civic education is respect for others. How important it is for us to be aware of the desires, ambitions, and freedoms of others as we plan programs to educate our youth.
As a second point, our efforts to reach even one (and especially one) are always worthwhile. Sometimes we spend a great deal of time trying to affect a large population of students with a lesson plan, activity, program, or policy. What is more often needed is a more committed and concentrated effort to reach just one who is in great need. Any genealogist can readily tell you how many generations can be affected by one life. It doesn’t take but a few generations to produce a multitude.
On the Street
2/19/2010
I was on my way back to the office from a Literacy Conference in the Salt Palace today. I walked to and from the conference because of parking expenses, even though it is almost a mile away. While I walked along on Main Street, I noticed a young man in kind of worn clothes and a red baseball cap just ahead of me. He didn't look like a homeless panhandler, but it was apparent to me that he was in need. Suddenly he turned around and addressed a question to me that I didn't quite hear.
I approached him cautiously, not knowing quite what to expect. "What?"
He asked me if I knew anything about the LDS church. I replied that I did, and then he asked me if I knew how the agent bishop sytem worked. I told him that I did, and he told me that he had been to the church office building and asked if there was a place that he could stay for the night. They told him that he should go inquire at the homeless shelter on 4th South. He did and was told that he couldn't stay there unless he could pay the $17 fee. I asked him if he had a place to stay and was told that he lived with some room-mates on 8th South, but it was not a good situation and that he couldn't stay there that night. I asked him how long he had been unemployed and he responded that he had a job, and that he was a student at the University. He had a hard time talking and told me that he was not a vagrant. I told him that I could help him with some money but that we would have to go to an ATM to get it.
I normally don't give to people on the street, but this young man didn't appear to be a pan handler. I looked him in the eye and didn't sense any trace of drug use. He didn't smell bad or anything despite the fact that he looked a little scruffy. We walked to the food court area in the ZCMI center that wasn't quite finished. I withdrew $40 and gave $20 to him. I talked with him as we walked along. He told me that he was studying computer graphic design and wanted to work as an animator. He had already graduated with a degree back east and had come to the University of Utah after a series of jobs that he held had gone bad. He told me that his parents were due in town tomorrow to help him move from his bad situation. I felt impressed to give him my business card and invited him to call me if he had problems. I felt that this was an honest, genuine young man who was just having some bad luck. I didn't know if he would call me back, but I almost hoped he would. I think he has some good potential and was a good person inside. It is now almost 10:30 at night and I haven't heard from him, so I guess he has found lodging for the night.
I usually avoid anyone who I think might ask me for money, even to the point of avoiding eye contact and walking away. But invariably I feel bad about it and wish that I would help others more than I do. After this young man left I noticed another fellow across the street who looked to be bundled up like many homeless people are, but who was carrying a young child in a baby carrier. I wanted quickly run across the street and give him the other $20 I had in my pocket, but I restrained myself and reverted to my normal avoidance behavior, though it was breaking my heart.
So who was blessed most by the events of the evening? Avoiding those in need locks chains of guilt on those who pass by. I hope I can give more and be wise enough to bless others when I can. Giving and caring create purpose and meaning in life that is real and should be more the direction that leads to freedom and inner peace.
2/21/2010
Jarrad Gubbar (that's his name) called tonight. His mom and his uncle don't arrive until Monday morning. He needed a place to stay on Saturday and Sunday nights. I offered again to have him come and stay with us here in Kaysville, but he was uncomfortable with that arrangement and wanted to stay in Salt Lake at the hostel ($17 a night). After some discussion I decided that I would send him $50 on my VISA card. I asked him if his mom or uncle could reimburse me on Monday and he told me he thought that would happen. I know that I have to be willing to not require reimbursement (I ended up paying $74 - the fee for Western Union is $24). I sent the money to his name and he picked it up at Smith's Food King in Salt Lake. I wondered if I had been a patsy, but he isn't a homeless bum. He is bright and lucid and I think has been a victim of perhaps a couple of bad decisions. He called me from the Joseph Smith building. He was comfortable in the hostel and didn't want to inconvenience me. I hope I have or can help him without being taken advantage of. I don't expect to give him any more money. I am still willing to help if he wants to come and stay at our house, but I can't afford to support him on my credit. I don't expect any long term commitment, but I would like to help.
I was on my way back to the office from a Literacy Conference in the Salt Palace today. I walked to and from the conference because of parking expenses, even though it is almost a mile away. While I walked along on Main Street, I noticed a young man in kind of worn clothes and a red baseball cap just ahead of me. He didn't look like a homeless panhandler, but it was apparent to me that he was in need. Suddenly he turned around and addressed a question to me that I didn't quite hear.
I approached him cautiously, not knowing quite what to expect. "What?"
He asked me if I knew anything about the LDS church. I replied that I did, and then he asked me if I knew how the agent bishop sytem worked. I told him that I did, and he told me that he had been to the church office building and asked if there was a place that he could stay for the night. They told him that he should go inquire at the homeless shelter on 4th South. He did and was told that he couldn't stay there unless he could pay the $17 fee. I asked him if he had a place to stay and was told that he lived with some room-mates on 8th South, but it was not a good situation and that he couldn't stay there that night. I asked him how long he had been unemployed and he responded that he had a job, and that he was a student at the University. He had a hard time talking and told me that he was not a vagrant. I told him that I could help him with some money but that we would have to go to an ATM to get it.
I normally don't give to people on the street, but this young man didn't appear to be a pan handler. I looked him in the eye and didn't sense any trace of drug use. He didn't smell bad or anything despite the fact that he looked a little scruffy. We walked to the food court area in the ZCMI center that wasn't quite finished. I withdrew $40 and gave $20 to him. I talked with him as we walked along. He told me that he was studying computer graphic design and wanted to work as an animator. He had already graduated with a degree back east and had come to the University of Utah after a series of jobs that he held had gone bad. He told me that his parents were due in town tomorrow to help him move from his bad situation. I felt impressed to give him my business card and invited him to call me if he had problems. I felt that this was an honest, genuine young man who was just having some bad luck. I didn't know if he would call me back, but I almost hoped he would. I think he has some good potential and was a good person inside. It is now almost 10:30 at night and I haven't heard from him, so I guess he has found lodging for the night.
I usually avoid anyone who I think might ask me for money, even to the point of avoiding eye contact and walking away. But invariably I feel bad about it and wish that I would help others more than I do. After this young man left I noticed another fellow across the street who looked to be bundled up like many homeless people are, but who was carrying a young child in a baby carrier. I wanted quickly run across the street and give him the other $20 I had in my pocket, but I restrained myself and reverted to my normal avoidance behavior, though it was breaking my heart.
So who was blessed most by the events of the evening? Avoiding those in need locks chains of guilt on those who pass by. I hope I can give more and be wise enough to bless others when I can. Giving and caring create purpose and meaning in life that is real and should be more the direction that leads to freedom and inner peace.
2/21/2010
Jarrad Gubbar (that's his name) called tonight. His mom and his uncle don't arrive until Monday morning. He needed a place to stay on Saturday and Sunday nights. I offered again to have him come and stay with us here in Kaysville, but he was uncomfortable with that arrangement and wanted to stay in Salt Lake at the hostel ($17 a night). After some discussion I decided that I would send him $50 on my VISA card. I asked him if his mom or uncle could reimburse me on Monday and he told me he thought that would happen. I know that I have to be willing to not require reimbursement (I ended up paying $74 - the fee for Western Union is $24). I sent the money to his name and he picked it up at Smith's Food King in Salt Lake. I wondered if I had been a patsy, but he isn't a homeless bum. He is bright and lucid and I think has been a victim of perhaps a couple of bad decisions. He called me from the Joseph Smith building. He was comfortable in the hostel and didn't want to inconvenience me. I hope I have or can help him without being taken advantage of. I don't expect to give him any more money. I am still willing to help if he wants to come and stay at our house, but I can't afford to support him on my credit. I don't expect any long term commitment, but I would like to help.
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