Kamala so strong
joyous and focused for us
we must elect her.
~~~
Nation not party
consequences most high
there’s only one choice.
~~~
Let us turn the page
we all have more in common
Let’s build on that joy.
~~~
She wants solution
she wants to bring back our joy
focus on the good.
Someone scattered
Easter eggs
throughout the neighborhood
for us to find
on our morning walks.
Little secret spreader
of smiles,
Thank you.
American is all a twitter (pun intended) over NFL players taking a knee during the national anthem before a football game. So many think that the players are being disrespectful to the military, the flag, country, etc. That they are being “un-American.”
Take A Knee means we can do better as Americans. In this case, we can do better about social justice in particular about how law enforcement treats blacks. There has been much evidence that justice isn’t always blind, and, therefore, #TakeAKnee is to bring attention to that issue so that we can do better as Americans.
NFL player, Eric Reid (no relation), was the first player to kneel with Colin Kaepernick in 2016. He did so to protest police brutality and was motivated by his faith. “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead,” he said in a New York Times interview.
American was founded on ideals– with an “L” about how we can do better. “Liberty and justice for all” “All men are created equal” We didn’t implement these ideals well in the beginning. We, eventually decided we can do better. So we abolished slavery because we decided we can do better and not enslave people for economic gain. It took a civil war, but we did it. We eventually granted women the right to vote because we believed we can do better. It took protests and imprisonment and punishment, but we did it.
Civil rights, women’s rights, human rights… it’s not about taking away someone’s rights, it’s about we can do better about moving closer to living the ideals of the founding of our country.
We don’t have leaders in DC, or in many houses of faith for that matter, who are willing to express thoughtful language that inspires us to do better. So it’s up to us, we the people, to be careful with each other. Focus on what we have in common. Have compassion for each other. Remember, we don’t really know what others are experiencing and so let’s listen, connect, try…
We are the ones who can do better.
“And I dream too much
and I don’t write enough
and I’m trying to find God everywhere”
-Anis Mojgani
Your sacred space is where you can find yourself over and over again.
-Joseph Campbell
“But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads?”
-Albert Camus
Go all the way with it.
Do not back off.
For once, go all the goddamn way with what matters.
-Ernest Hemingway
Conditions are never perfect. “Someday” is a disease that will take your dreams to the grave with you. If it’s important to you and you want to do it “eventually,” just do it and correct course along the way. -Timothy Ferriss
“Ever Onward to Victory”
Our final two days were back in Habana.
Impressions:
Yes, Cuba is poor in materials and even natural resources.
Tourism seems to be its most stable and successful business.
Outside Habana, the country is a beautiful island with hills, mountains, rivers, waterfalls, biospheres, chickens roaming everywhere and roosters waking you at 4:45 AM.
People outside walking, walking, walking, hitching a ride when they can, rarely a private car in sight.
Food extremely limited in variety but served with pride in generous portions.
Music.
Dance.
Heat. Humidity.
Kindness. Smiles.
Feeling, not like a tourist. No begging. No hassles.
Cubans love their country and see its flaws. They want a better standard of living but don’t want to be “too commercial like America.”
Cubans we met love Americans and think our two governments are “silly and we need to be friends.”
Cubans love Fidel and know he’s “holding on too much to the revolution.”
Cubans love Raoul and “believe will take us forward.”
They are proud of their schools and medicine.
Stay in a Casa Particulares with Cuban families. The hospitality is enriching to the soul.
Eat in a palador, not restaurants for the same reason.
Swim in the sea.
Hike in the hills.
Walk the tobacco farms.
Learn the revolucion, Bay of Pigs, and the embargo from their perspective.
Buy books written from their perspective.
Leave behind as much as you can: lotions, sunscreens, toilet paper, mosquito repellant, clothes, tips… the staff at the casas appreciate it greatly.
Listen as much as you can.
Ask questions.
Learn as much Spanish as you can and speak it.
Leave behind your kindness and compassion.
Take with you a better understanding that people are people.
We really want the same things.
BethenyReid 