Christine Smith's Blog

You Need Do Nothing

I awoke this morning again thinking of St. Theresa’s “Bookmark:”

“Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things.
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.”

After prayer, I still found myself in an unusual state of mind or feeling – just not in the mood to work on certain things. Though I have a freelance writing project to complete before next Wednesday, I just did not feel up to working. It is here that I remind myself that to do nothing is to indeed sometimes the best thing one can do. Though I could force myself to do it, I wouldn’t be pleased with the result, and I would only make myself perturbed. So, I let it go, knowing at the right time I will again work on it and complete it. Just not today.

Previously, I used to force myself to get things done against my better will. But I have learned it is always wise to trust your inner wisdom. Do not ever force yourself to do any activity (unless absolutely necessary). Rather, if it can be postponed, do so until one feels like doing it. So, instead of working at my desk, I did some work outside, a little exercise (and stopped because I was not in the mood for that either), and will take care of home matters rather than writing (beyond this blog entry) today.

I did feel a need to seek spiritual wisdom regarding patience. Patience is a virtue that becomes part of one’s character with practice. Patience, and acceptance, are areas for me to contemplate. To simply be…and to let all just be. To realize all is well. I do this well most times, but sometimes realize I let my mind clobber my inner peace with too much thinking.

To, as St. Francis de Sales wrote, “Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset,” is a great strength.

One’s inner peace is usually disturbed by one’s own mind. Sometimes on things imagined, and sometimes on real situations that are serious in life. Examples include: When we worry, we are thinking about nothing. When we allow ourselves to have expectations, and are disappointed when other people or situations do not behave or happen in the time frame as we may have hoped or planned. Or when the world, because of its belief that love is impossible, intrudes upon our lives or halts something that would have been a blessing for others. When we obsess about how we did something, what we said, or even something yet to come. There are so many examples in life that can disturb our peace of mind…perhaps the worst being (at least for me) when I care deeply about another person or a group of persons, and see them being victimized or at least not treated in the way I feel they should be, or if they are hurting. Simply, other’s well being, whom I care about, affects me deeply. Nevertheless, I must not worry, but maintain inner peace so I can be the best friend possible, and do the best I can in any situation which is important to me.

Inner peace is disturbed when we allow fear thoughts to enter. Frequently these fear thoughts take the form of “What if…?” or “What will happen if I …?” and the list goes on. “Did I say the right thing?” “Did I say enough?” “Did I do the right thing?” Or we imagine the very worst thing happening to someone we care about or a situation we care about. Our mind imagines the worst possible scenario or outcome, and we become upset as we replace faith with worry. It is fear which makes us question ourselves and our actions, suggesting that unless we worry somehow a result we deem unfavorable will occur. For me, this is a time I go to God in prayer. And each time I am reminded “You need do nothing.” Truth. Pure and simple.

Be it worry about getting something done for my work, for my home, or in relation to others and friends, if I have followed the light I’ve been given, done all I can do, then I must let go. I need do nothing. I must simply wait and watch, be who I who am, and allow things to develop in their own time, the right time, as they will. I cannot control all situations, variables, and other people…but I can to the best of my ability express my goodwill. It is up to others, beyond our control, how and if our intentions are interpreted in the love they are given. It is also beyond our control situations in life, so rather than worry, we must turn to one another and to God for comfort, solace, and support.

Think about St. Francis de Sales quote again: “Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.”

That says it all. If anything in your life is causing you to be disturbed, you are making a mistake. If you feel a need to rush, you are making a mistake (something I’m prone to do but which I am now conquering). Heartfelt actions and communication need never be rushed. Neither, too, should actions requiring your rational thought be rushed. But if one makes such a mistake, you are allowing your mind (a powerful and imaginative tool) to suggest possible outcomes to your actions (or lack thereof). When you are thinking about the past or the future, you are thinking about something that does not exist. All you have is now. Those in your life you love, the activities which are important to you to do, this very moment…these are yours. Supposed imagined futures (or past regrets) are nothing – they do not exist – all that exist is this moment. In this moment, all you need do is surrender. View everything, and experience everything, just as it is. Do not waste time (or worse yet upset yourself so much that you cannot do the things you want or must do) by worrying. Worry will change nothing; it will only keep you from being in the moment and thereby effective at what you must do for the situation as it is now. Whatever this moment brings, and whatever the next, is for you to fully experience. I cannot control everything around me or those I care about. I can do my best to remain in the moment, in faith, free from worry, so I can express love.

I’ve shared this perspective with my friends for years, and still I must remind myself of it. Only now, I think I’m grasping it inside (instead of just in my mind) because it really completely relates to faith. To worry is to not trust God – to worry is to turn away from faith trusting oneself and our eyes and our limited perception rather than God. Worry is fear. Fear is the opposite of love, and thus the opposite of God and His will, protection, provision and blessings for us. When we worry we are not in faith, and that is why we feel overwhelmed and lost.

In my life, I’m learning to distinguish between “worry” and “concern.” Of course, as human beings, our thoughts and feelings will be activated in times of duress, uncertainty, stress, and danger. God gave us minds, and we should use them. “Concern” is good as it enables us to analyze a situation to determine what we can do to help another (or ourselves). On the other hand, you can recognize that “concern” has devolved into “worry” when we find ourselves obsessing and becoming ineffective in what needs to be done. For me, worry leads to anxiety, despair and discouragement, and sometimes anger – all of which I do not want to be. I personally find this difficult to maintain, as I think many of us do. My emotions about matters and individuals who are important to me can take over, and I know I’m allowing my mind – rather than my heart and rather than my spirit – to control me. During these times, I turn to prayer now…and I am comforted. Sometimes it takes another to tell me that I am making this mistake, and at such times, my ego often replies “No, I’m not.” But after thinking about it, I realize, yes, I was making a mistake.

I share these thoughts, my stream of consciousness, today in my blog. Perhaps as I struggle (and learn & grow), my experiences and insight will be helpful to others. I know when I am deeply concerned about something or someone, or how or what I’ve done in relation to a situation or individual I care about, I must remember to trust God (not my limited perception). I more easily can share and teach this than do it…but in writing about it, I will likely remember this truth much more so and deeply.

As it turns out today, the feeling I awoke with disappeared once I took away any pressure on myself to work on another matter which I did not feel was right to do at this time. Rather, I did a few other things as I said, and then had two good conversations with friends (one of whom had a message about their life and a decision they had made based on this very principle (letting it be, do nothing, and trusting all in good time will bring blessings). And another friend who needed this very message as they are embarking on making a major life decision – they shared with me what they were worried about after their plan and hope for a dream will not apparently come to fruition – and I was able to immediately share with them St. Francis de Sales’ quote to which they replied “Beautiful. Perfect.” The conversation which ensued was a blessing for us both, as it helped my friend, and helped me in affirming the very truth I was in the middle of writing about today.

As we approach each day, engage with others, and make tentative plans, we must do what we can. Then let it be. Do nothing. One must never force oneself to do something, just because it was planned. One must listen to how they feel and not go against it. There may be another purpose in those moments, in that day, than you in your limited understanding had planned. Have faith in God. For as the Bible says “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 – KJV)

That one Scripture, even as it just came to mind, eliminates all fear thoughts.

Follow the light you you see, do not try to understand everything, just trust. Change your plans if need be, never force yourself to do something or go somewhere if something important inside says no. Just do nothing. Inner peace will return.

I do not know the “why” or “reason” I felt like not doing what I had tentatively planned today. But what I do know is this: I end this blog entry, happy and content. I’m glad I listened to my heart, spoke with friends I care about, received a meaningful card from my church, watched the hail and rain, was given a beautiful message of love from my father, and did nothing else.

My Catholic Home

Since I recently shared my feelings about my first Mass and other activities with my church, I have decided to write a summary of my return home to the Church. I have previously posted a few blog entries (and a few articles on my website before then) over the past several months regarding my return to prayer, joining my local Catholic parish, conversations with my priests, the Catechism, and other aspects of my faith, but now write a piece summarizing this beautiful wondrous journey including the experiences during the past year of my life which led me first to pray, and then led me to the Church.

My Return Home:
I would like to briefly share with you my journey and return to the Catholic Church: I was christened/baptized Catholic as a baby (for which I am grateful to my parents, both were Catholic) with my mother’s family Roman Catholics from Germany, and my father also with a Catholic teaching/upbringing. I have strong fond childhood memories of being in the Catholic Church with my father, lighting a candle and praying. I think my awe, reverence, belief and gratefulness felt then is identical to my openness with which I receive the teachings, blessings and grace I am now (again) aware of.

As a teenager (I was not brought up in Catholic teaching as a child) and into my early twenties (I am now 41), my beliefs became that of a Protestant (though I had not been in any church for years.) Despite visiting Protestant churches, none felt right, none resonated with me, none felt like the presence of Jesus was in them. So, for a span of thirteen years I was a Christian, a believer, but without a church. I’ve always sought to know, grow, and be in the Truth. That seeking (and questioning of myself) has led me to be an avid reader of spiritual matters for years.

During my mid-late-twenties, there came a time of great trials, and I felt alone despite my praying. It was during that time I rejected religion (though not spiritual seeking). Without going into great detail here, suffice to say I regard my previous rejection of religion as foremost a rejection of certain Protestant teachings and emphasis (and lack of emphasis in other areas) which did not resonate/coincide with my conscience, negative experiences with Christian hypocrites (which as a friend pointed out to me, it is irrational to reject a belief simply because those claiming to also believe it do not practice it), and hardship and struggle in my life which made me feel much despair and discouragement. I now see it was my mind trying to comprehend and understand, rather than my heart, rather than my spirit, in essence rather than faith. Theological questions were not answered adequately (nor could I accept some of the interpretations or teachings) that Protestantism espoused. The depth of spirituality I sought was not found there.

I embraced my Catholicism during the past several months, during a time of painful disillusionment and high stress. (I was a Libertarian candidate for president, traveling the country, appeared on numerous radio shows nationwide, passionately seeking to share my principles with a heartfelt wanting to help be part of saving America. I learned, however, the Libertarian Party was no different than any other, and I have left it since I now see it is a waste of time, money, and work for a person of principle, ethics and integrity to be involved with them. They only give lip-service to good principles, but in actuality the party reject ethics, morality and even the principles they espouse.)

During that year and half of campaigning, I experienced painful betrayals (politics is a dark world) and countless disillusionments. A friend whom I deeply respect both for his political activism and his integrity, shared with me of his Catholic faith, recommending I at least try to pray if I became very discouraged. I reminded him I did not pray and I rejected religion, and yet he persisted, and in the same conversation referred to me as a Catholic again (despite my earlier protestation I had no religious belief in my life). I did ask him if he prayed the Rosary, and he told me did. I gave him every indication I rejected his advice. But, I remembered it months later. (I always remember what is told me by someone I respect and whom I regard as someone of integrity, though I am not good at letting them know just how much I take their words to heart at the time.)

I was intrigued by his devout belief and practice of Catholic faith, and pondered it. His sharing of his faith with me was the catalyst which led me to study Catholic theology, Carthusian Spirituality, Mother Mary, and the lives of the saints for months. It was enlightening! I became deeply interested in learning more of the saints, and through learning of their courageous inspiring lives, I became intrigued with learning much more of the faith they so devoutly committed their lives to and to prayer. So much I did not know but thought I knew; what I have learned and experienced has enhanced my spiritual understanding and recognition of teachings, practices, and my moral beliefs. Just as my friend had recommended I do, in a moment of much despair, discouragement and sadness, I reached out to our Holy Mother, and she was there. I was heard, I was comforted, I was consoled. I was given immediate guidance which led me to God’s grace, to Jesus, and to the holy Catholic Church.

All of the reasons or objections I previously had regarding religion are gone; they have been resolved in my understanding of Catholicism. Beautifully, the Catechism has become very significant to me, answering so much, and understanding has been shown me. Embracing my Catholicism, and joining my parish, is for me the most significant decision I have made and this decision for my life is now one of devoutness, worship, repentance and acceptance of love and reconciliation. It fills me with joy. I believe I’ve always been on the right path, my heart has been seeking, and now I have realized something that was always there – though it took some life experiences to come to it, embrace it, experience it. I would like to emphasize the beauty and enlightenment I have found in the Catechism. I am reading other Catholic theology books which are proving wonderful for me, but emphasize the Catechism itself has opened my understanding in ways that amaze me. For the first time I “see,” and the Catechism is proving invaluable to me as I seek understanding (which miraculously is present, when before I was so confused and did not know). Many misunderstandings and false assumptions (based on Protestant teachings and their false assertions about Catholicism) had clouded me…now I see clearly…and I am grateful to the Holy Spirit for remaining with me and making it possible to meet those along the way that helped me get here.

My heart is filled with devotion, reverence, and gratitude to Mary, for she brought me back to her Son and my Heavenly Father. Never in my life, prior to this, have I experienced the power of intercessory prayer, but Mary showed me the path, and without going into greater detail, for my life, the experiences I’ve had since that first prayer, have been nothing short of miraculous.

I am filled with happiness, amazement, gratitude and wonder. I look forward to Mass, the Sacrament of the Eucharist (Holy Communion) and adherence/practice/respect of all Sacraments. Prayer, in a way I’ve never experienced before is one of the most important experiences that has brought me here. Marian prayer has been most blessed in my life-a communication with our Holy Mother (Christ’s mother and ours) has been life-changing and wondrous – intercessory prayer is real, valid, and through Mary, solace has been given me, prayer is a part of my daily life.

The sacred, the mysterious, the grace of supernatural revelation, has brought me a peace I’ve never had. I want my works, the process of my learning and growing in faith, to be strong and reflect His love. As I reflect on my experiences, all of which were a part of bringing me to this beautiful happy point, I must say life is mysterious and wondrous. To even begin to speak aloud about how significant prayer/what I have experienced/learned in the past several months, brings forth deep emotion in me. I am joyous, blessed, happy. I am so grateful for the love and grace which has been here all along for me – it just took the willingness on my part. I believe (recognize) there has been a spiritual calling to me to come to my Catholic home for years, and now I have heard it and returned.

All my life, each time I entered a Catholic Church, I felt I was entering a sacred place, a holy place, I never felt that feeling in any other man made place of worship. I have always felt drawn to the Catholic Church no matter where I was throughout my life. I feel this awareness has been just under the surface: Jesus was always there, my Catholicism (the Catholic Church) was always there, waiting for me… my feelings and awakening I’ve been told by other Catholics has happened at the right time and that everything in my life has brought me to this point. It was the meeting of a new friend, during that year and a half of campaign travel, who l later learned was Catholic and who answered my questions about his beliefs, that awakened my desire to learn more about Catholicism, and whose advice to pray brought me home, bringing me to the love waiting for me from Mother Mary who was there guiding me to her Son, to my faith, and my Catholic home.

This is a most happy enlightening time for me. The word “community” now, in this spiritual sense through the Church, now has the most beautiful meaning to me. I am experiencing an aspect of joy I’ve never felt until now. The phrase “coming home” describes how I feel precisely.

Mass, fellowship, learning

Joining the Church, attending Catholic Mass, receiving the gift of the Eucharist, has been a deeply significant spiritual experience for me. I have wanted to share reflections of my first Mass in writing:

Mass itself was especially meaningful to me, and the message given by the priest was the message I needed to hear after all these years. I have more to learn for Mass, but felt most comfortable and joyous. The points made about the significance of the Eucharist and our connection to all humanity and all which lives was beautiful. The message opened my understanding considerably to this mystical union. I will always remember it for being such a special spiritual message, and also it being my first Mass.

The reverence and the joy of my parish community is meaningful to me. Unlike any other church I previously visited in years past, the parishioners and the priests (presiding over Mass) were reverent in all they did and said. What we sang, our worship, our prayer, and our partaking of the Eucharist together was experienced with reverence and devotion.

I ponder the revelation (as several others have referred to it) I have experienced. I believe it took surrender (from my mind) thereby opening my heart to receive this grace and understanding. To believe, as I do, isn’t something I would have thought likely…I was trusting my mind more than fully and solely my heart. When I first again prayed several months ago, I felt our Blessed Mother’s presence. It was an experience unlike any other in my life. From that point on, I sought and found. Mary, to me is both intercessor and confidante, a loving mother, a true and faithful servant of God, obedient and humble. Certainly the highest example of a human being’s love of and worship of God, her devoutness, chastity, her holiness reached me. She was there when I called out, and she remains there. God revealed his Truth to me, his grace, bringing me to his Son, through Mary. This rapport, communication, awareness I’ve been told often comes later for those who become Catholics or return to Catholicism, but for me it came first. It was through Mary I was reached, and then everything else (in terms of my understanding and then my wanting to become part of a parish community) fell into place.

Those who know me personally, or even if only through my writings, realize I am a solitary individual. I appreciate being around others, sharing what I can, and learning, but do not need it to be whole and content. I’ve never sought out activities with groups of people. I’ve on occasion participated in social activities, but it’s never been important to me, and up until now never something I sought to do. As for learning, it’s primarily been a personal contemplative path of study, away from others, and with books (and occasional conversation/discussion with very few others). It has been the rare individual I’ve met in life whom I felt better/inspired/strengthened by speaking with. And those few I cherish.

So, never before, have I purposefully wanted to join in social activities with a group, and, of course, as I shared, never before have I joined a church. This is new for me. But what I have learned, too, is this: For there to be a “community” in the spiritual and true sense of the word, requires those who have that little willingness to be used as a vessel of the Holy Spirit, those who realize we are all simultaneously both teachers and learners, to join with others of like spirit to celebrate together, to worship together, to strengthen one another. Without this coming together, there is no community. The Church is the instrument of continuing God’s work here on Earth. As we receive the Eucharist, we are one with God in our commitment to serving His will and receive Him, but we are also one with the others whom we share this sacrament. This oneness makes us a real community, uniting with Christ, and stronger against sin. (“Sin” and “original sin” as defined by Protestant teaching was one of the reasons I previously rejected religion. However, as I have learned in the Catechism and in my readings of Catholic theology, is something I now understand and realize is so- I may write more upon this another time…it, in fact, is the weakness or darkness which kept me seeing until now, the part of my mind which made me so adamently react against prayer, my ego.) Now, I am drawn to the Church. For me, these past few months, and just these past few weeks, continue to amaze me.

Our parish is also quite joyful! At the annual church picnic, there was festive music and fellowship. Good food and good entertainment made a perfect opportunity to visit with so many. And, now, today I have received a letter inviting me to join in some other upcoming fellowship activities at my parish. Such fellowship is new to me. I realize fellowship strengthens us all.

I am also very pleased and grateful for the opportunity I have had to speak with the three priests here. Our parish priest had the longest conversation with me (which was very meaningful and encouraging), and I have met two others (one involved in ministries I am interested in helping) and one who has returned here for a time who delivered the message I spoke of above. The wonderful thing is that in talking to such knowledgeable priests I am strengthened. It is so good to be able to share my own experiences, my own thoughts and feelings, and then listen to one who immediately understands and can strengthen me with their words of wisdom. When they speak of our Blessed Mother, they speak in the same way I feel about her, and it is inspiring, uplifting, and strengthening to my own understanding and devotion to hear another who has experienced this deep rapport as well.

I end this entry sharing prose, brief yet powerful, which was found in St. Theresa’s (Saint Teresa of Avila) prayer book after her death:

“Nada te turbe,
nada te espante;
todo se pasa,
Dios no se muda.
La pacientia todo lo alcanza.
Quien a Dios tiene nada la falta:
solo Dios basta.”

in English:

“Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things.
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.”

I am blessed…grateful…joyous…and learning.

The End Does Not Justify The Means

In the many issues facing society, a common rationalization for committing wrong, immoral, unjust or unethical acts is that if the greater good is served the relative harm necessary to gain such a supposed good is justified. In essence, people say doing bad can result in good, thus they assert bad becomes good. This has become commonly accepted in politics (as well as within people’s personal and business lives).

Consider issues such as immigration, taxation, abortion, capital punishment, torture, and the use of military force. All present a multitude of possible scenarios and situations in which the use of force is argued or disputed. Must we, then, live our lives in a state of flux, constantly having to analyze each and every situation to determine what is ethical? Are there times when commission of a wrong act is the best choice because the result may be better for the majority? Is morality relative? Can an immoral or unethical act sometimes be the right thing to do if the outcome is deemed favorable?

The final result of an action cannot and must not be the determiner of right or wrong. To allow your mind to begin to accept this falsehood to any degree permits corruption to enter. Do not arrogantly think you are capable of compromising what you know is right and wrong in a situation just because it is difficult, for many well-intentioned people have done so only to later find themselves having accepted degrees of inflicting harm upon others they would never have thought themselves capable. And the core truth is that committing any evil, regardless of the circumstances, is always wrong. Consider history, every horrible inhumanity man has committed against others, was justified in their own mind(s).

The truth is no evil action is justified by having a good end in mind. This is true for a nation, as it is for you as an individual. Intention does not detract from the gravity of committing a wrongful action. To accept commission of evil against other human beings for a supposed favorable end for other human beings is to defy ethics and morality completely. A recurrent example of this is of the United States’ targeting civilians for some geopolitical “end” it wishes to achieve (resulting in the tragic death and suffering of millions). Whether during the invasions of sovereign nations (without congressional declaration of war), deliberate bombings of civilians during war, or covert operations worldwide in which civilians die for some advantage as perceived by our government – every instance assumes moral justification for the widespread death and destruction.

Take the bombing of Dresden, Germany by the U.S Air Force and the Royal Air Force during the last days of World War II which is now viewed and accepted by many as a targeting of innocent civilians (not a military target) for the sake of instilling terror. With casualties in the tens of thousands, it destroyed morale, yes, but was of little if any military significance (targets nearby of a military industrial nature were not bombed while civilians were). Certainly, the unnecessary bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are more glaring examples. The internment of Japanese Americans is yet another example of where our government felt the end justified the means. But they were wrong.

Decades of history show the U.S. government does not value human life – it values only power. And the government uses fear to manipulate the people into supporting its actions no matter how horrendous. Because so many accept the falsehood “the end justifies the means” they become capable of endorsing evil they would otherwise have rejected. One example of this is the consensus of many Americans that to ally our nation with dictators and tyrants is acceptable, or the acceptance of implementation of cruel embargoes upon innocent people if it furthers U.S. presence in parts of the world with resources our nation wishes to avail itself of. If the result is desired, any means to obtain it has become acceptable to the U.S. government, and sadly many Americans believe this as well.

The widespread acceptance of the use of torture to possibly obtain information from suspected terrorists is another example where as a nation we are becoming depraved. Torture, regardless of the situation, can never be justified. It is the identical evil nature we claim to abhor. It is one of the most un-American practices possible (if we define “American” as reminiscent of the values we once proclaimed and were regarded favorably by the rest of the world for). But so many Americans have let fear do the choosing between right and wrong.

Justifying evil because of a sought-after result is also frequently used in people’s private lives. People lie to themselves to go ahead and do what they want, but rather than consciously acknowledging that an action is wrong and doing it anyway, they craftily lie to themselves by convincing themselves that the good for themselves (or even another) in the end warrants their own wrongdoing because a wrong was done to them. Making it even is viewed as making it right, but vindictiveness for even real persecution which has been suffered does not justify a wrong action. I believe, to do so even in the smallest of matters puts one on a dangerous slippery slope as they say, for once a little corruption is accepted, more serious opportunities of corruption will surely follow. Do not delude yourself into thinking that “just this one time” you can put your values aside, for in doing so you’ve fallen much deeper into darkness than you realize.

As the Bible warns, “Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23, KJV). Keeping our heart requires diligence as the examples I gave above illustrate, for once we allow even a small degree of acceptance of doing wrong to enter, we become capable of even more. No amount of wrongful actions, no matter how measured, can be justified by one who values ethics, integrity, and morality. Though we may err from always doing so, we can certainly choose to never willingly unjustly cause harm regardless of the positive consequences which could be derived from it.

In any dilemma, the choice you make will either be motivated by love or by fear. Love is bold, strong, and courageous. It will never suggest commission of evil for a desirable outcome. But fear will always try to make you question the decision your conscience first came to; fear will whisper rationalizations to try and make you feel not so bad about doing something you know is wrong – it will lie to you. It will even make you worry that a decision based on ethics and morality may make you become an outsider in the group(s) you affiliate with. Fear will give you all the “good reasons” to compromise what you know is in your heart.

Good is accomplished, and liberty achieved, to the degree one refuses to compromise what they know within is right and wrong. As an individual, you must determine this for yourself. As a nation, the majority of the people’s characters will determine the nation’s actions. On the personal and political, let your will, your character, and your decisions be of integrity – no exceptions.

Never compromise. Listen to your conscience, and all will be well.

Take Time To See

Below are photos of the baby birds I watched from hatching to flight…posting these photos made me want to share a few thoughts (and a poem I’ve always appreciated).

During my afternoon walk a few days ago, I was blessed to meet two deer who stood silently watching me as I passed a few feet from them, and a startled dove rose from brush as I walked past. The day was cool with much rain, rabbits were out munching on abundant wild greenery, and I detected quite a few new bird voices in the trees. (There have been so many baby birds learning to fly this late summer.) Then a day of thunder, lightning, rain, and a beautiful rainbow in early evening. And, now, today the summer sun is again bright, it’s a hot day with bees and butterflies and I’m preparing to prepare more firewood after a day of writing. I have even spotted a new fawn (rare this late in the season) with its mother. Again, baby birds are everywhere today, as are many wildflowers.

My recent walk on the rainy day brought to mind a favorite poem. I discovered the poem years ago, and I kept thinking of this beautiful poem as I walked, and thus upon my return home again a few days ago I went searching to see if I could find it online to share with my blog readers. Success! The poet, Ray. F. Zaner, was someone I was interested in learning more about, for he must have been a most perceptive man to have penned the words. Turns out Zaner was deeply involved in the Boy Scouts (Online I read he was a Scout Executive.) You may read his poem, “Take Time To See,” at a Boy Scout website (it’s about half-way down the page).

I share this poem because I feel it is a message all of us need to remind ourselves of. No matter how much I appreciate the natural God-given beauty of the natural world, I know there have been times when I have allowed the meaninglessness of the world to intrude upon my life and thoughts to the degree that I neglect to fully appreciate the most wonderful blessing of seeing the beauty around me. It’s been rare that I’ve made this mistake, but it’s important to remember to never let the stress of the world to disturb one’s inner peace. I resolve to never let the insanity of the world intrude upon my appreciation of the things which are real and most important in life…the natural world…and all which lives…and my resolve is to endeavor to express love in every deed, and in every thought. I may not always succeed in the endeavor, but it is my highest intention to do so. But before we can express love to others in our lives, one must first love themselves. And I believe part of loving oneself is making appreciation of the natural beauty around you a part of your life – not the exception.

Take time to see that beautiful sky right now, for never in all history has it appeared just like it does at the moment you view it and it never will again. What artwork! Take time to see the new buds on a wildflower as you walk, for never in all history has it blossomed and never will you see that unique flower again. What artwork! This is the attitude of appreciation to develop, one in which we separate ourselves from all the stresses of the world man has made, so to appreciate what truly is real and good.

The beauty is that the opportunities are everywhere – even right in the middle of a bustling city sidewalk – if only we take time to see. Ever noticed the dandelion poking it’s head between sidewalk cracks, or the cheerful sparrow upon a tree branch? Nature is there, no matter where we are, to be appreciated, if only we take time to see…to experience.

Below are photographs of the baby birds (who spread their wings and flew away but a few days ago). Their mother had built a nest above my kitchen fan beneath my home’s eave (an excellent place, safely high, dry, and sheltered from wind). Every day I was able to not only view them and their attentive mother from sitting on my deck, but heard them tweeting when inside my kitchen and living room. It was delightful to watch them grow day by day.

Anti-immigrant hatred breeds discrimination, mistreatment, harassment and death

A few weeks ago, I read the sad story of the beating death of Mexican migrant Luis Ramirez (age 25) in a small town in Pennsylvania. The details as reported in the press are sad and disgusting regarding what allegedly transpired between three white teens charged in the case and Ramirez. The story has stayed in my mind.

Remember when others worldwide regarded our nation as a beacon of light, a place where those persecuted could come to seek a better life, free from religious and ethnic persecution? Remember when you, perhaps, regarded our nation in that way?

“The Mother of Exiles,” as Emma Lazarus’ The New Colossus called her, was how America was viewed by those seeking a better life. To come to America was a dream, a dream and vision celebrated worldwide, and one which millions fulfilled much to the benefit of our nation. As the plaque on the base of the Statue of Liberty with Lazarus’ inscription spoke of the Lady of Liberty’s world-wide welcome, millions came and built this nation.

Yet such a warm welcome has not awaited many. When one considers how many people desperately seeking asylum here have been denied, or even those who go through the tedious process of applying for green cards and citizenship who worry after years of living, working, and even building businesses in America about the ultimate decision due to the excruciating waiting periods, or we take a look at the immigration detention facilities across our country filled with non-violent people (including many children), we see the welcome has long been gone…though my question is was it ever really there?

Whether “legal” or “illegal” is not the question; the question what is just versus unjust or moral versus immoral?

Right now, there seems to be an increase in vitriolic language against Latinos, and disturbingly, it’s becoming popular and seemingly accepted in the mainstream.

Immigrations laws are immoral; they give the U.S. government the control to grant or withhold permission to foreigners wishing to enter our nation. Such power of the federal government inevitably leads to violence. It’s a violence perpetrated not only by the government against those seeking life in America, but a violence advocated by citizens themselves as the rhetoric becomes more vicious, so do the attacks on Latinos.

It’s been three months since the ICE raid in Postville, Iowa (the largest such workplace raid in our history). Families were separated, businesses disrupted, and all for enforcement of immigration policy against people who have built their lives and raised families in Postville for years. Who were such hard working individuals harming? What we do know is the town was harmed by this federal action. Most of the approximate 389 arrested were Guatemalan, others were Mexican, Ukrainian and Israeli. Such illegal workers pose no threat, but are targeted by the ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement). Perhaps such raids are a means to justify the existence and growth/funding of the ICE with “Homeland Security.”

The anti-immigrant fervor in the United States is fueled by fear of those who cross our southern border (though many “illegals” also come here on legal visas and remain after their visa expires). But it is the Mexican immigrant who is receiving the wrath of the public. Many on the anti-immigrant bandwagon resort to hateful verbal attacks, and others increasingly express their hatred through violent speech or violence itself. Though there are those who restrain their fears to mere discussion of ideas and the facts they selectively use to support their positions, many others have chosen immigrants as the group upon which not only to to vent their frustrations, unhappiness, and hardship upon (as if immigrants were responsible for the deep emotional and economic dissatisfaction in their own lives) but to take it a step further in advocating all manner of persecution including violence.

The phenomenon of irrational and unjust persecution of a group of people has occurred throughout history. Fear of the unknown is the cause, be it for the sake of religious, regional, ethnic, economic, or other differences, the result is the same: the fearful attacking the object they view as different from themselves. In an effort to not address their fears, people often simply attack.

Religious persecution is but one example: Early Christian were persecuted by the Romans, Christians have persecuted pagans, New secularists,the Japanese, and Russian orthodox Christians persecuted Roman Catholics, and Christians have persecuted Jews and persecuted one another between denominations for centuries – differences in religious practice result in violence still worldwide. These are but a few examples, each leading to violence and death. When we take a look at regional and ethnic battles worldwide, as well as between economic classes, we see the identical process taking place: every instance of violent persecution began with a negative stereotype thereby opening people’s minds (and hearts) to justification for their prejudice, discrimination, and ultimate violence. It begins with a focus on differences.

Once the bigoted prejudice is accepted, all manner of evil can result – even genocide. As prejudice begins to be accepted in a society for a group of people, it is fueled by propaganda and the words of demagogues. Derogatory slang is used against the target to dehumanize them, and once dehumanized, the discriminatory practices are easily accepted, and as the hatred of the targeted group becomes the norm in a society, then, too, violence is accepted. Examining even the most recent wars of the 20th and 21 st centuries, and the same process of dehumanization of the “enemy” leading one group, or both, to engage in all manners of evil against the other. Whether the Nazi’s anti-Jewish propaganda or American anti-Japanese propaganda (but two examples-there are many), it is an evil to be rejected by any side during a dispute or conflict.

This process of dehumanization is precisely what I see happening in the United States against immigrants from Mexico (as well as from a few other nations). The assertion that Latinos are the “enemy” is becoming accepted as such hateful rhetoric increases. Cloaked in the guise of “national security” racism is being encouraged.

Mexicans and other Latin American immigrants are referred to in the most derogatory of names, not just by extremists, but by those considered “mainstream” be they talk show hosts, politicians, or others in the public eye. The result has been a significant increase in crimes against Latinos (or those perpetrators thought to be Latino because of their skin color) regardless of their immigration status.

I recommend an excellent article from the Southern Poverty Law Center entitled Immigration Backlash: Violence Engulfs Latinos (by Brentin Mock). The article provides just a sampling of some of the egregious acts of violence.

And this racist phenomenon is not new here. The U.S. federal government has a long history of discrimination resulting in death for those it deemed unacceptable to allow into our nation. A very brief sketch of federal immigration policy:

Prior to 1882, there were few restrictions on those entering the United States. But since the early 1900′s, our country has favored some ethnicities above others and backed up that racism with our laws. Supposed “reasoning,” similar to the “reasoning” espoused by current anti-immigrant propaganda, relied upon “studies” and “reports” which were designed to “prove” some races inferior or harmful to the best interest of society. Beginning in the 1890′s, groups such as the anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic American Protective Association grew in numbers as they played upon Midwesterner’s fears of immigrants as they lobbied for immigration restrictions and stricter citizenship tests. And it was in 1891 that the U.S. Congress passed the Immigration Act forming a bureaucratic agency within the Treasury department charged with screening, processing, and rejecting immigrants (in 1875 the Supreme Court had decided immigration regulation would be the responsibility of the federal government, which was followed by the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act and the 1885 and 1887 Alien Contract Labor Laws both of which restricted certain laborers from entering the country).

Defying individualism, liberty, and limited government power, followers of such thought were ready to “protect” their way of life (their political agendas which they felt threatened by the differing political viewpoints of the new settlers) by fighting hard for immigration restrictions.

Soon national immigration policy became a political tool of division subject to playing on the fears of the people to promote political agendas for acquisition of political power. Intellectuals began publishing articles opposing America’s longstanding celebration of immigration in favor of an entirely opposite view promoting protectionism from immigrants who they categorized as unskilled and responsible for deteriorating the quality of life in cities. One prime example of such rhetoric came from social scientist/economist Richard Mayo Smith who wrote, “It is scarcely probable that by taking the dregs of Europe we shall produce a people of high social intelligence and morality,” (1) Further, Smith in his “Emigration and Immigration: A Study in Social Science (1890) wrote, “…we must disabuse ourselves of the notion that freedom of migration rest upon the right of the individual. It is simply a privilege granted by the power of the state…” (2)

Throughout the 1900′s, more regulations were passed giving the federal government increased control to exclude immigrants with a quota system, banned all Asians except Japanese (1917-1924), ad reduced visas and based those they granted on national origin. The legislation gave preference to immigrants from northern and western Europe. It wasn’t until 1965 that the racist immigration laws drew controversy, with the bans on Asians and immigration discrimination based on race, place of birth, sex and residence being lifted. The immigration policies had resulted in thousands of Jews being turned away who sought haven from Hitler (even while quotas were no where close to being met). By 1965, the immigration backlogs were enormous for those wishing to come to our nation legally.

And, then, as history repeats itself, the U.S. government imposed strict laws again with the 1986 imposition of fines on employers hiring illegal immigrants, and in 1990 more laws restricting certain laborer immigrants over others’ entry into the country. Then the U.S. Patriot Act (2001) and the merging of the Immigration and naturalization Service into the Department of Homeland Security in 2003 with yet a new bureaucracy for processing called the U.S. Citizenship and US immigration Services with immigration enforcement handled by the Department’s Border and Transportation Security Directorate called the Bureau of US immigration and Customs Enforcement. Once again, fearful people are rallied to target groups of people as the ‘enemy” from whom they must be protected by their government – and liberty is lost. Thus describes the popularity of legal immigrant restrictions, and the current dangerous sentiments against “illegal” immigrants.

Immigration detention is now the fastest growing form of incarceration in the United States.(3) It’s a big business now. Do a search on the detention centers and read about the conditions men, women and children are subjected to. (One such article: Families Behind Bars: Jailing Children of ImmigrantsBy Kari Lydersen).; and another regarding the allegations of mistreatment at a Washington state detention facility where a report by the Seattle University School of Law and the human rights group OneAmerica concluded detainees are being held ” in conditions that violate both international and U.S. law,” see Julia Dahl’s August 5, 2008 piece rivate Prison Co. Again Accused of Human Rights Abuses, Report: Immigrants in US Facility Held in “Atmosphere of Intimidation.”)

An aspect of the federal government’s war against immigrants is Section 287g of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), a law made in 2006 authorizing the Secretary of Homeland Security to enter into agreements with state and local law enforcement agencies. That provision is part of the problem as Latinos, who are not U.S. citizens, are reluctant to report crimes of harassment or violence for concern they may be deported. (Who can forget the arrest and detainment of Juana Villegas in Tennessee last month? A nine-month pregnant woman, stopped for routine traffic violation, ended up forced to give birth in the most disagreeable circumstances (read details here from the story as reported in The New York Times) simply because she was undocumented.

Such local collaboration with federal authorities is increasing. Sold as a means to get violent criminals off the streets, obviously the opportunity for misuse is abundant. From the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website about 287g, “Terrorism and criminal activity are most effectively combated through a multi-agency/multi-authority approach that encompasses federal, state and local resources, skills and expertise. State and local law enforcement play a critical role in protecting our homeland because they are often the first responders on the scene when there is an incident or attack against the United States. During the course of daily duties, they will often encounter foreign-born criminals and immigration violators who pose a threat to national security or public safety.” Did anyone really think Mrs. Villegas was a potential terrorist, or in any way posed a threat to national security and public safety? Is Section287g simply playing on American fear of terrorism to justify the enormous budget allocated of for “Homeland Security” and its increased power?

It is such blatant disregard of individual liberty, of which free movement is intrinsic, which has caused the U.S. federal government’s discriminatory immigration practices to result in much tragedy and death. Be it the enormous bureaucracy for those applying for legal status, or the enormous bureaucracy enforcing immigration laws against those who simply seek to come here but do not seek citizenship, the costs – economically and ethically – are enormous.

None of this would have happened if not for the fear-based persecution of those who differed by the populous. Immigration has sadly always been viewed as racial issue for the U.S. government.The current anti-foreigner sentiment is not new, but the continued unenlightened fear of a people who seek someone to blame for their own nation’s as well as their own personal problems. It is the “us” versus ‘them” syndrome, and Latinos more than other immigrant group are the ones targeted.

To those who cry “They’re breaking the law,” I say “Get rid of these unjust laws as we have others.” Government regulated immigration has always, by its very nature, been arbitrary and discriminatory basing policies on ethnic and geographic (and other) biases. Such laws go against human will. They violate the natural desires of people to travel, to migrate, to seek greater opportunity…and they go against the natural desires of people to not only hire others, but to welcome others into their life, their homes, their families, and their communities. There should never have been preferential immigration policy, and there should not be now.

To let supply and demand, need and want, private enterprise work freely (and work it will) is the answer. Just get government out of the way, and let people themselves determine where they wish to live, where they want to try and make a living, and who they wish to hire. Let’s end government protectionism of certain businesses/industries, let’s end government discrimination, let’s allow people to decide who they associate with.

Until the history of moral failure of this nation’s immigration policies is recognized, more will suffer.

Immigrants, “legal” or “illegal,” should not be expected to check their customs, beliefs, traditions, religion, language or their human rights at the border. Only a fearful people would require such irrationality…and fear should never do the choosing between right and wrong.

People are dying in their quest to come to America. Human smuggling from Mexico as well as from Cuba, results in terrible suffering and death. Families suffer in federal detention centers. All because the federal government continues its immoral persecution of people simply seeking to live in America. The hypocrisy of a nation, as ours, ever trying to condemn oppression anywhere else in the world is glaring, for ours is a government which forbids such oppressed peoples to seek refuge (even as the U.S. government’s imperialism destroys the economic infrastructure of many countries and creating refugees worldwide and accepting only a fraction of them).

I do not see the public outcry for the mistreatment of human beings that is occurring in this nation. I do not see public rejection of the detention camps. Nor do I see much empathy for those who die as a result of repatriation. I do not believe this is a matter of rational pro or con on the issue of immigration; I believe it is a deep rooted racial bias.

As the demagogues become more brazen in expressing their hatred, disturbed people will take it upon themselves to show their “patriotism” by violent behavior…after all, they’re only following the example of their government which they worship – with the rightness or wrongness never questioned. The “American” spirit would be welcoming, the tyrannical spirit condemning. The disturbing increase in persecution of Latinos happening now gives me a grave foreboding as to what evil lengths the U.S. government, and the citizens themselves, may ultimately accept as their hatred becomes solidified as a group war to defend their meaningless “national pride” or perhaps it would be more accurate to say their meaningless “racial pride.”

Notes:
(1) America in the Gilded Age by Sean Dennis Cashman, pg. 98
(2) Dividing Lines by Daniel J. Tichenor, pg. 77
(3)Few Details on Immigrants Who Died in Custody by Nina Bernstein, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/05/nyregion/05detain.html?_r=3&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

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Music, dance, Mexican food, firewood, and work – Life is so good! & photos

An early morning blog entry

August finds me quite busy writing (completing two projects and embarking on two others now), and also already preparing for winter.

Stacking firewood and gathering kindling is important to be done before it gets cold. In between writing projects, I’ve been doing these and other activities for autumn and winter. Been receiving much rain lately, so it’s somewhat cooler (though a few of those days while stacking firewood were very hot and sunny). In Colorado, August vacillates between hot days in the 90′s to cooler days in the 60′s. Wildflowers are abundant right now.

This summer is and has been most happy and fulfilling. I feel more enriched than ever, waking each morning filled with energy for everything I choose to do, and a deep contentment. Life is so good.

I am singing often as I can and plan to share a few songs online shortly. I do love music from hymns to folk/country to classical and more – my musical tastes are eclectic. (I have been asked to possibly sing at my church as a cantor, I am considering this as well as involvement in a couple other ministries there). Just bought a new cd (Puccini’s “Turandot” Highlights (with Sutherland, Caballe, Pavarotti, and others), and found the photos, story telling, and information about the composers from the Metropolitan Opera International Radio Broadcast website most interesting (you can view/listen to any number of operas), for example: Turandot.

Am on my way out today, and hope to find a Patricia Barber cd at my local store, if not will order one online. Her “Summer Samba” (“So Nice”) rendition is so sweet, and a couple others I’ve heard I liked, so want to get some of her music. I’ve quite a collection of music, particularly classical and a variety of country music and classics, but never really listened to jazz at all. But Barber’s “Summer Samba” has made me decide to listen to some of her other songs as well.

This summer, I’ve also learned to Foxtrot as well as a few other dance steps (and have discovered once you start to learn to dance, you can’t stand still no matter where you are when you hear music!). All my life, people have been surprised I knew not one dance step, not even a two step, but now, at least, I do one relatively adequate/well so far. More to learn, of course. Have found I really enjoy it (though I am a mere novice!). Somehow, learning dance, enhances my appreciation of music…perhaps it’s the timing…whatever it is, I like it.

The photos shared with this blog entry depict a few summer activities: firewood, playing in the sun at swing set, enjoying a meal at my favorite Mexican restaurant (I love Mexican cuisine – both at good restaurants with authentic Mexican or cooking…Mexican or Italian cuisine have always been my favorites to eat or cook).

(Note: If photo slideshow does not automatically start, simply refresh the page by clicking this blog entry’s title and it will begin.)

Starting out early this morning, many activities to do today. (Note: to those who have written regarding my blog entries “Debate with a Socialist,” “Happiness,” and my pieces about Catholicism – I have appreciated your sharing your thoughts – though I have not had time to yet respond to several, I intend to.)

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

I recall seeing more than one film over the years regarding Dietrich Bonhoeffer (German Lutheran pastor, theologian, part of the German Resistance against Nazism), but most recently again saw the excellent documentary entitled “Bonhoeffer.” I highly recommend it. To learn more about the documentary, and to read an interview with its filmmaker Martin Doblmeier, visit http://www.pbs.org/bonhoeffer/interview.html