THE WAY FORWARD
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From: Kalama H.
Date: Monday, June 11, 2007, 1:26 AM
Subject: The Way Forward
Reply to: 259843
ID: 257327

I agree. We do need to start with ourselves and we need to start, when we work with others, where they are. I have been a social worker working with the elderly, disabled, mentally ill and poor for the last 20 years. Prior to that I worked as a manager in a steel company, when I had a spiritual awakening and changed my life. Many of us have misconceptions about "the other" and it is by actually getting to know and work with or for the other, that we can touch their and our humanity and soul. In this work, I ask what I can do for the client/patient/etc. vs what I think should be done. I may give advice but often there is another idea or plan that is actually more self empowering or independent that is self generated and followed and more effective. It might not be what I would want but then, if I am in service, I need to support their plan not mine. This difference is subtle but important as we come together to allow the impending massive changes to take form.

Whenever I lose sight of this and want to impose my standards upon them, I try to look within myself and see what aspect of this situation is reflected within me. This can be challenging to see, yet I feel it is critical to the kind of effort we are all undertaking, as Bruce has so wonderfully defined.

For instance, if a daughter is doing her best to care for her parents and they are left alone part of the time, is this neglect or abuse? Is there another solution? Are they happy with it? If they are safe and I still feel uncomfortable with this, but they don't, is there something within myself that I am neglecting or abusing? Am I working too much? Neglecting my inner life? By taking care of my own situation and beginning within, it might change the outer situation and always changes my perception of it, so that a resolution becomes clear.

We are, in one way, all one, in that we are reflections of each other and what we notice or what affects us, is the part of us we project outside ourselves, unrecognized, not integrated, perhaps denied.

When we can, with courage and vision, see this, and begin the inner process to actualize all that we repel, within us, a greater harmony will seem more possible.

We are citizens really of the universe and it is our first task to become citizens of this planet and to care for each of us as though we are the other. When this happens, war ceases, resources are shared, creativity blossoms forth with new ways for us to live.