I lived in West Berlin in the spring of 1989, just months before the wall tumbled down.  As a college student, I relished the wild spirit of freedom within that weird western island in the middle of communist East Germany.  West Berlin was a throbbing mecca of bright lights, art, music, expression, and yes, commericalism.  Visiting East Berlin, which was just yards away but took hours to get into, was like entering a time warp.  Bright colors dimmed to muted gray.  Soldiers paraded the streets.  ”Anti-fascist” propaganda pervaded every publication.  People were wonderful–but the society was squelched.  It was one of the most extremely controlled communist countries of the Eastern Bloc.

We freely painted our colorful message of hope on the West side of the wall.  On the Eastern side, the wall was stark and clean, guarded nonstop by soldiers prepared to shoot on sight anyone who entered the “no man’s land” that surrounded the Brandenburg Gate. 

In our political science courses we interviewed Berlin leaders, studied the political structures and debated whether Germany would ever be united again.  At that time, most thought it was a nice dream but highly unlikely.  People had learned to live with the barrier and would continue to do so. 

Within months, the miracle happened.  Guards dropped their guns, and people climbed over the wall or walked through that gate to unite with long lost family and friends.  Communist regimes fell one by one.  Little did we know that the entire world would change so quickly. 

But it did. 

I keep thinking about those who, against all odds, maintained hope that the wall would be removed.  People probably laughed at them or were annoyed by their optimism, but they kept the faith.  They kept working toward that goal, they didn’t let the skeptics stop them, and they manifested a miracle. 

Today, we still have seemingly insurmountable walls that divide us:  physical walls between nations (or neighborhoods), political haranguing, religious conflict, racial prejudice, class and poverty issues, to name a few.  

So often the walls seem too high to overcome.  The opposing sides are too entrenched.  Unification highly unlikely.    

Yet some are able to hold onto the faith, keep working to the higher goal, and change the world. 

I pray that we, in our own little worlds, can break down walls piece by piece and manifest a miracle or two.

If it can happen in the Berlin I knew, it  can happen anywhere.

photo credits: jurek d., siyublog

I received this email announcement yesterday: 

BECAUSE OF GROWING THREAT OF THE H1N1 VIRUS IN OUR COMMUNITY

WE WILL BE CANCELING THE POTLUCK PORTION OF THE MEETING. 

Color me confused.  The potluck itself is no big deal to me –I’m happy to skip preparing a dish– but I cannot find any logical explanation besides irrational fear.  There is no huge outbreak of H1N1 in our area, but “a growing threat”.  I’m sure there are some cases, I’m sure there will be more, and we’re all taking precautions like washing hands often and staying home if we’re sick.  Yes, sharing food is also discouraged, but I don’t expect this crowd to be swapping saliva like kids in the cafeteria. 

I feel like fear is turning our world upside down and topsy turvy:

• Potluck?  Scary.  Same group sending kids overseas?  Great idea. 
• Using the bully pulpit to encourage kids?  Scary.  Pulling kids out of school to avoid it?  Great idea.
• Health care reform?  Scary.  Keeping millions of people uninsured?  Great idea. 

I don’t mean to belittle the complexity or legitimate concerns surrounding these issues, and I admit, mentioning those hot button topics scares me a bit.  Most challenges can’t be boiled down to polar right/wrong sides but require discussion, debate, and negotiation.  I just feel like we’ve gotten a bit off kilter with hysteria.  It seems like fear is taking the lead on everything, and I don’t think that’s healthy.

Fear makes us hunker down and avoid contact.  It halts productive conversation, exchange of information, trust and enlightenment.  We make assumptions based on limited or skewed information and exaggerate differences.   We pass judgment.  The chasm grows.  It makes problem solving very difficult. 

And it blocks out love –as in “love your neighbor“– or the seriously radical one:  “love your enemies.”

As a parent, I want to model for my children both confidence and compassion.  If fear drives all of my decisions, I fail on both fronts.   Sure, I have my fears, and I worry at times.  I need to make sure my kids are safe.  But I need to keep the beast of fear from getting out of control, for my kids’ sake.  I want to get better at walking right in, facing the challenges, and seeking understanding before I react with fear. 

How do you keep fear in check?  We’ll talk more about this soon. 

A couple of related writings you might appreciate:

• Jon from Stuff Christians Like  on the bravery of a six year old.
• Allie Pleiter’s book Facing Every Mom’s Fears:  A Survival Guide to Balancing Fear with Courage

photo credit: kevindooley

refusing to be enemies:  the zeitouna story

This film chronicles the conversations of six Arabic and six Jewish women with ties to Israel and Palestine, a historically war-torn region that still festers today.  Since 2002, the Zeitouna group has gathered biweekly to  dialogue, share stories and search for understanding.  While there is intense passion and pain behind the issues at hand, somehow these women manage to connect and begin to understand one another, resulting in strong bonds and lifelong friendships.  It’s a beautiful example of the power of ordinary women to connect, befriend, support and begin to make peace around issues that seem impossible to discuss.

I learned more about both sides of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict through the film, but what fascinates me most is how the women were able to look beyond distinct differences through mutual respect, listening, and understanding.  I can’t quite do it justice here, but just for a taste, I jotted down these phrases from Laurie’s presentation:

• Person to person diplomacy
• Listen with heart and head
• Listen for feelings
• Listen to your own reactions
• Speak to the middle of the group, not face-to-face
• Run a marathon, not a sprint

And the quote that I keep mulling over in my mind:

“An enemy is a friend whose story you haven’t yet heard.” 

If these women could become dear friends over an issue that has torn cultures apart for centuries, what could we accomplish if we approached even minor conflicts this way?  What if we spent more time listening with our hearts, suspending judgment and searching for understanding when conflicts arise:

• around choices about career and family?
• around schools, home school or child care decisions?
• around parenting styles?
• around political affiliations within our own country?
• around different interpretations of the Bible, holy books or spirituality (for heaven’s sake!)?
• . . . and so many more

Most interesting to me is that this group never even attempted to resolve the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.  Their entire purpose is to share and listen, not to “fix”.  And the impact is very, very powerful. 

May we all be reminded to listen, with our hearts and minds, just a little bit closer.

Check out these photos of the inauguration experience all around the world.  The first few photos might be familiar, but keep scrolling.   It’s quite moving. 

I hope and pray we can keep this community spirit alive through some tough times ahead.

An Inaugural Prayer for President Obama–and Us
By the Rev. Marsha M. Woolley

    CREATING GOD OF LANDS AFAR AND MINE…
    On tiptoe we stand…expectant, eager, hopeful, anticipating…peering over the edge from what has been and on the threshold of what is to come; longing for, yearning for a better way, a more holistic way, a more gracious way of living in this country and in the world. It seems the whole world is holding its breath, daring to believe that the mess we’ve created is not permanent; that you have indeed raised up in our midst one who can lead us in ways that will restore the values and character upon which this land was once established.

    In this inaugural time, O God, we hold our breath…praying that the good identified in Barack Obama will be used to turn around the hollow systems that have led us down selfish paths, to mend the broken bureaucracies that have led to inertia and inaction, to discard the worthless wasting of precious resources, and to pave new avenues of liberty and justice for all people. Yet, keep us from holding our breath… as if this one appointed man can or should — or is even expected to — heal this country alone. Indeed, keep us all breathing and alive and active as agents of the change so desperately needed, as aides in the healing process, and as willing participants in the necessary sacrifices required of us all.

    As we breathe in the hope and anticipation of this new beginning, let us exhale and rid ourselves of the well-learned skepticism we hold for government and our leaders.
    As we breathe in our desire for affordable health care and living wages for all, let us exhale and rid ourselves of the sense of entitlement and selfish greed that consumes so much of how we live.
    As we breathe in and hold up this new First Family, let us exhale and rid ourselves of any too-high expectations we have for them to “fix” this country.
    As we inhale and realize our desire to know all about them and to watch them at all times, let us exhale, and respect their need for privacy, and grant them the gentle times of family togetherness.
    As we inhale and confess our expectation that this new President will be wise and powerful and able to live up to the promises of his campaign, let us, in our exhaling, come to understand that he will only be as wise and powerful as we allow him to be; that the only change that will happen is the change we all choose to make happen together.
    Indeed as we breathe in, recognizing that we are inspired and motivated by what we’ve heard from this elected one, let us also slowly breathe out and realize that what we have really heard is a voice being given to the stirring of our own hearts.

    Oh, it’s true, O God, we are on tiptoe…as expectant as anyone can be…praying that you might be able to create in our midst a new way of living that better honors your creation, that more fully respects your desire for community, that more urgently works for peace and justice for ALL.

    To that end, we dare ask that your hand of blessing be upon President Obama — chosen not for the color of his skin but for the content of his character — that he might guide and lead us in the ways You would have us go. Thru him and with him, make us all agents of good…in our homes, in our communities, in our country and in this world.
    Gracious God, for all the possibilities, promise and privilege of the freedom we enjoy and celebrate this day, we humbly offer our thanks, not only with our lips, but also with our lives.
    In earnest hope that a new day has indeed been inaugurated in our midst, we pray.

Amen.

**Addition:  Tess at Anchors and Masts posted Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson’s invocation at the inaugural concert on Sunday.  It’s worth a read.**

I think I learned about the civil rights movement in junior high, and I remember giving a corny “I have a dream” speech for student council.  MLK Junior day was first observed when I was in high school, and it wasn’t officially observed by all 50 states until the year 2000, with some controversy.

Thankfully, my children’s experience is far different.  They attend remarkably diverse public schools where MLK Jr. is lauded as one of America’s greatest heroes.  They learn his story in kindergarten and celebrate his message of peaceful justice and equality every year.  They learn and play with children from an amazing variety of races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic status.   They bump heads and learn to work things out as children, without labels.   It’s not perfect harmony, but it’s a darn good start.  

Occasionally I hear grumblings from parents about the “heavy emphasis” on Dr. King and diversity, which baffles me.  I chose to send my kids to this public school, warts and all.  I believe that if my children develop fond childhood friendships between different cultures, it will be nearly impossible to fear (or hate) that group as a whole, and it may be more possible to connect and make peace with different cultures later in life.   Teaching young childen this message is one of the most important steps toward healing our world.  As adults, we all carry some prejudices and stereotypes to overcome.  Our best hope rests on each next generation. 

Dr. King’s words, exerpted from his August 28, 1963 speech at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, still resonate loud and clear:

Visit this site to read the full text or watch the 17-minute video.  It’s worth it! 

“. . .And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of “interposition” and “nullification” — one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; “and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.”

This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with.

With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

And this will be the day — this will be the day when all of God’s children will be able to sing with new meaning:

My country ’tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.

Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim’s pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring!

And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.”

 

Forty-five years later, we’ve come a long way, but we still have far to go to respect all children as equals. 

May we keep on keepin’ on toward that dream. 

photo credit: DrewMyers

You might not be caught up in the economy issues (yet!), but I just wanted to share a few insightful articles on the view from our neck of the woods:

Cindy La Ferle on bailouts and jumpstarts

Mitch Albom’s fantasy “If I had the floor at the auto rescue talks”

Mitt Romney discussing why the Big Three needs help restructuring. He disagrees with the bailout, but does have some valid points — and most comforting to me — a little optimism for the future.

And in case you missed it, a personal view from home .

Just doing my tiny part to add a little perspective.  Complex issues.  No easy answers.  Respectful feedback welcome.

photo credit: Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com

From my viewpoint, which I’ll admit is biased, this is all completely absurd, and it hurts.  People have a right to be angry about the economy, but could it possibly be misdirected?  If you can hold on to your tomatoes for a moment, please allow me tell you my little slice of the story.

G chose to apply his education to something he had always dreamed of:  designing cars.  In the early 90’s, when our Silicon Valley friends were catapulting skyward with the internet explosion, G believed strongly in building something tangible.  While American auto companies weren’t doing so hot, he wanted to be part of the turn around solution.  Believe me, in those California days, the last thing I wanted was an American car.  I totally get that.   But G had this hopeful optimism about his role in the process.  And I loved him for it. 

We’ve been in Michigan 17 years now, and we’ve been incredibly blessed.  That doesn’t mean the career path has been easy or super lucrative.  When pundits say the companies have made no effort to restructure, I have to laugh (or cry).  We’ve been through countless spin-offs, freezes, delayed or zero raises, cancelled bonuses, and round after round of layoffs.  Over the past several months, the company has rolled out an agressive plan to survive with a shrinking market share.  They have closed plants, cancelled programs, negotiated radical reductions in union wages, and refocused on quality.  The cuts have been deep and painful.  Thankfully, G has never lost his job, but many very talented people have.

Guess what?  G still loves his job, even though it’s been mighty stressful.  He works with some really smart people.  He’s developed some really cool products.  And he’s excited about the fact that their quality is actually topping Toyota’s.  An outstanding product line is beginning to roll out now, and the company is poised for success. . . until the credit market froze, and people stopped buying cars altogether.  From anyone.

Just Wednesday, while politicians postured, our stock price plummeted 25%.  By Thursday at 7am G was summoned to justify ”headcount” in his area.  Again.  So yes, I’m hoping congress will approve a bridge loan.  You may disagree, and that’s fine.   But please, spare me the caricatures and insults.  Keep in mind there are real people behind the numbers and the rhetoric.  As we teach our children, name calling and finger pointing isn’t helpful.  Let’s stick to the facts and respectful discourse. 

And hey, if you’re ever in the market for a car again (?), check out this and this.   We love ‘em. They’re the coolest. 

And now I brace for the tomato bombs. . .

Here’s something to consider.   Even amidst the craziness, this is actually a great time to teach our children about democracy.   Most kids are already receiving political messages from the media, their friends, possibly school and other influences.  How do we explain our point of view and still help them shape their own opinions?

Chick Moorman and Thomas Haller have written an excellent article to help us navigate:  Talking Politics with your Children.  They suggest sharing many sides, asking good questions, and taking them with you to the polls.  Take a look and see what works for you!

On another note, my earlier election-related post got published at Blogger’s Annex.   How exciting! 

Check out Rocks in My Dryer for other Works for Me Wednesday ideas.

photo credit: ·júbilo·haku·

I found a couple of resources extremely helpful in boiling all the confusion down to (more) understandable language:

This show is the most engaging and entertaining show I’ve heard that makes some sense of the new market for “normal” people:

This American Life #365:  Another frightening show about the economy 

this panel from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan is much more dry, but very educational:

Ross Panel Tackles the Financial Crisis:  What Happened?  Why?  What’s Next?

Don’t bury your head in the sand–find an hour, take a listen, and be a little more informed.  It’s worth it!