Mostly it's my journey I wish to connect with others, in doing so I wish to effect change in myself and them and the world around me... maybe save a few animals, a rainforest, a way of indeginous life, our species along the way??
I've been talking a lot about urban community building with friends and acquaintances lately, as I lament how people in this city don't go out of their way to connect with anybody - it's like we're alone in a world full of people. Sure, we've got friends, but what about how we treat strangers?
A new granddaughter was recently born to me and my husband. Births strike me as renewed motivation to do all we can to make the world a kinder, saner, safer, healthier place. We saw a poster recently that read Justice, not Just Us.
Along these lines, here is a quotation from a spiritual teacher I have found provocative and exhortative:
“When we wake up in the morning, so often our first thought is some variation of “What about me?’ If this thought drives our lives, fear and self-absorption rule us. We are so fixated on our own happiness that our mind begins to shrink, and with it, the possibility of happiness.
What would real happiness be? It would be egolessness, the lack of struggle, and a fundamental joy and sense of celebration, not only in our own happiness but also in the happiness of others.
Considering others is the basis of any spiritual and worldly success, if we define success as having a fulfilled, meaningful, and permanently happy mind. If we help others, we will all find the happiness we want.”
How do we bring more heart into the community of old people? I have a friend that is 87 years old and she is my soulmate. She moved to Toronto three years ago. She has a strong spirit and inspires me all the time. I want to give back to the community. I want to give back to the seniors.
Seniors and children have a lot of wisdom and I love there company.
My resolution for the next year is to work for seniors, and, not only in a for-pay situation. I resolve to also volunteer my time. Our senior citizens need the Heart because there are a lot of lonley old people out there.
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