A paradigm occurred to me during discussion in class today, and I wanted to see if you could find a way to reconcile the paradox.
Here's the thought:
It seems the more passionate a person is about any given controversy, the more angry they become. Think about opponents in prop 8, immigration, healthcare. Anyhow the more angry a proponent is, the less they listen, until all they can hear is their own outraged screaming.
The question is, whats the balance? Is it really possible to be both passionate and an honest listener - not just hearing in order to counter argue, but honestly considering the arguments of the opposition. Is it better to be open minded and less of an activist?
Monday, February 22, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Making a Difference
Hey everyone! I'm reading Half the Sky- Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. It's a great book that talks not just about oppression but highlights the great work by many courageous men and women. Anyways, I loved this quote:
The third lesson is that even when a social problem is so vast as to be insoluble in its entirety, it's still worth mitigating. We may not succeed in education all the girls in poor countries, or in preventing all women from dying in childbirth, or in saving all the girls who are imprisoned in brothels. But we think of Neth and remeber a Hawaiian parable taught to us by Naka Nathaniel, the former Times videographer, himself a Hawaiian:
A man goes out on the beach and sees that it is covered with starfish that have washed up in the tide. A little boy is walking along, picking them up and throwing them back into the water. "What are you doing, son?" the man asks. "You see how many starfish there are? You'll never make a difference." The boy paused thoughtfully, and picked up another starfish and threw it into the ocean. "It sure made a difference to that one," he said.
As my 2 cents, what a difference it could make if the little boy could convince all of his friends to throw some starfish back, too?
The third lesson is that even when a social problem is so vast as to be insoluble in its entirety, it's still worth mitigating. We may not succeed in education all the girls in poor countries, or in preventing all women from dying in childbirth, or in saving all the girls who are imprisoned in brothels. But we think of Neth and remeber a Hawaiian parable taught to us by Naka Nathaniel, the former Times videographer, himself a Hawaiian:
A man goes out on the beach and sees that it is covered with starfish that have washed up in the tide. A little boy is walking along, picking them up and throwing them back into the water. "What are you doing, son?" the man asks. "You see how many starfish there are? You'll never make a difference." The boy paused thoughtfully, and picked up another starfish and threw it into the ocean. "It sure made a difference to that one," he said.
As my 2 cents, what a difference it could make if the little boy could convince all of his friends to throw some starfish back, too?
Monday, February 15, 2010
Fear
"...the only thing we have to fear is fear itself" -FDR inaugural address 1933
Following the transgression of recent events I began to examine introspectively what I fear and why. I believe fear is a primal instinct for survival shared by all animals alike; a certain level of fear is healthy to prevent injury or fatality. Want to cross a river full of hungry crocodiles? Neither do I. However, to what extent do we or should we allow fear to dictate our actions? How much of what we fear is instinctual versus fears influenced by the media and society?
As a member of the popular website, CouchSurfing.com, I receive requests occasionally to stay on my couch. CouchSurfing is a online travel network to connect over a million people across the world. CouchSurfing allows travelers to not only save money but offers a different, perhaps more unique and intimate perspective of an area. Members are able to search for hosts to stay with and in turn can offer a couch, bed, room, floor space to other travelers. The site has safety measures in place including profile references from previous hosts or surfers, member verification from the website, and vouches from other members.
My previous CouchSurfing experiences have been wonderful success. While backpacking around Europe I utilized the website to find a host in Paris. The host had several positive references on his profile and the emails we exchanged were seemingly normal. When my brother, cousin, and I turned up on his doorstep (that resided 15min from the Louvre Art Museum) he presented us with his apartment key and granted us free reign for our stay. Last fall a delightful student from Mexico stayed with me for several nights before the semester started. Now onto my recent CouchSurfing escapade that caused quite a stir. A gentleman from Chicago, who I shall call Elmo, requested to stay with me a night last week, not thinking twice, I agreed. Am I crazy? So I was asked by several people. I was aware of the potential risk of sexual assault or burglary, however, I felt the potential benefits outweighed the potential risks. This is my general philosophy. I walk alone at night. I could be mugged or assaulted but the small risk of that occurring is worth my freedom. It is all about calculated risk. Would I walk alone through parts of Detroit at night? Hell no, because the risk of something occurring is greater.
I am sure you are wondering what passed with Elmo? We spent a delightful evening together, enjoying dinner, drinks, and engaging conversations. I was educated on the history and workings of the Public Interest Research Group and universities in Canada-I am extremely jealous of the beer tent on campus during orientation. In addition to this merry evening I have gained a friend and connection and as I have come to learn, connections are invaluable.
CouchSurfing is not a new, modern concept. People were crashing strangers couches back in the 1970s when hitchhiking was an acceptable mode of transportation. Has crime increased since the 1970s? No. Are we more aware and safe now? I don't think so. I think risk is publicized and blown so much out of proportion that we constantly in fear of things that will most likely never happen. Perhaps my positivity stems from a stereotypically normal life that has passed thus far without a major horrific incident. However, I feel that the majority of people are well-intentioned and can be trusted, using your judgment and experience. When did society as a whole start doubting strangers?
On a different note, let's discuss fear of the unknown. This weekend I ventured out into the woods, backpacking, at night, and alone (I am sorry, I just can't be normal). Leaving my vehicle by the road, I crossed under the gate into a closed county park and made my way through the woods to my Grandpa's house. As I entered the woods, my stomach began to churn. What if there were murderers lurking about or rabid coyotes? My mind raced with the countless possible fates that awaited me. I am sure you have been there before. The power we have as humans is the ability to rationalize fear. I believe this gives us the upper hand allowing us to explore and experience even when fear may stand in the way. Upon pausing to assess the situation I concluded: it is February in Michigan, in the low 20s, in the rural countryside of Potterville, southwest of Lansing. When was the last time someone was murdered in Potterville? Although still cautious and attentive to mysterious noises, I continued on without much distress. Darkness cloaks the familiar and known, easily creating anxiety. Even a beautiful garden of lollipops filled with frolicking puppies could instill fear when shrouded in darkness. However, coupled with that hint of anxiety I was overcome with the calm, peaceful serenity as I padded through the deep, powdery snow, shouldering a pack with survival essentials.
I would never trade that feeling for a complete sense of security
Calculate risk, rationalize fear, and do not be inhibited by the unknown, for overcoming that can bring the greatest discoveries.
-Mik
Following the transgression of recent events I began to examine introspectively what I fear and why. I believe fear is a primal instinct for survival shared by all animals alike; a certain level of fear is healthy to prevent injury or fatality. Want to cross a river full of hungry crocodiles? Neither do I. However, to what extent do we or should we allow fear to dictate our actions? How much of what we fear is instinctual versus fears influenced by the media and society?
As a member of the popular website, CouchSurfing.com, I receive requests occasionally to stay on my couch. CouchSurfing is a online travel network to connect over a million people across the world. CouchSurfing allows travelers to not only save money but offers a different, perhaps more unique and intimate perspective of an area. Members are able to search for hosts to stay with and in turn can offer a couch, bed, room, floor space to other travelers. The site has safety measures in place including profile references from previous hosts or surfers, member verification from the website, and vouches from other members.
My previous CouchSurfing experiences have been wonderful success. While backpacking around Europe I utilized the website to find a host in Paris. The host had several positive references on his profile and the emails we exchanged were seemingly normal. When my brother, cousin, and I turned up on his doorstep (that resided 15min from the Louvre Art Museum) he presented us with his apartment key and granted us free reign for our stay. Last fall a delightful student from Mexico stayed with me for several nights before the semester started. Now onto my recent CouchSurfing escapade that caused quite a stir. A gentleman from Chicago, who I shall call Elmo, requested to stay with me a night last week, not thinking twice, I agreed. Am I crazy? So I was asked by several people. I was aware of the potential risk of sexual assault or burglary, however, I felt the potential benefits outweighed the potential risks. This is my general philosophy. I walk alone at night. I could be mugged or assaulted but the small risk of that occurring is worth my freedom. It is all about calculated risk. Would I walk alone through parts of Detroit at night? Hell no, because the risk of something occurring is greater.
I am sure you are wondering what passed with Elmo? We spent a delightful evening together, enjoying dinner, drinks, and engaging conversations. I was educated on the history and workings of the Public Interest Research Group and universities in Canada-I am extremely jealous of the beer tent on campus during orientation. In addition to this merry evening I have gained a friend and connection and as I have come to learn, connections are invaluable.
CouchSurfing is not a new, modern concept. People were crashing strangers couches back in the 1970s when hitchhiking was an acceptable mode of transportation. Has crime increased since the 1970s? No. Are we more aware and safe now? I don't think so. I think risk is publicized and blown so much out of proportion that we constantly in fear of things that will most likely never happen. Perhaps my positivity stems from a stereotypically normal life that has passed thus far without a major horrific incident. However, I feel that the majority of people are well-intentioned and can be trusted, using your judgment and experience. When did society as a whole start doubting strangers?
On a different note, let's discuss fear of the unknown. This weekend I ventured out into the woods, backpacking, at night, and alone (I am sorry, I just can't be normal). Leaving my vehicle by the road, I crossed under the gate into a closed county park and made my way through the woods to my Grandpa's house. As I entered the woods, my stomach began to churn. What if there were murderers lurking about or rabid coyotes? My mind raced with the countless possible fates that awaited me. I am sure you have been there before. The power we have as humans is the ability to rationalize fear. I believe this gives us the upper hand allowing us to explore and experience even when fear may stand in the way. Upon pausing to assess the situation I concluded: it is February in Michigan, in the low 20s, in the rural countryside of Potterville, southwest of Lansing. When was the last time someone was murdered in Potterville? Although still cautious and attentive to mysterious noises, I continued on without much distress. Darkness cloaks the familiar and known, easily creating anxiety. Even a beautiful garden of lollipops filled with frolicking puppies could instill fear when shrouded in darkness. However, coupled with that hint of anxiety I was overcome with the calm, peaceful serenity as I padded through the deep, powdery snow, shouldering a pack with survival essentials.
I would never trade that feeling for a complete sense of security
Calculate risk, rationalize fear, and do not be inhibited by the unknown, for overcoming that can bring the greatest discoveries.
-Mik
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
One Resolution I Encourage You To Make
Brought to tears and left in absolute astonishment at the events transgressed, I can now say whole-heartedly that "Three Cups of Tea" is hands-down the best book I have ever read. I feel it is my responsibility, the least I can do towards the cause, to share this miraculous story with you. This book has so greatly touched and inspired me, enlightening me with what may become a life-changing perspective.
"Three Cups of Tea" is the true story of how mountaineer, Greg Mortenson, turned humanitarian, battled against all odds to build schools, especially for girls, in rural Pakistan and Afghanistan. In areas where there has been and continues to be conflict he has already transformed thousands of lives through the gift of education. From the American perspective, where education that so widely provided is often taken for granted, the effects are unbelievable. They have found educating children, especially girls, can have a profound effect on the health of communities and villages; education to simply a 5th grade level can decrease the infant mortality rate. I have come to agree with a main theme in the book that you can not simply eradicate issues like terrorism through the use of weapons, the problem must be addressed at the source-illiteracy fuels violence. As Mortenson says it is by books, not bombs, that the war will be won.
In addition to this theme, the book is sprinkled with unlikely and profound wisdom. The importance of getting back to our roots, living a simplified life, and exemplifies how building relationships is as important as building projects.
If you do one thing in this next year in addition to losing weight, improving your grades, or getting that promotion, please read this book.
Rest assured, it will open your eyes and inspire you as it has me.
You can also check out the Central Asia Institute website at:
www.ikat.org
"...You have to attack the source of your enemy's strength. In America's case, that's not Osama or Saddam or anyone else. The enemy is ignorance. The only way to defeat it is to build relationships with these people, to draw them into the modern world with education and business. Otherwise the fight will go on forever."
"Three Cups of Tea", pg 310
-Mik
"Three Cups of Tea" is the true story of how mountaineer, Greg Mortenson, turned humanitarian, battled against all odds to build schools, especially for girls, in rural Pakistan and Afghanistan. In areas where there has been and continues to be conflict he has already transformed thousands of lives through the gift of education. From the American perspective, where education that so widely provided is often taken for granted, the effects are unbelievable. They have found educating children, especially girls, can have a profound effect on the health of communities and villages; education to simply a 5th grade level can decrease the infant mortality rate. I have come to agree with a main theme in the book that you can not simply eradicate issues like terrorism through the use of weapons, the problem must be addressed at the source-illiteracy fuels violence. As Mortenson says it is by books, not bombs, that the war will be won.
In addition to this theme, the book is sprinkled with unlikely and profound wisdom. The importance of getting back to our roots, living a simplified life, and exemplifies how building relationships is as important as building projects.
If you do one thing in this next year in addition to losing weight, improving your grades, or getting that promotion, please read this book.
Rest assured, it will open your eyes and inspire you as it has me.
You can also check out the Central Asia Institute website at:
www.ikat.org
"...You have to attack the source of your enemy's strength. In America's case, that's not Osama or Saddam or anyone else. The enemy is ignorance. The only way to defeat it is to build relationships with these people, to draw them into the modern world with education and business. Otherwise the fight will go on forever."
"Three Cups of Tea", pg 310
-Mik
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Nurturing Light
I read this today and enjoyed the message...
Every living system that goes out of balance attempts to right itself. This is true of your blood pressure and your heart rate but also of the rain forest or a population of birds. Pressure on the system from one side–such as lack of food, absence of home ground, or the sudden intrusion of enemies–causes a reaction to shove the system back into balance. Violence is the most extreme response to imbalance.
When people are asked to make moral decisions, it is the emotional center of the brain that increases in activity, instead of the rational centers layered higher up in the cortex. Only after anger emotionally fires us up do we call in the cortex to fashion reasons, including religious reasons.
If you plot revenge against an evildoer, you are harming yourself: Not because the thought may come back to injure you, which is superstition, but because negative thinking reinforces the source of negativity. Darkness adds to darkness. The simple psychological fact is that the mind grows from habit and use, and as long as you habitually use those centers that send out blame, anger, retribution, intolerance, and violence, those centers will be nourished in their growth.
Nurture instead the light that you find inside. Transformation doesn’t come about by being touched with a magic wand. Habit and use apply here too. If you find even the smallest reasons for sending out intentions of love, tolerance, forgiveness, and peace, these centers will grow inside your mind. Spirit counts on this growth.
Adapted from The Deeper Wound: Recovering the Soul from Fear and Suffering, by Deepak Chopra (Harmony Books, 2001).
Peace and love,
Christine :)
Every living system that goes out of balance attempts to right itself. This is true of your blood pressure and your heart rate but also of the rain forest or a population of birds. Pressure on the system from one side–such as lack of food, absence of home ground, or the sudden intrusion of enemies–causes a reaction to shove the system back into balance. Violence is the most extreme response to imbalance.
When people are asked to make moral decisions, it is the emotional center of the brain that increases in activity, instead of the rational centers layered higher up in the cortex. Only after anger emotionally fires us up do we call in the cortex to fashion reasons, including religious reasons.
If you plot revenge against an evildoer, you are harming yourself: Not because the thought may come back to injure you, which is superstition, but because negative thinking reinforces the source of negativity. Darkness adds to darkness. The simple psychological fact is that the mind grows from habit and use, and as long as you habitually use those centers that send out blame, anger, retribution, intolerance, and violence, those centers will be nourished in their growth.
Nurture instead the light that you find inside. Transformation doesn’t come about by being touched with a magic wand. Habit and use apply here too. If you find even the smallest reasons for sending out intentions of love, tolerance, forgiveness, and peace, these centers will grow inside your mind. Spirit counts on this growth.
Adapted from The Deeper Wound: Recovering the Soul from Fear and Suffering, by Deepak Chopra (Harmony Books, 2001).
Peace and love,
Christine :)
Monday, December 14, 2009
I love you and Buddha too :)
In procrastinating for my finals, I stumbled upon a delightful song called "I love You and Buddha Too" by Mason Jennings-check it out here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbSOPuN7OhE
Not only is the music upbeat and catchy, the themes behind the lyrics are excellent. The words so simply and elegantly summarize my feeling about religious differences.
"Oh Jesus, I love you
And I love Buddha too
Ramakrishna, Guru Dev
Tao Te Ching and Mohammed"
I researched some of the religious figures I was unfamiliar with and had some surprising discoveries.
Although I have heard the word 'guru' countless times, I found the definition far different than what I previously conceived. From wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru_Dev):
"A guru (Sanskrit: गुरु) is one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others (teacher)...
Guru is composed of the syllables 'gu' and 'ru', the former signifying 'darkness', and the latter signifying 'the destroyer of that [darkness]', hence a guru is one characterized as someone who dispels spiritual ignorance (darkness), with spiritual illumination (light) -as per Advaya-Tãraka Upanishad (verse 16)"
To save you the time of inquiring after the other mentioned religious elements. Tao Te Ching is an ancient Chinese text written in 6 BC by Laozi, a record keeper from the Zhou Dynasty. The book describes the fundamentals of Taoism; philosophical and religious traditions and concepts that have influenced East Asia for thousands of years. This book is a central part of the Chinese religion and Buddhism as well.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tao_te_ching)
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa is considered a saint from India in the 19th century. He preached the universality of religion, promoting individuality in the seeker's approach to God, contrasting to the religions of the West like Christianity and Judaism that both had exclusionary elements. Ramakrishna appealed to Hindus by activating and demonstrating their values of education and helping the poor; characteristics often just associated with Christians. One of his famous sayings is:
"Every religion is a path to God."
(http://www.om-guru.com/html/saints/ramakrishna.html)
(http://www.cosmicharmony.com/Av/RamaKris/RamaKris.htm)
I am more familiar with Mohammed, Buddha, and Jesus, however, if you are not I encourage you to read up on those important characters as well.
Cheers to Mason Jennings, if only the ignorant could be persuaded with melodies.
Happy studying
-Mikaelyn
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbSOPuN7OhE
Not only is the music upbeat and catchy, the themes behind the lyrics are excellent. The words so simply and elegantly summarize my feeling about religious differences.
"Oh Jesus, I love you
And I love Buddha too
Ramakrishna, Guru Dev
Tao Te Ching and Mohammed"
I researched some of the religious figures I was unfamiliar with and had some surprising discoveries.
Although I have heard the word 'guru' countless times, I found the definition far different than what I previously conceived. From wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru_Dev):
"A guru (Sanskrit: गुरु) is one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others (teacher)...
Guru is composed of the syllables 'gu' and 'ru', the former signifying 'darkness', and the latter signifying 'the destroyer of that [darkness]', hence a guru is one characterized as someone who dispels spiritual ignorance (darkness), with spiritual illumination (light) -as per Advaya-Tãraka Upanishad (verse 16)"
To save you the time of inquiring after the other mentioned religious elements. Tao Te Ching is an ancient Chinese text written in 6 BC by Laozi, a record keeper from the Zhou Dynasty. The book describes the fundamentals of Taoism; philosophical and religious traditions and concepts that have influenced East Asia for thousands of years. This book is a central part of the Chinese religion and Buddhism as well.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tao_te_ching)
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa is considered a saint from India in the 19th century. He preached the universality of religion, promoting individuality in the seeker's approach to God, contrasting to the religions of the West like Christianity and Judaism that both had exclusionary elements. Ramakrishna appealed to Hindus by activating and demonstrating their values of education and helping the poor; characteristics often just associated with Christians. One of his famous sayings is:
"Every religion is a path to God."
(http://www.om-guru.com/html/saints/ramakrishna.html)
(http://www.cosmicharmony.com/Av/RamaKris/RamaKris.htm)
I am more familiar with Mohammed, Buddha, and Jesus, however, if you are not I encourage you to read up on those important characters as well.
Cheers to Mason Jennings, if only the ignorant could be persuaded with melodies.
Happy studying
-Mikaelyn
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Taking chances
I just read this quote that I really feel explains a lot about life and all of our anxiety about not knowing where we're headed right now or what decisions to make for our future.
"Because of all the wonderful things life is, safe is not one of them...at the root of any fundamentalism is anxiety- sometimes terror- about the wild and woolly risk of living fully, knowing that difficult things can and will happen."
Maybe we're not meant to feel "safe" where we are...we're meant to take risks and keep pushing forward. Great success comes from great risk, right? When we quit pushing ourselves and we settle for something less than what we're capable of...it seems like that is when we lose our meaning, our dreams, and our true happiness in the process. Because life can be so many wonderful things, but to truly experience them and appreciate them, we have to sacrifice the feeling of being "safe" where we are, we can't stand still. We have to go out there and make our dreams happen.
"Leap and the net will appear."
P.S. The first quote comes from another blog that I've been glancing at here and there- her name is Oriah & she has a lot of good insight and cool ideas. (http://www.oriahsinvitation.blogspot.com/) The post containing this quote is called "The Inner Tyrant"
Chris
"Because of all the wonderful things life is, safe is not one of them...at the root of any fundamentalism is anxiety- sometimes terror- about the wild and woolly risk of living fully, knowing that difficult things can and will happen."
Maybe we're not meant to feel "safe" where we are...we're meant to take risks and keep pushing forward. Great success comes from great risk, right? When we quit pushing ourselves and we settle for something less than what we're capable of...it seems like that is when we lose our meaning, our dreams, and our true happiness in the process. Because life can be so many wonderful things, but to truly experience them and appreciate them, we have to sacrifice the feeling of being "safe" where we are, we can't stand still. We have to go out there and make our dreams happen.
"Leap and the net will appear."
P.S. The first quote comes from another blog that I've been glancing at here and there- her name is Oriah & she has a lot of good insight and cool ideas. (http://www.oriahsinvitation.blogspot.com/) The post containing this quote is called "The Inner Tyrant"
Chris
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