Our Work ...

Two Donation Programs

Dear Friends,

I honestly expected Harris to win this election, and I have no idea why. It was the world I envisioned. We are ready to turn a new page, I thought.

It turns out persistent inflation and rising costs of living mattered more than character in this election. According to exit polls, most people did not like Trump as a person, but felt he is the best one to help the economy. We shall see how this plays out.

In Covid, we often heard the phrase “uncertain times,” and we have headed straight back into them.

What will Trump do?

What federal programs and agencies will he disband?

What people will he go after?

What will happen in the Middle East and Ukraine?

With Trump, you just never know. And I am not saying all of it will be bad. Possibly he can help find a resolution in Gaza and the Ukraine. We just have no idea.

What we do know is that the US, and the world, is increasingly divided. And it seems, at least for a lot of people, they are unhappy and do not mind if a lot of things get torn apart in the process.

The tone of America is changing, especially in what has been a majority Christian nation.

Jesus emphasized compassion and care for all individuals, including immigrants and the poor.

In Luke he says, “But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed.

Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

It seems that the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," is no longer the guiding principle, at least in politics.

Our work, it seems, no matter who is leading our country of residence, is to live by our own values, no matter if they are popular or not.

Victor Frankl said:

"We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread.

They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way."

This was true then, and is true now. So if you are thrilled Trump is president or aghast, we can still choose our attitude and approach to our life.

We have two offerings this next month that explores this area, both by donation.

Blessings,

SOREN

Social Change Series

Dick Schwartz, IFS founder, and I will be leading a series in Personal Change, Collective Impact. We will explore how work on ourselves supports our work in the world.

Meditation Series

And Cecily Mak and I will be cohosting a series to support your meditation practice called, Stillness Within: Cultivating Presence in Uncertain Times.

We will be joined by various teachers including Roshi Joan Halifax, Trudy Goodman. Sharon Salzberg, and Jon Kabat-Zinn. We will practiec together and explore living with mindfulness, wisdom, and compassion in these times. By donation.