The more we marginalize, minimize, and demonize "the Other," the easier it becomes to treat other people -- and even other people groups -- as valueless. They become mere impediments to the pursuit of our own selfish goals and aspirations. Tragically, this is true of individuals, religious groups, ethnic groups, even entire nations. In my own small way, here where God has planted me, I pray that I can be the "Jesus kind" of ancestor. He valued and embraced the marginalized (and offended the establishment in the process). He was Lahai Roi -- "the God who sees me." He saw those we too often refuse to see. Can I be even a little bit like that? That would be a worthy legacy.
Since I have become a grandmother, I have been reflecting more on what would be my legacy. Maybe not what I want to be remember for but « who am I being now that can transcend time in my descendants ? »
I wrote a piece a day or so before you asked the question and this is part of it:
« I desire to be used for the good of humanity.
I desire to serve from my heart and expand the awareness of love.
I believe there is no higher truth and purpose for myself than being a vessel of love and transformation.
Yes, I feel all the feels. I wonder if I’ll have enough courage. I wonder if I’ll still be grateful on those days when my body doesn’t move or I experience mental fatigue.
And I remember what I am here for.
Being a guiding light. Being of service. Loving. »
I wish that my descendants hold these values sacred for the good all of humanity.
The world is so old that it’s really hard to say who is indigenous to anywhere, but one shared trait of all people is the tendency toward conquest. Sometimes for reasons as understandable as hunger. It’s easy to judge the past as if we would have been in a position or mindset to do things differently. As we use phones reliant on poor people doing horrible mining work, I shudder to think what future people will say about us in general. Yet I know that all people no matter the tribe have the ability to do great acts of kindness and create beautiful things. I hope my descendants will see through my work that I always believed in humanity’s potential for good.
I would like to be on ancestor who helps us find a path forward together. My very next post, as it happens, will be about the colonial past and present of Ferris Island’s neighbor.
I thank you and send you my respect for your efforts via this prayer to amplify, comfort and protect those who suffer and are abused and displaced around the world.
I really enjoyed this post and your discussion question today. Thinking about "what kind of ancestor I want to be" feels a little out of reach to me. However, thinking about what I want to pass down to my kiddo is easier to visualize. When I think in those terms, it's clear to me that I want to offer the best of my understanding of the world possible, without filling in all the blanks. I want to find a way to help him embrace mystery more than seek certainty.
The idea of Mother Earth is heathenistic and comes from the ancient worship of Gaia. There is no God but the God our Abraham and his son, the Lord. If you want to make the word a better place then you should actually stop worshipping false idols.
Hi Samara! While I understand your zeal, in my comment sections I try to cultivate an environment where all are welcome to express their beliefs however they choose. My readers know that I'm a Christian, but I do not require that they be openly Christians to join us at the table. We believe in dialogue, not attack. Feel free to share your own thoughts on the discussion topic as a separate comment, and I would love to hear them!
I'm so sorry that happened, Nancy. Per our comment guidelines, I've banned Samara from commenting further. I have no tolerance for that kind of behavior at this table. I appreciate your beautiful comments and I hope you'll continue to share with us here. 🌿
The more we marginalize, minimize, and demonize "the Other," the easier it becomes to treat other people -- and even other people groups -- as valueless. They become mere impediments to the pursuit of our own selfish goals and aspirations. Tragically, this is true of individuals, religious groups, ethnic groups, even entire nations. In my own small way, here where God has planted me, I pray that I can be the "Jesus kind" of ancestor. He valued and embraced the marginalized (and offended the establishment in the process). He was Lahai Roi -- "the God who sees me." He saw those we too often refuse to see. Can I be even a little bit like that? That would be a worthy legacy.
Since I have become a grandmother, I have been reflecting more on what would be my legacy. Maybe not what I want to be remember for but « who am I being now that can transcend time in my descendants ? »
I wrote a piece a day or so before you asked the question and this is part of it:
« I desire to be used for the good of humanity.
I desire to serve from my heart and expand the awareness of love.
I believe there is no higher truth and purpose for myself than being a vessel of love and transformation.
Yes, I feel all the feels. I wonder if I’ll have enough courage. I wonder if I’ll still be grateful on those days when my body doesn’t move or I experience mental fatigue.
And I remember what I am here for.
Being a guiding light. Being of service. Loving. »
I wish that my descendants hold these values sacred for the good all of humanity.
The world is so old that it’s really hard to say who is indigenous to anywhere, but one shared trait of all people is the tendency toward conquest. Sometimes for reasons as understandable as hunger. It’s easy to judge the past as if we would have been in a position or mindset to do things differently. As we use phones reliant on poor people doing horrible mining work, I shudder to think what future people will say about us in general. Yet I know that all people no matter the tribe have the ability to do great acts of kindness and create beautiful things. I hope my descendants will see through my work that I always believed in humanity’s potential for good.
I would like to be on ancestor who helps us find a path forward together. My very next post, as it happens, will be about the colonial past and present of Ferris Island’s neighbor.
Very nice. I hope I’m an ancestor that was good at “holding space” for all the worlds antagonism. Challenging.
I thank you and send you my respect for your efforts via this prayer to amplify, comfort and protect those who suffer and are abused and displaced around the world.
I really enjoyed this post and your discussion question today. Thinking about "what kind of ancestor I want to be" feels a little out of reach to me. However, thinking about what I want to pass down to my kiddo is easier to visualize. When I think in those terms, it's clear to me that I want to offer the best of my understanding of the world possible, without filling in all the blanks. I want to find a way to help him embrace mystery more than seek certainty.
I want to leave behind a memory of generosity and inspiring kindness and imagination, to break the cycles of lust and self-preoccupation
The idea of Mother Earth is heathenistic and comes from the ancient worship of Gaia. There is no God but the God our Abraham and his son, the Lord. If you want to make the word a better place then you should actually stop worshipping false idols.
Hi Samara! While I understand your zeal, in my comment sections I try to cultivate an environment where all are welcome to express their beliefs however they choose. My readers know that I'm a Christian, but I do not require that they be openly Christians to join us at the table. We believe in dialogue, not attack. Feel free to share your own thoughts on the discussion topic as a separate comment, and I would love to hear them!
If you cannot join us at this table kindly, you cannot approach at all. I have zero tolerance for unkindness here.
I'm so sorry that happened, Nancy. Per our comment guidelines, I've banned Samara from commenting further. I have no tolerance for that kind of behavior at this table. I appreciate your beautiful comments and I hope you'll continue to share with us here. 🌿