Ahhhh, January….

… that time of year when all the excitement of the holidays has come and gone, when the weather starts getting serious, and when we have the time to concentrate on….. yes, ourselves. Maybe we indulged a little to enthusiastically at the Holiday Tables… maybe we really do need to lose a pound or two… or get into the rhythm of a regular exercise program… or get after that store room that holds the box of photographs that Aunt Maggie left in our “capable hands.”

So, that becomes our New Year’s Resolution and we, each year, are bound and determined to stick to it, come hell or high water… We demand of ourselves an immediate success and when that success is elusive????? Well, the “hell and high water” win once again.

One problem is that we think we have to drastically change our habits in order to succeed at whatever promise we made to ourselves to be “better,” when in fact, we can only “Start From Where [We] Are.” By making small strides, reaping small successes, we organically and naturally flow into the habits that bring the success we so desperately wanted, but gave up on when the success was not immediate.

Remember, “time takes time…” and really, you can only “Start From Where You Are.”

START FROM WHERE YOU ARE

“Of course, you say, most incredulously,
“Where else would one start from, anyway?”
You’d be surprised at the amount of time
People wait for conditions to be okay
Before springing into action on the rest of their lives;
Before starting on the road to make things happen.
Don’t wait until you think conditions are perfect.
The opportunity to move on doesn’t come that often.

Start where you are and use what you have.
You’ll gain more as you continue to move.
If you stand still, the world will pass you by,
But as you progress, conditions will improve.

Motion is where your ideas will come from.
You’re your own rhythm section as you continue your way.
Your dance of life will move effortlessly
As you pursue your endeavors with an attitude of play.

Explore and thrive, always challenging yourself
To greater and higher participation as you grow.
Don’t sit idly by, watching the world whirl past.
Be alert. Join the dance. Be the flow.

With the Washington state elections nearly behind us (as soon as the last ballot is counted) it is perhaps a time to muse on the various outcomes. Also to contemplate the national scene where it has become an “us-and-them” environment of dog-eat-dog divisiveness; where neither side comes to the table in good faith to try to work through the differences and still maintain friendship… at the very least, decorum.

The thoughts behind the writing of “Respecting Differences” comes from a photocopy of an article by The Rev. Dale Turner, former pastor at University Congregational United Church of Christ, and newspaper columnist. It was handed to me by a very dear friend who suggested I write a poem about the subject. Reverend Turner‘s writing resonated with me, and now, more than ever, his message has meaning for us all, and for our country.

* The Rev. Dale Turner (1917-2006)... described as “A loving pastor, capable of strong stands.”

RESPECTING DIFFERENCES

Democracy is not the assumption of leadership
By the few who have won the election;
But is based on the wisdom, the conscience and participation
Of the many who will shape the direction.

It’s the give and take in our society that makes
Our nation strong and viable to the rest.
When everyone thinks alike, nobody thinks!
How we work together and communicate is the test!

Divisiveness and making the other person wrong
For having a point of view that differs
From one we hold is not the way to solve
Any problems. It just makes matters worse.

It’s not our differences that divide us. Oh, no!
It is our inability to recognize and accept…
That not everyone thinks or believes the same.
Respect for others will win! (What a concept!)

Respect for ourselves guides our morals,
While respect for others guides our manners.
Respecting others’ opinions does not necessarily mean
We drop our own, and carry their, banners!

Appreciating the similarities is the first step, I believe,
To communication between opposite opinions;
Then respecting the differences while in discussion…
Giving the relationship the most important attention.

The respect we show to others (or the lack thereof)
Immediately reflects on or own self-respect.
Show respect to people whether they deserve it or not.
It doesn’t define their character, but it’s yours it does reflect.

Speak your honest convictions and feelings,
And prepare to live with the consequences.
Remember to appreciate your similarities,
And don’t forget to respect the differences!

One of the definitions of the word Mosaic is an art piece which is "composed of a combination of diverse elements,” a seemingly perfect description of the makeup of our world’s population. While we do appear to be quite diverse — language, skin color, even the type of costuming we wear to express our uniqueness -- in our hearts and souls, are we not more similar than different? Our needs (not wants) are the same: food, shelter, safety for us and for our children, education, etc.

The poem MOSAIC, expresses my interpretation of the world as it might be… people from all over the world working together toward common goals to make this a better and safer world for us and for future generations.

MOSAIC

None of us is alone in this world.
We are each a vital piece of the whole…
The whole of humanity, the entire population…
That’s nation by nation, each and every soul.

We’re a Mosaic, not of groups, but of individuals.
We each carry a host of cultural influences.
The Mosaic is held together by the common pursuit of happiness;
The most powerful mortar, its strength is immense.

We are not a melting-pot, but a beautiful Mosaic
Of different backgrounds, beliefs, and different colors of skin.
We’re all immigrants who bring the beauty of our origins
To be anchored in a new culture where we are all kin.