JOYFUL PIECE #37

The blessings of wisdom...

"Freedom of Speech", by Norman Rockwell, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published in the United States between 1929 and 1977, inclusive, without a copyright notice.

Vitriol comes from the mouths of feckless demagogues, amplified by the news media intentionally, or unintentionally. It spreads the fires of discord to the detriment of our Democracy.

But, we have the wisdom of elder activists. They bring wise counsel, and perspective. Those elders brought, and continue to bring, joy to the world through their wisdom.

Today we received via a friend a Facebook post from Parker Palmer from March 8, 2019. The wisdom that he expressed endures today. Renowned author, educator, and activist, Parker J. Palmer, has been a tireless social justice activist, and at his youthful age of 85 continues his work. He offers advice to resist the onslaught of demagoguery while navigating the information, misinformation, and distraction in the news media. He helps us deal with the anxiety, fear, and stress of these times so we can be effective activists for social change.

From his Facebook post:

“Nurture the inner roots of wisdom by stepping aside from the fray several times a day—so you can stay engaged in a life-giving way. Read poetry, walk in the woods, and sit in silence. Hang out with people who know the difference between true and false, right and wrong, and use what they know to contribute to the common good.”

Palmer also provides an excerpt from a piece by one of the most influential social justice activists of our time that predates 1968, the year in which he died:

“There is a pervasive form of modern violence to which the idealist…most easily succumbs: activism and over-work. The rush and pressure of modern life are a form, perhaps the most common form, of its innate violence.

To allow oneself to be carried away by a multitude of conflicting concerns, to surrender to too many demands, to commit oneself to too many projects, to want to help everyone in everything is to succumb to violence.

The frenzy of the activist neutralizes his (or her) work…It destroys the fruitfulness of his (or her) …work, because it kills the root of inner wisdom which makes work fruitful.”

—Thomas Merton, The Violence of Modern Life.

There are less than eight months to the November election. Pace yourself, focus on the process, keep your eyes on the prize.

Be joyful, for we shall overcome!

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