Watching our culture, I’ve been thinking about Reinhold Niehbuhr’s “Serenity Prayer” [adapted]:
May I have the serenity to accept what I cannot change, the courage to change what must be changed, and the wisdom to know the difference.
What do we need to accept that we cannot change – in ourselves, our families, our congregation, our country? What needed change calls for our courage? How can we support each other in cultivating acceptance, courage, and wisdom? As the Republican Convention looms on the horizon (literally – I see downtown Cleveland from my balcony), I am aware of reactivity within me and all around. Studies have shown that when people meditate together in urban areas, violence goes down (without other causal factors). I am drawn to meditate (alone and with others) on compassion. And to listen to others who may not share my political views, but share commitment for changing what must be changed. Does sitting still and cultivating compassion within us change the world around us? Apparently. It changes the one(s) meditating, opening the heart, so we see each other and not just fear pictures. And together, our actions change the world. Please join me. And let’s share our meditating times, so that others can ‘tune in’ at the same time.
