"My greatest hopes for the future are unlimited but some are that our history will begin to face the reality that shaped our nation and thereby planted seeds of violence and greed. Now that we see that “ strange fruit “ come forth, I hope that by truth telling we can repair and restore, to come to see that our greatest strength is the richness of the variety of cultures that make up our society. I hope for a future where my granddaughter is seen as a beautiful Ojibwe woman who knows her culture and keeps Ojibwemowin alive and vibrant. I hope for a future where my son can use his energy to help heal minds that have suffered and fallen ill. I hope for a future where black and brown bodies are not seen as threatening and are no longer killed by police in the thousands. I dream a future where people can manifest compassion, loving kindness, sympathetic joy and equanimity for all. Where we learn that we can even cultivate these qualities for those who we see as “ enemies “ and therefore can find humanity in them and ourselves. Truth and reconciliation are for me the way. At times we may lose faith and believe that these dreams are only that, dreams. But our possibility is unlimited. Or perhaps only limited by conditioning. But that is not fixed. Therefore, unlimited. But it is necessary to walk the eightfold path. To carry ourselves with virtue , concentrated on our goal, girded with discernment. This is open to all faiths and cultures. We think, speak and act without violence and harm. The same with open hands and hearts untainted with greed and possessiveness. We respect each other and choose not to reduce each other to our conceptions of gender and sexuality. We learn to be kind and respectful with our words. We utilize our speech to encourage ourselves and others to love and support the beloved community. We learn to let go of clinging, of facing fears and hurts by healing rather than turning to mind numbing. I imagine a society where happiness is the ultimate wealth and we work together to create happiness for each other. This is my dream."
As usual, your writing brings me inspiration and hope, Rob. Thank you.
Though are far from this, your vision, we must realize that progress is a very long game. Simply because we cannot imagine something occurring in our very short lifetime does not mean we throw up our hands in despair.
Many Indigenous N American cultures feel that the decisions made today should result in a better world seven generations into the future.
What if all people lived our lives along this vein?
We may never see great results in our time but still we must think of and work toward the world our descendants need. This mindset is one of the most powerful tools of societal change.
“We are not obligated to complete the work but neither are we free to abandon it.”
From Akekho Umumtu:
"Thoughts on Imagining a Compassionate Society
"My greatest hopes for the future are unlimited but some are that our history will begin to face the reality that shaped our nation and thereby planted seeds of violence and greed. Now that we see that “ strange fruit “ come forth, I hope that by truth telling we can repair and restore, to come to see that our greatest strength is the richness of the variety of cultures that make up our society. I hope for a future where my granddaughter is seen as a beautiful Ojibwe woman who knows her culture and keeps Ojibwemowin alive and vibrant. I hope for a future where my son can use his energy to help heal minds that have suffered and fallen ill. I hope for a future where black and brown bodies are not seen as threatening and are no longer killed by police in the thousands. I dream a future where people can manifest compassion, loving kindness, sympathetic joy and equanimity for all. Where we learn that we can even cultivate these qualities for those who we see as “ enemies “ and therefore can find humanity in them and ourselves. Truth and reconciliation are for me the way. At times we may lose faith and believe that these dreams are only that, dreams. But our possibility is unlimited. Or perhaps only limited by conditioning. But that is not fixed. Therefore, unlimited. But it is necessary to walk the eightfold path. To carry ourselves with virtue , concentrated on our goal, girded with discernment. This is open to all faiths and cultures. We think, speak and act without violence and harm. The same with open hands and hearts untainted with greed and possessiveness. We respect each other and choose not to reduce each other to our conceptions of gender and sexuality. We learn to be kind and respectful with our words. We utilize our speech to encourage ourselves and others to love and support the beloved community. We learn to let go of clinging, of facing fears and hurts by healing rather than turning to mind numbing. I imagine a society where happiness is the ultimate wealth and we work together to create happiness for each other. This is my dream."
Thank you for sharing you powerful, beautiful, personal vision of a hopeful future. Blessings.
From Carl Slater: "We seem to be quite a ways from anything like that."
Yes, indeed. It will take many people, many actions, many policies, over many years.
From Audrey Berzock Womack:
"This is lovely and I look forward to thinking about it."
Thanks, Audrey. Hope to read any of your thoughts.
As usual, your writing brings me inspiration and hope, Rob. Thank you.
Though are far from this, your vision, we must realize that progress is a very long game. Simply because we cannot imagine something occurring in our very short lifetime does not mean we throw up our hands in despair.
Many Indigenous N American cultures feel that the decisions made today should result in a better world seven generations into the future.
What if all people lived our lives along this vein?
We may never see great results in our time but still we must think of and work toward the world our descendants need. This mindset is one of the most powerful tools of societal change.
“We are not obligated to complete the work but neither are we free to abandon it.”
Thank you, Paul, for sharing your wisdom.