Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder

So much of life is reduced to the subjective.  I would suggest we need to be more objective as we make the journey before us.  

This last Sunday, I presented a simple issue at church for people to consider.  It was praying the rosary after Sunday mass during October, for this is traditionally the Month of the Rosary. The issue was not the rosary but how the request was to be presented.  Bottom line was that it was not going to happen just because the priest decides, but because it was the decision of everyone together.  This was about inclusion and participation.  Of course, there was massive agreement given to the proposal.  

After mass, one guy gave me his opinion, saying that this was the rosary and I am the priest and should just tell everyone to pray it.  I countered that the issue is not the rosary but how decisions are made.  In the bigger picture, it is a simple exercise in acting against clericalism, the abuse of power in the church.  So the arguments could go on. 

I am at a meeting.  We are talking about an issue.  One says that we need to do better.  I counter that maybe we appreciate that we are doing the best we can.  

I am part of the world population complaining about leadership at all levels.  This week, I decided on doing something as simple as presenting the question of praying the rosary in common to the people.  This was a simple and available way to start somewhere to change our world for the better.  Truth is we just can't keep complaining and being acted upon from above by others, for then we become reactionary and depressed.  I realized the simple issues matter and it is here we begin to make a difference.  We do not just wait for the big issues. 

To keep reacting to what is in our world will only keep getting us the same results, and keep us in complain mode.  To get the world we want, stop feeling oppressed and start taking actions in our sphere of influence that aim to reset our world, not keep it on an eternal pause of discontent.  

A better world can happen.  We can make it happen.  Beauty is ever before us.  We may just be blind to it, only seeing all that is wrong around us and subsequently becoming overburdened by the weight of our own sense of impotency.  That will change when we see anew the beauty ever in our midst, appreciate it and express it by taking new steps, little steps to let that beauty shine forth.   

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A No Photo Entry

I have had this week what I will name a providential experience.  For sometime now, I have been noticing that something has not been working in my life as I have been a bit more cranky than usual.  

On Monday night, I went to bed sitting with my cranky behaviour, wondering what is going on.  Then I awoke to find a special email sent by Richard Rohr, a US Franciscan and spiritual writer, to all following him.  As I read it, I could not believe how he was speaking to me.  I was jst dumbfounded.  So what's going on?  

I've got it right that control does not work.  I've got it right that taking responsibility matters but that is where I begin to go down the wrong path as I am focusing too much on doing which is giving rise to unhealthy expectations.   

There is one expectation that I can hold - respect of self.  The rest can go out the window.     

I place this in the context of the present pandemic.  While I hear and read of all the suffering and see and know it, my overriding experience is to find this pandemic freeing.  I do not want to minimalize.  Sometimes I even feel guilty as I hear ones talk about their experience, then they ask me and I sound so positive or upbeat.  Reality is that my unplanned experience of this time is summed up in three words that have naturally come to me.  They are extraordinary, grace filled and freeing.  

I ask myself.  Am I cruel? No!  Am I mad?  I don't think so.  Am I just different?  Maybe. 

I have always believed in the dictum that through chaos comes new life, needed change.  Now I get to live my held theory and it is working.  This is just the way it is.  

These times take their toll.  Change does not come easily.  Transformative change much less so.  

I go back to where I started.   Something has not been working.  In the midst of all that is happening at this time of the pandemic, I need to be more in touch with my spiritual side and less focused on doing.  That was the very message of Richard Rohr as he shared his gained insight with the world.  

Amazing!  The world is a small place.  

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

 In the car last week on the way back from Mae Sot, singing became the major form of entertainment for sustaining the journey.  A feature song was Elton John's "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road".  As I look back, I reflect how appropriate as it was to be the last journey we would share with Zarni before he leaves us at NCCM to return to Myanmar for study and work. 

Zarni is a young man who is ever so wise, capable and kind.  He has been a great friend and co-worker with us at Caritas Thailand for the past two years.  Now it is time for him to go.  Stop the presses.  

Zarni got last minute advice that his flight back home has been cancelled due to an upsurge of the virus in Myanmar.  So now his life is in flux awaiting word on a future flight sometime in the midst of a pandemic.  Such is a typical story of this time.  People get stuck, facing unplanned challenges which are ruled by situations beyond their control.    

I had understood Elton's "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" as about the journey but "No, it isn't".  It is about freedom, freedom to choose one's way in life.  A message of a pandemic is that our freedom is limited, limited by personal dimensions, social environment and a world context.  In a pandemic, we realize we can only choose to do so much.   In spite of all, the human spirit will not be squashed but maybe it does become more measured or attuned to the times.   

As I remember the story of the "Wizard of Oz", young Dorthy was not all that happy with her lot in life.  She yearned for something more.  Then along came that journey along the yellow brick road.  The journey took her far away where she faced dangers and adventure.  At the end of it all, she missed home and was so happy to return to her life in rural Kansas.  Therein lies the wisdom of the story for this time we now find ourselves in, whether we like it or not.    

From the Centre to the Fringe in a Week

Centre of Bangkok

 At the end of last week, I am at the centre of my bustling Bangkok with all its traffic.  Now for a change of scenery as I move to the border with Myanmar at Mae Sot.  

Rural North of Thailand

The change of scenery within my week was dramatic. After so long stuck in Bangkok during Covid-19, it was a pleasant and welcome change.  The shift in my life went from inner-city rush and crowds to quiet, rural beauty.  

The shift, however, touched me much more deeply as the trip was for our Caritas work with migrants at the border with Myanmar.  Here, many Burmese jump across for work at any cost, and some do pay a huge cost.  What I saw yet again was that no matter the cost, they wanted to stay put as here was at least a promise of opportunity, even if the promise did not eventuate.  Back home in Myanmar, they just do not see any promise.  

So my shift went from the comforts I enjoy in my Bangkok to being confronted by a diversity of peoples and their sufferings; from life cruises along each day to seeing how tough life really can be for some; from life offers us choices to there are people in this world who enjoy no choices.  I must say that this was a healthy change of scenery for me.  It reinforced my purpose in who I am in mission and what I do to carry it out.  

Meeting these people in their setting was a timely reminder of my focus and reinvigorated me.  I could remind myself that I am no expert or some visiting project manager.  Rather my role is accompanying these people and helping them as one sharing the journey.    

Then on the journey back to Bangkok, I was soundly reminded yet again of who I am, for I focused not on enjoying the journey but on reaching the road's end in my Bangkok.  This led to discomfort and impatience on my part. This was my doing and reminded me the road is long and it is shared by a rich diversity of peoples.  I am but one traveller.  Just enjoy the journey and the people I share it with.  No more is needed.  So here I am back in my Bangkok, richer for the journey.  Keep on travelling the journey.       

When Songkran is not Songkran - a Dilemma within Extraordinary Times

Every year 13 to 15 April is Thai New Year, otherwise known as Songkran.  Its great and most popular, or most feared, feature is huge water fights out in the streets.  It is just incredible.  The place is full of adults going around with water pistols of all shapes and sizes, vigorously firing at each other.   They go wild; they love it.  This is the true Thai holiday time.  

Well, in these extraordinary times of the pandemic, even Songkran, ever so sacred to Thais, was subject to lockdown.  No Songkran was had in April but this could not be as this is just impossible in Thai culture.  So postponing was the only option all along, with the result that this coming weekend sees Songkran in September, but it is Songkran without the water.  Maybe it is like Christmas in July.     

Still, water or no water, Songkran will be had, but in a way never thought possible..  Hard to fathom that there will be no water thrown, but as Soren Kierkegaard, Danish philosopher and theologian of 19th century, said:    

"Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."  

You can't alter the timing of New Year.  The dates are set and they are in April .  The water fights must be a central feature of this holiday.  Thai popular culture may demand water for the celebrations, but not to be for this year when the pandemic is still making its presence felt.  What remains is the holiday.  It will be had but unlike any other Songkran before, for it is not New Year and there is to be no water.  

Truly extraordinary times.  Yes, we keep going.  LIfe goes on, no matter what.  Do we understand all the whys and wherefores of what is happening and what we do in our world during a pandemic?  No, I don't but one day we will better understand these times with the lockdowns, face masks and funny New Year holidays.  Despite all, forwards is the only healthy direction to go.  Siempre avanti!