I mentioned in my last post that there is a treasure trove of wisdom at Life Lessons Series. Two bloggers, Abubakar Jamil and Farnoosh Brock, are cohosting this collection of contributions from various bloggers about lessons they wish they had learned earlier in life.
Over 80 people have contributed so far, including me. There is so much to read, I haven’t even gotten through half of it yet. It’s more wisdom than my little brain can absorb!
But the most amazing part, to me, is that the contributors are such a diverse group. If you browse around the site, you will see writers of different races, faiths, cultures, genders, and nationalities.
Even more amazing is that all these people from all these different backgrounds have learned similar lessons. You will see some common threads running through the lessons. It is fun to discover for yourself, so I won’t try to identify them here. But perhaps the overall lesson is that no matter what country, race, or faith we come from, we all have similar ideas about the things in life that really matter.
And you know what’s even more amazing than that? What’s even more astoundingly amazing is that everybody is acting like it’s NORMAL for all these people from all these different backgrounds to be talking together about this topic. About any topic, for that matter. No one seems to think it’s a big deal. That is so unbelievably cool.
When I lived in Bangkok, I helped start a professional women’s group. Before long, we had over 150 members from over 30 different countries. At our monthly meetings you would see women of many colors, dressed in even more colors, laughing and chatting about our common experiences. This blog project reminds me of that.
Look around. In my country, people can’t even talk to each other with civility across political lines. In my own city, a young Muslim man tried (unsuccessfully, thank God) to set off a bomb in a huge crowd of adults and children gathered in a downtown square to watch the lighting of a Christmas tree. An anonymous person retaliated by firebombing the mosque he sometimes attended. In response, hundreds of people from many faiths gathered for a candlelight vigil, circling the mosque to show support and protection. So much fear and pain calling out for so much understanding and compassion.
Check out this project and consider the possibilities. I am so humbled and grateful to be a part of it. So this is my personal thank you to the hosts and to all the contributors. Thanks for letting me tag along.
My internet does funky things sometimes, as it shuts off and I'm not sure if my comment went through, so I'll post it again! Thank goodness nobody was hurt in the bombing and hopefully the tree ceremony still took place! Thanks for the insight on the site, I will check it out, now!
ReplyDeleteNo one was hurt because the FBI was tipped off. The tree ceremony proceeded without incident.
ReplyDeleteYour comment didn't go through the first time, so thanks for your persistance!
A beautiful post, Galen! Thank you for putting it all in this shining light!
ReplyDeleteYa know, I'll check out that project! I think if more people were opened minded, thanked their lucky stars to be living in a country that allows them their free religion, and practiced it in a civilized way, we wouldn't have to worry about having security issues all the time. Yes, there are times when it is necessary (unfortunately), but now you have to worry about safety just to go to a Christmas tree lighting. Sad, very sad.
ReplyDeletePeople from all different backgrounds talking together is NORMAL. It is the abnormalities that are brought to our attention.
ReplyDeleteTo JJ: Good point. It is indeed normal for many people. It was for me when I lived overseas, and it is for the contributors to this project.
ReplyDeleteBut when I contrast that with the recent events in my city, or with events in other parts of my country or the world, then, at least to me, it seems extraordinary, something to acknowledge and be grateful for.
However, the more we can offer and participate in opportunities for this kind of dialogue, the more it will be normal, and eventually, a post like this one will never be written!
Galen: I hadn't even thought how cool it is that this diverse group of people are having such a great conversation. Thanks for bringing that top of mind. I am on my way to check out your list. I know it is great :)
ReplyDeleteIt's so amazing to meet people from different countries, we really learn alot from them, some of them inspire us, i find it very interesting to make such friendship, to know each other better and to exchage many different and common stuff, and it's make me so said to see the so many bad things happen in some countries... I loved this post so much because it's how i see myself into it :)
ReplyDeleteGalen,
ReplyDeleteSo wonderful to be here on your site, and let your words settle into my soul. This idea how our diversity doesn't have to separate us - I love this!
It reminds me that beyond skin color, beyond gender, beyond location, etc, etc, etc - we are, deep down, united in our connectedness, in our one-ness. And that's such a beautiful thing...
I can't wait to check this site out, Galen. Thanks for sharing it. I recently taught a job readiness program to homeless, low-income, and long-term unemployed individuals. Amongst the participants were professionals who had been laid off after 20+ years in the same company and others of similar age who had never held a job. It was a beautiful and interesting experience to see the commonalities across socio-economic backgrounds as well. In the end, no matter our color, nationality, faith, income, or what have you, we are all human. I look forward to paging through the Life Lessons...I have a feeeling they'll end up referenced in my own blog!! :)
ReplyDeleteLoving these steps. Now lets build a staircase...=)Great work Galen.
ReplyDeleteThanks for turning me on to this project. It's such a great idea, and the submissions are fantastic! Perfect for a pick-me-up or some serious contemplation.
ReplyDeleteI am delighted that everyone is enjoying the project and even the idea of the project. I'm hoping this will spark many conversations on many topics, acknowledging our similarities and appreciating our differences.
ReplyDelete