More than 11 in Philly

Do the names Merrill Bittner, Alla Bozarth-Campbell, Alison Cheek, Emily Hewitt, Carter Heyward, Suzanne Hiatt, Marie Moorefield, Jeannette Piccard, Betty Schiess, Katrina Swanson, and Nancy Wittig mean anything to you? If you are a priest in the Episcopal Church, you may recognize them as groundbreakers. Forty-eight years ago today, those eleven became the first women to be ordained as priests in the US Episcopal Church. Until then it was men only. 

A lot has been written about that day in Philadelphia.  What some folks miss is that the liturgy at the Church of the Advocate and the ordinations were not illegal.  Nothing in church law specifically forbid such ordinations.  It just wasn't done.  It meant that some people had to stand up and question the status quo and say "Hey!  Why not?"  The Philadelphia Eleven, as those women came to be known, made a difference.  It is my opinion though that there were more than eleven on that day who made a difference.

Look at the picture.  Those are men laying hands on the newly ordained.  That is a bishop who is presiding.  There were hundreds of men, women, and children filling the church that day.  Together they ALL made a difference.  They wanted to move forward and to be inclusive.  The 1976 General Convention of the Church meeting in Minneapolis on September 15–23, 1976 made the necessary changes in Canon Law to ensure that women would have equal access to the ordination process. The next January, Jacqueline A. Means became the first female deacon canonically ordained to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church.

 

Change comes when people realize that it is necessary.  Forty-eight years ago, 11 women became priests and thankfully they were not alone.  Today, we still need to make changes.  Women are still underrepresented.  There are still those who would ban them and those who also would ban gay and lesbian clergy.  We will always need more to stand up and be recognized for doing the right thing and for supporting justice and equality for all.

Make A Difference

"One man can make a difference and every man should try." What a powerful message - one that I truly believe.

These words are generally credited to John F Kennedy, but may have actually come after his death, from his widow Jacqueline Kennedy. (The words were written on a card for an exhibit which traveled around the country when the Kennedy Library in Boston was first opening and have been quoted in Respectfully Quoted: A Dictionary of Quotations edited by Suzy Platt). Regardless of which Kennedy said them though, they most certainly are still true!

My daily purpose here is to suggest various ways of making a difference, because after all, every single one of us can do that. How about some suggestions? I know that I have covered a lot of ground over the years, but I'll bet you have some good suggestions too!  Please feel free to leave them in the comments section below.  You might think you don't have that many ideas, but you just might surprise yourself.  Besides, everyone should try.

"One man can make a difference and every man should try."

Every single penny

Through the year, I personally try to raise money for various causes. I know this blog is NOT about me, but I wanted to share something I often hear.  "I'd give, but I can only spare a few bucks, and that isn't worth it."  Every single penny helps.  Remember, we don't act alone, but together with every other person who is giving.

Just recently I raised money for AIDS Walk San Francisco, and I can't tell you how many people said they wanted to give but just didn't have the fifty dollars it takes.  Some of this is the fault of organizations that suggest certain amounts when asking for donations.  What really should be stressed over and over is that ALL gifts are helpful.

My birthday is next month, and rather than accept presents, I am asking anyone who wants to give something, to donate to and organization that is dear to me, like the The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Asian Law Caucus, Transgender Law Center, San Francisco Night Ministry, or your American Cancer Society.  Again, I try to stress to my friends that the smallest of gifts is appreciated just as much as the largest.

If you are out there collecting for a favorite charity, remind people of this.  The idea isn't to make people go broke or to make them feel guilty.  There are some who just might not be able to even spare a dime, but for those who can give, every single penny counts.

Looking the other way

Quoting the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr, is an easy task, because this great man said so many wonderful and inspiring things. This morning I was thinking about one particular quote, where he mentions looking the other way.  As always, he got me thinking about the importance of doing the right thing.

All too often these days it seems that folks aren't getting involved. Closing your eyes to the injustice around us, doesn't make it go away.   You can't change the world, unless you are willing to roll up your sleeves and do some good. The head in the sand mentality just doesn't work. Looking the other way, accomplishes nothing.

Dr King said "Never, never, be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way."

May we listen to this wisdom.  May we always be willing to do what is right.

Obituary: Common Sense

This is something that was floating around on the internet a while back. I have no idea who wrote these words, but they spoke to me, and I hope they have meaning for you. Even though this is an obituary, I happen to think it is not too late - we CAN save common sense - we just have to try!

"Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years.

"No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

"He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:

- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;

- Why the early bird gets the worm;

- Life isn't always fair;

- and maybe it was my fault.

"Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

"His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place.

"Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

"Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

"It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

"Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

"Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

"Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

"Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.

"He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers: I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone Else Is to Blame, I'm A Victim

"Not many attended his funeral because, so few realized he was gone.

"If you don't remember him, join the majority and do nothing."

Promote what you love

What is there in your life that you love?  Does your job bring you joy?  Are you happy in your home life?  Is there romance?  Do you belong to any organizations that give meaning to you?  Did you hear about some incredible thing in the news that really made you happy?

 

There is so much good in this world of ours and I happily write about bits and pieces of that good here in this space each morning.  What I don't understand is those who promote negativity.  How can that bring them any kind of satisfaction?  Bashing something you hate just brings more hate and we should never want more hate.

 

Okay, I get it.  Not everyone thinks the same way.  That's fine.  Absolutely nothing wrong with that.  Instead of negative hateful messages though, perhaps we can look at some things we agree on.  Certainly, there must be something!  Let's promote the things we love instead of bashing what we hate.

Just because

"Why are you doing this?" I heard him ask. "Just because," was her simple reply. "Just because."

You can say you are giving back because you want to change the world or because you want to make a difference. You can say you want to see a smile on the face of others or that you enjoy doing things for people. You can say that random acts of kindness help make things better for all of us and you are simply passing them on. Of course, you don't have to give any reason at all! Just pay it forward .   .   . just because.

Oh, those wonderful kind deeds we do for other people. They sure do brighten up the day!

How many of those just because things can you think of? How about taking an acquaintance to dinner, sponsoring someone in a fundraising walk-a-thon, donating time at a senior center, saying something nice to everyone you meet during your day, or donating blood? What other random acts of kindness can you think of? Add your suggestions in the comments section below.

Failing

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, once said "My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure." 

The best way to learn not to fail IS to fail. That might sound a little odd but take a moment and think about it. Seriously. Take a moment.

When you fail at something and you aren't content with that failure, you do something about it. You learn how to get back up. You learn that failure is something we all do from time to time, but we can overcome that - we can get back up and do better. As Frank Sinatra used to sing, "pick myself up, dust myself off. Start all over again

It's the final day of this year.  Knowing that you can get back up, helps with your fears of failure.  Our future won't be perfect, but if we put aside any fear of failure, it can certainly be better.

it's NOT about sashimi

You are correct if you think this blog is NOT about me. Oh and today, it's NOT about sashimi. (Did I get your attention though)? Actually, I just wanted to remind you that your comments are certainly welcome here every day. You might even give me some ideas of people or events to share with everyone. Oh, and I have two blogs (yeah, I suppose a bit of self-promotion would be about me but thought you might not know).

Seven days a week I write something here about making a difference in the world. I've been writing these now for fourteen years.  Six years ago I also began a daily blog about kindness that you can find HERE. Those entries are short and hopefully inspiring - often I quote others. Read them both. Comment on both. Share them with your friends.

What could be better than a nice plate of salmon sashimi? Why hearing from dear readers of course! Even though this blog is NOT about me, my own personal thoughts are bound to creep in.  Tell me if you agree!

Hooray for the red white and blue!

Today is July 4th, but just what does that mean? Although the holiday is officially called Independence Day, it is more frequently referred to by just its date and people seem to have forgotten about freedom and independence. On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies regarded themselves as a brand-new nation, the United States of America, and no longer part of the British Empire. We declared our independence.

So, this is a patriotic day. This is a day to celebrate being American. Of course, the parades and the fireworks and the picnics and music, all help us to do this, but there are many other ways we can observe this day. How about resolving to make our nation better than ever? How about fighting for real equality? Today is supposed to be a celebration of independence and freedom, but it is hard to celebrate when fundamental human rights have been eliminated.

In the term just ended, the Supreme Court of the United States has gutted Miranda rights, ended regulations on open-carry of guns, overturned Roe vs. Wade, allowed prayer in schools by employees, and ended federal regulation of greenhouse gases. Several states have passed laws discriminating against transgender people. Numerous states have taken away a woman's right to make her own health choices. I see more and more freedoms being stripped away. Now, what are WE going to do?

Perhaps we can use this day to volunteer for a campaign of some kind. Working on a political campaign will often give a glimpse of the many things needed to keep our communities strong and vibrant.

Climate change is real. Are we doing anything about it? How clean is your community? Working with a beautification project - picking up litter or painting over graffiti is a good way to give back to our community, but there are many other ways. Use your imagination. Get creative.

When we wave our flag, what are we really saying? Do we believe in liberty and justice for everyone? The United States is indeed a great country, but it will become even greater when we ALL are really equal and respected. When that day is here, we can truly say Hooray for the red, white, and blue!

Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness

It has been 246 since this document was written. How many Americans today know these words? If you were asked to recite the Declaration of Independence, could you? Most people are familiar with the first sentence of the second paragraph: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." What about the rest?

The first paragraph is something we had to memorize when I was in school: "When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation."

Tomorrow of course is Independence Day the Fourth of July.  A document that refers to equality, and the act of standing up for ourselves back then, is something we should celebrate indeed. Where are we today though? We are missing a LOT of liberty here in this country.  There is so no true equality here.  How about life and the pursuit of happiness? With all the violence - the daily murders and assaults, it seems that so many are being denied their lives and basic happiness. With parades, fireworks and patriotic music over the weekend, along with picnics and boating, and baseball games, there is a lot of celebrating going on.  From where I sit though, we need to not only celebrate this wonderful country, but work to see that equality becomes the actually way we live, and that gun violence is something from the past. Think America is great? Think it can be greater?

I want to see the day when every person is treated with decency and with respect. We can make it happen. Let's stop the hate and heal the divisions.

Van Gogh's legacy

The Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh was many things (not just the inspiration for Don McLean's 1971 hit song), but we remember him most for his numerous self portraits and his lovely starscapes. Van Gogh was not famous during his lifetime, but his posthumous fame shows us a man who not only was an incredible artist, but also a man of great wisdom. Much of the information we have of him is from correspondence between him and his brother.

One thing I find particularly inspiring is this thought from him: "The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore."

He also said "If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced."

This probably isn't what you were expecting from me on a hot July morning. I was thinking about kindness (I write another blog every day about being kind in the world) and self-doubt came to mind. Just like we should never hold back from being kind and caring people, we should also not let things hold us back, especially those voices of self-doubt from within. Just do it!