Living in Jersey, I'm still faced with the day-to-day realities of what happened in Lower Manhattan, Pennsylvania, and the Pentagon five years ago last month. Like others around me, I know -- from one to three degrees of separation -- many who lost their lives that day while just going about their day-to-day activities.
My focus of anger has been on simple things -- I couldn't use a nail clipper without being reminded that I was no longer able to take one in my carry-on or purse while traveling. That finally resolved itself, and then it became water bottles and toothpaste and other toiletries ...
How many people did it take to keep me from bringing my requisite three bottles of water with me while traveling? While I recognize there are many more behind-the-scenes, I recall from 10-20 people were directly implicated in the attempts to do harm using liquids on commercial jets. About the same number were directly involved in the hijackings five years ago.
So, where am I going with this?
It's like the old joke -- how many people does it take to change a lightbulb?
How many people did it take to keep me from taking nail clippers or water bottles with me when I travel? About 20.
Those twenty people changed the way millions travel -- a pattern that has repeated itself several times over the past five years ... here, Madrid, London ...
How many people are needed to bring about peace? Justice? Liberty?
How many people are needed to be a light for those in darkness?
Just wondering ...
Monday, October 02, 2006
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
On finding peace
When you can find peace in yourself,
you can be at peace with the world.
you can be at peace with the world.
mb parente 2006-0728
Thursday, May 25, 2006
On Change
A quote from King Whitney Jr.:
Change has a considerable psychological impact
on the human mind.
on the human mind.
To the fearful it is threatening,
because it means that things may get worse.
To the hopeful it is encouraging,
because things may get better.
because it means that things may get worse.
To the hopeful it is encouraging,
because things may get better.
To the confident it is inspiring,
because the challenge exists to make things better.
because the challenge exists to make things better.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Oh, the possibilities
For the first time in at least a week, I was awake at the crack of dawn.
The bedroom's side window points northeast, just allowing a subtle indication of the day ahead. Since the beginning of the month, we've been greeted with overcast or rainy skies each morning, but today -- here comes the sun!
There's such a sense of wonderment, peace, possibilities when the day starts as it has today. Cardinals, blue jays, robins, sparrows, finches of many hues have all been calling to me.
There's such a sense of energy that I get when the morning starts this way. Already, I've done a load of wash, cleaned the kitchen, had breakfast, and am delighting in the perfect glass of tea -- cold from the fridge, fresh lemon, brewed from Bromley decaf, and no ice. Yes, MC from NC, we Jersey Girls know from tea!
Soon, it will be time to shower and head off to our north office to continue the re-visioning of our business. On a day like today, the world's the limit!
embee
The bedroom's side window points northeast, just allowing a subtle indication of the day ahead. Since the beginning of the month, we've been greeted with overcast or rainy skies each morning, but today -- here comes the sun!
There's such a sense of wonderment, peace, possibilities when the day starts as it has today. Cardinals, blue jays, robins, sparrows, finches of many hues have all been calling to me.
There's such a sense of energy that I get when the morning starts this way. Already, I've done a load of wash, cleaned the kitchen, had breakfast, and am delighting in the perfect glass of tea -- cold from the fridge, fresh lemon, brewed from Bromley decaf, and no ice. Yes, MC from NC, we Jersey Girls know from tea!
Soon, it will be time to shower and head off to our north office to continue the re-visioning of our business. On a day like today, the world's the limit!
embee
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Mother's Day Eve
Without fail, I start to get cranky around this time of year, and it will come to a head tomorrow.
I'm childless, and not by choice.
More than likely, there will be a special blessing for all the mothers present at Mass. I'll try to look inconspicuous as I sit in my pew, not standing with women younger and older than I.
I'll just smile and thank folks each time I'm wished a Happy Mother's Day, and resist explaining over and over, "I have no sons or daughters."
I'll nod my head as some try to console me with reminders that I have nieces and nephews instead. Close, but not quite the same.
My hands will instinctively wrap around my abdomen in yet another failed attempt to protect those babies who left me before they were ready.
I'm childless, and not by choice.
More than likely, there will be a special blessing for all the mothers present at Mass. I'll try to look inconspicuous as I sit in my pew, not standing with women younger and older than I.
I'll just smile and thank folks each time I'm wished a Happy Mother's Day, and resist explaining over and over, "I have no sons or daughters."
I'll nod my head as some try to console me with reminders that I have nieces and nephews instead. Close, but not quite the same.
My hands will instinctively wrap around my abdomen in yet another failed attempt to protect those babies who left me before they were ready.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Prayer for Life's Transitions
Psalm 139 Redux: Circa 2006
Lord, reveal myself to me.
Because You know all, know my choices and my chances before I come about to them, I ask for some insight, some wisdom.
You have blessed me with so much, and I am confidently aware You expect much more from me.
Open my mind and my heart to that knowledge, that awareness.
Through Your protection, the love of Your Son, and the wonder of Your Spirit, may I be a willing child and steward through which to work Your greatness.
Amen!
(c) MB Parente, 2006
Lord, reveal myself to me.
Because You know all, know my choices and my chances before I come about to them, I ask for some insight, some wisdom.
You have blessed me with so much, and I am confidently aware You expect much more from me.
Open my mind and my heart to that knowledge, that awareness.
Through Your protection, the love of Your Son, and the wonder of Your Spirit, may I be a willing child and steward through which to work Your greatness.
Amen!
(c) MB Parente, 2006
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
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