Part of global warming is the prediction that as the planet’s average temperature continues to increase, extreme weather will become more prevalent. This means droughts that last longer, storms that are more violent and more extreme weather in general.
The ten inches of rain and resulting flooding experienced in northern Minnesota earlier last week could be just such an experience.
The poor suffer and struggle the most from extreme weather events. Those of us who are over privileged have connections for short term housing and access to resources to start the process of rebuilding.
MPR.orgGrandma's Restaurant MPR.orgSuspension Bridge Jay Cooke State Park MPR.orgGooseberry Falls MPR.org
We continue living our North American lifestyle at our peril.
Visit the best, exotic, Marigold Hotel and be transformed. Life after all, is about transformation. This film will take you right into India. On the big screen you’ll swear you can smell the curry, feel the linen kurtis, hear the cacophony that is India.
The British characters in the story enter into a new culture and a new life, with all the challenges that brings. Like many of us, these characters are not at all used to being stretched or challenged. They come from a life of over privilege – like most of us – and believe they have earned the life they have.
Entering into a new life in India challenges their deepest assumptions, about their lives, their beliefs and who they are. This is Christian mission at its core. Opening ourselves to others who are different – and to the world. Like the inhabitants of the Marigold Hotel, it is we who are transformed.
Colors of IndiaPatna the oldest city of India
Flavors of India
Use the film as a way to become curious about the history and culture of India. Check your local library for books on Indian history and cuisine. Go to an Indian restaurant and sample delicious Indian dishes. Try cooking with curries. Learn about Hinduism or Yoga. Travel to India. Get curious. Learn more. Have fun.
As many of you know – I recently finished my doctoral course work. While it was a “deeper dive” into areas of real interest to me (social justice, ethics, critical thinking and teaching) it was in many respects like drinking through a fire hydrant.
To embark on a doctoral program is to focus on that which is of vital interest – something that can hold the student’s attention for many months. This is how I survived the reading and writing 😉 This is what made it so fabulous.
Imagine if you could stop working and begin a new life. In this new life you get up every day and read as much as you want – and only about – what you’re passionate about? How fabulous is that? This is what I did.
As I told DH, I’ve now read over 200 books, since many courses required nearly one book per week. Also I’ve read over 500+ articles with 5-7 articles required weekly for each class in addition to the textbooks. This doesn’t include the numerous speakers, films and presentations. On the “output” end I’ve written dozens of abstracts and papers – so over 400+ pages.
Now the question is how to synthesize all of this information in a way that helps me impact adult education and teaching. This will be an on-going process. Nevertheless, my dissertation – nearly complete – will be submitted in August for graduation in December.
Although it was a tremendous amount of work I would do it all again. It was a gift to myself – to my own personal growth and development. It was also a gift that will be used by the wider community. Most people never have the option to do something like this and the opportunity itself comes with responsibilities. Our education is never only for our own personal benefit. It is also for the benefit of the wider community.
Photo: ArtsJournal.com
In my own situation, it took the support of many, along with financial support from the university where I teach and the school I attended to be able to complete this program of doctoral study.
Where will it lead? Only the Spirit knows . . . I wait to see what the sequel presents. God’s vision is always so much greater than anything we can imagine – and so much more fun too!
Last Saturday I was in Gypsy Moon with a very good friend. Gypsy Moon is a quirky little shop with unusual things located on Randolph Avenue in St. Paul. You’ll find it across the street from the University of St. Catherine, in the neighborhood where I grew up.
If, when you are there, you go all the way to the back of the shop, past the rusting metal planters, beyond the antique armoire and the display of artisan jewelry, you will find an additional small room. There on the table I saw it. It was printed on a Curly Girl greeting card – what I learned from another very good friend – so I purchased it and sent it to her.
“What was it?” you might ask. It was the secret to a fabulous life. But it was short and sweet and summed up in very few words.
On the card was written this:
The real secret to the fabulous life
is to live imperfectly with great delight.
It is so very true! In the end, this is all we can do. Nothing is ever perfect and it is best when it is imperfect. It was all created this way, but not by us. We should accept the gift and delight in it. Give up our ideas of how we think our lives should be or should have been. Instead, embrace the life we have been given. Compassionate and forgiving theology – a gift, as modeled by a very god friend and now it seems, on a greeting card.
How do we resist the “narrative of the lie” I mentioned in a recent post? Here’s an example: A recent news item indicates a reported cross burning directed at a mixed-race couple in Bemidji, Minnesota on May 29th. It gives meaning to the term “Minnesota Nice.” This term reflects the idea that Minnesotans believe themselves to be genuinely nice, welcoming people. However, cross burnings should make us question this lie.
A cross burning reflects on the surface the hatred of many whites against other groups that exists just below the surface. How do we know this hatred against other ethnic groups exists? Because it exists systemically, for example in
the real estate industry – redlining
the banking industry – who is approved for loans
who is arrested and jailed – predominantly those of color
our education system – who is admitted via biased tests for college enrollment, then who is hired for well-paying jobs based on college degrees
voter registration laws – making it difficult for the poor, those of color or who are homeless to vote
We, as Minnesotans, allow these hateful and bigoted biases to exist in our laws, educational, correctional, corporate, religious and banking systems because it allows one ethnic group (“Whites”) to steal unearned wealth and benefits from targeted groups. Fortunately, many are working for systemic change; recently, against the proposed voter ID changes.
So “Minnesota Nice” and smiling on the surface does not mean welcoming and hospitable in fact. Educating ourselves to this truth is how we resist the narrative of the lie. It is one more way of overcoming the blinders of white privilege.
