In a way, I’ve felt besieged for a few years now, not in the intense ways others in major cities have. But still, in the way that one who pays attention can’t help but notice creeping crawling unease, I’ve felt besieged. I’ve joked with others who grew up fundamentalist about the opening of Revelation’s seals, but […]
Working to death
Ten years ago, an interview between Tavis Smiley and Will Smith went viral. When Smiley asked what set Smith apart toward the end of the session, Smith laughed and said: The only thing that I see that is distinctly different about me is I’m not afraid to die on a treadmill… I will not be […]
Enough
This coming week includes an annual educational intensive on the campus of the congregation I work for. It also includes me sitting in a class on the philosophy of prosperity. Ever since I began learning about fundraising, I’ve noticed the way that handling money and resources triggers people’s latent scripts about finances, value, and lessons about abundance and […]
From actions to metaphors, language matters
Last year I read Connie Willis’ novel, Doomsday Book, a blend of historical research and character fiction set during 14th Century England’s bout with plague. It’s a terrifically disturbing book because it challenges the reader to engage a period of deep, legitimate, mortal fear and doesn’t offer characters or readers the usual mid-crisis escape hatches. It wasn’t possible for the people of that time […]
On the People’s Climate March: Conversation No. 1
“It’s not just a one-day march. It’s our long-term ability to build a strong climate movement that we need to invest in.” —Ananda Lee Tan I’ll be at the People’s Climate March in NYC all day Sunday. Over 1,500 organizations are now registered to participate, and over 800 buses including ours will be heading to […]
An End or a Metamorphosis?
Is our current collective path sustainable? Or is it not? If we did nothing different for the next 1,000 years, what would happen to us? It is not inevitable that we should fail. —Terence McKenna McKenna also asks: “Is there cause for optimism?” What do you think?
