Humanity – Our Path to Victory

Celebrating freedom in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - photographed August 31, 2008.

Celebrating freedom in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - photographed August 31, 2008.

Splashing and jumping in the water – meditating in the woods – hiking together in the mountains – playing games – laughing – painting one another’s faces – hugging one another – looking into each other’s eyes in trust – learning from each other – sharing and exchanging treasures generously – forgiving each other – preparing for and enjoying a feast – joining together in disaster preparation and recovery efforts – serving each other and working together – being victorious together – singing – dancing – telling stories … the wondrous gift of our humanity, this is who we all are and where we need to invest our energies, concerns, and works.   

Our life-giving humanity has been described in terms of needs and abilities by many people such as Abraham Maslow, a psychologist, and Ashley Montagu, an anthropologist. These descriptions include our needs and abilities to love and be loved, to sensitively and authentically relate to one another, to let life unfold by respecting the freedom and growth of others, to honestly accept ourselves for who we are, to appreciate our differences objectively, to have strong ethical standards, and to be concerned for the well-being of everyone. We also have tremendous capacities to be enthused, to be curious, to appreciate and be caught up in the wonder of life, to be spontaneous, to be playful, to be humorous, to be joyful, to show affection, to share laughter and tears, and to express gratitude. We have boundless growth abilities too. Today, step by step, we can overcome the failings of yesterday through our needs and abilities to organize, to communicate ideas, to be flexible, to be resilient, to be creative, to identify difficulties and find solutions, to be optimistic, to try new things, to be open minded, to listen to ones heart and grow through self-reflection, to think soundly, to listen to and trust in others, to grow within and beyond our own culture, to win together, and to celebrate wholeheartedly.    

This is our journey together. As Howard Thurmond, a theologian, has said, “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” So let’s “Choose life!” with our whole heart and with our whole soul and with all our strength (see Deuteronomy 6:4 and 30:19). In the same full spirit, let’s “Choose our humanity!” by embracing visionary understandings of all that we perceive and all that is beyond us; deep, altruistic intentions in all that we are about; gentle, truthful, compassionate interactions and relationships between us; respectful, helpful, healing actions; life-giving livelihoods; wholesome, vigorous effort; alert, empathetic mindfulness; and hope-based, needs-based, empowering concentration (see the Eightfold Path of Buddhism). Let’s be responsible and answer our call to be fully human, alive, and free! Let’s, as a human family, get in our zone, find healing, and be victorious together!  


I am very interested in your thoughts about this. This may seem very theoretical but this is the first of a several posts that are heading toward something very practical. What do you think about humanity? Also what do you think about the call to love, the topic of our next post, or should I call it the love revolution? Please make comments here or send me your thoughts at denton2100@gmail.com. Thanks much!

The Coyote and Our New Home

Coyote

Coyote – photograph by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

On June 15 of this year, while seeking guidance in my family’s decision to move from Dauphin Island, I began reading some Native American works about “vision quests” or “lamenting” or “crying out for vision.” The advice in the readings included the consultation of someone old and wise. Later in the early evening, from our house on the Island, I began my quest taking a walk with no particular destination in mind. From Bienville Avenue, I entered the Audubon Bird Sanctuary and found my way to a wise friend and Spirit bearer, the large old magnolia tree. Placing my hands high onto it and leaning forward on it, I stayed there asking for “vision” and “guidance.” Walking home by way of the beach, I saw the moon rising after its eclipse. The moon was a remarkable yellowish, orange color. Throughout the night, I continued my urgent request for vision.Later that night, in a dream, I was walking through a large capitol like Washington, D.C. This place was under some vague threat, but I was a tourist, a spectator, taking pictures, and I and the other tourists were not particularly concerned about the threat. Soon I came to a stunning, silvery, domed structure with many openings that connected it to the outside. As I was admiring the structure and its outside gardens, a coyote appeared. The coyote was alert and engaging as it darted quickly around the structure. I was barely able to get a photograph of the coyote, when the coyote was once again out of sight.

After the coyote’s appearance, I and the other tourists looked at each other. We knew we had been warned. We knew that we should flee. But the lure of the capitol was strong, and why shouldn’t we enjoy this day a little more, why not see one more attraction, we’d probably be fine. So I kept walking around the domed structure, but then someone shouted, “I see it!” Instinctively, I knew it must be a missile, and I imagined that the person who had shouted must have seen the fire coming from the missile on its approach. With no looking back, I ran as fast as I could in full panic trying to get to some place of safety before the explosion. I knew that the other people must be running too. As I ran and ran, I was so frightened that I did not even dare to look to the side. Still sprinting hard, as I was nearing an area with some tall grass that I thought might afford some safety, the explosion slammed into my back and threw me forward. Still in midair, questioning whether I would live or die, I woke up.

The next day at breakfast, I told my family about the dream. Then, in consultation with my family, I identified three pieces of property that might be right for us.

The following day, I made appointments for myself at each of the three properties. Each of the appointments was for the next day. When I went to the appointments for the first two properties, they were less than I had expected. When I went to find the third property, I had trouble finding it, but with help of some kind people in the area I was able to find it. There were lots of birds, blueberry bushes, trees, and a small country house. The real estate person wasn’t there. I knocked on the door but no one answered.

I decided to take a quick walk around the house and then go into the field in the back. As I was walking on a cleared pathway in the field, I saw an animal along the backside of the field in the tall grass. The animal and I both stopped. We just stared at each other. I wondered what it was. A wolf? A German shepherd?  I was glad that I was carrying a walking stick. Before long we both gained confidence and continued along the way we were going. This brought us closer together until the animal entered the same pathway that I was on. At that moment, it stopped again and looked at me. Out of the tall grass, I could see the coyote clearly. Half with a laugh but much more with astonishment, I asked, “So, is this it, God? Is this how far we have to go to be safe?”

Of course, it’s a longer story with many more details, but this property is now our new home – Deer Park – Washington County, Alabama – just north of Citronelle. We plan to remain connected to and committed to the coast – its people and nature. But now we’re also sharing a new home with new animals, deer and even bear. We hope to do some serious gardening and are meeting wonderful people up here.

In terms of safety (and sustainability), everyone should follow their own heart. Each person’s heart may lead in different directions for different reasons. Ours has led us to Deer Park. Yet all our paths are interconnected. Each person and each family must find their own path. Seek, be patient and alert, wait, listen, …

Our new home in the country

Our new home in the country with Leo, Julita, and Edward – photographed November 12, 2011.

Enjoying a picnic in the field

Rosie, Julita, Edward, and Leo enjoying a picnic in the field – photographed November 12, 2011.

“To Be A Genius – Seek Out The Genius In Others”

This saying, my own I think, is part of the way to profoundly appreciate others, liberate ourselves from our narrow perspectives, reconcile, become healthy and whole, rediscover the joy and pain of life, share the bounteousness of our Earth, convey Wondrous News, find God, … 

Before the Gulf oil disaster, I thought of this mostly in terms of human community, but I’m beginning to see with new eyes the Giftedness or Grace or Genius in everything. My family just spent a few days in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore located in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We camped there on beautiful Okracoke Island. This National Seashore shares much in common with the white beaches and barrier islands of the northern Gulf Coast. For example, the beaches sport six line race runners and are part of a larger eco-system of dunes, wooded areas, and coastal marshes.

A six line race runner skirts across a walk way on Okracoke Island

A six line race runner skirts across a walk way on Okracoke Island, photographed May 31, 2011.

Our incredible campsite at the Okracoke campground 

Our incredible campsite at the Okracoke campground, photographed May 31, 2011.
The plants and trees of the wooded areas near Okracoke's  beaches  were diverse and beautiful

The plants and trees of the wooded areas near Okracoke's beaches were diverse and beautiful, photographed May 31, 2011.

A marsh on Okracoke Island 

A marsh on Okracoke Island, photographed May 31, 2011.

But at the Outer Banks, when one looks out into the ocean, there’s an immediate obvious difference too – North Carolina has no offshore drilling. Additionally, there’s many more shell pieces near the shore that sustainably support the beach against erosion. Not just shell parts either, an abundance of living shell life that is incredible. I remember from my childhood the numerous the coquinas on Dauphin Island and Gulf Shores. On the National Seashore there still there a great numbers all along the shoreline. The sand fleas too are unbelievably plentiful – just sit down, let your hands slip into the sand, and pull them up – as numerous as fleas on a country dog in summer.

Where have all the oil rigs gone?

Where have all the oil rigs gone? Okracoke Island, photographed May 31, 2011.

Hundreds of coquinas burrowing back under the sand on Okracoke Island 

Hundreds of coquinas burrowing back under the sand on Okracoke Island, photographed May 31, 2011.
Innumerable shell help protect Okracoke Island from erosion

Innumerable shell help protect Okracoke Island from erosion, photographed May 31, 2011.

The sand fleas could be gathered easily just sitting in the surf 

The sand fleas could be gathered easily just sitting in the surf, photographed May 31, 2011.

Today we, who live on the Gulf Coast, can seek out the Genius that has kept these North Carolina beaches so clean, vibrant, and beautiful. Unfortunately these beaches on the Outer Banks are threatened too by the expansion of offshore drilling that is being pushed by corporations and politicians. Fortunately, these beaches still bring exhilarating joy, and no one knows what’s the tide will bring in on a new day. The Okracoke Monster might even be found slithering through the sand at dusk.

The beauty of the Outer Banks beaches may soon be threatened by oil drilling and like all oceans is threatened by plastics and other pollution

The beauty of the Outer Banks beaches may soon be threatened by oil drilling and like all oceans is threatened by plastics and other pollution, photographed May 31, 2011.

This 20-foot long Okracoke monster was photographed on May 31, 2011 just after sundown

This 20-foot long Okracoke monster was photographed on May 31, 2011 just after sundown

Hands Across the Sand Event 

Everyone is invited to Hands Across the Sand on Saturday, June 25, 2011 on Dauphin Island at the beach near Fort Gaines. We’ll gather around 11:00 AM and join hands at 12:00 noon to show our support for clean energy. There will also be Hands Across the Sand events in Gulf Shores, Biloxi, Pensacola, and many other locations

The beach at Fort Gaines is located on the eastside of Dauphin Island on Bienville Boulevard. After crossing the bridge, turn left (East) at the water tower onto Bienville Boulevard. Then drive past Fort Gaines to the end of Bienville Boulevard where it curves to the right. Parking is available there. We will have a blue tent on the beach at the end of the parking area. See Google map for aerial view.

The Coming Dawn

Sunrise My favorite line from the Bible is: “In the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Darkness is not everything but it’s real and it divides us – selfish cravings to get ahead, pain from violence and injustice, government lies and corporate lies, “us” against “them,” my needs first, “an eye for an eye,” … Who’s to blame? It’s the Americans, Arabs, Chinese, Israelis, the government, the media, the rich, the scientists, the conservatives, the liberals, … “THEY” are the problem!

But the coming dawn is very different. This light blames no one. It comes for the whole human family and guides us by the light of infinite “tender compassion.” In our darkness, we may see little else, but led by the light of compassion, we can feed the hungry and provide everyone with quality access to water, education, technology, and healthcare. We will see the lonely, the hurting, the sick, the imprisoned, … and to ALL we will reach out, give, receive, heal, and serve. Together, WE, Americans, Arabs, Chinese, Israelis, liberals, conservatives, …, guided by our “dawn from on high,” will bring truth, justice, and peace to the Earth!

God, our All in All, help us each today to see the many needs around us
and to love each person that we see, deeply and truly, for each person’s benefit!

Hands Across the Sand

Dauphin Island – Fort Gaines Beach

Everyone is invited to Hands Across the Sand on Saturday, June 25, 2011 on Dauphin Island at the Fort Gaines Beach. We’ll gather around 11:00 AM and join hands at 12:00 noon to show our support for clean energy. For more information, please check out the video to the right where I was interviewed by some remarkably talented students from Alba Middle School. Sheila Hagler did an incredible job putting together the video. There will also be Hands Across the Sand events in Gulf Shores, Biloxi, Pensacola, and many other locations.

Student Interviewers from Alba Middle School

Student Interviewers from Alba Middle School, May 24, 2011.

Important event update

The location of Hands Across the Sand has been changed from the public beach to the beach near Fort Gaines.

Directions to beach near Fort Gaines:

The beach at Fort Gaines is located on the eastside of Dauphin Island on Bienville Boulevard. After crossing the bridge, turn left (East) at the water tower onto Bienville Boulevard. Then drive past Fort Gaines to the end of Bienville Boulevard where it curves to the right. Parking is available there. We will have a blue tent on the beach at the end of the parking area. See Google map for aerial view.