"Rule No 15 Dig deeper." (The Joy of Writing, Pierre Berton, 2003)
I picked up Pierre Berton's (1920-2004) "The Joy of Writing" for $3.99 at Value Village. Their prices have gone up. Nonetheless, the book is worth more than it cost. As I read, I was learning; for two days I put the book down only when forced to.
Berton was a prolific writer and craftsman. He writes about what he knows and he knows how to write. In the course of the book he looks back on his many historical works -- and the fact that he had distinguished himself as a historian. At one point, reacting to criticism from the professor of history (Jack Granatstein), Berton decides that he is not just a popular historian, a writer who knows how to write books people like to read. He is a "professional" historian, as well; his books are worth reading. He lays out the extent of his research, reading both primary and secondary sources, immersing himself for extensive time periods in the topic, crafting an outline, writing a narrative that depicts people and place, writing and rewriting until he has forged a narrative that flows, submitting his writing to competent editorial review, rewriting again.
Bernard Lonergan, in "Method in Theology," outlines the stages of method appropriate to theology, a method with much broader application. In receiving from the past, a thinker researches, interprets the research, identifies what is "going forward" (history) and sorts out various accounts of what is going forward (dialectic). Pierre Berton has the elements of method in place. He does the research (and even hires researchers), thinks over the material (interpretation), crafts an account of what is going forward (history). Having read all available other accounts on his subject, he makes a choice concerning what is the more accurate view of what is going forward (dialectic).
Berton reveals his dark side as he reflects on the state of intellectual focus of the non-fiction writer: "It is during this period when the pieces are being fitted together that a writer becomes difficult to live with, or even to know. He stands glassy-eyed at parties, contributing to conversations with vague monosyllables. He drives his car erratically, scarcely speaks to his wife, ignores his children" (197-198).
Writing and thinking are one piece: "All this anti-social behaviour is understandable, because what a writer is doing in those moments is writing. She is thinking about people, events, and sources, struggling to put them into some kind of order and perspective" (198).
For those at retirement age, I note that Berton informs us that he has written 14 books after the age of 65.
Monday, 30 May 2011
Saturday, 21 May 2011
OSTRICHES AND OTHER MYSTERIES
Cathy and I went out out on Stoco Lake for an hour in the canoe. It is Victoria Day weekend and we have dipped in the paddle for the first time after the winter. Then on our way home to Belleville we saw ostriches and alpacas -- and four white doves. It is a strange and wonderful world we live in.
Now I am preparing a reflection on Scripture for a small United Church congregation. The text is:
1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?" (John 14:1-2, NIV version)
Among the Anishinabe, the First Nations people I lived with for eight years, there is the belief that the last words of a dying person have special significance. I think it was my friend Pearl who told me that. She told me that we are blessed when we hear the last words because they can transform our lives.
In the Gospel of John the words of John 14 are the farewell speech of Jesus. They are "last words." We should take these words into the deepest part of our being and let them change the way we feel and behave: "Do not let your hearts be troubled."
This is one of my favourite texts. I have found these words a powerful help for funerals and wake services. It often happened that I was speaking to people troubled by the death of their relative or friend, even troubled by the events of the life of the deceased. The person we were remembering may have given no evidence of belief, may have spent a portion of their life snared in addictions, may have died in some sudden and violent manner, may have damaged other people, even damaged the person who grieves their passing. The word of Jesus reaches out to heal our turmoil: "Do not let your hearts be troubled."
I remember the bruised face of the 30 year old who froze to death on the street in Toronto--
I remember standing over a coffin in a funeral home praying for an 80 year old woman when it was only me and the funeral director present --
I remember being in the back yard of a country home leading a liturgy under a blue sky for a 23 year old friend who had committed suicide --
I remember a church filled with grieving young people praying for a teenager on the reserve ... a boy who was depressed, feeling alone, got high, panicked and shot himself in the face..
Where is God in all of this? I start with the realization that I do not view from a superior height the Mystery that is the embracing, creative source. God is all-embracing Mystery beyond my comprehension. I cannot pretend that I understand God, that my mind can comprehend God's way.
Nor can I know how God views any person. I do not know how anyone was or is before God. The salvation of any one of us is shrouded in mystery, not open to view, a matter of that person's relation with the Divine.
I do take seriously what I learn about God from Jesus, "the Way, the Truth and the Life." Jesus trusts God and so I trust God, the Mystery that approaches me and us. Through Jesus I have confidence that any mercy or compassion I can show, God's mercy and compassion goes beyond, is always more than what I can conceive. I do not hide from tragic reality, do not hide my head in the sand. I am not an ostrich (thank you). Yet in the midst of tsunamis and earthquakes, wars and frustrated lives I hear the words of Jesus, "Do not let your hearts be troubled."
The words of John 14 are the farewell words of Jesus. They speak directly to our troubled lives in troubled times. We trust in Jesus and so we trust in his words and obey -- "Do not let your hearts be troubled." We are invited to walk in peace with ourselves and others.
In this Scripture of John, consolation is heaped upon consolation. First we heard "Do not let your hearts be troubled." Now we hear Jesus say that "My Father's house has many rooms." There is evidence in the New Testament that Jesus prayed in a distinctive and intimate fashion to the "Father." Jesus said, "Abba," which translates as "Daddy." Jesus tells us that "Daddy" has many rooms in his house -- and this is our home too. He has gone to prepare a place for us and so we are invited to come in.
Jesus says to us that there are "many rooms" and this says to me that God accepts us in all our diversity. I am different from you and she is different from him and yet there is room in the home of Abba for each one of us -- a room for each one of us.
This Victoria Day weekend is blooming with life under a warm sun and soft rain. We have a glimpse of the desire of the Creator God to give life, to sustain life, to fulfill life. This is desire that cannot be held back or crushed. Spring points to the desire of God to bring to life, to heal life, to transform life, to raise up all the Old Creation into a New Creation. There is good reason take Jesus' words seriously and to live by this word of consolation and command: "Do not let your hearts be troubled."
Now I am preparing a reflection on Scripture for a small United Church congregation. The text is:
1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?" (John 14:1-2, NIV version)
Among the Anishinabe, the First Nations people I lived with for eight years, there is the belief that the last words of a dying person have special significance. I think it was my friend Pearl who told me that. She told me that we are blessed when we hear the last words because they can transform our lives.
In the Gospel of John the words of John 14 are the farewell speech of Jesus. They are "last words." We should take these words into the deepest part of our being and let them change the way we feel and behave: "Do not let your hearts be troubled."
This is one of my favourite texts. I have found these words a powerful help for funerals and wake services. It often happened that I was speaking to people troubled by the death of their relative or friend, even troubled by the events of the life of the deceased. The person we were remembering may have given no evidence of belief, may have spent a portion of their life snared in addictions, may have died in some sudden and violent manner, may have damaged other people, even damaged the person who grieves their passing. The word of Jesus reaches out to heal our turmoil: "Do not let your hearts be troubled."
I remember the bruised face of the 30 year old who froze to death on the street in Toronto--
I remember standing over a coffin in a funeral home praying for an 80 year old woman when it was only me and the funeral director present --
I remember being in the back yard of a country home leading a liturgy under a blue sky for a 23 year old friend who had committed suicide --
I remember a church filled with grieving young people praying for a teenager on the reserve ... a boy who was depressed, feeling alone, got high, panicked and shot himself in the face..
Where is God in all of this? I start with the realization that I do not view from a superior height the Mystery that is the embracing, creative source. God is all-embracing Mystery beyond my comprehension. I cannot pretend that I understand God, that my mind can comprehend God's way.
Nor can I know how God views any person. I do not know how anyone was or is before God. The salvation of any one of us is shrouded in mystery, not open to view, a matter of that person's relation with the Divine.
I do take seriously what I learn about God from Jesus, "the Way, the Truth and the Life." Jesus trusts God and so I trust God, the Mystery that approaches me and us. Through Jesus I have confidence that any mercy or compassion I can show, God's mercy and compassion goes beyond, is always more than what I can conceive. I do not hide from tragic reality, do not hide my head in the sand. I am not an ostrich (thank you). Yet in the midst of tsunamis and earthquakes, wars and frustrated lives I hear the words of Jesus, "Do not let your hearts be troubled."
The words of John 14 are the farewell words of Jesus. They speak directly to our troubled lives in troubled times. We trust in Jesus and so we trust in his words and obey -- "Do not let your hearts be troubled." We are invited to walk in peace with ourselves and others.
In this Scripture of John, consolation is heaped upon consolation. First we heard "Do not let your hearts be troubled." Now we hear Jesus say that "My Father's house has many rooms." There is evidence in the New Testament that Jesus prayed in a distinctive and intimate fashion to the "Father." Jesus said, "Abba," which translates as "Daddy." Jesus tells us that "Daddy" has many rooms in his house -- and this is our home too. He has gone to prepare a place for us and so we are invited to come in.
Jesus says to us that there are "many rooms" and this says to me that God accepts us in all our diversity. I am different from you and she is different from him and yet there is room in the home of Abba for each one of us -- a room for each one of us.
This Victoria Day weekend is blooming with life under a warm sun and soft rain. We have a glimpse of the desire of the Creator God to give life, to sustain life, to fulfill life. This is desire that cannot be held back or crushed. Spring points to the desire of God to bring to life, to heal life, to transform life, to raise up all the Old Creation into a New Creation. There is good reason take Jesus' words seriously and to live by this word of consolation and command: "Do not let your hearts be troubled."
Saturday, 14 May 2011
MAUDE BARLOW WARNS US
It has been raining softly all day here in Belleville. We are in an area of the world blessed by water. I recall that in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico the water supply was uncertain. The host in the Mexican family had to fill his water tanks from the neighbour's supply on occasion. Strange to think that on this green planet we are running out of water fit for human consumption.
Maude Barlow will be speaking at the June 10th Loyalist College graduation. Our International Support Worker group will graduate at that event. Maude Barlow's book "Blue Covenant: The Global Water Crisis and the Coming Battle for the Right to Water" (2007) is on my reading desk. She piles on the evidence for the crisis looming before us.
We thought that water would simply renew itself through the hydrological cycle. It's not true. Across the planet groundwater levels are sinking, the deep water reserves are being depleted, glaciers are melting off the mountains at an astounding rate, the rivers are drying up, freshwater is flowing into the oceans. Drought conditions prevail in Australia, southern Spain, northern China, the mid-West and South-East of the United States.
I have a new nano and am experimenting with downloading lectures free from i-Tunes University. Ruby the dog and I walk through the rain as I listen to Maude Barlow's talk at Cornell University. She wants us to treat water as a commons, that we should all have a right to water. She emphasizes the need for local action, speaks strongly against the bottled water phenomenon, argues against the involvement of private corporations in controlling the water supply. She is a convincing speaker and nuances her points effectively in response to questions.
How to respond? I purchased a rain barrel on the internet. Profits will go to support the Glanmore Museum. The rain barrel will force me to put in the vegetable garden I'm thinking about. No more bottled water! But it's a huge political issue. And the politicians are not performing in our long-term interest. Short-term economic growth trumps long-term survival. Maude Barlow states that we will have to address the water crisis "by design or by default." My dark thoughts say that it will be "default."
I anticipate learning more as the time of graduation approaches. Cathy will be saying the invocation at the graduation event. That will get me to the meal afterwards. I look forward to sharing water with Maude Barlow.
Maude Barlow will be speaking at the June 10th Loyalist College graduation. Our International Support Worker group will graduate at that event. Maude Barlow's book "Blue Covenant: The Global Water Crisis and the Coming Battle for the Right to Water" (2007) is on my reading desk. She piles on the evidence for the crisis looming before us.
We thought that water would simply renew itself through the hydrological cycle. It's not true. Across the planet groundwater levels are sinking, the deep water reserves are being depleted, glaciers are melting off the mountains at an astounding rate, the rivers are drying up, freshwater is flowing into the oceans. Drought conditions prevail in Australia, southern Spain, northern China, the mid-West and South-East of the United States.
I have a new nano and am experimenting with downloading lectures free from i-Tunes University. Ruby the dog and I walk through the rain as I listen to Maude Barlow's talk at Cornell University. She wants us to treat water as a commons, that we should all have a right to water. She emphasizes the need for local action, speaks strongly against the bottled water phenomenon, argues against the involvement of private corporations in controlling the water supply. She is a convincing speaker and nuances her points effectively in response to questions.
I anticipate learning more as the time of graduation approaches. Cathy will be saying the invocation at the graduation event. That will get me to the meal afterwards. I look forward to sharing water with Maude Barlow.
Friday, 13 May 2011
KAIROS, A NEW BLOSSOM
Amazing Spring! One day the limbs of the trees are bare under cold, gray skies and the next day green buds and white blossoms leap out into the warm sunshine. Our change of seasons gives us hope for renewal.
Let me tell you about another sign of hope and renewal. Last evening, 13 people gathered at St. Matthew's United Church to set up a chapter of KAIROS. We call ourselves KAIROS QUINTE. As you may know, KAIROS is the ecumenical coalition of churches and religious organizations that was de-funded by Bev Oda's insertion of a "NOT" in a CIDA evaluation that recommended continued funding. I have a new T-shirt which tells the powers "KAIROS is NOT going away." The politics of deceit and polarization meets resistance in a group that acts for truth and justice.
Our next initiative involves a trip to Ottawa to stand in support of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. KAIROS QUINTE is preparing a banner for the event to take place June 20 on Parliament Hill. Myself, Cathy and dog Ruby will be there.
All are welcome to our next meeting June 12, at 2 p.m. at St. Matthew's church in Belleville.
For more information on KAIROS go to their web-site at http://kairoscanada.org/en/
Let me tell you about another sign of hope and renewal. Last evening, 13 people gathered at St. Matthew's United Church to set up a chapter of KAIROS. We call ourselves KAIROS QUINTE. As you may know, KAIROS is the ecumenical coalition of churches and religious organizations that was de-funded by Bev Oda's insertion of a "NOT" in a CIDA evaluation that recommended continued funding. I have a new T-shirt which tells the powers "KAIROS is NOT going away." The politics of deceit and polarization meets resistance in a group that acts for truth and justice.
Our next initiative involves a trip to Ottawa to stand in support of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. KAIROS QUINTE is preparing a banner for the event to take place June 20 on Parliament Hill. Myself, Cathy and dog Ruby will be there.
All are welcome to our next meeting June 12, at 2 p.m. at St. Matthew's church in Belleville.
For more information on KAIROS go to their web-site at http://kairoscanada.org/en/
Saturday, 7 May 2011
LIA SINGS ON MOTHER'S DAY WEEKEND
Cathy and I went to Ottawa to visit with my mother this Mother's Day weekend. We are welcomed to my brother Frank and wife Nola's home by our niece Lia. Little Lia loves to sing. As we settle in, five year old Lia sings us a song accompanied by gestures. She sings, "To everyone in all the world I raise my hand and shake like this" [Lia extends her arm straight out before her] and she continues, "I may not know your lingo, but by jingo, no matter where you live, we can shake hands."
Four years ago, Frank and Nola traveled across the world to an orphanage in China in order to bring Lia home to Canada with them. She has settled in and the family is her family. Lia is gifted with a clear, loud voice and this evening after she is to be quietly in bed her voice resounds through the house. She is not getting a response and so she calls out: "Is anybody there? Anybody at all?"
Nola speaks of Lia to Cathy, "She is very good about delayed gratification. She really is a delight." Lia has her many friends on the street. However, she does have her boundaries. Her little friend Spencer has annoyed her and got on her wrong side. I ask about the sheet of paper attached to the front door screen. It is a circle with an 'S' in the centre; there is line drawn through the 'S'. It seems that Spencer is not to enter Lia's house. Later I see that Lia and Spencer are playing together out across the street.
Cathy and I visit Mom at St. Patrick's Home. We exchange our kisses and hold hands for a while. Brother Frank and daughter Lia visit Mom almost every day. The caregiver tells us that she hopes her sons will be as attentive as Frank when the time comes to be in a home. We leave with the happy knowledge that Mom is well cared for. The woman who cared so well for her children, is herself well cared for. Happy Mother's Day.
Four years ago, Frank and Nola traveled across the world to an orphanage in China in order to bring Lia home to Canada with them. She has settled in and the family is her family. Lia is gifted with a clear, loud voice and this evening after she is to be quietly in bed her voice resounds through the house. She is not getting a response and so she calls out: "Is anybody there? Anybody at all?"
Nola speaks of Lia to Cathy, "She is very good about delayed gratification. She really is a delight." Lia has her many friends on the street. However, she does have her boundaries. Her little friend Spencer has annoyed her and got on her wrong side. I ask about the sheet of paper attached to the front door screen. It is a circle with an 'S' in the centre; there is line drawn through the 'S'. It seems that Spencer is not to enter Lia's house. Later I see that Lia and Spencer are playing together out across the street.
Cathy and I visit Mom at St. Patrick's Home. We exchange our kisses and hold hands for a while. Brother Frank and daughter Lia visit Mom almost every day. The caregiver tells us that she hopes her sons will be as attentive as Frank when the time comes to be in a home. We leave with the happy knowledge that Mom is well cared for. The woman who cared so well for her children, is herself well cared for. Happy Mother's Day.
Sunday, 1 May 2011
TESTIMONIAL TO THE ISW GRADUATE CERTIFICATE
One stereotypical view of the college system understands the colleges as dedicated to the promotion of purely technical skills. One goes to college to become a dental hygenist, a personal support worker, a plumber, a carpenter, a mechanic, a water technician, a photographer, a computer technician and to prepare for a whole host of other emerging specialties.
The questions concerning the International Support Worker program that I would ask are -- Why do university graduates and their equivalent think that they can benefit from a college program? Why are they attracted to the International Support Worker program? Why was I attracted to the ISW?
I recognize another aspect of the role of the colleges. The ISW is one of those college programs that attracts people who have a university degree (or equivalent) and now want to focus on developing capacities for a particular role. Having read philosophy, psychology, political science, international studies, even religious studies and theology, the student develops a broad interest in the world of international cooperation and outreach. The student and the potential employer recognize that there is a gap between notional knowledge and experiential knowledge. There is a gap between being informed on international organizations and cross-cultural situations and being trained to enter a role in an NGO or government organization.
How has the Loyalist College ISW graduate certificate facilitated transition to employment in international support occupations? The ISW:
... has exposed me to a range of positions on the strengths and weaknesses of development practices and encouraged the formulation of personal positions on what might work and what does not work
... has given me a taste for fund-raising, for the preparation of grant applications and for the importance of networking to promote support of development projects
... has given me further practical experience with the challenge of language learning and underlined the value of language facility for effective work in other cultures
... has alerted me to physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual aspects of inter-cultural adaptation and helped me become aware of personal limits, preferences and capabilities
... has familiarized me with resources for trip preparation and de-briefing and has guided me through this experience [though I think that the Loyalist program would have benefited from giving each student responsibility for leading a day in the Mexico immersion experience]
What do I most appreciate about my experience with the program?
Besides the contact with a Mexican family, I appreciate the encouragement to engage current social media practices. I took advantage of the Mexico trip to journal and to post reflections on the ideals.nu site. I felt encouraged to be public about my thoughts on Free Trade, Canadian mining, militarization, sustainable agricultural practices, appropriate technology, religious and cultural differences and so on. The result is that I have set up a personal blog at dugganvoice.blogspot.com. I'm now on Facebook and will soon set up a web-site to further identify what I bring as an International Support Worker.
In an era when Canada's role and reputation on the international stage has declined, the ISW graduate certificate at Loyalist College moves against the current to promote more informed and effective involvement internationally. Well done Loyalist!
The questions concerning the International Support Worker program that I would ask are -- Why do university graduates and their equivalent think that they can benefit from a college program? Why are they attracted to the International Support Worker program? Why was I attracted to the ISW?
I recognize another aspect of the role of the colleges. The ISW is one of those college programs that attracts people who have a university degree (or equivalent) and now want to focus on developing capacities for a particular role. Having read philosophy, psychology, political science, international studies, even religious studies and theology, the student develops a broad interest in the world of international cooperation and outreach. The student and the potential employer recognize that there is a gap between notional knowledge and experiential knowledge. There is a gap between being informed on international organizations and cross-cultural situations and being trained to enter a role in an NGO or government organization.
How has the Loyalist College ISW graduate certificate facilitated transition to employment in international support occupations? The ISW:
... has exposed me to a range of positions on the strengths and weaknesses of development practices and encouraged the formulation of personal positions on what might work and what does not work
... has given me a taste for fund-raising, for the preparation of grant applications and for the importance of networking to promote support of development projects
... has given me further practical experience with the challenge of language learning and underlined the value of language facility for effective work in other cultures
... has alerted me to physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual aspects of inter-cultural adaptation and helped me become aware of personal limits, preferences and capabilities
... has familiarized me with resources for trip preparation and de-briefing and has guided me through this experience [though I think that the Loyalist program would have benefited from giving each student responsibility for leading a day in the Mexico immersion experience]
What do I most appreciate about my experience with the program?
Besides the contact with a Mexican family, I appreciate the encouragement to engage current social media practices. I took advantage of the Mexico trip to journal and to post reflections on the ideals.nu site. I felt encouraged to be public about my thoughts on Free Trade, Canadian mining, militarization, sustainable agricultural practices, appropriate technology, religious and cultural differences and so on. The result is that I have set up a personal blog at dugganvoice.blogspot.com. I'm now on Facebook and will soon set up a web-site to further identify what I bring as an International Support Worker.
In an era when Canada's role and reputation on the international stage has declined, the ISW graduate certificate at Loyalist College moves against the current to promote more informed and effective involvement internationally. Well done Loyalist!
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