I believe that one of the greatest errors we are making in the U.S. today is the way we hold and treat our older people. They (we) become objects to be cared for, warehoused, and concerned about because of what the price tag of all this carries. How about a 180 degree turnaround and realize that they (we) are perhaps the greatest untapped resource in the U.S. today. How about entering the dialogue about this?
Published by David Goff, ChangingAging Contributor on August 31, 2015 There is something happening, particularly with older people, which I don’t think has been commented upon. I think that this phenomenon needs to be reported and considered, for the sake of those getting older, and for the sake of everyone who is pursuing genuine happiness. There is an actualization of self that can take place, in the later years, that brings happiness, fulfillment, and most importantly, the kind of unique perspective that can make hope a real thing. I call this phenomenon “arrival”, and if you keep reading you’ll see why. .
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THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG: SERMON FOR AUGUST 9, 2015
We are exploring today the 24 hour news cycle as it spins a narrative of what it deems our world is like. We are going to have a lot of questions to consider. Is what is shown about what the world we live in, ‘our world,’ is that what it is really like? Does this “narrative” that the media presents, and repeats, sometimes ab nauseam, obscure other realities? Is there a way to use this news cycle to help us arrive at a way to contribute to creating good news? SERMON FOR MARCH 29, 2015 AT TJMCUU: AWAKENING FROM THE AMERICAN DREAM
On August 2, 2002 I stood in this pulpit and gave a sermon as a Worship Associate entitled: “The Happiness Quotient.” The question posed was: “How am I – how are you- to be happy – to be happy no matter what our situation? The search then relates to how we choose to live our lives within the context of the limitations, if there are any, imposed by our circumstances. We want and hope for happiness. We are, in fact, sitting in a Church named after the man who defined the pursuit of happiness as an unalienable right. What was written and conceived of was the PURSUIT of happiness. More on that later. We live in a media world and hear on a daily basis from our leaders and pundits that what they are doing is working to enable each and every one of us to achieve the American Dream – or rather to pursue it. A book” was entitled: “Awakening from the American Dream” was published last year and authored by Master Charles Cannon, who is a spiritual teacher and founder of the Synchronicity Foundation, which is located nearby in Faber, Virginia. The book’s premise gives what I believe are some key things to think about and to perhaps consider to implement in your life. The American Dream promises happiness if you work hard and follow the rules. The carrot, always just beyond reach, is the enticement that by working hard and following the rules you will one day finally catch up with happiness and get all that the Dream promises. Adam has outlined a variety of the ‘stuff’ that the American Dream promises and, for some, has actually provided. He has focused on material betterment and place in life.Yet, The happiness and success of the American Dream has failed to materialize for the vast majority of Americans – and that includes ‘us.’ What happened to the greatest, the wealthiest country on earth, the land of equal opportunity for one and for all? If we look at the current economic statistics, it seems for many that the promise of the Dream is just that – a dream. Sermon writing is a mix of art, spirit, inspiration, and chutzpah. It is also darn hard. To get a real appreciation of what goes into writing a sermon, try it! You then can get a real appreciation of the wonderful job our minister does each Sunday. I was told that the key to delivering a good sermon is to “identify the good news!” Now, identifying the good news can be a pretty difficult task, particularly if you are exposed to the media. For some reason, those who decide what “news” is fit to disseminate seem to chose those events that play up natural disasters and human-created evil deeds and suffering. Those stories seem to attract our attention and apparently help sell the things being advertised. Where, then, where can we find the good news? Perhaps, for the time we dwell in this sanctuary, it is fitting and proper that we should search for the news that is good. So, then, what is the topic for today’s good news? I would propose that around the world, no matter what our situation – rich or poor; educated or not; of one race, religion, gender, or another – we all want to be happy and to avoid suffering. Our every intended action: how we choose to live our lives within the context of the limitations imposed by our circumstances – can be seen as a quest to answer the great question that confronts us all: “How am I to be happy?” |
AuthorIn this life I am named Arthur William Rashap. I have lived 79 years with a myriad of experiences that have enabled me to enjoy many worlds and to have met and worked with some special people. I want to share this and have the opportunity to interact with you. Archives
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