Spiritual Carrot

Listening to Our Collective American Echo

Andrew Rice, in this post 9/11 editorial, brings up that taboo subject, listening to our collective American echo. Echo, according to Dr. Peebles through Thomas Jacobson, includes increasing our understanding of others, from their point of view. For example, when we walk in their shoes, how are we seen? Can we understand without condemnation how we impact others from their point of view, not ours?

Understandably, this is undoubtedly a most difficult task given the strong emotions associated with this event. Mr. Rice lost his brother in 9/11. He has even more reason to not be understanding, yet he urges us to examine ideology from their perspective, taking a moment to put aside their description by others as "freedom haters". Many others would accuse anyone who does this as unpatriotic. Understanding others and looking at our echo is a path requiring a lot of courage and maturity. Examining the "dark as well as the light", as Dr. Peebles often urged, leads to greater rewards of understanding in the long run, from the larger perspective.

What can we lose by taking a moment to consider our echo?
What would be the consequences of not understanding our collective echo?

Quote of the month

"An old soul is nothing but a very slow learner", Dr. Peebles through Thomas Jacobson, in To Dance With Angels by Don and Linda Pendleton

Need a quick break? Try these links

For a few moments of calm, here is the famous "Interview With God" (click on the VIEW PRESENTATION button). When your echo (your immediate environment around you) indicates very loudly that you really need to take a break, try this link to another beautiful photo essay. Thanks, Kristin, for the links.