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Outside and inside
March 4, 2010
There are only two countries in the world that have not capitulated to the seduction of the global status quo – the hope for abundance, the superiority of technology, the pursuit of happiness. Those countries are Cuba and Haiti, neighbors of each other and of the United States. Each has paid a heavy price for their autonomy.
Everyone that has a mind of their own pays a price. The more sensitive you are, the more aware and even intelligent, the more trouble you will have surviving and becoming successful. Those who are more blunt have an easier time.
That is the subtext of what is happening in Haiti now. They have an uncorrupted and almost prehistoric gentleness, humility, and community. They cannot make the compromises necessary to get the external rewards that most of us insist on. And so they suffer.
I benefit tremendously from being invited into that Haitian reality, and from having real Haitian friends. It gives me the knowledge that the personal qualities I value can exist on a large scale. I hope that our abroad partners recognize the importance and value of being a partner with someone that has a soft, open heart.
Being hard, ambitious, and successful is not as advantageous as it seems. Eventually the truth that is at the heart reveals itself. Life becomes dull, lifeless. And being soft and gentle is not as disadvantageous as it seems. Life grows from inside, and spreads its wings. The world is polarized, but the choice is not either/or. We can bring together our broken halves: the North and the South, the outer and the inner. That is what our partnerships are all about.
March 4, 2010
There are only two countries in the world that have not capitulated to the seduction of the global status quo – the hope for abundance, the superiority of technology, the pursuit of happiness. Those countries are Cuba and Haiti, neighbors of each other and of the United States. Each has paid a heavy price for their autonomy.
Everyone that has a mind of their own pays a price. The more sensitive you are, the more aware and even intelligent, the more trouble you will have surviving and becoming successful. Those who are more blunt have an easier time.
That is the subtext of what is happening in Haiti now. They have an uncorrupted and almost prehistoric gentleness, humility, and community. They cannot make the compromises necessary to get the external rewards that most of us insist on. And so they suffer.
I benefit tremendously from being invited into that Haitian reality, and from having real Haitian friends. It gives me the knowledge that the personal qualities I value can exist on a large scale. I hope that our abroad partners recognize the importance and value of being a partner with someone that has a soft, open heart.
Being hard, ambitious, and successful is not as advantageous as it seems. Eventually the truth that is at the heart reveals itself. Life becomes dull, lifeless. And being soft and gentle is not as disadvantageous as it seems. Life grows from inside, and spreads its wings. The world is polarized, but the choice is not either/or. We can bring together our broken halves: the North and the South, the outer and the inner. That is what our partnerships are all about.
Ideas from Geoff
Founder, PINP
Founder, PINP
News from Allison
Assistant Director
Last entry: May 17, 2010
Assistant Director
Last entry: May 17, 2010
News from Jennifer
Head Coordinating Director
Last entry: Mar 20, 2010
Head Coordinating Director
Last entry: Mar 20, 2010
