Better People

I am without a doubt an extrovert, but I am not a verbal processor. Many times I find myself daydreaming, or stuck in my own head...

Often, I am struck by the hope that lies in humanity... I am also continually in awe of how much our lives intersect..

My friend Marta moved here from Poland a little over a year ago. A few weeks ago she shared dinner with her husband, her sister & her boyfriend, a few Muslim individuals from Yemen, a Hindu couple, and a few other people. She was expressing to me how much can happen through conversation and the sharing of food. All of the cultures surrounding the table were drastically different, some even from countries fighting wars with one another...

On Saturday I ended up getting in a long conversation with an individual in my neighborhood regarding public schools, social work, and justice. This individual was so refreshing to talk to because he was not afraid to ask REALLY tough questions. Our conversation sparked something within, and I haven't been able to stop processing it.

Then today at church I was once again influenced by the crazy interconnectedness of our lives. During the offering portion of the service our pastor always explains that our lives are meant as an offering.. It is a time where we share moments of pain, petition, and protest before the congregation. The church I attend is diverse both culturally and generation ally. After the service the church always provides a drop-in meal to the homeless. Lately, a way larger number of the homeless have been attending the church service. During the offering people shared concerns for friends they know in Palestine dealing with the issues in Gaza, others shared personal tragedies within their own family, some shared moments of joy announcing they were expecting their first child, some shared that they are seekign employment, one woman shared that she has been sober for 5 months ... Today, we also had communion. Our pastor always randomly chooses 2 people from the congregation to serve communion together. He seems to choose individuals who would appear quite different from one another. Today, he chose an African American man in his late 30's who is homeless, and myself. This was a humbling experience... As Christ's body was broken for each of us, and his blood shed for us... As we approach a year of new beginnings... May we live in the hope that is found in Christ.. A man who came to this earth to LOVE, not to divide... May we continually recognize our stories are woven together into a beautiful tapestry and we cannot forget that we belong to each other.

India Arie says it best...


"Better People"

Yeah Yeah!
Yeah Yeah!


I wish there was a video game
to teach you your ancestors name
I wish there was a phone number

like 1-800-Save-Your-Brother
I'm thankful for the radio station
Not afraid to put the truth in rotation

there are skirts of information
That you can only get in conversation when...

[Chorus:]
Young People, who talk to
Old People, it would make us
Better People, all around...
(Yes it would)

And if Old People would talk to
Young People, it would make us
Better People, all around....
(Yes it would)

[Verse 2:]
We went from radio to TV
Now we're going from LP to CD
Don't be afraid

To try something new
I can help you with the brand new technology
Help me with the age old philosophy
Together there's so much we can do when

[Chorus:]
Young People, who talk to
Old People, it would make us
Better People, all around...

And if Old People would talk to
Young People, it would make us
Better People, all around....

They say that every
Generation gets worse
They call it a generational curse

These problems don't just drop out the sky (yeah)
Listen to Mahatma Ghandi's words
Be the change you want to see in the world
Start with yourself and healing will multiply
AAAAAAH, that's what happens When..

[Chorus:]
Young People, who talk to
Old People, it would make us
Better People, all around...

If Old People would talk to
Young People, it would.....
Better People, all around....

If black people
Would talk to white people
It would make us
Better People
All Around....

If Republican people would
Talk to Democratic people
It would make us diplomatic people
[laugh] All Around.....