I live in midtown Manhattan, two blocks from the United Nations. I love this neighborhood because there is so much diversity and I see people from all over the world. Many of my neighbors complain about the United Nations. They believe the time and money spent is ineffective. In my mind, I would rather have my enemy in a place where we can talk and at least attempt to work things out. We know the world has many problems but we have no idea how many problems have been avoided because of the noble efforts of the delegates at the UN.
The week of September 18 is United Nations week. There is a leader from nearly every country in the world present in New York, meeting in the same room. The possibility of them all working toward peace excites me. If you were to be in my apartment, you may be annoyed by the constant sirens that go off from early morning until late at night from police escorts for all the dignitaries going back and forth to the United Nations building. I ask myself if they are all necessary. Probably not. But on the other hand, to me they herald the potential for us to start living in peace with one another.
Several years ago, while walking to my office I saw something which was an important lesson. I can still see it as if for the first time. I was walking down 1st Avenue, across the street from the United Nations building, and I noticed that the people walking in front of me slowed down. There was a very sick pigeon standing close to a wall. Just a few inches away was a well pigeon, guarding him and standing vigil by his friend. The healthy pigeon knew instinctively to protect his sick friend.
I stopped for a long moment observing the scene and I saw it as a symbol of the way the world should and sometimes does operate. Coincidentally, several weeks later I saw 7 sick pigeons with 7 friends standing close by. I see the UN as strong this week and doing what they can to try to help any of their sick nations. If one is weak, we should care for it.
I pray the United Nations summit meetings of 2011 are inspirational and will work together, helping each other like the sick and the healthier pigeons did. I believe it can happen and pray that it does in my lifetime. If not, hopefully in the next generation it will. We can do great things when we believe big.
God Bless.
Its so funny when we watch animals that, by nature, you would think would be enemies. Cats and dogs wild animals such as squirrels and cats or dogs, etc. You get the idea. I always think – why can’t we humans approach our fellow human beings the same way. Why is it to difficult to accept diversity? Why do we always fall into the same old way of “fear of the unknown.” Its so much easier to open our eyes and hearts than to create such explosive situations that need not be explosive at all. Do I practice this? Yes, every day. Do I always succeed? No. But, I’ve learned that when I’m wrong, I own it, ask God’s forgiveness and ask for the strength to right that wrong the next time a similar situation comes my way. Is this easy? No. But so worth it. At the end of the day, we all want to be treated well. Michael Jackson’s song “Man in the Mirror” is so true.
Susan – thank you for taking the time to reflect on your philosophy of life. We agree! And I pray years of increasing joy and peace for you and your family.
It was my good fortune to have arrived at Marble at Christmas 1990. Just in time for the GIFTS uproar. Having had a gay son I knew for sure that homosexuality is not a choice. For quite some time I used to weep at my good fortune at having found a church with welcoming clergy. I especially loved that Arthur often said: “we are a community of seekers”. Beyond that, Arthur formed the “Partnership of Faith” with clergy of many traditions and introduced an annual “Trialogue” featuring an Imam and a Rabbi sharing with him what their scripture had to say on topics such as love, forgiveness, gratitude, etc. How wonderful to learn that they all essentially say the same thing. It was a joy to be part of the Marble family. Who could ever forget Arthur’s invitation to the “Quaker Prayer of Beholding” on many Sunday mornings? Such a simple, powerful prayer time. Since retiring from UNICEF, I work as a volunteer at the UN and feel blessed to be there and to know that Arthur is nearby praying for its success. THANK YOU good and faithful servant. You are MISSED.