i just finished reading "the kite runner" by Khaled Hosseini. it floored me. it's rare that two dimensional words can generate such gut-wrenching emotions in me that i find myself openly weeping while reading certain passages.
but, perhaps, what drew me in the most was the protagonist's deep-seated guilt. i wonder about people who do wrong as children - or i suppose even as adults - and whether they do carry that shame around with them their whole lives, like a physical scar. i tend to believe that there is in almost every situation a way to absolution, to find peace. but, in fearing to confront the truth, to deal with the pain that we caused, do we burden ourselves for a lifetime instead?
in any case, i recommend the novel. well written and well read.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Saturday, October 3, 2009
a model of companioning by dr. alan d. wolfelt
companioning is about walking alongside; it is not about leading.
companioning is about being still; it is not about frantic movement forward.
companioning is about discovering the gifts of sacred silence; it is not about filling every painful moment with talk.
companioning is about listening with the heart; it is not about analyzing with the head.
companioning is about bearing witness to the struggle of others; it is not about judging or directing those struggles.
companioning is about being present to another person's pain; it is not about taking away or relieving the pain.
companioning is about going to the wilderness of the soul with another human being; it is not about thinking you are responsible for finding the way out.
companioning is about being still; it is not about frantic movement forward.
companioning is about discovering the gifts of sacred silence; it is not about filling every painful moment with talk.
companioning is about listening with the heart; it is not about analyzing with the head.
companioning is about bearing witness to the struggle of others; it is not about judging or directing those struggles.
companioning is about being present to another person's pain; it is not about taking away or relieving the pain.
companioning is about going to the wilderness of the soul with another human being; it is not about thinking you are responsible for finding the way out.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
a human experiment
lost. forsaken. neglected. abandoned. abused. discarded. disenfranchised. minimized. isolated. ostracized. forgotten. addicts.
people.
what have we learned from our history? as a people, at some point in time, each and every one of us has felt alone. yet, we allow others to continue to live in this wrenching loneliness. why?
it was only recently brought to my attention that there is a very progressive - and extremely controversial - human experiment going on in the east end of vancouver. insite is a provincially funded facility that provides clean and sterile rooms and needles for people to shoot up their drugs. on the second floor of that same building is onsite, a detox facility. the objective of this project is to enable what is known as "harm reduction"; if drug users are going to use, they should have access to clean and sterile equipment to prevent infection and the spread of disease.
this is not what many people might consider an aide to the reduction of drug use, but rather a tool to the perpetuation of the drug culture in western canada. you wouldn't be alone if you thought that. stephen harper thinks it. but, from the mouths of the clients themselves it is clear that this project prevents overdose, transmission of HIV, AIDS, and Hepatitis C, and empowers clients in even the most infinitesimal way.
the staff do not judge the clients, nor do they condemn them. they listen. they care. they inform. there is always a hope for a better life for all of them, when they might understand their worth, and their value. but, until then, this centre is a warm smile, a hot cup of coffee, and a safe place.
cbc news: the fifth estate filmed an exposing piece on the inner workings of insite, onsite, and the facility clients, called staying alive. i hope even one more person becomes informed, and subsequently inspired to action, whatever that action may be.
people.
what have we learned from our history? as a people, at some point in time, each and every one of us has felt alone. yet, we allow others to continue to live in this wrenching loneliness. why?
it was only recently brought to my attention that there is a very progressive - and extremely controversial - human experiment going on in the east end of vancouver. insite is a provincially funded facility that provides clean and sterile rooms and needles for people to shoot up their drugs. on the second floor of that same building is onsite, a detox facility. the objective of this project is to enable what is known as "harm reduction"; if drug users are going to use, they should have access to clean and sterile equipment to prevent infection and the spread of disease.
this is not what many people might consider an aide to the reduction of drug use, but rather a tool to the perpetuation of the drug culture in western canada. you wouldn't be alone if you thought that. stephen harper thinks it. but, from the mouths of the clients themselves it is clear that this project prevents overdose, transmission of HIV, AIDS, and Hepatitis C, and empowers clients in even the most infinitesimal way.
the staff do not judge the clients, nor do they condemn them. they listen. they care. they inform. there is always a hope for a better life for all of them, when they might understand their worth, and their value. but, until then, this centre is a warm smile, a hot cup of coffee, and a safe place.
cbc news: the fifth estate filmed an exposing piece on the inner workings of insite, onsite, and the facility clients, called staying alive. i hope even one more person becomes informed, and subsequently inspired to action, whatever that action may be.
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