[psych-hr] Efforts Locally While Focusing Globally

Dear Friends:

Since the tragic events that swept like a painful shockwave over the
country I as human being, father, husband, responsible citizen and
chairperson for an international peace association have spent a lot of
time reflecting, and praying for the wisdom to in some way make a
difference in allowing more light in to the moment to moment experience of
life.  My first response was to donate money to those organizations and
people at ground zero.  Than to give time and energy to those in need,
beginning with family, friends, patients and colleagues were calling for
support and connection.

As I began doing this I realized this was really not enough.  It had to be
more encompassing to really make a difference yet not all encompassing of
me and the time needed in my family for my presence at the same time.  I
reached out to the administrations at the schools my children attend and
spoke to them of offering support and knowledge; ideas about groups
gathering and supporting each other.  The idea of an InterFaith Council
made of community religious leaders from all faiths to share ideas and
discuss issues and thoughts also manifest with a greater sense of 'making
a difference'.  Offering information and a listening ear to groups and
individuals brought me to the awareness of our commonality and true unity
in need not just as a community in which I lived but as a planet in which
we all live and wish to survive and thrive.  Somehow this latter thought
brought me to the conviction that to survive and thrive as a community was
inextricably tied to the countries of the world surviving and thriving as
well.  Therefore, Justice is not only communal, or even national it is and
must be International.  Our true enemy is fear and violence, instead of
understanding, serving justice and changing and surviving together.  An
email I read recently quoted the Koran (5:32): "If anyone kills an
innocent person it is as if they kill all of humanity and if anyone saves
an innocent life it is as if they save all of humanity."  Yes, one person,
one act, one moment, one day at a time does matter!!  I am thankful for
every day that I can make a difference and that there are others who also
want to make a difference.

I would be grateful for any further input of ideas as to how to accomplish
this in a community and in the world.


Steven E. Handwerker, Ph.D., D.Div.  
International Association for the Advancement of Peace, Inc.  
7300 W. Camino Real, Ste 229
Boca Raton, FL 33433.




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