15 December 2008

Monday, December 15, 2008

“If we really want happiness, we must acknowledge that it comes about by taking care of people.” The Dalai Lama



How do you corral the wind?
How do you blast a tunnel through a mountain?
How do you walk a tight-rope without directions?

This day at our sites we tried, we tried, we tried to do these things. No matter how successful or unsuccessful in our tasks it mattered not. What mattered is we cared, and this care brought us joy and happiness.
Sr. Rose’s skillful lasso tamed the wind in two perfect lines of twenty children each in no time at all. How does she do it? We, on the other hand had to be content with arms aching from lifting children (Cynthia), books wrestled from hands (Nicky), tears brimming in gratitude because of the excellent care given to the children (Miriam), and games of “I’m going to get-you, get-you, get-you” and “hog-pile” (Joelle). The wind eventually settled to a gentle, peaceful breeze as sleep overtook the tightly lined bodies of children on mats.
The heavy-hitter work was left to the hands of Harshal and Molly as stone and cement was chipped away to make ready the door frames of the dormitory rooms for the SEAM Children’s Home. Perhaps this is how Michelangelo started his career as a stone carver….and eventually worked his way up to: ‘Seeing an angel in the stone and carved to set it free…’ These two, however, seeing angles – carved. The mountain tunnel starts when the first stone is removed. Bravo.
The tight-rope act was performed by the amazing duo – (drum-roll please…) Enid and Chris – Tada! The balance in check: memorization vs. true learning, judgment without criteria – not being supplied with all the information, yet being required to deliver a verdict….the walk was indeed precarious….How did they do it? They walked gingerly along a cultural divide and somehow managed the expanse. Openness and willingness of heart were the skills they used to cross. (Applause.)
The Wind, The Mountain, The Tight-Rope were the “best parts” and the “challenges” of our first day. We look forward to the happiness we will find this day in caring for others.

Joelle