Blog management - Explanation of feature "Letters from Hilton, NY."

Letters From Hilton, NY #7 - How interdependent systems work.

How interdependent systems work

It’s been quite a month in Hilton, NY where Harry Hollywood is trying to enhance his attunement with the interdependent web of all existence of which, he is acutely aware, he is only a tiniest, minute, inconsequential speck.

Harry was waiting in a long line at the Department of Motor Vehicles when he ran into Elmer Sandbagger who asked him how things were going. Harry  told Elmer of his desire to understand the systems of which is only a mere participant. Elmer looked at Harry as if Harry were speaking Martian and said, “What in hell are you talking about?”

Harry said, “I’m trying to figure out where I fit in with it all.”

“Holy moly,” said Elmer, “can’t we just talk about the weather or how fouled up things are here at the DMV where we have to wait so long in line to get any service?”

“Okay,” said Harry. “What do you think is going on at the DMV that makes their service so slow?”

“It’s the government for ya,” said Elmer. “This is what socialism looks and feels and acts like.”

Jennifer Golddigger was waiting, too, and piped up, “That’s right, there’s no money in it for them. They have no competition and no incentive. It’s not like you can take your business somewhere else.”

Ted Marketer walked up and said, “Fancy meeting you all here. What’s with the line? I thought the county clerk said he was going to improve things and create the new and improved DMV?”

Elmer said, “They make all kinds of promises to get your vote and then forget what they said.”

Roy Christain had overheard the conversation from a few spaces back, and called up, “They’re doing the best they can. Patience is a virtue.”

Harry said, “I think putting yourself in other people’s shoes and trying to understand what the factors are that contribute to situational performance leads to more constructive ideas and suggestions about how things can be improved.”

Jacob had walked back from the counter having gotten his registration renewed and said, “They’re doing a good job. The clerk helped me straighten out the problem and I just got my registration renewed. They’re really nice people here even if you have to wait.”

Barb Golden walked over having seen the crew and said, “It’s all about teamwork and everyone knowing their role and doing their part. It’s amazing how this whole system works to keep us all safe.”

Roy said, “It can’t be easy designing and implementing such a huge system to orchestrate our transportation system on our roadways.”

“It’s a blessing when you think about it,” said Harry. “It’s all about understanding and doing unto others as they would have you do unto them. It’s about compassion, equity, and good outcomes that benefit everyone.”

Jacob said, “I agree. It’s a good example of the platinum rule not the golden rule mind you. The platinum rule is do unto others as they would have you do unto them. Waiting awhile to obtain effective, accurate service is worth the wait and everyone benefits.”

And that’s how things have been this month in Hilton, NY where Harry is looking at the big picture, Elmer hates governmental bureaucracy, Jennifer thinks the service would be better if people could make some money, Ted is interested in campaign promises kept and unkept, Roy thinks people are doing their best given what they have to work with, Jacob is grateful for the benefits the system conveys to help keep people safe on our roadways, and Harry is more delighted than ever at how awesome things are when people understand how interdependent systems work.

A Course In Miracles Workbook Lesson #14 - God did not create a meaningless world.

Lesson #14

God did not create a meaningless world

There is the world of the ego and the world of the soul. The world of the ego is of our making and the world of the soul is of God, the Higher Power, the transcendent energy of the universe.

We humans have separated ourselves from the transcendent ground of our existence, because we wanted to do things ourselves, our own way, because we arrogantly thought we knew and could obtain what would make us happy all on our own. And how is this belief and activity working for us? We have created our own hell. Sooner or later we will be brought to our knees, learning that our lives are unmanageable all on our own,  and come to admit it if we want to embark on a better way.

And so, we come to learn, as is taught in Alcoholics Anonymous and other twelve step programs, that our lives are unmanageable and we have come to believe that there is a Higher Power who can restore us to sanity if we turn our lives over to the care of our Higher Power as we understand it. We come to realize that it is we, not God, who has created a meaningless world full of illusions, false promises, anger, guilt, and fear. With this realization, we realize that we can find a better way, and we begin to give up the things of the ego world we have created which have brought us anguish, suffering, and hell on earth.

Unitarian Universalists have created and sustained a living tradition which supports one another’s spiritual growth by encouraging a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. Coming to realize that truth and meaning are not to be found in the world of the ego, they begin to turn to the world of the soul and pursue what has been called “love beyond belief” because they realize that God did not create a meaningless world.

Good news for 08/15/20 - Gun control policies make big differences for well being.

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When it comes gun deaths per 100,000 citizens some states are much safer than others.

The worst states are Missouri with 22.81 gun deaths per 100.000 followed by Alabama with 21.70, Louisiana with 21.31, Wyoming with 21.09, and New Mexico with 20.75.

The best states are Rhode Island with 3.28 gun deaths per 100,00 followed by Massachusetts with 3.46, New York and Hawaii with 4.03, New Jersey with 4.75, and Connecticut with 4.91.

The difference in gun deaths per 100,000 in the United States is almost 7 times greater in Missouri than in Rhode Island.

Why the difference? There are many factors but the three greatest are state wide norms and attitudes about gun control, access to guns in citizen homes and communities, and gun laws and regulations.

How does your state stand on the gun law scorecard? Is there good news or bad news? You can check easily by clicking here.

Unitarian Universalists covenant together to affirm and promote justice, equity, and compassion in human relations. When this principle is applied to our social policies, community well being is enhanced. Gun control is a good example of how Unitarian Universalists principles can improve the quality of life on earth as it is in heaven.

A Course In Miracles Workbook Lesson #13 - A meaningless world engenders fear.

Lesson #13

A meaningless world engenders fear.

When you realise the things of the ego world are impermanent and illusory our anxiety increases. Anxiety is another word for fear. What is it we are afraid of? Is it meaninglessness?

The ego rushes in with special relationships, material things, new self-improvement projects, involvement in political and social justice causes, hobbies of one sort or another, various chemicals and other addictive behaviors such as gambling, shopping, pornography.. All of these things are attempts by the ego to fill the vacuum, the empty hole, left in our soul when existential disillusionment occurs.

Sometimes we go to the doctor who diagnoses an anxiety disorder and prescribes medication. Sometimes we go to a psychotherapist who may teach us “tools” to manage our anxiety attacks better. Rarely these days do people turn to spiritual ideas and practices to connect with the transcendent. A Course In Miracles offers us a metaphysical philosophy which provides us with a different way of understanding our experience.

Unitarian Universalism offers us a spiritual path and support with its covenantal theology and seven principles, the fourth of which is the affirmation and promotion of a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. The search is not outwardly to the world of the ego but inwardly to the world of the soul.

As we learn how to tolerate the meaninglessness of the ego world, and manage our fears by seeking ways of experiencing peace and bliss, we come to understand that we are not alone in the Universe but part of a transcendent reality which loves us unconditionally. The Universalists knew this from the beginning of their movement and is the foundational teaching of their faith.

Good news for 08/13/20 - New York State's infant mortality rate is lower than national average.

The infant mortality rate in New York State is the fifth lowest in the country after California, Oregon, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire at 4.3 per 1,000 live births.

The infant mortality rate is highest in Mississippi at a rate of 8.3 and Louisiana at 7.6

The average infant mortality rate in the U.S. is 5.8 per 1,000.

The country with the highest infant mortality rate is Afghanistan at 110.6 and the lowest is Japan, Iceland, and Monaco with 2.00

The average infant mortality rate in OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries is 3.9 per 1,000.

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 Unitarian Universalists covenant together to affirm and promote justice, equity, and compassion in human relations and the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all.

It is interesting to ask why the infant mortality rate is twice as high in Mississippi as it is in Northeastern and Western states. It is also of interest to note the difference in infant mortality between blue states and red states. Given the political differences, social policies are quite different in these states that may account for the discrepancies. Is is also interesting to note that there are significant religious differences in these regions with the Northeast, historically, being much more Unitarian than other parts of the country.

Religion in the public square - UU A Way Of Life endorses Amy McGrath for the Senate in Kentucky

The Senate of the United States is the least representative, most undemocratic institution in the United States. Every state has two senators regardless of the population of the state. Wyoming with the lowest population of the 50 U.S. states with less than 600,000 people has two senators while California with the largest population of the 50 U.S. States  with almost 40 million people has only two senators as well.

The Senate has the power to obstruct legislation from the House of Representatives and exert other powers such as failing to convict President Trump on his charges of impeachment.

The beliefs, values, voting records of each of the 100 Senators affects all Americans. Although, all Americans are affected by the decisions in the Senate, only a small minority of American people get to decide who these decision makers will be by being able to vote on their representation. However, we can influence who our fellow Americans vote for in their states to be their senators. Therefore, all Americans should pay attention to who our fellow Americans in their states are voting for. We can influence their decisions about who they are voting to be their Senatorial decision makers in their state and for all Americans.

Here, at UU A Way Of Life, we are paying attention to who is running for Senate this fall. Some of the Senatorial candidates beliefs, values, policies, and values are more in alignment with UU principles that others. While you may not be able to vote in an individual state for a senatorial candidate, you can participate in the senatorial campaigns to influence the voters on choosing wise, ethical, and compassionate senators.

There will be a series of articles throughout the fall, endorsing a preferred Senatorial candidate. Readers are encouraged to support the preferred candidates campaign in any way they can. Unitarian Universalists covenant together to affirm and promote the right of conscience and the use of democratic processes within our congregations and in society at large, and to affirm and promote a world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all.

Thank you for your attention and support in improving the quality of decision makers in our United States Senate.

UU A Way Of Life endorses Amy McGrath for Senator from Kentucky instead of Mitch McConnell.

There is probably no official in the United States government who has done more harm to our democracy that Mitch McConnell, the Republican Senator from Kentucky who is the Senate Majority Leader who has made Trumpism not only possible but flourish in the United States.

Amy McGrath is a retired Lt. Colonel from the United States Marine Corps whose values are more in line with our UU principles. Please support her campaign.