" The greatest generosity we can extend to another is to LISTEN to them, to affirm that they are IMPORTANT and then to do what is RIGHT by them. Everyone deserves affirmative actions and accomodation. "
On November 2, 2010 Mother Nanhi spontaneously posted the above statement on a blog. Today, 26 days later, I was asked what I mean when I "affirm" someone. It is hoped that this blog will shed some cultural light on my belief system.
Let's blame my father for this one. He started it, okay? When I was a child I very early learned that not everyone understood what my Dad was saying to me. He would combine vocabulary from any of the 28 languages he knew to speak to his children. Before I started kindergarden I clearly remember him saying to me, " If the other children don't understand you, it isn't English. But there are some things you should always say in any language: Please, Thank you, You're Welcome, Excuse Me and What's your name? "
Affirming and accomodating each other can get tricky if we forget that everyone has the right to like the sound of their own name, that everyone speaks with deep conviction about the things that are near and dear to their hearts and that we earn our rights by affirming and accomodating the rights of others. I also learned when I was young that stop signs, red lights, green lights, size order in the recess line and ladies first are also the little things society has come up with to make sure no harm comes to others in the process of individuals obtaining their freedom. By placing limits on ourselves we put ourselves in the position to accomodate others and to take turns being important and special.
To all of you if I haven't yet had the opportunity to say it personally may I now say that I:
Thank you for your presence here. I ask you please to understand me so that I can better understand you. Please know that you are welcome to approach me at any time with the kindness you wish to receive in return. Like anyone else, if you back me into a corner I might come out swinging. I also ask that you may excuse me when I don't understand immediately and have to ask questions and that I appreciate as much as you do having the respect which my name affords me by asking you to not defame me, my name or my family.
Courtesy is as courtesy does. To those who have taken the time and made the effort to get to know the REAL ME, I am eternally grateful for your acceptance and kindness.
Thank you again for the opportunity to get to know everyone here and for the invitation to participate over the past year in many a discussion which has opened my heart even more so to the WONDER of the UNIVERSE and the beauty of THE CREATOR AND THE CREATION but also to the sadness and pain that exist in our world as evidenced by all the times we hear people crying out for attention that they need even here at the ULCM, including me and my husband. We all deserve respect, affirmation and accomodation.
I pray for you all every day and ask that you do the same for me.
From my home to yours I WISH YOU PEACE,
THE REV. MOTHER NANHI MARY KATHERINE KENNEDY MORROW-FARRELL
God bless you for your honesty and compassion,
Rev. Dr. Dean and Rev. Barb, Your faithful friends.