Open letter to America

I wrote this “letter to America” back in August of 2005 and have been feeling much of these same sentiments again. I share this letter with you–fellow Americans and fellow world citizens–and invite you to respond. What are you feeling? What most concerns your heart? What are you noticing in your lives and communities? What ideas do you have that could set us on a new course of action? What are you hoping and praying for? What is your vision of a bright future for all?

Dear America,I’m hurting and I think you are too. There was once a time when our brothers and sisters of the world looked upon us with a smile in their eyes and appreciation in their hearts. We, though always bearing human frailties and shortcomings, were compassionate, helpful, and generous with our great gifts. We spoke openly, plainly, and lovingly in conversations—with those whom we understood and those who seemed foreign to us. We reached out our hands to embrace, help, heal—both nearby and far away. We looked for ways to be of service for the largest number, and believed in the abundance of our planet. We took care to share our place at the table, taking only the room that we truly needed for ourselves. This American way reflected the best that is present in each and every one of us, even at this very moment.

I fear that we’ve now lost our hold on that brilliance in our souls. Though still generous, helpful and compassionate, we spend much of our life in ways that bring more darkness to the world than light. Out of our true pain and losses, we’ve scrambled for solace, which seems far away like the pinnacle of a mountain peak at whose base we stand. In this dash to recover our brighter selves we’ve let fear drive us to act in ways that do not become us. We’ve allowed our fellow citizens to commit horrendous acts in our names. We’ve enclosed our hearts in barbed wire and brittle stone and forgotten the pain we tend to inflict when we act out of our anger and fear. We’ve shunned our questioning brothers and sisters and sought company only of those who pat our backs and keep quiet about misgivings they have. We’ve traded our place at the table with others for a spot in the corner that feels more distant by the day.

I want something different for us. I pray for something different. I believe that you too want something different, for I believe that I am both the reaper and sower, both creator and destroyer, both citizen and foreigner, both you and me. We contain both darkness and light and cannot truly separate ourselves from one another. While accepting that I/we will still wound and spread darkness at times, I ask for us all to step boldly backwards from the precipice that we’re approaching. We have tremendous potential as a creative, intuitive, passionate, and wise species. We are needed by our brothers and sisters and our finned, furred, and feathered fellow planetary dwellers. This is a time to reclaim our inner brilliance and let it shine a new path for us to walk. We can lead ourselves from the darkness we’ve been creating.

Have compassion for yourselves and forgive yourself for the unloving acts you’ve done. Open your heart to those who confound you and forgive them for the unloving acts they’ve committed. Create this space of healing to open up in us once again. Let us all come back to the table. And let all humanity work together to heal the wounds we’ve inflicted and received.

Shonnie Lavender
(originally written and shared via email on August 24, 2005)

Filed under: Mindfulness, Self-empowerment, Purpose, Peace by Shonnie on September 10, 2007 |

4 Comments »

I too long for a shift toward greater compassion and understanding in our national priorities, Shonnie. And I’ll have to admit I’ve felt hopeless and powerless the past few weeks. I believed that the Democratic majority in Congress was actually going to have the courage to put some checks and balances on those who would manipulate us toward fear and hate of our fellow humans. But I see once again that there is no savior on a white horse riding in to save the day. It’s up to me, to you, to us. My path on this matter of huge importance is not clear to me now. But I trust that if I open myself to it, the Universe will ultimately show me the way.

Comment by Bruce Mulkey — September 10, 2007 @ 1:19 pm
Who knows, maybe our belief of the “savior on a white horse” is a remnant of our childhood when we expected our parents to always protect and care for us. Though some part of me would like that to be true, another part is comforted knowing that I have my role to play. I agree with you that opening yourself up and trusting life will lead you to clarity. Thank you for taking the time to read and to comment.

Comment by Shonnie — September 10, 2007 @ 1:37 pm
I think the “white horse” comment is well made. Author and radio host Thom Hartmann keeps bringing it back to the need to get active. He suggests what matters more than who gets in office, is how active and vocal the constituencies are. Will we have their back when they take bold action? Or will we join with the old guard in picking what they do apart because it may not be perfect?

And regarding the Democratic congress, I often feel let down by how they don’t represent me - and while I was out of (ahead of?) the mainstream in my views for many years - now when I say representing me, I’m really referring to the majority. But the wheels of bureaucracy and public opinion move very slowly, and when you consider where we were a year ago and where we are now, I’ll take now. At least I don’t feel like I’m setting myself up as a target anymore when I suggest our bravado should be tempered with compassion.

Comment by Meryl — October 4, 2007 @ 10:23 am
[…] Back in August 2005, I wrote an open letter to America where I spoke about the move away from greatness that we’ve made in our country. We can shift the course we’ve been on these last many years. With inspiration and true leadership, we can reclaim our souls and come back to the heart of what it means to be American. “Leadership is not a solo act, it’s a team effort.” […]

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