Friday, February 20, 2015

One of a Thousand, #1000Speak

#1000Speak, or “1000 voices speak for compassion” is a social initiative with the goal of getting 1000 bloggers to commit to publishing a piece about compassion, kindness, support, caring for others, the environment or being non-judgmental all on one day, today, February 20th. The objective is that amidst all that we see going on around us, all that we shake our heads at and denounce, the best course of action, the most positive thing we can do as a diverse multinational group of writers is to advance the discourse. We’ve chosen to stand together in expressing positivity.

Why February 20th? In November of 2007 the United Nations unanimously adopted a resolution that starting in 2009 (don’t ask me what they had against 2008, I haven’t a clue) February 20th would be observed as World Day of Social Justice. Making a stance of this size on this particular day makes sense.

#1000Speak | www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics


 As I read through the UN declaration, one of the things that struck me was the distinction between upholding the principles of social justice and advancing social justice. I see the value in both. It doesn’t matter so much WHAT you do but THAT you do. Whether my words here are viewed as upholding or advancing doesn’t matter to me. The fact that I, that 1000 of us, put our words together in this way and on this day and as this group does. A lot.

When I was very little the school day would start with us all standing, placing our hands over our hearts and pledging allegiance to the flag, a symbol of our great nation. The message I want to express today is a very basic one using some of those same words. The core of global compassion can be found in these final words of the Pledge of Allegiance:

“with liberty and justice for all”

I’ve written two posts that express my feelings about he issue of compassion. One I wrote after a school shooting. It’s called Every Day. When there are atrocities such as school shootings, a marathon bombing, actions that make us feel incapable of comprehension, we’re often left feeling at a loss for adequate words. Every Day is about how, at times where there are no words, who we are can speak for us. What we choose to do in our own homes, in our neighborhoods and in our communities not just in times of crisis but every day can bridge the gap and express compassion.

The other post is called I Apologize and I wrote it in my very first month of blogging. In it I talk about bullying: where I think it comes from, why I believe it continues and one simple step we can all take to impact it. I end with this quote by Eminem. I love the straightforward simplicity of this message:

Do Unto Others quote | www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics

The challenge, though, is to take it just one step further. I acknowledge that this is an admirable example of UPHOLDING social justice, but what would it take to ADVANCE it? One minor change in the thought process:


Compassion quote | www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics #1000Speak



Baking In A Tornado signature | www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics




PS: I include a recipe in my posts. Here’s today’s:


Recipe for Compassion
                                                                       ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Ingredients:
Thoughts
Words
Actions

Directions:
*Put a filter in a sieve and place the sieve over a bowl.
*Add thoughts, words, actions and mix well.
*Allow time for the impurities to collect in the sieve and the positivity to trickle down into the bowl.
*Remove and discard the filter of pollutants.
*Keep what's left in the bowl in a safe environment and allow compassion to rise until it’s doubled in size.
*Like a starter dough, keep a piece for yourself and pass the rest down to future generations.

31 comments:

  1. I'm so glad you tweaked his quote. It makes no difference how I'm treated. I must treat everyone with compassion.
    Great recipe!

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    1. Very beautifully written, Karen!!
      I simply love the theme you have chosen today!
      True! As a writer and also as an ordinary human being; I believe we can start to make a difference. A little more "conscious stand" against things and behaviors; we don't like, and so we don't want anybody to face it too - will be more than enough to bring in some changes to our home, society and to the country.

      Love the tweaked quote below by you!
      And simply a great recipe!!

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    2. Compassion is not difficult to understand and agree with as a concept, but we need to train ourselves to consider it when we're emotionally involved in situations where we are reacting more than thinking it through.

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  2. When I read Eminem's quote my very first thought was "No - that is not right." Then your quote was next and YES, that is right. I think you read my post last week about befriending the woman whose son burned down our shop. This is taking it one step further. Being nice to that person and never letting them know you know what they did to you.

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    1. I do like Eminem's quote, it's about not judging others by anything other than their actions. I also agree that there is a step further that you can take it.
      Your post about befriending that woman didn't surprise me, it's what you're all about.

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  3. Very inspiring and awesome post Karen! I am so proud to also be a part of something as big as this. I hope it brings a World of change!

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  4. This has to be the BEST recipe I've ever read. LOVE it lady and may we all be 1 in 1000 voices of compassion in our work place, schools, neighborhoods, while shopping, in our families and on and on. Bravo

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  5. SO much love for this post!!! <3 <3 <3 <3

    If we all just took a minute before we speak/act and thought about how the other person feels, this would be a MUCH better world.

    LOVE that quote!!!!

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    1. I agree. We have the capacity to do harm if we speak in the spur of the moment without thought. And we have the capacity to do so much good if we just take time to think before we speak.

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  6. I LOVE this recipe, Karen! Actually, I just love your whole post. What you've said here is so true. My daughter and I have had many long talks about why kids bully. And then she goes and prays for those who hurt her and it just humbles me. She is such a great example for me!

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    1. Yes, sometimes kids just break it down to what really matters. And it gives us hope when they do.

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  7. An excellent recipe!! And, I love your revised version of Eminem's quote!!

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    1. Thanks, Roshni. Eminem's quote is admirable in and of itself, but taking it a step further matters too.

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  8. I like your quote better than Eminem's! The "recipe"---very clever. It would make a nice plaque to have in the kitchen for my kids to see every time they came over!

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    1. Yes, I do like that recipe. I may end up doing something with it and framing it. Of course all of my craft ideas come out a disaster.

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  9. I think that recipe is one that I can totally follow. I love this post and am SO in love with this idea....

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    1. Thanks, Sarah, it really was a great idea. I'm so glad Roshni tagged me in her post about participating.

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  10. This is perfect. Amen and all that. This is something I strive for!

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  11. Absolutely and what a great idea to have a day when it's actively talked about. I love you recipe.

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    1. Thanks, the recipe part was an afterthought but I have to admit that I'm glad I did it.

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  12. This post is so good that I can't come up with anything else to say except - this post is so good. Your addition to Eminem's quote gets right to the heart of what compassion is about, and the recipe is brilliant. Oops, guess I did come up with something else to say! Thank you for this outstanding post about compassion.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, I'm so glad my words had meaning to someone else. Especially in this instance.

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  13. Best recipe you have ever shared! I love this.

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