Children of Haiti

Being positive when I am bombarded by negative actions is difficult. Yet if we let anger and bitterness affect us, we will fail to see the positives in life. “Seeing God in all things” means looking for what is positive in life around us. Mahatma Gandhi suggest one way to start is by being free from attachments. He says “Freedom from all attachments is the realization of God as Truth.” (“Truth is God” p. 37)

Now to practice what I preach. I wrote to a couple of persons that understand how people with mental illnesses are treated about my concerns of what is happening in Milwaukee with closing of mental health complex and hospital beds for people in crisis. They both responded with understanding and some insights.

Today I met with former employees of St. Vincent de Paul Thrift store and Vincentian members to talk about how we can deal with the neglect of the Milwaukee Society of St. Vincent de Paul. We discussed strategy and came up with a two throng approach. If we can detach ourselves from the harm to the poor being done we maybe can make a difference.

My friend, Ms. Lucille, 86 year old civil rights leader, called me that the Department of Motor Vehicle had written her to tell her she was not an American Citizen. It was sad but she found some humor in it. When she applied for a passport in the 70’s her birth certificate could not be found in Florida where she was born. Her parents at the time had to write an official affidavit say she was born in USA. Actually her mother, 114 years old, is still alive living in Florida. For an ID she has used her VA ID, her husband was killed in the Korean War in the 50’s. She does not have a Wisconsin ID and thus the Department of Motor Vehicle claimed she is not a citizen. Humor is a good way to be detached.

If I look for it all kinds of good things are happening in my life. I am surrounded with blessings that trump evil if I have the eyes to see.

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