Charter for Compassion

Charter for Compassion inspires hope and action.

Let's Go Back to the Golden Rule

There could be no genocides, or wars over religion, or punishing of other people's choices and characteristics, if we put ourselves in the other's place. In her talk on TED.com from the June conference at Oxford, Karen Armstrong affirms the Golden Rule. She quotes Hillel - What is hateful to you, do not do to others. Such a simple statement, so hard to live up to.

Karen Armstrong's books and teachings in theology emphasize what religions have in common. TED granted her wish last year for a Charter for Compassion created by the online input of thousands of people worldwide, religionists or not. The Charter has its own website and will be published officially in a few weeks.

May it increase the sense of community Earth's people need so much.

Compassion leads to action.

Posting on FaceBook

Since I joined FaceBook I'm posting longer paragraphs there, and less often here.

Life Gets Better

While I was in treatment for Hepatitis C, I had no energy to spare for blogging here. I am now virus free with hope that it will stay that way.

Lael and Phil visited again in July, coordinating West Coast trip with the expected birth of a baby to Lael's sister. They took me to La Jolla to enjoy the seacoast with them. I stayed put while they snorkeled and hiked. My spirit is nourished from the contact and kindness.

WIRED had an article on big pharma struggling with the placebo effect. Nowadays, clinical trials often show better results for the inert pill than for the drug being tested. Painkillers and anti-depressants are particularly helped by the placebo reaction, in which taking action, and expectation of relief, release natural painkillers and soothers in the brain. Neat.

Holidays

Philip and Lael visited for a few days. It was great to see them. We took walks, ate together, and played Scrabble.

Wedding Photos

What fun! I'm ordering photos from Philip and Lael's July wedding from Shutterfly.

It was a wonderful three days of celebration.

Obama

We voters judged him by the content of his character, not by the color of his skin.