"Do no harm" is the motto of many. I hope that I live up to such a motto, I know that I have to be so careful in how I participate in life. I am blessed with faith, and know that the Almighty has blessed me in so many ways. Ways that I do not fully understand at present. I know the human condition, and that so much is mystery, a painful mystery, a lonely mystery and yet there is a peace that surpasses understanding. Hurrah for life!

Michael Collins has An Exclusive Interview with Bush Political Prisoner Susan Lindauer.
background from 2004 here

Democracy is alive, just, whew...

Social Networking for WYD2008.

I just love the moments of serendipity and synchronicity in every day.
Personally reflecting on understanding and compassion during the morning, a lunch time customer tells me unsolicited that "forgiveness leads to understanding or is it understanding leads to forgiveness." Sounds like thich to me... :)

I have spent some time gazing at the latest infrared imagery of the galaxy, and contemplating that the latest data would indicate over 135 billion galaxys in the known universe.

Such ponderings, naturally make one feel more than small, and raise the eternal questions of who am I, why am I here, what's it all about...

Descarte solved it philosophically for a while: cogito ergo sum, but modernity probably says it better: I believe, therefore I am human. Belief in ones identity enables one to survive.

Too often ones identity is seen as black or white. But Ratzinger in Introduction to Christianity reflects that

The beautiful black and white into which one is accustomed to divide men changes into the grey of a universal twilight. It becomes clear that with men there is no such thing as black and white, and that in spite of all possible gradations, which do in fact span a wide range, nevertheless all men stand somewhere in the twilight.

To really live in the twilight is to fully appreciate our brutishness to others, and our loving to others, to really appreciate the brutality of others, and to accept the loving of others.

I find peace in knowing that I am loved by some who have seen my imperfections, impatience, insecurities, resentments and frustrations. When we know others accept us unconditionally ones restlessness is sated, and even more so when one comes to realise that God's love and mercy is even greater, beyond the universe.