Aug 1 2011: I was asked to comment on my response to your question: What would you ask your neighbors? I said,"Where does your hope spring from? And what have you done for someone else without thought of personal gain?" I want to know my neighbors better, understand where they are coming from, and also just do personal research on where people are at in these days and times. There is so much division, conflict, misunderstanding throughout the world, why build on it with hostility and defensiveness? I am always curious about people's deeper motivations, what makes them tick. I feel that to heal the ills of this world, we as humans are called on to do two things: listen to the natural world and what it is telling us (through our dreams as well as facts) and to grow our own compassionate natures. I want to start with my own community and build from there. I have asked my friends on Facebook about their altruism, but hardly one could respond. Everyone is so wrapped up in me, mine, what can I get, that true giving without thought of recompense has all but disappeared in our culture. It is frankly shocking in a culture that is so rich in material wealth as well as basic necessities. Our soul wealth seems bankrupt. Also, to have better neighbors I must be a better neighbor. When I show that I truly care about another person, they are more apt to listen and share. Seems pretty basic to me.
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A comment on Conversation: If you could ask one question to all of your neighbors, what would you ask?