Rumi and Downward Mobility

Text 1:

“I used to be shy. You made me sing."

"I used to refuse things at table. Now I shout for more wine.”

Response 1:

These lines are both very powerful and symbolic. They are a great representation of our Spirituality and Fair Trade class. In our class we are able to feel comfort in voicing our opinions and thoughts. The class allows us to open our minds to views and situations we may not have ever thought of. We are now able to express ourselves without fear of being judged or embarrassed. Our words, actions, and cooperation with one another have allowed us to step outside of our comfort zone, and put meaning and importance to our thoughts. It is empowering to feel comfortable with other to express how you feel. If we are not open to our shortcomings or accomplishments we cannot work with others to achieve something great. Cooperation and teamwork allows us to use each and everyone's strengths to improve a situation. It is key to have distributive justice, and to recognize we all do not have the time, or power to do everything on our own. We must collaborate with each other and focus on what we specialize in and let others do the same. With methods like this, we are able to create great things.

Text 2:

Insecurity reaches to our sense of self. Since we are socially mobile (up,down, and sideways), we no longer identify with traditional roles, or with our occupations. All that can change from year to year. Meanwhile, pluralism discredits traditional sources of meaning: custom, religion, and ideologies. Doubts plagues. us. We take a long time to figure out who we are and what we believe.

Response 2:

We are all not perfect. We all have faults and insecurities, but that should not be the reason we cannot succeed. We are all born into the world with difference, varying life perspectives. We all adapt with our environment and with the relationships we build with others. We must make sure we are supportive of each other so that we can create the greatest good for the greatest amount of people. We are not supposed to know who we are and what our purpose is over night. In order to truly understand ourselves as human beings we must be rational and know that it takes time and experience to create ourselves. I really like the quote, “life is not about finding ourselves, it is about creating ourselves.” We are not in this world to live up to anyone’s expectations. We must discover what we are passionate about and what we are skilled at and use that to create the person we what to be, the person that will have the confidence to change the world.

More blog posts in this category Common

• The Wound & the Blessing/The Economy of Communion Project Post
• The Crest- Jewel of Wisdom & Work as a Spiritual Practice Post
• "What Money Can't Buy" Blog Post
• Blog Post Ni: FTRN Booklet & Arithmetic of Passion
• Work as a Spiritual Practice (The Transformation of Work)