Changes

What can I do for you today, if anything? Are there questions or concerns or [[celebrations]] in need of acknowledgment?

What can I do for you today, if anything? Are there questions or concerns or [[celebrations]] in need of acknowledgment?

===Dialogue===

===Dialogue===

ELENA: Tomas, I'll comment on a couple of things that you said that got my interest in particular and applied to my daily life. There were two of them. The quicker one possibly is: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_W._Bush President Bush] had a [[speech]] and it seems like everybody ends their speech with "God bless America" and I don't know … that kind of came to my [[mind]] when you were saying that phrases would be used and it might seem to be not as [[sincere]]. And I'm not saying that President Bush isn't sincere when he says that, but it does come across a little bit … I don't know … it was like a little stamp that's popular for everybody to tag on at the end these days. So that kind of came to mind.

ELENA: Tomas, I'll comment on a couple of things that you said that got my interest in particular and applied to my daily life. There were two of them. The quicker one possibly is: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_W._Bush President Bush] had a [[speech]] and it seems like everybody ends their speech with "God bless America" and I don't know … that kind of came to my [[mind]] when you were saying that phrases would be used and it might seem to be not as [[sincere]]. And I'm not saying that President Bush isn't sincere when he says that, but it does come across a little bit … I don't know … it was like a little stamp that's popular for everybody to tag on at the end these days. So that kind of came to mind.

But then, by what you're saying, it's important to get these phrases into the [[consciousness]], even to maybe a little short of a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonald%27s MacDonald]'s meal for it, but at least to where it is on everyone's tongue so that there's … maybe it'll appear to be a more common thread. And that's of course the [[goal]]. So, is that kind of what you were saying? Or…?

But then, by what you're saying, it's important to get these phrases into the [[consciousness]], even to maybe a little short of a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonald%27s MacDonald]'s meal for it, but at least to where it is on everyone's tongue so that there's … maybe it'll appear to be a more common thread. And that's of course the [[goal]]. So, is that kind of what you were saying? Or…?

TOMAS: Yes, that's a fine example, although it is another of those instances which inflame the sensibilities of many. It is very [[nationalistic]], of course, and it has little to do with [[God]] himself. It sounds a bit less than a [[prayer]], and more of an [[assertion]] - a battle cry, if you will. But yes, this is how the [[greatness]] of God is brought down to the level of [[humanity]]. It would be globally more favorable if another movement were to begin responding to that common phrase with an improved phrase that incorporated all of [[humanity]].

TOMAS: Yes, that's a fine example, although it is another of those instances which inflame the sensibilities of many. It is very [[nationalistic]], of course, and it has little to do with [[God]] himself. It sounds a bit less than a [[prayer]], and more of an [[assertion]] - a battle cry, if you will. But yes, this is how the [[greatness]] of God is brought down to the level of [[humanity]]. It would be globally more favorable if another movement were to begin responding to that common phrase with an improved phrase that incorporated all of [[humanity]].

ESMARELDA: You know, because people all over the world hear these [[speeches]], because of our television and our [[radio]] and reception, so then everybody hears him but it's limiting it to [[America]], so that's a little bit [[selfish]]. But that reminds me of something that [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Rooney Andy Rooney] said the other day. I heard him on a program and he was talking about after [[911|September 11th]] all the people that fly the flags, and on the cars, and on their lapels, and everyplace, and he said he doesn't do that but that does not mean he is any less [[patriotic]] than those who have the flags on their car fenders and their pickup beds and all of those things. So which is …? That's similar to what you were saying. We need the [[symbols]], maybe, but then on the other hand, if we are not flying flags symbolically, we still are just as patriotic. We can still be just as patriotic.

ESMARELDA: You know, because people all over the world hear these [[speeches]], because of our television and our [[radio]] and reception, so then everybody hears him but it's limiting it to [[America]], so that's a little bit [[selfish]]. But that reminds me of something that [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Rooney Andy Rooney] said the other day. I heard him on a program and he was talking about after [[911|September 11th]] all the people that fly the flags, and on the cars, and on their lapels, and everyplace, and he said he doesn't do that but that does not mean he is any less [[patriotic]] than those who have the flags on their car fenders and their pickup beds and all of those things. So which is …? That's similar to what you were saying. We need the [[symbols]], maybe, but then on the other hand, if we are not flying flags symbolically, we still are just as patriotic. We can still be just as patriotic.

TOMAS: This is the same message that implicates you can be a believer without going to [[church]]. There are common forms that become the bandwagon, that carry off a [[standard]] and is supported by [[the masses]]. The message of Andy Rooney asks [[individuals]] to look deeper into themselves than the common standard, to [[soul]]-search. This is fashion, and, in a way, [[evolutionary]] fad. Certainly Mr. Bush is taking [[advantage]] of the current [[events]] to promote his administration, his country he has sworn to uphold and defend.

TOMAS: This is the same message that implicates you can be a believer without going to [[church]]. There are common forms that become the bandwagon, that carry off a [[standard]] and is supported by [[the masses]]. The message of Andy Rooney asks [[individuals]] to look deeper into themselves than the common standard, to [[soul]]-search. This is fashion, and, in a way, [[evolutionary]] fad. Certainly Mr. Bush is taking [[advantage]] of the current [[events]] to promote his administration, his country he has sworn to uphold and defend.

TOMAS: Yes, this is a good [[observation]]. This is true. This is also a [[chance]] for [[individuals]] to express their loving nature and give [[911|September 11th]] the credit for their being able to now express their [[appreciation]] for each other. They've had a [[chance]] to think about how life can be "snuffed out" "in a heartbeat" and many people are enjoying the new-found [[freedom]] of [[expression]] that is resultant from that value lesson that many Americans did learn.

TOMAS: Yes, this is a good [[observation]]. This is true. This is also a [[chance]] for [[individuals]] to express their loving nature and give [[911|September 11th]] the credit for their being able to now express their [[appreciation]] for each other. They've had a [[chance]] to think about how life can be "snuffed out" "in a heartbeat" and many people are enjoying the new-found [[freedom]] of [[expression]] that is resultant from that value lesson that many Americans did learn.

The wound to America is being immortalized because these are the kinds of [[events]] that impress a people. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holocaust Holocaust] had that effect also. They instill a sense that this must never be forgotten. We must always [[remember]]. The message therefore is remembered long and hard. Christ's [[crucifixion]] is one such [[event]]. It is remembered long and hard. But the [[good]] that came from his life here is the real message, just as there are real messages underlying the travesties of the Holocaust and the [[terrorist]] attack on September 11th and those realities are the realities that must be [[encouraged]] to grow. They would do well to build a [[shrine]] to that memory and then advance. Advance into the [[truth, beauty, and goodness]] that are revealed by a [[soulful]] search of the [[morals]] and [[ethics]] of a people at any given time.

The wound to America is being immortalized because these are the kinds of [[events]] that impress a people. The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holocaust Holocaust] had that effect also. They instill a sense that this must never be forgotten. We must always [[remember]]. The message therefore is remembered long and hard. Christ's [[crucifixion]] is one such [[event]]. It is remembered long and hard. But the [[good]] that came from his life here is the real message, just as there are real messages underlying the travesties of the Holocaust and the [[terrorist]] attack on September 11th and those realities are the realities that must be [[encouraged]] to grow. They would do well to build a [[shrine]] to that memory and then advance. Advance into the [[truth, beauty, and goodness]] that are revealed by a [[soulful]] search of the [[morals]] and [[ethics]] of a people at any given time.

There are a lot of things that need to fall away as new [[values]] come into [[existence]]. Encouraging letting go of the old way is a part and parcel of [[embracing]] the new way. Sometimes more quickly, sometimes more slowly, but when an event like [[911|September 11]] occurs, it is a thrust that [[awakens]] a people like a cold glass of water when you are happily asleep. You [[wake]] up sputtering and angry, but once you are awake, you might recognize that you've overslept. I'm not suggesting that [[terrorists]] have a right to establish themselves as your alarm clock, but if each individual in a [[society]] was able to think for himself and enhance a reality which suited the [[oversoul]] of creation, it would be a different dispensation altogether. This is the [[value]] of [[consciousness]], awareness. Not mere [[intellectual]] [[comprehension]], but psychic and spiritual perception of another [[reality]] than the material reality that meets the eye.

There are a lot of things that need to fall away as new [[values]] come into [[existence]]. Encouraging letting go of the old way is a part and parcel of [[embracing]] the new way. Sometimes more quickly, sometimes more slowly, but when an event like [[911|September 11]] occurs, it is a thrust that [[awakens]] a people like a cold glass of water when you are happily asleep. You [[wake]] up sputtering and angry, but once you are awake, you might recognize that you've overslept. I'm not suggesting that [[terrorists]] have a right to establish themselves as your alarm clock, but if each individual in a [[society]] was able to think for himself and enhance a reality which suited the [[oversoul]] of creation, it would be a different dispensation altogether. This is the [[value]] of [[consciousness]], awareness. Not mere [[intellectual]] [[comprehension]], but psychic and spiritual perception of another [[reality]] than the material reality that meets the eye.

ANN: So I think that I am hearing you say, Tomas, that we cannot operate out of [[fear]], that we have a [[family]], our national family, that we are taking very good care of, but in the fact that we are taking care of our national family, we are forgetting to open our doors to the [[Urantia]] family which is far more important. So instead of running into our [[domain]] and hiding out of [[fear]] or building fences, it is time for us to [[reflect]] on possibly maybe our own actions of what causes so much [[anger]], and open it up. What we know in [[habit]] or in past, we have an example in [[Israel]] and [[Palestine]]. We can fight! And it's proven you can fight for centuries and never [[change]] anything. And it just seems that we are in that beginning of that [[cycle]], and that to be wise we would stop our actions now and see how we can openly solve our problems in a new way.

ANN: So I think that I am hearing you say, Tomas, that we cannot operate out of [[fear]], that we have a [[family]], our national family, that we are taking very good care of, but in the fact that we are taking care of our national family, we are forgetting to open our doors to the [[Urantia]] family which is far more important. So instead of running into our [[domain]] and hiding out of [[fear]] or building fences, it is time for us to [[reflect]] on possibly maybe our own actions of what causes so much [[anger]], and open it up. What we know in [[habit]] or in past, we have an example in [[Israel]] and [[Palestine]]. We can fight! And it's proven you can fight for centuries and never [[change]] anything. And it just seems that we are in that beginning of that [[cycle]], and that to be wise we would stop our actions now and see how we can openly solve our problems in a new way.

TOMAS: Well said. Let's take a large [[family]] of you [[mortals]] as an example. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Walton%27s The Walton’s], a common television depiction, or any of those sitcoms that depict a nuclear family and many kids who have different interests, different ages. Think of yourself, [[USA|America]], as one of the kids who had the advantage of certain circumstances and who made the best of its circumstances, and you have [[siblings]]. There are other kids on this world that may be older, may be [[wiser]], but you are operating with what you've got as they are operating with what they've got. Some of the kids in this family are bickerers, and they may never get along. Is it possible that they could fare well under the [[direction]] of one of you other countries as Big Brother or Big Sister until such time as the rift was healed, if only by not picking at it? Perhaps that's a rhetorical question, but if your country believes it is the precocious child, the one entitled to all the Christmas presents, the one that has all the scholarships to the best [[universities]], the one who goes shopping when everyone else in the world is going to work or going [[hungry]], it lets your image look a little spoiled, a little [[indulged]], and I'm suggesting that the precociousness of this country could be replaed by genuine quality concern for others.

TOMAS: Well said. Let's take a large [[family]] of you [[mortals]] as an example. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Walton%27s The Walton’s], a common television depiction, or any of those sitcoms that depict a nuclear family and many kids who have different interests, different ages. Think of yourself, [[USA|America]], as one of the kids who had the advantage of certain circumstances and who made the best of its circumstances, and you have [[siblings]]. There are other kids on this world that may be older, may be [[wiser]], but you are operating with what you've got as they are operating with what they've got. Some of the kids in this family are bickerers, and they may never get along. Is it possible that they could fare well under the [[direction]] of one of you other countries as Big Brother or Big Sister until such time as the rift was healed, if only by not picking at it? Perhaps that's a rhetorical question, but if your country believes it is the precocious child, the one entitled to all the Christmas presents, the one that has all the scholarships to the best [[universities]], the one who goes shopping when everyone else in the world is going to work or going [[hungry]], it lets your image look a little spoiled, a little [[indulged]], and I'm suggesting that the precociousness of this country could be replaed by genuine quality concern for others.

There's talk in the recovery [[community]] that you cannot help anyone else until you yourself are well. What constitutes "well"? What are your [[values]]? The values that are overriding have been [[material]] in nature, [[technological]], but that font of loving [[kindness]] which you have begun to see since September 11 has been submerged under distrust and [[cynicism]]. For your country to emerge as a real world power it needs to acknowledge the [[value]] of its brothers and sisters in the global family, an [[appeal]] to the [[good]] of [[the whole]] that will require getting beyond [[egocentric]] vision.

There's talk in the recovery [[community]] that you cannot help anyone else until you yourself are well. What constitutes "well"? What are your [[values]]? The values that are overriding have been [[material]] in nature, [[technological]], but that font of loving [[kindness]] which you have begun to see since September 11 has been submerged under distrust and [[cynicism]]. For your country to emerge as a real world power it needs to acknowledge the [[value]] of its brothers and sisters in the global family, an [[appeal]] to the [[good]] of [[the whole]] that will require getting beyond [[egocentric]] vision.