Luminalogue

The Altar of This Moment

2009-07-02T12:34:57-07:00

Place everything you can perceive--
Everything you can
See,
  Hear,
  Smell,
  Taste,
  Or touch,
Upon the altar of this moment
And give thanks.

It is over so soon,
This expression,
This single moment of your precious life,
This one heart
pounding itself open
with fear or wild joy,

This one breath rising
in the cold winter air
smoothly and gently
or coughing and sputtering,

Bow, while you can, before
This one taste
Of afternoon tea
Warming its way to your belly,
Or the fragrant orange
exploding its sweet juice
in your grateful mouth.

You have to love
The antics of your mind,
Imagining life should only be sweet.
The bitter makes the sweet; and life is both.
It is whole, like you,
Before you think yourself to pieces.

Place this moment’s pain and confusion on the altar, too,
And give special thanks for such grace
That wakes you up from sleeping through your life.
Pain is greatly under-rated as a pointer to Unknowing,
Yet greatly over-rated when taken as identity.

In this one moment,
Your eyes meet mine and there is
a single looking.
What is peering from behind our masks?
Can it touch itself across the room?

Place your palms together;
Touch your holy skin.
In another moment it will shed itself.
What will you be then?
What were you before you had two hands?
What are you now?

You cannot capture That
and place It on the altar of this moment.
It is the altar,
And this moment’s infinite expressions,
And the Seeing,
And its own devotion to itself.

You are That.

© Dorothy S. Hunt
San Francisco, California

Three Bits of Bright News

2009-02-18T09:39:50-08:00

Harrison Owen, the founder of Open Space Technology, has a new blog, Work-In-Progress.

The marvelous Anne Stadler has published a new little book, Burnished by Love.

Parker Palmer will be on PBS’s Bill Moyers Journal this Friday, February 20^th, to engage in a conversation that attemp ts to put our current crisis in something other than an economic or political frame, as well as share a bit of his work with The Center for Courage & Renewal.

Enjoy these bright lights!

Generation Jones?

2008-11-18T13:18:53-08:00

"In demographic terms, Generation Jones was part of the baby boom which ended in the early 1960s. However, the events stereotypically associated with generational discussion of Boomers, including protests over civil rights and the Vietnam war and the emergence of rock music took place while the members of Generation Jones were still children or early teenagers... Thus the early life experience of this group was more similar, in many respects, to that commonly imputed to Generation X. Generation Jones is thus associated with such pop icons such as Pong, the "Walkman", Rubics Cube and MTV." Wikipedia entry excerpt

Apparently, there are some people born in 1961 who when polled recently, proclaimed themselves to be members of Generation Jones, a name coined by social commentator, Jonathan Pontell. This generation, previously unknown to me, is the subject of a recent post by William Harryman of Integral Options Café. Described as a lost generation between Boomers and Generation X that is characterized by their shared experience of largely unfulfilled expectations, Generation Jones has been heralded by some as the real next generation of leadership in the United States.

While I’m not surprised that people considered to be on the cusp of generations might not identify as fully with one or the other, this identification of bridging Boomers and Gen X-ers as Generation Jonesers creates a quickening of sorts in the generational timeline. With the addition of Generation Jones, if I’ve understood correctly, the time-spans for the generations start to look more like ten to fifteen years per generation with Boomers identified in this version of the timeline as those born between 1943 -1953, then Generation Jones born between 1954 – 1965, Generation X born between 1966 – 1981, and Millennials born between 1981 – 2001. That said, if you go to Wikipedia and look up the different generations, you will find enough disparate time allocations to make your head spin.

As referenced in the previous post about Gen X, I tend to favor those timespans used by William Strauss and Neil Howe, which they have correlated with significant watershed moments, cultural and socioeconomic conditions that they think have shaped each generation. Yet, however one slices the generational timeline, it seems that the traditional span of twenty to thirty years per generation is no longer as common in defining new generational cohorts as is the perceived collective experience that can be translated into a somewhat coherent cultural zeitgeist. Given how rapidly our world seems to be changing in response to new technology, global climate change, and the like, this trend is not surprising, although it does make generational definitions a bit trickier, perhaps a bit more arbitrary—more like moving targets than fixed positions in a generational timeline.

I do like the trend toward self-definition as an important factor though. Asking people to choose the generation with which they identify most is just one step away from respecting individuals of different ages enough to ask them to define and characterize their own generation—giving each generation a chance to describe themselves before being labeled thus and so by people of other generations. Imagine that.

Millennials, or whatever you choose to call yourselves, you may be the first generation to come of age in a time in which your perspective about yourselves is actually sought after and respected by people of other generations. Granted, this interest in your perspective may be mostly motivated by commercial self-interests like how to sell stuff you don’t need to your generation (I know, such a stereotypically cynical X-er perspective), but still, all cultural shifts begin with lip-service to unrealized ideals, so enjoy the invitation to be heard speaking what’s true for you in your own voice. I, for one, am listening with open ears and an open mind.

Meanwhile, back to the whole Generation Jones revelation—I suppose that it’s entirely possible for there to be distinct differences between those at the cusp and those more in the middle of previously defined generations. However, so far I haven’t heard any clear distinctions. From my limited reading to date and viewing the video, the description of Generation Jones sounds to me like a more respectful portrayal of Generation X, which if attributed to us instead of Generation Jones, would be a more accurate portrayal of Generation X, and one that accounts for our generation's growth over time as new conditions have shaped our experience and other people's experience of us. Of course, this description is not attributed to Generation X. It seems that the popular, uncomplimentary depiction of Gen X is unlikely to change, so assumed by others that when staring a more accurate alternative in the face, they can't recognize it unless they call it something else.

Given this unfortunate stickiness of the usually disparaging characterization of Gen X, it is not at all surprising that some older X-ers would prefer to identify with an alternative like Generation Jones, particularly if they have bought into the popular and outdated (mis)perceptions about Generation X. I mean, who, if given the option, would actually choose to be part of a generation historically characterized as a bunch of apathetic, whining, entitled slackers? Nor is it surprising that some younger Boomers with their characteristic distaste for all things aging, except maybe vintage wine and cheese, might want to dissociate themselves from the next retiring generation. As a Gen X-er none too fond of the popular connotations of the Gen X label, I can't say that I blame them. However, regardless of whether or not Jonesers are a genuinely distinct generation or a mix of younger Boomers and older Gen X-ers in disguise, maybe they could have adopted a more creative and inspiring moniker than Generation Jones? Just a thought.

Generation X: the Invisible Minority

2008-11-14T14:07:29-08:00

"...They possess only a hazy sense of their own identity but a monumental preoccupation with all the problems the preceding generation will leave for them to fix...This is the... generation... who fall between the famous baby boomers and the boomlet of children the baby boomers are producing...born during a period when the U.S. birthrate decreased to half the level of its postwar peak, in the wake of the great baby boom, they are sometimes called the baby busters. By whatever name, so far they are an unsung generation, hardly recognized as a social force or even noticed much at all..."Gross, D.M., and S. Scott, Proceeding with caution, Time Magazine, July 16, 1990

"GenXers are doing the quiet work of keeping America from sucking." Jeff Gordinier, X Saves the World, 2008

As the only Generation X person at a recent meeting, I was disappointed, but not surprised, to find myself listening to yet another older person sharing an uncomplimentary perspective about Gen X, lamenting our generation’s apparent unwillingness to contribute money to good works like his generation did. Somehow, it never seems to occur to people who make such comments that the economic conditions in which my generation came of age have resulted in a generation with less wealth than the one that preceded it. We have higher costs of living combined with sky-rocketing education and healthcare costs, and incomes that barely keep pace with inflation. We had to buy our houses later with less wealth, higher leverage, and less income security. All of this means that we have far less discretionary spending money, and yet, in my experience, my generation gives much of our time and money to good works.

Ironically, there I sat offering pro bono consulting to this group instead of meeting with one of my paying clients—and this really nice, well-intending gentleman didn’t get it. When I mentioned this alternative perspective on my generation, he quickly referenced an article he had read that inspired his comment—no doubt another article written about my generation by an “expert” on my generation, usually a Boomer with a less-than-charitable perspective.

Later in the day, I found myself hosting a Pity Party for myself, pitying my poor timing to have entered the world as part of what must be the most disparaged and misunderstood generation in America. I mean, seriously, what is it with X-ers? Most of the time, we are simply ignored, but when occasionally noticed, it seems we are most often denigrated. Now, I’m sure that placing any faith in a generation with a lackluster name of “X”—thus labeled and depicted most often by Boomers, as a generation of apathetic, whining, entitled slackers—might seem like a losing proposition. After all, according to legend, we are the generation who raised ourselves—the vigilantly self-reliant “latch-key kids,” able to make it on our own despite unfavorable odds, yet prone to cynicism and unwilling to sacrifice our overall well-being for the corporate America that downsized our parents, and then, offered us temp jobs and pink-slips rather than career tracks and pensions.

Forced to play by ourselves, we changed the rules of the game. When we joined the workforce, our characteristic independence justified further alienation instead of celebration. Our failure to defer to tradition with loyal enthusiasm was mistaken for brazen disregard. Our willingness to question positional authority was mistaken as having problems with authority. Our desire to balance our professional and personal lives was viewed as a lack of career ambition. The message that we received upon entering the workforce was that we were a generation of entitled slackers unwilling to work hard and pay our dues.

What we know is that we have always worked harder than most to get far less than we deserve. We are the first generation as adults to earn less than our parents while working more. We have less or no job security, less or no social security, and less or no health insurance—and yes, sometimes we complain about this, as some will no doubt, interpret this writing now. At least we have legitimate complaints worthy of some attention.

Growing old to face diminishing returns on stock and sex options seem like luxury problems to us. Nonstop advertising featuring wealthy Boomers bemoaning their brokerage fees or reveling in the latest, greatest age-defying “fifty-is-the-new-forty” products and “now-we-can-have-sex-again-whenever-we-want” drugs exasperate us. We were born late to the party and the generation who knew we were coming had their cake and ate ours too. Then, when we observed that they ate more than their fair share, they labeled us entitled, cried “Let them make cake!” and offered us a recipe for success featuring ingredients that were only available sometime in the eighties. Is having the decency to grow old gracefully and keep your sex problems to yourselves really too much to ask?

If this sounds like sour grapes, don’t worry—most of us have gotten over our initial disappointment at the future we inherited and long ago channeled our energy into creating a better world for ourselves and future generations. Contrary to popular opinion, we’re not cynical about the world. We care. We just don’t expect others to care for us. That’s not cynical. That’s just the way it has always been for us, and most of the time we’re too busy working to bother trying to correct ignorant opinions about us, especially when doing so simply plays into this notion that we’re a bunch of whiners. Far from whining, we X-ers are usually content to work quietly behind the scenes and let others who seem to need the constant attention bask in the limelight. After all, there have to be listeners for others to be heard. We simply require two things: don’t take credit for our work, and if you’re going to talk about us, say something nice for a change.

In recent years, a lot of Boomers have realized that their legacy is incongruent with the idealized promise of their youth, and they are predictably positioning themselves as the generation that will lead and mentor all others to “Save the World” while casting Millennials in the starring role in this Boomer-glorified future. Having neither the influence of Boomers nor the potential of Millennials, comparatively tiny Generation X has the luxury and curse of being a largely unnoticed demographic. Since we lack the—shall we say—self-promotional savvy of the ME generation that precedes us or the recently branded WE generation that follows us, we generally don’t compete for the spotlight and others seem content to ignore us if they even realize we exist.

Take the website Generation We, which passes the “Save the World” torch from Boomers to Millenials with nary a nod to the Gen X-ers in between who, incidentally, created much of the technology to make such a movement possible. Nowhere on the website is any mention of Generation X while front and center is the following:

Millennials are the largest generation in American history. Born between 1978 and 2000, they are 95 million strong, compared to 78 million Baby Boomers. They are independent—politically, socially, and philosophically—and they are spearheading a period of sweeping change in America and around the world. No one knows the Millennials like Eric Greenberg. In Generation We, Greenberg explains the emerging power of the Millennial Generation, shows how they (and their supporters from other generations) are poised to change our nation and our world for the better, and lays out a powerful plan for progressive change that today's youth is ready to implement.

The website and video contrast Millennials with Boomers, often parents of young Millennials, positioning Millennials as the next progressive generation after Boomers. In the video, there are many inspiring, well-spoken Millennials describing themselves, “We are more globally oriented. We’re more ethnically diverse…more technically adept…less politically partisan…better educated. We are the first generation in American history to inherit a nation in decline.” It’s a very hopeful, optimistic portrayal of a generation who is going to restore America and the world, a portrayal that could easily refer to Generation X, the actual next generation to inherit a nation in decline already busy making a difference in the world.

If one agrees with the questionable categorization of all those born between 1978 and 2000 as Millennials, Millennials are the most largely populated generation since Boomers, those born between 1943 and 1960. However, the people behind this website seem to be conveniently re-branding some Generation X-ers, defined as those born between 1961 and 1981 (see Generations by William Strauss and Neil Howe), as Millennials. If accurate, this would mean that the Millennial generation spans 22 years, leaving a scant sixteen year span for Generation X (1961 – 1977) with a 23 year span for Boomers—or maybe these older Gen X-ers are conveniently re-branded as Boomers? A more conservative, and in my opinion, more accurate definition of Millennials is those born between 1982 and 2001, making the time-span a more realistic nineteen years.

No matter how we define the Millennial generation, there is no doubt that they will significantly shape the face of our nation in years to come, and it is heartening to have their voices join those of the preceding generations. Beloved by Boomers and befriended by X-ers, it seems that the Millennials are the generation about which and for which hope springs eternal. However, the experience of an X-er is often a little like being invisible smack in the middle of a post-sixties love-in. If it weren’t for our carefully cultivated capacity to validate our own reality, we wouldn’t know we exist. Meanwhile, we X-ers go quietly about our business, making our way in the world with guts if not glory, making a difference without making a fuss, a largely forgotten and under-appreciated talent stage-left of the center-stage Boomers and Millennials whose “Save the World” production would be far less successful without our valuable contributions.

Yes, there are some wonderfully wise Boomers who are leading efforts that will leave this world a better place, and yes, there are some wonderfully bright Millennials who give us all hope for the future. The thing is that I also know many people of other generations who are wonderfully awake people making a difference, and I happen to think that it’s going to take all of us working together to bring out the best in our humanity, which if you ask me, is really what needs saving.

I often find myself wondering what it would be like to live in a world where adults of various ages assume the following about adults:

1) Older does not always equal wiser.

2) Younger does not always equal inexperienced.

3) There is a difference between maturity and age.

4) There is a difference between quality of experience and quantity of experience.

In my opinion, wisdom and leadership have less to do with age and more to do with maturity that transcends an outdated concept of age attached to physiological years on the planet and includes intellectual, emotional and spiritual qualities of experience that may or may not correspond with the quantity of one’s years on earth. As the next generation in the traditional, chronologically-driven leadership trajectory, I can only hope that we Gen X-ers are wise enough to listen to the voices of wisdom no matter who's speaking—to respect the wisdom of our elders, our juniors, and our peers. Oh, and by the way, if anyone is still wondering if we really exist, one of us was just elected President of the United States.

To Be Fitter or Fatter in America?

2008-11-01T19:02:44-07:00

It used to be that when I returned to the US after traveling overseas I was often struck by the size of the automobiles—you know, people in the States drive really big cars in comparison to other parts of the world. However, returning from my latest trip overseas, it was not the size of the cars, but the size of the people, that attracted my attention. When people in the US are so much bigger than they used to be that I actually notice the, um, physical largesse, around me as distinctly different from human beings elsewhere in the world, well, there’s something going on here. And apparently, what I am seeing is not all in my head.

Obesity is indeed on the rise in the US. According to recent statistics, three out of five Americans are overweight (carrying more body weight than is normal or healthy for their age and build) and one out of five is obese (grossly overweight). One out of five! And as if that's not alarming enough, one out of three children is overweight or obese.

Now, I realize that there are people who have medical conditions or genetic predispositions for overweight that are beyond their control. Then, there are those who may not be able to afford healthier diets. However, I suspect that there are many, if not more, overweight people who are choosing lifestyles of fatness over fitness for a variety of reasons, including things like emotional eating, general ignorance about health, and the current supersizing culture of our country. And as politically incorrect as this may seem to some, I think that being overweight is a problem.

Before those of you inclined to be upset with me, get upset (or more upset) with me, let me explain (or dig my hole deeper, as the case may be) what I mean in defining overweight as a problem. Then, I'll offer some practical tips for staying fitter.

Being overweight because of a medical condition is a disease that one may or may not consider to be a problem. Being overweight and healthy is a risk, but as long as you are healthy and relatively happy--living large is not necessarily a problem. However, being overweight and unhealthy when you can choose fitness over fatness is a problem. In other words, having more body weight than is normal for your age or build when you are capable of being fitter is a risk because being overweight increases your chances of having health problems later. Having more body weight than is healthy when you are capable of being fitter is a problem because you are already harming your health. Moreover, when having more body weight than is healthy is becoming the new norm--with consequences like growing numbers of children diagnosed with life-threatening health issues directly related to unhealthy eating--I am of the opinion that this is a major problem, if not a crisis.

While I am definitely not an expert and don’t have any easy answers, I do have a few common-sense thoughts for staying healthier, especially as we enter the holiday season in which we Americans tend to overeat. Assuming that you are someone who has a choice in the matter, and would prefer to be fitter rather than fatter (I know, this sounds like copy from a fitness book by Dr Seuss), here are a few simple suggestions:

Eat food. Recently watching a panel discussion on The Politics of Obesity (found at Integral Options Café),I was struck by Joan Gussow’s simpleadvice to eat food—you know, simple, unadulterated, unprocessed food, the stuff that humans have been eating since the beginning of time. That sounded like really good advice, so I’m repeating it here: eat food—not food products or the stuff that passes for food just because you can eat it, but the nutritious stuff that actually lived on earth before you placed it in your mouth. Regardless of whether or not your diet contains the right amounts of this or that, a diet of real food seems like a good place to start.
Move—more than you eat. Human beings are not meant to be sedentary creatures. We are born writhing bodies of energy in motion who must continue to move throughout our lives to be healthy. You have to move more than you eat to maintain a healthy body weight, so suck it up and make the time to exercise everyday. And don’t tell me that you don’t have time or can’t afford it. Seriously. You don’t have to have a gym membership and a personal trainer. Take the stairs. Walk. Inconvenience yourself. Do some push-ups, sit-ups...remember jump rope and jumping jacks? Or just play some good music and dance yourself silly.
Cook or learn to cook. If you know how to cook, cook. If you don’t know how to cook, learn—preferably from someone who is healthy or at least from a healthy cookbook. Eat at home and pack your own meals whenever you can. Chances are that home-cooked meals are a lot healthier than anything you will eat at a restaurant or any of the prepackaged, reheat-able supermarket options. Plus, you are likely to save money and avoid the ridiculous, over-sized portions common in the food industry, thus not overeating or wasting left-over food.
Don’t buy junk food. Duh. If you are like most people, there are unhealthy products that make it into your grocery bag that you can not trust yourself to eat in any responsible way—products that somehow override any capacity for sensible, self-disciplined moderation. Potato chips, pizza, ice-cream, cookies, soda, and candy are among the usual sweet and salty suspects that disguise themselves in “family-size” packages that you somehow manage to eat as a single serving in a single sitting and still crave more. Don’t pretend that you can eat just one. You know that you are going to eat the whole package—and maybe even all at once. And I don’t care what it says about health benefits on the labels—you know better. Do yourself a favor. If you know that there are certain unhealthy things that you will eat like a retired supermodel who has spent years starving on purpose(!), just don’t buy these—or if you must indulge, treat yourself occasionally to an actual single serving for a normal-sized human being.
Shop on a Full Stomach. Make a list and eat something healthy before you go food shopping. You will tend to buy more of what you really need and lessen the likelihood of impulse purchases, and post-shopping binge-eating. Plus, you might just save some money.
Use smaller plates; eat smaller portions. Living in a culture that encourages us to believe that more is better, many of us fill our plates with portions that look good to us rather than those that are good for us. Now I know that this sounds silly, but sensible portions on smaller plates look a whole lot more satisfying than sensible portions on the platters that pass for plates nowadays. When did we decide that it was appropriate for meals to be served on individual plates the size of turkey platters anyway? My grandmother’s dinner plates look like desert plates by today’s standards, and yet, I was always fully satisfied with my servings. Smaller plates, smaller portions, smaller waistlines…hmmmmmm. Use smaller plates. You will be more likely to eat sensible portions rather than the giant-sized portions that you will be tempted to serve to fill those giant-sized plates.
Say No to Seconds. Oh, it's always so tempting to indulge in second helpings of the foods we like--and sometimes, even expected of us from well-intending cooks. However, resist the temptation to overindulge, particularly if you already ate an appropriate portion. If you are still feeling hungry after your first helping, wait at least fifteen minutes, and it is likely that the feeling of hunger will subside. And as much as I love cooking enough to have leftovers, if you are cooking for yourself and can't be trusted with leftovers, get into the habit of cooking just enough for one--the appropriate single-size serving for yourself.
Stay Away from FoodPushers. You know who I'm talking about--those people in your life with whom you overeat. They are the colleagues who pressure you to indulge in food or alcohol, the friends who can't celebrate or commiserate without chocolate, or the family members who encourage you to eat all sorts of things that you know aren't good for you or make fun of you for eating "healthy." Do whatever you can to avoid these foodpushers and if you can't avoid them, refuse to succomb to their pressure. You will feel better about yourself in the long run.
Enlist Support. Tell people in your life that you are choosing fitness over fatness, and ask for their support. Let them know how they can help you, whether it is reminding you nicely to exercise, or no longer offering you fattening food, or joining you on walks, or whatever it is that may be helpful to you. If you need it and can afford it, consult with a nutritionist or doctor, hire a physical fitness trainer, purchase a gym membership or enroll in a yoga class. However and whenever possible, surround yourself with people who support your fitness goals.
Drink more water. Plain, pure water. There are no liquid substitutes. You can live without soda, coffee, juice, or alcohol, but you cannot live without water. Drink more water than anything else you drink and see how much better you feel. And if you can cut the soda, caffeine, and alcohol, once you have moved through the more-than-likely uncomfortable withdrawal period, you will discover that you are experiencing greater overall well-being—and saving money too!
Be grateful. I’m guessing that if you’re reading this article that you are one of the people in the world fortunate enough to wonder what’s for dinner rather than if there’s dinner, so be grateful. Don’t squander your good fortune with mindless overeating or complaining because your taste-buds want something other than the food on your plate. There are people starving in the world, so recognize your problems for what these really are: luxuries. Be thankful that you can choose to be healthy--and of course, choose to be as healthy as you can be.