When You Don’t Know What To Do, Do The Right Thing
Posted by Sonja Ebron
Like most people, I find the Golden Rule an indispensable companion to living well. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” and “wish for your brother what you wish for your self” are among countless expressions of the Ethics of Reciprocity found in all religions. The trouble comes when we feel we need something and believe we can’t get it fairly. At those times, the temptation is to rationalize a double standard, but it always comes out wrong in the long term.
American history is replete with such examples, from genocide of the original inhabitants and enslavement of African people to the coups, assassinations and general warmongering of the last 60 years. We are so blinded by our past that we can’t adequately gauge our future. That’s what so dangerous about our continuing misadventure in Iraq.
Getting back to living in season
Posted by Lisa Gilbride
When I was growing up in North Carolina, we ALWAYS opened the windows as soon as the weather would break in the spring. We did not have central air, only window units in the bedrooms and one on the main floor that was large enough to cool the dining room, living room and kitchen. The den was below the foundation and that area was always cool and where we spent most of our time when not outside.
Anyone who lives in the south can tell you it can get pretty hot during the summer months. However, my parents were into keeping the electric bill down and we only ran the air conditioning after the sun went down.
Then later in life I moved to Buffalo, NY where most houses have no air conditioning because heating is more important. Heck, up there you are really lucky to see two 90-degree days in a row. Summer does not last long if it comes at all.
