1/13/2011

Healing Together

Bits and pieces from President Obama's speech at the Together We Thrive tribute in Tucson last evening:

"Let us use this occasion to expand our moral imaginations, to listen to each other more carefully, to sharpen our instincts for empathy and remind ourselves of all the ways our hopes and dreams are bound together."

"It’s important for us to pause for a moment and make sure that we are talking with each other in a way that heals, not in a way that wounds."

"We have to examine all the facts behind this tragedy...and be willing to challenge old assumptions."

"I believe that for all our imperfections, we are full of decency and goodness, and that the forces that divide us are not as strong as those that unite us."

"We may ask ourselves if we’ve shown enough kindness and generosity and compassion to the people in our lives."

"What matters is not wealth, or status, or power or fame, but how well we have loved."

9 comments:

Martha Z said...

Even before this tragedy I had been thinking of the rhetoric on the left and the right. One cannot change another’s mind without changing their heart, and you cannot change another’s heart with insults and hateful speech. Left and right both have a right to their opinions but we must join hands, find a way to meet in the middle and walk forward together.

Darla said...

You quoted "make sure that we are talking with each other in a way that heals" and it reminded me... Who was it that said, before speaking, to ask oneself: "Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?" May healing be in abundance...now.

Laura said...

Thanks for posting this Diane...my friend was visiting today and told me about President Obama's speech, as I had missed it (will look it up online)...May listening and the practice of compassionate words and acts be the path we all choose...it is the clear road to peace and love.

Magpie said...

Very thought provoking words. Love the photo.

Anonymous said...

I like how president Obama tried to pull us all together, and delivered such a fantastic speech.

Stand tall, we just have to stand tall like those cacti in your photo!

DIGITAL WORLD PAGES ARCHIVE said...

Hello!
Thank You very much for sharing!
I have seen that killing news in Evronews..

DIGITAL WORLD PAGES ARCHIVE said...

Beautiful photo!

betchai said...

your photo is a great representation of healing and life, that despite the dryness and harsh conditions, life can thrive beautifully as those cacti. praying for healing for the tragedy that had happened.

DIGITAL WORLD PAGES ARCHIVE said...

I agree with this comment...