Standing in More Than One Place

Standing in More Than One Place — at the same time.

In 2009, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie presented a TED talk that made the rounds in social media. It was called The Danger of a Single Story and reflected on how seeing from only one point of view or from one cultural context creates a very distorted story of the whole. Certainly, the work of the Truth and Reconciliation experience or Black Lives Matter or the Feminist movements agree with Ngozi Adichie.

There is also its opposite which might be called the Challenge of Holding More than One Story at the Same Time.

Enter 45 year old Mandy Gull-Masty who is the current Minister of Indigenous Services in Canada.

She was elected Deputy Chief of the Cree Nation of Waswanipi during which time she held portfolios in finance, housing, mining and administration.

In 2017, she was elected Deputy Grand Chief of the Cree Nation government.

By 2021, she became the first woman elected as Grand Chief of Grand Council of Cree Nation government representing Cree People in Northern Quebec. During this time she expanded protected lands, advanced a moose conservation initiative, revitalised Cree language and culture as well as promoted transparent governance and economic planning.

Naming all these positions, lets us see clearly that she is well rooted in the story of indigenous history.

In what seems like a sharp turn in the road, she is now part of the liberal caucus that is negotiating an oil pipeline. Many, though not all, indigenous leaders are opposed to such a move.

Ms. Gull-Masty, from indications so far, is a grounded, astute and very articulate leader. Is she perhaps a newer generation of leader learning how to navigate the complexity of more than one story at a time? Is she perhaps a leader who will find a path toward integrity each step of the way?

The building of a new pipeline is not a given yet. The most interesting part now are the conversations, the various points of view, the engagement that is hopefully authentic. It is simply not clear where it will all land.

I for one will be cheering for Ms. Gull-Masty in all the twists and turns yet to come.

 -Sister Margo Ritchie, csj

Image: Javier Allegue Barros/Unsplash

GIVING TUESDAY IS HERE

Thumbs Up for Everyday Generosity

Today, with the help of my well-informed assistant, Professor Google, I discovered that Giving Tuesday is more than just a single day. It’s a movement that celebrates radical generosity. It connects people around the world who believe in the simple but powerful idea that giving, of time, kindness, or resources can transform lives.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu once said, “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” His wisdom captures the essence of GivingTuesday: small, consistent acts of goodness that ripple outward and create lasting change.

Tutu’s reminder calls us to start right where we are with simple, human gestures of care. As we move through our daily activities, perhaps each of us can find small ways to live that message by our sharing time, a financial donation, a kind word, or a helping hand. Keeping uppermost in mind and heart generosity doesn’t just belong to one Tuesday; it belongs to every day.

 What acts of kindness are you willing today to stitch into the fabric of life for those around you?

-Sister Nancy Wales, CSJ

Image: Napendra Singh/Unsplash

Show a Little Kindness

A good friend of mine often tests my word skills by sharing the “word of the day” from the Word Trivia website. One unfamiliar word recently added to my vocabulary is “fabulist.” If it is new to you, think of Aesop, the author of Aesop’s Fables. A fabulist is a storyteller who crafts short moral tales, often using animals with human traits to bring lessons to life.

One quote widely attributed to Aesop is, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” While it does not come from a specific fable, it reflects the moral spirit that runs through his tales.

That sentiment resonates deeply as we mark World Kindness Day offering a gentle reminder that kindness is a universal value, transcending borders, cultures, and religions.

The intent of World Kindness Day is to encourage individuals, communities, and organizations to perform acts of kindness, big or small, creating a global, ripple effect of goodwill.

So, what small act of kindness can you do today, and every day, to help nurture a spirit of generosity, creating 365 days of kindness?

What the world needs now is love, sweet love
It's the only thing that there's just too little of
What the world needs now is love, sweet love
No, not just for some, oh, but just for every, every everyone.
— What the World Needs Now, Dionne Warwick

 -Sister Nancy Wales, csj

You can find many great resources here.

Image: Kelly Sikkema @kellysikkema / Unsplash

Cherish the Good

Once again, I received my inspiration for a blog contribution from a product tagline. In this case, it was one by the well known cereal company, Quaker Oats. The voice-over proudly asserts,”Cherish the good.” 

In my opinion, the tagline is an excellent and much needed reminder as we approach Thanksgiving weekend. Bombarded by a constant barrage of the television screen flashing “Breaking News”, our hearts and minds yearn for sanity breaks. To retain a sense of hope, in our chaotic world, there is a desire within us to bring balance to our lives by noticing the numerous signs of good news. We witness or experience gestures of kindness, numerous blessings of compassion, or the ongoing support of family and friendship.  To stay relatively calm these days we need to become more conscious of the sprinkles of goodness which are apparent, if only we paid heed.

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, let us open our eyes to see the blessings which surrounds us and cherish the good.

-Sister Nancy Wales, CSJ

Image: Joseph Gonzalez @miracletwentyone/Ann @ann10 Unsplash

Today is a Day Like No Otter

A colleague recently gifted me a card with the delightful pun, “Today is a Day Like No Otter”.  I proudly displayed it on my office door. The otter, a graceful, joyful and light-hearted creature, became a small but meaningful symbol in my daily routine. It reflected my quiet wish that anyone who passed by my office door might catch a moment of laughter, lightness, or peace.

As professor Google tells us, otters are symbols of adaptability, simple joys, and a life lived in balance. Becoming aware of that fact, I felt only right to share my little spark of cheer. I passed the card on to a hospital receptionist, inviting her to replace her usual "Back in 5 minutes" sign when it was not applicable. When she is clearly present it offers her an opportunity  to brighten someone’s day. This was my small way of sharing a little joy with ott-ers.

So may this playful creature serve as a gentle reminder and a chance to share your joy with ott-ers ;).

“Just as the otter finds play in every wave, we should find joy in every moment.”

-Sister Nancy Wales, CSJ

Image: mana5280/Jim @iqsphotographyUnsplash