Journal of Sacred Work

Caregivers have superpowers! Radical Loving Care illuminates the divine truth that caregiving is not just a job. It is Sacred Work.

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Former President & CEO of multiple hospital systems and founding president & CEO of 20-hospital OhioHealth, best selling author, film artist, ordained minister, composer, published poet, syndicated T.V. host, trial attorney, federal prosecutor and Municipal Court Judge. Erie is internationally known as the founder of the Radical Loving Care(R)movement. He also heads Erie Chapman Foundation, Dane Dakota Productions, LLC, and Chapman Health International, Inc.

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Day 69 – Wondering

March 10, 2008

So often I wonder why someone like me who writes about Love all the time has so much trouble living it. For example, I find this political campaign very frustrating when I should be simply reveling in the glory of living in this gorgeous democracy – no matter who gets elected. I also find myself trying to browbeat dear friends into supporting the candidate of my choice. What has my choice got to do with Love and caregiving? I think it has a lot to do with that. But, who am I to say?
For one thing, it appears that the time has finally come for national health insurance. The goal of the Journal is not to take political positions. But, can anyone justify the horror of fifty million people uninsured? I don’t even know if a single-payer system is the best idea. I just know that we’ve got to provide better coverage for all Americans.
Mother Theresa was questioned once about why God allows suffering and starvation…

She said something like, "Why are you blaming God for this? God gave us the ability to solve most of our problems. We could eliminate starvation if we could all find a way to share. Instead, we are selfish. This is not God’s fault. It is our responsibility."

Isn’t it painful, in a guilt-producing way, to recognize how right Mother Theresa is? To know her truth is to know that most of us could live on less than half of what we have. And if we could all share the dispensable half of our wealth with the poor, there would truly be less suffering.
I know this is not going to move anyone to change their life plans. But, there is something we can do.
We can all give more to charity. And we can support the charities and the people who would, the moment we act, truly be better off.
One charity I like is called Amnesty International. This organization is dedicated to, among other things, exposing and eliminating torture in the world. Who could be against that? The answer is that some think AI gives aid and comfort to our enemies. To me, what counts is that at this moment, innocent people are being imprisoned and tortured by government tyrants. We can only hope that our own government is not among the offenders.
And there’s one more international charity worth mention today. It’s Doctor’s Without Borders. This remarkable charity attracts doctors and nurses who serve in some of the most dangerous settings in the world. And they do so for virtually no pay. They are making the sacrifices Mother Theresa called for. The least we can do is send them our support.
But make your own choice. Pick a charity you know can ease suffering and give to it.
Perhaps I sound angry. it’s injustice, as I see it, that leaves me wondering. What I wonder is, why can’t we follow Mother Theresa’s admonition? And why don’t I, as one of the lucky people in the world, do more to relieve the anguish I know exists out there?

-Erie Chapman

Posted in Meditations

6 responses to “Day 69 – Wondering”

Karen York

March 10, 2008

It seems so much money is wasted during these years of election, just to get to the nomination of a party – much less to the Oval Office. How much better would it be to use those resources for organizations like you describe whose goal is to better the conditions of humankind locally and abroad. Thank you for your encouragement for each of us to examine where we can do more and give more to improve our world.

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Tom Knowles-Bagwell

March 10, 2008

I agree with you both, Erie and Karen. So much need . . . so much waste.

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liz Wessel RN, MS SJHS Home Health Network

March 10, 2008

Personally, I strongly support a universal healthcare program.
Your wonderings offer us an opportunity to consider action for the common good. Mother Teresa’s words empower us to do something, however small as the impact may result in something big over time. Another way to share resources is through the giving of our time and energy for the benefit of others. Often people feel they are too busy. Yet, it can be as simple as picking up groceries while at the store for an elderly or sick neighbor, or cooking a meal. On a community level perhaps through an employee partner program to sponsor an uninsured child, collecting soda pop tops for Ronald McDonald House to provide free overnight accommodations for families whose children are hospitalized and undergoing cancer treatment. Or food and clothing drives for the homeless, writing letters to our troops. There are countless little ways. On an international level as you say, charity giving. Thanks for raising our conscious awareness to reflect on how we are living day to day and encouraging us to act on behalf of others.

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Victoria Facey

March 10, 2008

Erie, you’re right on the money about our need to push for national health insurance in this country. We have so much extra money that goes wasted, when some of it could help children and those who can’t afford basic medical care.
I give financial support to Darfur monthly, however I would gladly send monies towards a charity that supports national health care here. Does anyone know of any efforts in the making to pursue this cause?

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Julia Rivard

March 10, 2008

I try to keep that statement by Mother Theresa in mind every time I want to blame God for something. It doesn’t always help, but it helps a lot of the time. I have been really overwhelmed by the cost of a barrel of oil, the estimated costs for the war in Iraq in the coming year and the amount of money being spent on the Democratic primaries and constantly find myself thinking of how that money could be better spent. Though it is a popular belief that government health programs and aid for the needy are sucking our federal budget dry, the fact is that only 1-3% of the federal budget goes for those purposes. The biggest expenditures are interest payments on the federal debt, military, and retirement payments. It is very unfortunate that in this country there is such abject poverty side-by-side with extremes of wealth. It really does take an adjustment of the mind and heart, much in the way of Mother Theresa’s perspective in the quote, to focus more on the things that matter. Since people have been sharing their favorite charity, I will share mine. They do extraordinary work on the streets and make real differences in the lives of girls to help them become strong, independent women who are able to escape a permanent life of prostitution.
http://www.childrenofthenight.org/home.html

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Lorilee Amlie

March 10, 2008

Your writing today moves me. It makes me want to be less selfish and giving of myself. What you say is true, about us being able to live with less. I speak only for myself, but I would gladly give more if I knew it was directly helping someone and not lining a crook’s pocket.

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