Catchup January 2022

The Gospel of Wealth

The problem of our age is the proper administration of wealth, that the ties of brotherhood may still bind together the rich and poor in harmonious relationship.

(Originally Carnegie’s essay Wealth, North American Review 1889)

Old copies of a large portion of this essay are among the treasures I have been unearthing over my long clearing of ‘Aunt Katie’s Miracle Closets,’ as my niece calls them.   It is a true adventure to find these forgotten treasures.  The task keeps me preoccupied and slow on what I thought would be a fast trip down memory lane. And this journey connects me again to the many friends and colleagues no longer with us, whom I dearly miss.

Now I too believe that my life has been full of adventure, challenging me to understand and accept my broad interests and lack of specific long-term focus.  I am not just an ‘expert.’  My joy is helping younger people have the confidence to raise their voices and succeed in being part of diversified leadership as global/local citizens.  Happiness is knowing that much of what I learned over the years, especially since the 1960s, now seems to be reappearing on the horizon!!!

A recent NY Times article observes, “Jesus never stopped asking questions.  He spoke in parables to reveal the truth to some and hide it from others.”   This helps reassure us who know we are not ‘experts’ in the global sense to know we are experts in the local/real environment.  We can keep trusting that what we are learning and doing will shape the future.  I am certainly seeing the future in faster and faster timeframes than earlier in my life.  Every time I turn on the TV or use my computer or try to understand the new sciences and technologies……OMG!

Recently someone asked me about my life’s theme and determination to fight for open and honest integrity. As my reply, I was fortunate to come across a quote from Ernestine Rose, who was President of the National Women’s Rights Convention in 1854.

“Agitate! Agitate! ought to be the motto of every reformer. Agitation is the opposite of stagnation—the one is life, the other is death.  ….  Silence is consent.  And silence, where life and liberty is at stake, whereby a timely protest we could stay the destroyer’s hand, and to not do so, is as criminal as giving actual aid to the oppressor, for it answers his purpose.”

As I approach this 87th year, need I say more about what I hope to do to keep my personal adventure as well as my hopes for democracy alive, and the dreams of all past and future voices of members of WWB and GSL loud and clear.

HAPPY NEW YEAR AND MUCH LOVE

Michaela

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