These are not particularly well formed.  But are my ruminations ever well formed?  I intuit more than I think and that’s problem with most of my ruminations.  But these have been stewing for a while and I need to take a look at them.

I think this current pot started around Christmas time and the ensuing weeks.  Jim and I purchased a book for the kids called, From I-ville to You-ville.  The story is based on the teachings of the Elder Paisios of Mount Athos.  There is much in this book to like and it is very beneficial for children and I would say adults as well.  Essentially, a child and citizen of “I-ville”,  Stubborn, becomes enchanted with a girl and citizen of “You-ville,”  Serenity.

(Where’s my Strunk and White when I need it, I have no idea whether to place that comma inside the quotation marks or out.  I’ll do once each way, then perhaps one of them at least will be correct.)

Stubborn, as a citizen from I-ville has been brought up to put himself first, hence, the “I” in his “Ville,”  Serenity, as a citizen of You-ville has learned to put others first, hence the “you” in her “Ville.”  

Serenity invites Stubborn to come to You-ville for a visit.  Of course, he has no idea how to get there and many of his fellow citizens of I-ville think he is a little bonkers.  He sets off, has some adventures, and learns the importance of making way for others.  Frankly, I’ve never read the sayings of Elder Paisios, so I don’t know how well flavored this book is with them, but I do appreciate the wisdom the book is trying to impart.

Anyway, I read the book to my kids and have had it in my head for a while.  Our book club at church is actually going to be discussing it, which at first I thought was kind of crazy…but…now I think it may be important.  I’ve been “out in the world” more now since going back to work and I see people.  I see them not really knowing how to make way for others, to live in their own “you-ville” so to speak.  We think we’re very sophisticated.  All of this is running around in my head and, then, for some reason, I start to consider tribal societies and the fact that we tend to view them as less sophisticated, primitive.

My view on that matter is definitely changing.  In the tribal society, there can be no aroma of I-ville.  Each member has to consider the needs of his neighbor and make way for him when necessary.  It has to be that way in order for the tribe to survive.  Its members are intimately acquainted with one another.  It must be so.  I don’t see this as primitive.  I also don’t see it as socialism.  There has to be cooperation.  At times, there has to be willingness to love your neighbor enough to make way for his/her needs above your own.  It’s not forced by a governmental system.  Rather, it is organic.

In churches all over America, we are taught to love our neighbor.  But how can we when we don’t even know our neighbors?  How can we make way for them on a regular basis when we are concerned with our own needs and taking care of ourselves.  And how has this attitude shaped every aspect of American life from the way we eat to foreign policy?  Is this a good thing?  Should it change?  How?  How do I vote in November?  Yikes!

These are my most recent ruminations.  It’s likely they’ll be stewing for some time to come and I’m not sure I’ll arrive at an answer any time soon….