Accidents

         A child spills a glass of milk; we call it an accident. The truth is, the child spilled the milk. No need to make a fuss. Now everyone will assist in the process of cleaning up the milk. To refer to things as accidents that are not fosters irresponsibility. There is no such thing as an accidental pregnancy. Unintended, perhaps. Accidental, not a chance. A car “accident” that involves a driver texting while driving isn’t one. Same thing with handheld phones, make-up or shaving equipment. Only children who grow up around people using the language of responsibility, have a chance of operating with ownership and responsibility themselves.

         Recently I was told the story of a senior official in education who travels each year to Lithuania to serve as an unpaid advisor to the public schools there.  During her two-week stay, her hosts reduced their own diet so that she would have enough to eat, at best, meager portions.  She reports that you survive and become accustomed.  Upon returning home last summer, she and a traveling companion stopped at a world class hotel in Great Britain for a one-day lay over.  As the evening meal was served, they realized there was enough food on the table to literally feed ten people.  Tears filled their eyes as they absorbed the enormity of the inequity and the sadness of the situation.  Not long ago, I prepared dinner for my son, a guest of his and myself — enough food for six people. I wonder if today will be the day when I act on the interconnectedness of all things and am disciplined enough to make it count?

         Everything is connected to everything else.  We have all heard stories about connections that make us remark “it’s a small world.”  It is a small world and there is a direct link between the food on our tables and the tables of others.  Holding this present in our hearts reveals the truth and power of the connection.  It is about being mindful and practicing mindfulness.  It is about seizing a new awareness and choosing to be different because of it. In this case, the awareness is about food.  In another moment, it may be about something altogether different.