Then Habib speaks of Buddhism.
“In Buddhist way, how much you endure, how much you go through without complaint -- determines your happiness.”
I see fireworks like the Fourth of July. I know many people who have had an easy life. They were showered with gifts and material things – yet they are unhappy. And I also know a group I call “The Survivors.” Many went though war, many are refugees, some lost limbs and homes and relatives. Among this group I have experienced happiness and even joy. Joy of surviving, and not despairing. Joy of continuing against the odds.
Before we finish lunch, Habib offers this: “Do you know John, the biggest problem with America today?”
A basket full of answers leaps into my mind: the war, George Bush, Taxes, China, the Taliban….
Before I can speak a word Habib says, “Accusing and pointing of fingers. There is no ‘we’ in American politics just now. There is a lot of ‘them.’”
Habib finishes with this: “Politicians, and talk shows, and focus groups and web sites and blogs, all with tremendous opportunity to bring us together. But everybody seems accusing and nobody admitting.”
As we walked back to our destination in a calm silence, I though about President Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln: an icon of American greatness. He brought his harshest critics into his Administration, for the promotion of the general welfare and good.
Old Abe: not a Finger Pointer.
Many today seem to have lost faith in the common good. And winning over the other party seems preferable to winning against forces outside America.
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