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Once again, thanks to readers like you,
we’ve got great feedback to share …
Native American Memoir
“Dancing My Dream”
Shares Healing Wisdom
ON MONDAY, we introduced Warren Petoskey, an important new Native American voice. His memoir is “Dancing My Dream” and he has a new Web site within ReadTheSpirit. In response this week, you sent us notes of encouragement—and suggestions of links we should include to other Indian sites and programs. Most encouraging are notes from readers who are not Indian themselves, but who are inspired by Warren’s wisdom. He writes eloquently about the natural world and also about overcoming life’s traumas.
Here’s one example of a reader note:
Elaine Greenberg is a cancer survivor and musician who specializes in using music to help cancer patients find hope and strength. In addition to patients, she works with survivors and medical personnel. Elaine connected immediately with Warren’s story through our Wednesday interview with him. She wrote:
“Your interview with Warren Petoskey
was so touching. I ordered a copy of his book. I am really looking forward to reading it He said many things that touched me in your interview, but the one quote I wrote
down was ‘Those of us who have survived trauma must help others still
hoping to survive.’ Those words really struck home as I continue my
mission as a cancer survivor whether I am speaking to Med Students,
Residents or the everyday person sitting in a group.”
To read more about Warren and “Dancing My Dream,” here are quick links:
Visit http://www.DancingMyDream.com for much more about the author and his inspiring message.
Read our interview with Warren this week, the one that inspired Elaine and other readers.
Read a sample chapter of Warren’s book.
A SPIRITED CONVERSATION
ON AMERICAN VALUES, PRESIDENT OBAMA
AND THE MIDDLE EAST
LOTS of readers are visiting the http://www.OurValues.org/ Web site for Dr. Wayne Baker’s special series on the future of American relations with the Muslim World and the Middle East in the wake of President Obama’s historic address in Cairo.
Each day, Dr. Baker has been raising provocative questions, not only about American foreign policy—but also about Arab Americans’ lives here in the U.S. Visit the Web site and scroll down through his recent posts. Readers have had a lot to say in response.
(Note: If you scroll past this week’s posts, you’ll also find a timely discussion of American values related to the General Motors bailout. Readers have had a lot to say about that topic as well!)
PLUS: In another section of ReadTheSpirit, readers continue to read our stories about the 19th-century Muslim hero Emir Abd el-Kader—and the two Iowa high school students who have drawn fresh lessons from his nearly forgotten life in Africa and the Middle East.
Reader Doris Norrito wrote to us about one of the student’s essays: “Dear Stephannie, I read your story with keen interest. So well
expressed, not only did it reveal the origins of your town’s name, but
leaves readers with a role model and inspiration to carry on. I spent last summer in Bethlehem as a volunteer
reporter. Nearby is the village of Al Khader. Every Friday at noon,
Palestinians, Israelis and Internationals gather for group prayer
followed by a peaceful demonstration against the building of the wall on
Palestinian land at Al Khader village.
“Not widely reported by mainstream media, there
are many peace movements taking place in the troubled ‘Holy Land’ And
unless you go—I hope one day you will—few Americans will ever hear about
them. Reading your wonderful story, I believe the
derivation of this Palestinian village name may also stem from the the man who
inspired the name of your town. The determination of people from these towns to
work for peace among all peoples is perhaps his finest
legacy.
“Thank you for this wonderful story: keep up your
fine work. Peace, Doris Norrito.“
IONA AND ST. COLUMBA
BACK IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK
IN ANY GIVEN WEEK OF THE YEAR, some readers are visiting to explore the series we published about a pilgrimage to Iona, the historic island off the coast of Scotland that has been attracting Christian pilgrims for more than 1,000 years.
Well, this week, Iona was in the news, because of the Feast of St. Columba, the monk, scholar and artisan who made the tiny island famous many years ago. Click here visit our current “Spiritual Season” column and learn more.
Reader Kathleen Finn enjoyed the Iona series of stories and photos this week and wrote: “Thanks very much for your moving and beautiful presentation on making a pilgrimage to Iona. I appreciate your insight and your artistry in describing the interactions among the pilgrims and with the place. The photos are magnificent. I found your site this morning in googling ‘Iona’ and I feel blessed by the experience. Lately, I’ve had a thirst to make such a pilgrimage, and your account has really allowed me to feel refreshed.
“I’ve just joined Christ Church Cathedral (Episcopal) of Nashville and, after reading your articles on Celtic spirituality, look forward to J. Philip Newell’s visit in October.
“Blessings, Kathleen”
PLEASE TELL US WHAT YOU THINK:
This is a good time to sign up for our Monday-morning ReadTheSpirit Planner by Email—it’s
free and you can cancel it any time you’d like to do so. The Planner
goes out each week to readers who want more of an “inside track” on
what we’re seeing on the horizon, plus it’s got a popular “holidays”
section.
Not only do we welcome your notes—but our readers enjoy them as well. You can do this
anytime by clicking on the “Comment” links at the end of each story.
You also can Email ReadTheSpirit Editor David Crumm. We’re also reachable on Twitter, Facebook, Amazon, YouTube and other social-networking sites as well.
(Originally published at https://readthespirit.com/)
