Do No Harm...

Sounds easy, doesn't it - just do no harm. Yet daily (multiple times each day) we injure each other with our words and actions. No, it's not just limited to harm in the health care arena (as some would have you believe), rather it is ubiquitous. The real issue is that when we harm each other through words and/or actions, our health, wellness and wholeness (HW2) suffer tremendously. Our communities become less friendly and welcoming, we distrust one another, we look out for ourselves and our families and ignore the needs of others.

This week we celebrate Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving started with one group (Native Americans) looking out for and being friendly to aliens in their land. What would have happened if the natives had treated the "illegal aliens" the way we do today? Not hard to see the likely outcome, is it? Instead, the natives helped the foreigners to settle in and to become successful in their new land. The "Americans" showed those new to the area how to survive and how to make the most of the land that they were living in and on. The "Americans" took a chance on friendship over war and went on to suffer great indignities because of it.

Do no harm...interesting to consider this on this week dedicated to focusing on giving thanks. How can we do no harm to anyone this week? How can we do no harm as individuals, communities, organizations, and a nation this week? When we operate out of a mentality that says I will treat you as well as I treat my own, I will not harm you with my words and/or actions, then we operate on a totally different plane. Our interactions are open and honest, they are warm and welcoming.

So, this week do no harm. Tell people around you what you are doing and enlist them to do the same. If you do, then we will be in a very different place come next Monday than we are today.

May your week be joyous, loving, and harmless.

Peace,
Dan