The Reiter Coaching Letter

For Creating the Life You Want

Issue 3

www.stevereiter.com

October 16, 2001

Economics and politics are the governing powers of life today, and that's why everything is screwy.

                                                     -- Joseph Campbell

Our lives extend beyond our skins, in radical interdependence with the rest of the world.

                                                     -- Joanna Macy

For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?
                                                     -- Jesus

Dear friend,

While I don't intend this Letter to become political, I do intend to show up as fully as I can.  It's the only way I know to make my writing sustainable over the long term.  My decision to print the following is with the trust that you will simply recognize this as a piece of my current experience.  It is not intended to persuade you to see things my way.  That said, I welcome your respectful comments, opinions, and further dialogue.
 

Return to Normal

"Return to normal."  I'm being requested to do that. But with all that has happened and all that is still happening, returning to normal is not coming easily for me.  Part of my difficulty is that we are no longer in "normal" times.  Another part is that I really don't want to return to what "normal" was.  And then there is the question, "Is it even possible?"

Changing times
In addition to the terrorist acts we are still facing, there are other events which signal an inability to return to normal on a national scale.  Perhaps you have heard stories in the news in which people have been threatened and attacked as traitors for the simple act of expressing opinions which run counter to Washington's seeming unanimity.  To some, the message "this is not the time for different views or opinions" may seem like just the straightforward seeking of unity.  For me, though, this is scary stuff.

It is scary because the notion that everyone who cares about something -- whether it be our nation's survival or anything else -- can and should agree is based on a myth of sameness.  There is a hidden message that is intolerant of difference and which I experience as paternalism.

The Dilemma
As I understand it, we are not in your standard garden-variety war, which is usually won by the group having access to more raw materials, productivity, and soldiers.  So doing our bit for the war effort by reducing personal consumption of raw materials (as in most previous wars) is not what is being asked of us. 

In stark contrast, we are asked to support our country by shopping and investing.  I understand that it's important to keep our economy going.  And I admit that walking about a shopping mall amidst many others doing the same thing can be comforting.  But I'm not a shopper by avocation.  And, even if I wasn't putting my daughter through college, I wouldn't have significant amounts of money to invest in a skittish market. 

What else are we being asked to do?  President Bush was reported to have said we will each need to give up a bit of our soul.  If soul is what I think it is, this is not the time to be giving up even a little bit of it. 

What I'll Do... or Back to the Future
So how will I contribute?

• I will live my life knowing that every day counts and so will make decisions and use my time based on what really matters to me.
• I will add my voice to those calling for alternative solutions to peace.
• I will live as simply as I can, so as to lessen the need for foreign energy sources.
• I will support others who wish to create simple, yet full and fulfilling lives.
• I will speak out for tolerance of diversity (of peoples and also ideas).
• I will continue to learn about other cultures so as to limit the unwitting imposition of my values upon others.

So what?
These actions and commitments make sense to me, but I present them not to convince you of their value, but as examples of what I'm doing based on what I think and feel. 

What I do want is that you contribute to the important task of creating our collective future.  Consider your own experience, use your own fine thinking, decide what is most important to you, and choose to take action that will make the lives of all the current and future world citizens safer, healthier, more valued, and more sustainable.  That's all I ask.
 

Questions to support your process

What does "return to normal" mean for you?

If "normal" doesn't feel relevant to you, what is a better name for the stage you're moving through?

If you could make a change to one public policy, what would that be?   If you were to be the model for how this might show up in an individual's actions, what would you be doing differently?

What is your unique contribution to creating the world that will be safe and nurturing for your children's children and their children's children?

I welcome your comments.

   Steve

Steve Reiter is a Life Coach.  Want more satisfaction and fulfillment in your life?  Looking to simplify your day-to-day living?  I can help.  For a complimentary coaching session, call 315-472-0504, e-mail to: coach@stevereiter.com, or visit his web site at 
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The Reiter Coaching Letter is published by Steve Reiter on the first and third Tuesday of each month.  The purpose is to challenge you and support you in creating success and fulfillment throughout your life.

The names of newsletter subscribers will never be shared or sold.

Unless otherwise indicated, all content is written and edited by Steve Reiter, MS, PCC.  You are welcome to republish any or all parts of this newsletter; I ask only that you honor the copyright by including full acknowledgment and a listing of my contact information (name, e-mail, web site).

The Reiter Coaching Letter
Copyright (c) 2001, all rights reserved.
U.S. Library of Congress ISSN: Coming Soon