Comments on: Cindy McCain: Rwanda’s Women Are Leading the Way http://www.one.org/blog/2008/07/28/cindy-mccain-rwandas-women-are-leading-the-way/ The Campaign to Make Poverty History Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:27:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: Paul of Par Avion http://www.one.org/blog/2008/07/28/cindy-mccain-rwandas-women-are-leading-the-way/#comment-548131 Paul of Par Avion Tue, 29 Jul 2008 21:19:13 +0000 http://www.one.org/blog/2008/07/28/cindy-mccain-rwandas-women-are-leading-the-way/#comment-548131 Agreed! : ] It's not a case of simpleminded optimism (as critics would like to argue), but rather the ability -- the necessity, even -- to rise above the circumstances of the past and move boldly ahead to a better future. Everybody has a story; something painful in their past. Admittedly, most not as horrific as the that of the victims of Rwanda. But we all have a choice: To stay mired in fear and resentment (the past), or move ahead by working toward higher spiritual ideals, which are really the only thing can free us, psychologically and spiritually. Agreed! : ]

It’s not a case of simpleminded optimism (as critics would like to argue), but rather the ability — the necessity, even — to rise above the circumstances of the past and move boldly ahead to a better future.

Everybody has a story; something painful in their past. Admittedly, most not as horrific as the that of the victims of Rwanda.

But we all have a choice: To stay mired in fear and resentment (the past), or move ahead by working toward higher spiritual ideals, which are really the only thing can free us, psychologically and spiritually.

]]> By: GinnyD http://www.one.org/blog/2008/07/28/cindy-mccain-rwandas-women-are-leading-the-way/#comment-548105 GinnyD Tue, 29 Jul 2008 01:11:07 +0000 http://www.one.org/blog/2008/07/28/cindy-mccain-rwandas-women-are-leading-the-way/#comment-548105 Paul, you are exactly right. Another way I have heard it stated is If you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem. Some people misinterpreted my comment on another blog that no matter what the tragedy a person personally suffers, life goes on. You either move on with life, or stay rooted in the past. The people of Rwanda should be given all the credit in the world for focusing on the solutions to the problems confronting their country. I agree that the pain of what happened will always be there, but just as the Jewish people have resolved "Never again" so have the people of Rwanda. Those that have survived the atrocities and have made the decision to move on with their lives are my heroes. Paul, you are exactly right. Another way I have heard it stated is If you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem. Some people misinterpreted my comment on another blog that no matter what the tragedy a person personally suffers, life goes on. You either move on with life, or stay rooted in the past. The people of Rwanda should be given all the credit in the world for focusing on the solutions to the problems confronting their country. I agree that the pain of what happened will always be there, but just as the Jewish people have resolved “Never again” so have the people of Rwanda. Those that have survived the atrocities and have made the decision to move on with their lives are my heroes.

]]> By: Paul of Par Avion http://www.one.org/blog/2008/07/28/cindy-mccain-rwandas-women-are-leading-the-way/#comment-548092 Paul of Par Avion Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:47:57 +0000 http://www.one.org/blog/2008/07/28/cindy-mccain-rwandas-women-are-leading-the-way/#comment-548092 All the progress is Rwanda reminds me of the old axiom: "Focus on the problem, and the problem increases. Focus on the solution, and the solution increases." By focusing on solutions and looking ahead, rather than remaining immobilized in old pain, Rwanda has been able to pave the way for a new era, and a new generation free from old hatreds. Of course, the pain of what happened is there. No sensible person is saying to pretend it isn't. But putting the focus on _solutions_ makes all the difference in what happens tomorrow. All the progress is Rwanda reminds me of the old axiom:

“Focus on the problem, and the problem increases. Focus on the solution, and the solution increases.”

By focusing on solutions and looking ahead, rather than remaining immobilized in old pain, Rwanda has been able to pave the way for a new era, and a new generation free from old hatreds.

Of course, the pain of what happened is there. No sensible person is saying to pretend it isn’t.

But putting the focus on _solutions_ makes all the difference in what happens tomorrow.

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