Search results for: potluck project
Ripple Effects
Tom Friedman argues that humanity is currently facing two immense challenges: These forces are reshaping our world at an overwhelming pace, creating deep anxiety for many. However, I believe he overlooks a third critical challenge: the loneliness of individuals and the isolation of groups. Individual loneliness has become both a public health and mental health…
Read MoreCasting out Fear
Love casts out fear. But love is more than a slogan, a meme, or a scolding comment. True love is built in person-to-person and group-to-group relationships. Most of us feel lonely. Most groups don’t connect with others outside their circles. After centuries of layered dehumanization and constant negative news about each other, it’s no wonder…
Read MoreRepairing Our Foundations
When I was in 4th grade, we discovered a problem with our house’s foundation. There was a soft spot in the kitchen floor. During construction, they hadn’t removed enough dirt, leading to high humidity and poor air circulation. As a result, some of the posts and beams in the house were rotting. But there was…
Read MoreA Deep Breath – and then Let’s Get to Work
As the election approaches, many of us are deeply focused on the outcome. Which direction will our nation go? No matter the result, here at Paths to Understanding, we know our work remains. In his book Upswing, Robert Putnam presents a revealing list of key factors that contribute to a strong and unified nation: His…
Read MoreShake Hands & Swing Hammers
For the second year in a row, Paths to Understanding (PTU) was an official partner of Habitat for Humanity’s Interfaith Build in King County. More than 100 volunteers worked on the Yarrow Cottages housing community in South Park. Volunteers from Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, and Jewish communities came together, guided by their shared values for the…
Read MoreBe the Chicken or the Egg
We often want to know what “started it.” We want to know what is the chicken and what is the egg. We do need to analyze what is happening. But sometimes our desire for complete understanding keeps us from acting. In a recent book by Robert Putnam, The Upswing, he shows how our nation went…
Read More