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Sedona Eye City Wise

Sedona AZ (September 28, 2011) – As I listened to a lecture about the vital importance of healthy, active citizen civic involvement at a conference of cities and towns recently, I found myself remembering a lesson that Jack Kornfield is fond of sharing through a parable. It seems an appropriate reminder for us a decade after the terror and trauma of 9/11 and as we face the upcoming votes on SR 89A referendum and initiative.

I’d like to share it with you:

A stranger walked toward the gates of a new city. By the side of the road sat an old, wise woman who hailed the traveler: “Welcome.”

“What kind of people are they who live here?” the traveler asked.

“How did you find them in the home city you left?” asked the wise woman.

“They were gossips, mean-spirited, and often selfish. Difficult to get along with.”

“You’ll find the people of this city to be likewise.”

Later a second stranger passed by and was welcomed by the old woman.

“What kind of people are they who live here?” the second traveler asked.

“How did you find them in your home city?”

“They were fine people—industrious, open-minded, and easy to get along with.”

“You’ll find the people of this city to be likewise.”

Simply put, the point of the story is that what we find in the world reflects the amount of love in our hearts for that is the place that our behavior comes from. Personally, I need to be reminded of the truth and wisdom of the story for I can be either of the visitors depending upon the amount of love in my heart for myself and my fellows at any given time.

Sometimes I feel separate from and at odds with my neighbors and either withdraw from or argue with them. At other times I feel compassion and become part of my community, working with others for the common good.

Always, the choice is mine. For me, behaving from a place of gratitude and humility is much more rewarding and peaceful than being driven by pride and self-satisfaction. I prefer the former to the latter knowing that what we accomplish, or don’t, is no more important than how we behave as we do it!

Our city and our community are defined more by who we are as a people than by the Red Rocks. In the civic area, my direct experience has been that we are served and guided by a city staff of fine, industrious, open-minded people. It has been my pleasure to serve with them.

As fellow citizens, it is our duty to one degree or another to join with and support them by being responsible, respectful and kind as we engage in civic matters. Our civic involvement starts with and builds upon being informed on issues, by engaging friends in conversation about the issues, by registering to vote, by voting and by volunteering for community service as we can, no matter how small. Our payoff is the joy that comes from being a part of an effort with neighbors. We personally reap the benefits of the efforts of many.

So, each day as we awake and re-enter “the gates of our fair city” how will we find the people here? How will they find us? Thoughts worthy of quiet reflection.

 

This article written by Mark DiNunzio, Sedona City councilor, and the opinions expressed are his own and not necessarily those of the Sedona City Council.

Mark your calendars to vote in the City of Sedona Special election November 8, 2011

 

3 Comments

  1. Eddie Maddock says:

    Due to disruption of e-mail service during conversion of NPG Cable to SuddenLink, I didn’t catch your article until today (10/3.)

    Wise words, Mr. DiNunzio. I’m somewhat surprised you haven’t been deluged with negative comments because of the logic in your dissertation.

    Agreeing with your assessment that assigned duties as fellow citizens shoud be to join with and support our cify staff, isn’t their employment a result of the need to accommodate and activate directives from our elected officials and not the other way around?

    If our elected officials neglect to insist for staff to provide factual information on all issues, void of misleading data which essentially serves only to deceive the public, is it our civic duty to support the city staff or should we chastise the city council for misguided directives?

    Likewise, if our city council is remiss on upholding recommendations from, for example, city legal counsel, shouldn’t they, the members of the city council, be held responsible for negative outcomes? In other words, just where does the buck stop? Just a couple of points to ponder.

    You did a nice job in conveying a worthy message. Of course, that’s only one “guy’s” opinion here.

    Thank you, Sir

    Eddie Maddock

  2. Lin Ennis says:

    Excellent article.

    I’ve been pondering extremist talk radio and the people who call in. I’ve concluded, so far, that some people enjoy being angry and critical. It must be like a drug to them–something to keep the adrenaline flowing: the Rush.

    That might be a phenom we also see here close to home. Another thing I learned on the radio is “The bigger the lie, the easier it is to believe it.” That might be happening in Sedona as well.

  3. This Republican Says No Lights to ADOT says:

    wise. a word that fits the anti-lights voters on 89A. it’s time to vote to own 89A and give Az and Fed big government the boot out of our western town.

    sedona democrats and republicans are united on this issue. we told them once, we need to tell ADOT and big gov again! get out of our town ADOT or do as you are told by our duly elected council. WE DON’T WANT YOUR CHINESE MADE LIGHTS RUINING OUR AMERICAN TOWN. WE DON’T WANT YOUR STATE GOVERNMENT FINGERS IN OUR POCKETS FORCING US TO PAY APS FOR EVERY SINGLE DAY, HOUR BY 10 HOURS OR MORE, FOR LIGHTS WE DON’T NEED.

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