|
|
|
Released from jail - my thanks to all!
From: John Murtari (jmurtari@AKidsRight.Org)
This is a message from a mailing list, members@kids-right.org Unsubscribe instructions at bottom of message. ====================================================================== Good People & People of Faith, I've finished my current jail sentence. I was released last Friday and was thankful it was a few days earlier than expected. I spent the weekend enjoying "freedom" and just catching up on work, bills, and at home - also getting ready for Christmas. I have an early flight tomorrow to fly out West to pickup Domenic for the holiday and fly back to New York. Please excuse me if this message is a bit of a rush, but I wanted to share a few thoughts on what happened and also express my most sincere thanks and deep appreciation for those who sent an email message and expecially for those who mailed a personal note to jail. Thank You! Full details and history at: http://www.AKidsRight.Org/actionc_syr Our web site promotes NonViolent Action and we all know that theory is one thing and practice is another. 35 days as a prisoner reconfirmed the importance of: SUPPORT FROM OTHERS Everyone is not at a point in their lives when they can risk even a night in jail as voluntary sacrifice - although they still support the overall goals. This has been true of movements in the past. Certainly it strengthens my resolve when people take the time to write and to share their stories. The email messages that were sent in will appear in a later FEEDBACK. I'd like to mention the following people who took the time to write. I enjoyed reading their messages and had the time to send everyone a person reply (and practice my hand writing!): Carol Vargo, NJ Chuck DeHart, VA Jeff Shipman, NY Barbar Lapp, NY Greg Langstrand, NY Mike Sandifer, CO Ugo DedPunzio, CA John Barton, NY Dave Cantera, NJ Mary Jo Marceau-Hawthorne, NY Bill Wagener, CA Jacob Sell, IL Mike Anderson, PA Joanne Scheafnocker, NJ Many thanks to Gary Taubar, NY, who took the time to visit in person. It made me feel my efforts mattered when people sent me copies of letters they had faxed to Senator Clinton. THE NEED FOR ACTION I tried reading a little Shakespeare from the jail library, but Hamlet was still too much for me to get through in the Old English. However, I found three pharagraphs in a commentary on Hamlet written in 1811 by Samuel Taylor Coleridge that should touch a nerve in all of us -- the importance of action: "... we still see Hamlet indulging in reflection ... he is all dispatch and resolution, as far as words and present intentions are concerned, but all hesitation and irresolution, when called upon to carry his words and intentions into effect; so that, resolving to do everything, he does nothing. He is full of purpose, but void of that quality of mind which accomplishes purpose ... Shakespeare wished to impress upon us the truth that action is the chief end of existence -- that no faculties of intellect, however brilliant, can be considered valuable, or indeed otherwise than as misfortunes ... and lead us to think and think of doing, until the time elapsed when we can do anything effectively ... Hamlet is a man living in meditation, called upon to act by every motive human and divine, but the great object of his life is defeated by continually resolving to do, yet doing nothing but resolve." FAITH IN A LOVING GOD So many of us love our children, but we feel so much anger towards the system, judges, lawyers, and especially former spouses. Those feelings are natural (and I share many of them) -- but anger will not sustain you in jail in voluntary sacrifice. Many of us experience anger by even seeing another parent happy with a child, or even a commerical on TV! In jail you have plenty of time for second guessing, "John, do you really think this jail time is going to matter? You really going to get jailed again? You could lose everything you have. Are you crazy?" Faith helps us realize that we are all brothers and sisters. The love I have for my child motivates me through this experience. My Faith in a loving God confirms that my sacrifice is valuable. Also, the Faith that gives me the ability to take "action" -- helps me overcome the anger. You may find it quite surprising, but taking postive action helps get rid of that "slow burn" many feel after being mistreated by the "system." You are not powerless, but are doing something to make things better -- and it feels good. It broadens our hearts. ---------------- Many thanks and my best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a happy Holiday Season! John Murtari jmurtari@AKidsRight.Org ================================================================== To unsubscribe from this list at anytime, send email to Majordomo@kids-right.org with the following 1 line in the BODY of the message (Subject is ignored). unsubscribe members
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Thu Jan 08 2004 - 03:12:00 EST |
