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Letters from Laoshi |
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© 2005 - 2023 Water Tiger School |
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November 2005 |
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All: Nature continues to demonstrate her overwhelming power ... giving us an opportunity to demonstrate ours. It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no one can sincerely try to help another without helping themselves. - Ralph Waldo Emerson. I would ask you to consider making a donation to the Red Cross or Doctors Without Borders: https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation-form.asp http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/donate/index.cfm As always: Positive energy and good thoughts don't require the mouse-click or the credit card. Yours in Great Commitment, Laoshi Laurince McElroy. |
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Reaching Out: Hurricane & Earthquake Relief |
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January 2005 |
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All: As we move into the end of 2004 and the beginning of 2005, we are met with a great opportunity born out of great tragedy. Between us, we have so many different ways in which we can enter the world to inspire compassion and unity. There is now one door open to all of us. Our responsibilities to our families, our employers, our lives, etc., may keep us from climbing onto a plane and going in person to be of service to those whose lives have been thrown into crisis by the events in Asia. But we are all truly only one click away from being of such service. I would ask you to consider making a donation to the International Response Fund of the International Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation-form.asp And remember: Positive energy and good wishes don't even require a mouse-click or a credit card. Yours in Great Commitment, Laoshi Laurince McElroy. |
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Being of Service: Tsunami Relief |
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October 2006 |
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All: With the series of shootings in schools across the country in the last days, I have found myself thinking of a scene from the second Kung-Fu series, Kung-Fu: The Legend Continues. That may seem odd, but this is where my mind has often turned at times such as these. I recall sharing the story at the T’ai Chi in the Park gathering the Saturday after September 11, 2001, and again on July 7, 2005, at the attacks in London. There have, unfortunately, been other times as well. For what it is, here it is: Kwai Chang Caine and his son, Peter, are discussing the state of the world, and Peter cites two newspaper articles to make a point regarding the seemingly nonsensical nature of life in the contemporary world. “Here’s one article,” he says, “about a cat that fell out of a fourth story window and survived without so much as a scratch. “And here’s another,” he continues, “about a man who walked into a fast food restaurant, pulled out a gun, and killed everyone in the place – I just don’t understand.” His father answers, “The cat remembered it was a cat; and the man forgot he was a man.” Our thoughts are with those whose lives have been touched by the recent tragedies in Colorado, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. Finding a Way Through Sorrow, Laoshi |
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Understanding Violence |
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April 2007 |
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All: When we bow formally at Water Tiger, we utilize a standard version of the Shaolin salute. The right hand is closed with the knuckles up while the left hand is open and cupping the right. Our view is that the right hand represents Yang and "the knowledge or ability to fight" and the left hand represents the Yin and "the choice not to fight." Our thoughts go out to those who have been touched by the tragedy in Virginia and the choice of one individual to act when no action would have been the higher choice to make. Sharing in the Sorrow and Recovery, Laoshi Laurince McElroy. |
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Sorrow and Recovery |
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Struggling to Rise from the Ashes |
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February 2008 (updated: December 2017)* |
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February 20th is the anniversary of one the worst nightclub fires in US history. The headline in the Sunday, February 17th NY Times is telling “5 Years After a Nightclub Fire, Survivors Struggle.” I had no idea. In these difficult financial times, there are so many worthy causes drawing our attention. This is only one of them, but I wanted to bring it to your attention. |
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With an Open Heart, Laoshi |
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* Since the original post in 2008 regarding the Station Family Fund, it has come to our attention that the organization met its goals and has been dissolved. There is, however, a memorial fund available, if you still wish to donate. It is The Station Fire Memorial Foundation: |
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November 2012 |
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All: Unfortunately, this is not the first time nor will it be the last time I put fingers to keyboard and write about the demonstrated power of nature. Hurricane Sandy has come and gone, but her impact continues to reverberate. In her wake, we have an opportunity to demonstrate our own power. I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something I can do. – chaplain of the U.S. Senate, Edward Everett Hale (d.). I would ask you to consider making a donation: http://www.redcross.org/charitable-donations As always: Positive energy and good thoughts don't require the mouse-click or the credit card. Yours in Great Commitment, Laoshi Laurince McElroy. |
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Reaching Out in the Aftermath |
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December 2012 |
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All: This has been a week for overwhelming sorrow. It began in an Oregon mall and ended in a Connecticut elementary school. It’s difficult to find the words to express our feelings when such senseless things unfold. Of the many thoughts that have been shared in the aftermath of these tragedies, I find myself drawn to these from Mr. Rogers: When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers - so many caring people in this world. The madmen that brought these actions to fruition are outnumbered. That is what we must remember. The sun will still rise. That is what we must remember. Finding the Way Through, Laoshi Laurince McElroy. |
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Finding the Words |