I am a citizen of . . .
I listened to this week’s conversation of On Being between host Krista Tippett and guests Whitney Kimball Coe and Anand Giridarades. Whitney is the director for national programs and coordinator of the National Rural Assembly at the Center for Rural Strategies. Anand is a journalist and the author of several books including The True American: Murder and Mercy in Texas. While listening to their conversation I heard the words commitment and citizen many times. I was, once again, reminded that the word citizen has always been somewhat confusing for me.
I am a citizen of this universe and perhaps of many universes. The United States considers me a citizen as does the state of West Virginia and the city of Wheeling. I accept responsibilities for my home, street, city, state, and country. My tax bills from all of these entities confirm my citizenship. Yet, while enormously grateful for the privileges that citizenship status grants me, the passion towards a country, state or city which others seems to experience has always eluded me. On the one hand, my eyes do tear up and my chest swells when I hear the national anthem. I am in awe of some of those in the United States who have fought for the right of all of us to live with dignity – civil right and social justice leaders especially. On the other hand, I am more loyal to a set of values than I am to a place or group.
Although I feel a strong attachment to a set of values, to my relationship with others, and even to my profession (not necessarily my professional organization), I do not feel that same attachment to a city, state, country or particular house or apartment. I have lived in close to 50 different houses or apartments located in many different states and cities. I treasure the time in each.
I feel a fierce commitment to relationships even if the nature of a relationship has changed. Once I know a person, I will never cut them out of my life. (Sadly I have to admit that I have ignored and neglected some friendships over the years.) I am hopeful that I am better at nurturing friendships than I was as a younger man.
Buddhists often speak of letting go of attachments. While I feel attached to values, I do not feel attached to being a citizen of the United States or the state of West Virginia or the city of Wheeling. I am attached to treating this country, the state of West Virginia, the city of Wheeling and, yes, my son’s mother and many other people with love and respect.
One might posit I am a citizen and not a CITIZEN. As a citizen I want to remember that each action of mine affects the entire universe. Yet, I have yet to experience loyalty to a place or group at the same level at others seem to experience. I sometimes think I am missing something, which many other seem to have. I seem unable to grasp onto that something. Perhaps tomorrow I will, but, for today, I will remain committed to being a fiercely responsible citizen of the universe instead of a CITIZEN of a particular country, region or city.
Written December 2, 2017
I listened to this week’s conversation of On Being between host Krista Tippett and guests Whitney Kimball Coe and Anand Giridarades. Whitney is the director for national programs and coordinator of the National Rural Assembly at the Center for Rural Strategies. Anand is a journalist and the author of several books including The True American: Murder and Mercy in Texas. While listening to their conversation I heard the words commitment and citizen many times. I was, once again, reminded that the word citizen has always been somewhat confusing for me.
I am a citizen of this universe and perhaps of many universes. The United States considers me a citizen as does the state of West Virginia and the city of Wheeling. I accept responsibilities for my home, street, city, state, and country. My tax bills from all of these entities confirm my citizenship. Yet, while enormously grateful for the privileges that citizenship status grants me, the passion towards a country, state or city which others seems to experience has always eluded me. On the one hand, my eyes do tear up and my chest swells when I hear the national anthem. I am in awe of some of those in the United States who have fought for the right of all of us to live with dignity – civil right and social justice leaders especially. On the other hand, I am more loyal to a set of values than I am to a place or group.
Although I feel a strong attachment to a set of values, to my relationship with others, and even to my profession (not necessarily my professional organization), I do not feel that same attachment to a city, state, country or particular house or apartment. I have lived in close to 50 different houses or apartments located in many different states and cities. I treasure the time in each.
I feel a fierce commitment to relationships even if the nature of a relationship has changed. Once I know a person, I will never cut them out of my life. (Sadly I have to admit that I have ignored and neglected some friendships over the years.) I am hopeful that I am better at nurturing friendships than I was as a younger man.
Buddhists often speak of letting go of attachments. While I feel attached to values, I do not feel attached to being a citizen of the United States or the state of West Virginia or the city of Wheeling. I am attached to treating this country, the state of West Virginia, the city of Wheeling and, yes, my son’s mother and many other people with love and respect.
One might posit I am a citizen and not a CITIZEN. As a citizen I want to remember that each action of mine affects the entire universe. Yet, I have yet to experience loyalty to a place or group at the same level at others seem to experience. I sometimes think I am missing something, which many other seem to have. I seem unable to grasp onto that something. Perhaps tomorrow I will, but, for today, I will remain committed to being a fiercely responsible citizen of the universe instead of a CITIZEN of a particular country, region or city.
Written December 2, 2017
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