Tag Archives: amendment process

The Road to Diamond, Day 187: Detached

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Posted by on in collaborating, Community, impediments, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving

June 3, 2025- The little card acknowledged what I myself realized, upon returning to Sportage, after exercising and picking up a couple of Tuesday Tacos at El Gordo: “You’re parked like an idiot”. The “gentle reminder” card, inserted by private security in various parking lots around the country, uses mildly caustic humour to help usually conscientious drivers remember that there is no holiday from courtesy. So, going forward, I am reminded to take the time to park properly-just as I remind myself to brush my teeth twice a day, make sure my shoes are tied and stay hydrated.

Age brings either heightened irritation with oneself and/or the doings of others, or a knowing acceptance of those behaviours and events that, in and of themselves, do no harm to self and others. Parking hurriedly, in a largely empty lot, is one of those one-offs that I can accept from myself-or from someone else, once in a blue moon. We all get tired, need to refocus and regroup, every so often.

Making decisions that immediately affect other people is another matter. “Big picture” folks often miss that aspect. Large scale decisions, from public budgeting to long-term construction projects cannot go without a reasonable (30-60 day) period of public input. Conversely, the public would do well to exercise the right to give input on these matters, by first looking at the proposal, then taking time to consider various ways in which an individual, her/his family and community will be affected-both short and long-term. The person then will be able to offer input, in a meaningful way.

Institutions, like their individual members, can get tired and need time to refresh and regroup. It is best that this is done from within-as revolutions, being often emotion-driven solutions of last resort, tend to overlook the small, but necessary, cogs and wheels that made the institution effective in the first place. This is one lesson I drew from study of the French and Russian Revolutions. Our own, having been more measured, has lasted longer, precisely because of the processes of amendment and regular public input.

It helps both individuals and institutions to remain emotionally detached from criticism, thus being open to what the critic is actually trying to convey.

The Road to Diamond, Day 39: Institutional

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Posted by on in children, collaborating, Community, Education, Family, Inspiration, Personal goals, Personal Values, Service Activities, Social, Spiritual, Striving

January 6, 2025- The day in Washington came and went, with scarcely a murmur. The will of the people, albeit by way of plurality, was acknowledged and for the second time in our nation’s history, the losing standard bearer of a major party was the person certifying the election of a rival. Albert Gore, Jr. did that very thing, on 1/6/01 and Kamala Harris did so today. The institution of the American republic, a form of democracy, was the winner.

It made me think of other institutions: Parenthood, grandparenthood, marriage, community, corporation, formal education, personhood. Each has its rules and practices, which are its underpinnings. Those who challenge any one of the institutions, on its face, are exhibiting an inclination towards mayhem. That does not mean that the institution should be impervious to change. Our Constitution is replete with the amendment process, for the very reason that the government of 1788, or 1861, cannot possibly address all the needs of 2025. Familial institutions, likewise, have the duty to their members, to regularly communicate across the roles of parent, spouse, child, sibling-and even grandparent, so that the personhood of any given member is not trampled or sacrificed.

In the institution of the school, there is a trust between teacher and student. Today, my role as substitute teacher was a special position of trust: A new semester, a new term, was starting. The regular teacher had a last minute emergency, and though today was the start of a major activity, his life had to take its course. I was able to dust off the cobwebs of my technological savvy and get the basic activities started. The task in question was a vocational education exercise, which will last for two weeks. Those who recognized its import-the majority of students, thankfully, set themselves to the task, some choosing to work in small groups and others on their own. Thus are the members of one institution, the school, beginning to prepare for membership in another, the workforce.

It remains my honour to offer support to institutions, holding up their traditions when the good of the order warrants and working to effect change, when the converse is true.