Ujima

The theme for today is cooperative work and responsibility. This reminds me of the last time i went to Cuba. I was there to help build a church. When we arrived we realized that there was only one shovel and 12 volunteers. Our first instinct was to go out and buy more shovels. One of the volunteers asked "where can we buy shovels?" The Cubans looked at us with blank expressions and asked "Why? We have one already." They explained to us that shovels didn't do the work people did. They organized us in such a way that we actually got more work done with the one shovel then I think we would have with 20. Cooperative work involves utilizing the talents, knowledge and abilities that we have to help and influence the community as a whole. "If everyone digs then everyone gets tired." If we take turns digging and doing other jobs then the digging never stops and the work gets done faster. We are counting down to a highly anticipated change in power. The Obamas are poised to take office and the world has high expectations. JFK advised us to ask what we could do instead of asking what could be done for us. Collective responsibility. I think the change we all want for America is within reach but we have to ask ourselves "What can I do?" What talents, knowledge and skills can we call upon to be part of the solution. If you have no shovel, then mix cement, pile rocks, weld re-bar, and be ready because when someone else gets tired they may pass the shovel to you. Obama can't do it alone. So, its a great time to decide how you will help your community- no excuses.