This past week I received two wonderful quotes in support of my development. I would like to share those with everyone for the opportunity to take something from them, yourselves.

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paraphrase: the world may seem dark outside our inner temple, but we are
called to go outside and stand in faith. this plunge into the darkness
and discomfort of the unkown is how we actively invite spirituality into
our life. It is not only the most direct way to awaken our spirit but
is the surest way to quench our deepest thirst. Acknowledge your thirst
and then step into the places of uncertainty where conventional sense
dictates you are unprepared to go. enter with trust and find the sacred
water that is waiting.

bradford keeny

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Douglas Steere remarks very perceptively that there is a pervasive form
of contempory violence to which the idealist fighting for peace by
nonviolent methods most easily succumbs: activism and overwork. The rush
and pressure of modern life are a form, perhaps the most common form, of
its innate violence. To allow oneself to be carried away by a multitude
of conflicting concerns, to surrender to too many projects, to want to
help everyone in everything is to succumb to violence. More than that,
it is cooperation in violence. The frenzy of the activist neutralizes
his work for peace. It destroys his own inner capacity for peace. It
destroys the fruitfulness of his own work, because it kills the root of
inner wisdom which makes work fruitful.

Thomas Merton, "Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander"

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Life goes on in Nikolaev for around $50-60/Month. I find this to be quite shocking last night in a conversation with friends. An expensive apartment on the main street here in town is $100/month, a one bedroom and bath with kitcheonette (<- Not their word). This style of life is also accompanied by little in the way of work options. I'm finding in many conversations that people work multiple jobs here. It is the only way they can maintain. My family for example between the two parents probably have about four or five jobs, including some home business work. Everybody does what they need to do to survive. Polly and I spoke a bit about this while she was here how different the style of life is because people spend so much time surviving. I for one am thankful that I have the opportunity to explore outside myself and see what the world we occupy offers others.