Weekly Program: "The Walk from No to Yes"
Our speaker this week will share stories about resolving conflicts as an anthropologist. William Ury, author of "Getting to Yes," offers an elegant, simple (but not easy) way to create agreement in even the most difficult situations -- from family conflict to, perhaps, the Middle East. Conflicts typically have two sides, and he helps us identify a third side. This TedTalk was published in December, 2010.
While this talk references the Walk of Abraham, a cultural walking route that traces the journey of Abraham, there are many other spiritual journeys. There is the well-known El Camino de Santiago de Compostela across northern Spain. It began as a pilgrimage to the relics of the Apostle James, interred in the grand old Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Rotarians Ernest and Margaret Charlesworth (yes, PDG Ed's brother) will be walking this route in April, 2016, with a fundraising focus of raising money for international Rotary projects. Specifically, they want to support Casa de Jesus, a girls orphanage in Mexico in need of a vocational training program. At no cost to Rotary, every dollar donated will support projects of the San Angelo Sunrise Rotary club.
The Hajj is a yearly pilgrimage to Mecca and is presently the greatest yearly pilgrimage worldwide - and also the fifth pillar of Islam. It is a religious obligation that should be performed at least one time in every Muslim’s life. The Mecca Pilgrimage is an expression of the unity of the Muslims, and their compliance to God. The pilgrimage takes place from the 7th - 13th day of Dhu al-Hijjah which is the 12th month of the Islamic calendar.
Many of our conflicts today are due to differences in religious beliefs. In Rotary, we accept that we are different and embrace our cultural diversity, including religious and political differences. We work together in peace and with common goals of serving others to improve the life experience of all.
In closing, to all Christians celebrating Easter this coming Sunday, may you experience joy with your family and friends and Happy Easter!