Very original content. I really like your site. There was once this guy: http://www.wnyprogressreport.wnymedia.net/?p=2 , House cancels hearings on Katrina

I read your blog regularly and find the attention you pay to the blessings in your life so very refreshing. Thank you for demonstrating an awareness that drove you to focus on your blessings AND the courage to face your detractors. With the disaster along the Gulf coast, I found myslef researching how many places there are in the world where people live every single day of their lives in conditions such as those that currently exist...no water, no electricity, squalor, diseased conditions...my heart filled with compassion. So many human beings in the world live this way, but lack the means to build new lives and have no government willing to budget $200 billion in resources to help them move onto something better. I was able to look at my priviledged little world and say, "I don't require all this. What can I give, what can i share?" And I chose to take it to my church rather than to randomly donate to agencies, etc. This way, I have faith that the things I can do will go to good use. Thank you for your words...for the intimate glimpse into a life that has chosen to appreciate the taste of a fabulous tomato. For me, rather than driving me to criticize you, it galvanized my feelings - "I have it so good here!" - and focus on how I can share my ample blessings - "What is superfluous here that will be of use somewhere else?" - and find a place where my passions and my faith come together with my resources to make a difference - not only in New Orleans, but in missions projects around the world. You inspired me to see my very beautiful life and appreciate its blessings.

Very nice site!

This is directed to "lost in new orleans" and a few others who mention Bush's lack of response. I live in Florida, went through 2 major hurricanes last year, nothing like Katrina, but still bad, no power for 18 days, no water, no sewer, no phone. You get the idea. If you are familiar with how the local government is supposed to work (and honestly I wasn't until it happened here), they are the ones who are supposed to step in and take over 2 to 3 days after something like this, not the federal government. Sure, the Feds should have realized that the local government (i.e. the mayor and govenor) had screwed up and stepped in sooner in N.O., but still, that's not how things are supposed to work.

Things didn't run smoothly here either, but it was impossible to predict we'd get hit by 2 hurricanes back and back. That said, the local authorities still did an amazing job. They did what they could and then FEMA came in. My husband had to work the day after the storms due to his job with the county, and he was greated by police and national guards "the" next day when he was out and about.

As far as what Keri does here, it's *not* a comment on current events or whatever. It's a journal, about her life, about things around her, her thoughts, and I enjoy coming by and reading it and will continue to do so. I hope all of this hubbub doesn't deter her from continuing to do what she does, which is very special and much appreciated by so many.

when disasters happened in our asia, we really did appreciate the compassion and help from amercia no matter how temporary it was. we knew that others could never ever really feel the same pain that we suffered in the disasters. there's no use to blame who was enjoying his beautiful life while i lost my friends or family. if this was fate, it was me, not anybody else to take it. so, we felt content with any help from others and any effort we have made.

we never imagined that this time, the disaster attacked the u.s, which as an international police always instruct and help others with its own rules. our asian countries offered help but never felt comfort because the u.s finally could really understand the pain we had before. this opinion is too ridiculous. we are concerned about people in new orleans, and in the mean time we have to live and rebuild our home. we are still smiling even though we lost everything and never blame people who are leading luxurious life and waste food while we are starving. 'cause we know, this is life.
but we felt surprise and shocked by the news that people hurted, robbed and raped their own neighbors. well, we could never believe that this happened in such a civilized country. we felt so sorry and it's really a tragedy, even worse than the tsunami.

don't ask for compassion if you don't even have compassion for yourself. no one should take your suffering, if all you want to do is to transplant your suffering to others.

i'm really sorry for the people in new orleans.
but don't ask the god for blessing, ask your president bush for he should had done!

Your point about the ethnocentricity of who we care about was very interesting. Although I agree it is sad that we don't care enough about others in the world, isn't it just human nature? I'm sure each country's citizens care about their own tragedies more, just as we care about what happens to a family member more than a neighbor. This does not excuse us for not caring about others. We are all part of the human family, and the idea of "countries" is just a human construct. But we should use the feelings of care we have for "our own" to help us care for others as well. I think if we killed this "ethnocentricity," as you call it, I think it would also have the sad effect of making us care less about everyone.

Keri,
Your vision, your spirit, encourage and inspire me always. Pain is a door we walk through, and your willingness to not only walk through those doors, but share the experiences with us is admirable and not for the faint of heart.

PS.... Life is not about suffering. Life is about growth and evolution. Suffering is a part of our experience but certainly not the sum total of our existence..... Life is about love & laughter, joy and sorrow and everything in between. Life is an ebb and flow...one day the experience of tears, another day... immense joy. Our effort is to try and go with the flow of whatever is in that moment and not to remain stuck in any one place defining that as our only reality or a reflection of ourself. Existence is constantly changing and so are we... constantly expanding.

My Respect to all... I would like to express a few thoughts in your "space" & am grateful to be able to do so... These obviously are my own feelings...
There is a Universal principle that governs all of existence... the balance between all things.... if in our human experience, we choose to create an imbalance in the name of progress and profit ....excess, greed, no regard for life and nature... then be assured that Mother Nature will do what is necessary to restore that balance.... it is not "personal"...it is this law that preserves existence. Therefore, much of what happened in the Gulf and other "disasters" elsewhere, are a result of us human beings living "out of balance" with Universal laws. We can get more specific in this case noting the erosion & destruction of the natural marshlands which are supposed to protect the surroundings.. With all that said, we all need to be grateful to our fellow human beings in the gulf region who have on a sub-conscious level "agreed" to be a part of this monumentous event in our human experience.... This event has not only allowed Mother Nautre to "re-establish" its sense of balance, but it has also allowed us human beings to evoke in a significant way, an energy field of overwhelming compassion, kindness and love, with the worldwide outpouring of intense emotions towards these "earth angels" ..... obviously our mass consciousness was way out of whack and needed to be re-aligned. I myself, am in awe and utter gratitude that their Spiritual Selves agreed to play a part so that the rest of us have the opportunity to respond as the Universe knew we would... with love and compassion. In addition, it is only through events like these that we are able on such a mass-level, see burning lessons which I pray we can absorb and move on with the hope of never repeating. With every negative thought/deed...we add to the imbalance of our human existence, so think about that when we begin to play the "system's" blame game. Karma will deal with those who need to be replaced and those who need to be penalized.... but as for us, please let us use this opportunity to rise above and gain greater awareness towards a more wholesome and integrated evolution of our species. With reference to those who could have left but chose to stay.... how many times have we made "poor" choices in our lives? Are we to be branded through eternity for that "poor" choice... I should hope not, otherwise we would all be in perpetual pergatory... Let us use this time, to reflect... to open up ourselves for greater love....deeper understanding... higher vibrations.... we are all responsible. Behind the masks/faces that gives us labels..... we have been...are....and forever will be... ONE HEART - ONE MIND - ONE SPIRIT..... NAMASTE.

Can we get a group hug now?

FYI, for news, I read news.bbc.co.uk

Also, to those who rant about evacuating or not, blame, etc, take a look at the conversation that has just happened here and take a step back.

What viewpoints do you not see? There are a thousand reasons why people didn't or couldn't leave. Yeah, I'm sure there are a handful of those who were just stubborn, but do you still wish them the evil that has befallen them?

And while there does need to be accountability for the lack of preparedness and charges of FEMA obstruction, most people were doing the best they could do, hamstrung by the system.

Read http://mgno.com for a blog from an IT company that stayed put. Very illuminating.

I'm not saying mistakes weren't made. I'm saying maybe we should try and have some more compassion all around. Not ignore problems-- just have some compassion. We never know the whole story.

Hi All,

I don't think I'm reaching here when I say the problem just experienced on this blog is connected to the larger one between people in mass society. We all do this kind of crap, I just think we should notice that we do and think about why...

Why do we often look past what we really know is the intention of a speaker/blogger/etc. and attack the surrounding package the information came in? We KNOW what she meant. She doesn't need to emote to hand paralysis to really drive home the fact that it's horrible when people are dying.

I don't want to beat a dead horse, but I feel like this stupid misunderstanding can be instructive on a larger scale.

When we observe other people saying things that are not as polished as what we might say, it's tempting to talk shit about them because of their poor grammar, their choice of words, their physical appearance, etc. and degrade on down. I'm only writing this because I think it's this kind of automatic punishment or automatic disregard of others cuts the bonds between people, fosters cliques, insulates pod thinking, and keeps us from ever resolving larger issues, say, in America. We don't often give others the benefit of the doubt in the expression of their beliefs or thoughts, but we expect full care, understanding, and sympathy in the expression in our own.

Now that it's all good between (most) visitors to the blog, maybe we can work the same understanding mojo between ourselves and the other people in our lives who piss us off...

keri: i have visited your blog often over the months. i have found inspiration, hope and moments of pause to look at my own life with the same eye. thank you for sharing in such an honest way. please keep sharing and don't feel the need to take on others' comments and expressions. we all of this journey of life together and hopefully we are striving to live in a way that does no harm to others. thanks again and enjoy that cali sun for those of us not there. crystal

keri: i have visited your blog often over the months. i have found inspiration, hope and moments of pause to look at my own life with the same eye. thank you for sharing in such an honest way. please keep sharing and don't feel the need to take on others' comments and expressions. we all of this journey of life together and hopefully we are striving to live in a way that does no harm to others. thanks again and enjoy that cali sun for those of us not there. crystal

Hi, I was surprised to find this morning that quote, I think it's maybe a little... irrelevant? Obvious. Keri, why do you feel the need to apologize, to try a justification??? I'm still amazed.
But my comment is for something different. I just wanted to pointed out an idea: I feel the pain of other not because I feel my own pain too, but because I AM the other. I am him, therefore I feel his pain, my pain, is the same.

Jennifer,
Thank you for your post. I just wanted to say a couple things: The hurricane is no one's fault. How people chose to respond afterwards, or didn't choose to respond, is something else. When white Terri Schiavo had her IV's disconnected, Bush got on a late night flight to speed back to DC in a matter of hours. However, while thousands and thousands of poor and black Americans were drowning and/or starving, it took him more than two days to return to work. I don't think anyone need question ever, ever again where Bush and his Administration's priorities lie.

I notice everyone responds to grief differently.

I don't know if Jennifer realizes that a lot of the people who did not leave did NOT have much of a choice. New Orleans is full of people who are extremely destitute. The bus services stopped, and they did not have a way out. Even more people did not have vehicles and had no means to get out. Services to help those with no means were beyond inadequate. Maybe you regretted your decision to stay in a Category 2, but you DID have a choice. Keep in mind that there are a huge number of people in this country who are forgotten...the poor. Just because you may have had the means, please do not assume everyone is as fortunate as you.
I'm sorry to go on, but people are so harsh and assuming about so many things. Their eyes are not open to the truth. Please remember that still in the country, many people DO NOT HAVE A CHOICE. Many many many of those were left behind in New Orleans. They don't have the luxury of plans. They did not build their homes there because they lived in the projects and their parents and their parents parents lived in projects, and before them many were slaves. The great thing about New Orleans is that the people, despite being so poverty stricken, have a great spirit. They are survivors and yes, the city will rebuild. That city has been below sea level since it was built in the 18th century. Only a hundred years ago did the levee system come about, and New Orleans has begged and begged for the money to reinforce those levees and flood canals for years. Guess what, it never came and they never got reinforced. Many hurricanes have come through and they have not kept the city down. It will live on, despite the blamers and the hypocrites who probably never blamed South Florida for building on the coast when Andrew came along and decimated much of it.
Jennifer, I hope, before you play the blame game again, you educate yourself. Criticisms always seem to flow freely when the critics don't know their facts. The next time a hurricane comes your way, remember those less fortunate than you who don't have computers, the Weather Channel, or even a tv. They should not be blamed. They should be considered worthy enough to help before and after any tragedy.

And Keri, I am sorry. I know this isn't our forum, but I live here in Louisiana and feel it necessary to defend the honor of the people in one of the most vibrant cities in the world. I really am glad you are here to inspire us and to be an example of what we can aspire to creatively and personally. And I didn't say it in my last entry, but Happy Anniversary!

I think you should continue writing for yourself (on your personal blog) and let the rest of us who enjoy snippets of inspiration from your world and wonderful writings about it, read on. Your new place sounds wonderful.

I have never left a message in a blog before as I feel it is a place where one should have the right to voice what they wish. I would never presume I had a right to shove my beliefs or morals onto someone else. I've also enjoyed your journal and many times agreed with you, more often then not.
In regards to this hurricane I still must say I agree with you. I do know there are innocent people that had no choice in the situation..and I do believe that there where many more people in that area that could have made the difference in those situations, but chose not to. Fingers are being pointed every where in this country trying to blame the other person, which is just wrong.
I don't voice my opinion on this subject because it isn't a popular one..but will here for a reason. I feel a good majority of those people had the choice to leave but thought they could ride it out. I've done the same with hurricanes of much less strength and learned my lesson on a level two. Did I blame anyone when help wasn't here the moment it was over? No. It was MY CHOICE. Would I have left a poor or helpless neighbor to face it on their own? No. I would have moved heaven and earth to help someone in need to a safe place because I think that is what we should do. That is where help comes from FIRST...for ourselves and others around us. But that isn't how most people live anymore...Americans or not.
I'm sick of turning around lately to hear everyone complain about the situation. Who's fault is it? Nobody stood on that shore and waved that storm in...nobody forced people to stay in their homes. People were warned. Because there were so many that chose to stay it makes the job that much harder to get help to all that need it. People living on a coast with a history of storms know this is a probability at some point. People building homes in a city that is below sea level and on a cost with a history of storms know that they are at risk. They should prepare and have a plan for themselves and look for those around them in need.
Not that I'm saying I don't feel for the pain and loss. I do for those that had no help and no way to get out. The true victims of the natural disaster. That is Nature and none of us know what's to happen next anywhere in the world.
I'm saying this because I wanted to explain my view so you understand what I'm going to say. I'm also tired of people bashing the American people as a collective group. I'm tired of being disrespected simply because I'm American. Yes, you did say "some" but that isn't the true feeling for you paragraph and if you're honest about it you'd agree. This isn't a situation of one country's attitude over another...it's a HUMAN situation..and what you hear in the news is slanted toward sensational stories. It amazes me when people forget that fact. To group us all is an insult, although that is your right. It saddens me as an American supporter to your welfare. I've used my American dollars to purchase your books for myself and friends. My American dollars make you happy when you receive your profit, yet I, and my country as a group disgust you? I wouldn't dream to say your feelings are due to your citizenship..I say it's you as a person.
I as a person choose to move on and no longer support someone whom I sicken. I wish you the best of luck.

Keri, Glad your back. Your first day sounded very peaceful. I enjoy hearing of your discovery as you care for yourself. As for the challenges, I try to remember that what each of us criticize in others is only a reflection of dissatisfaction in ourselves.

I agree with Sarah--thank you, Jonis, for speaking your truth at that moment, and then for showing me the "heart and source" of that previously stated truth in your apology. I, too, needed to see that--you've reminded me--much like this blog often does--to look twice before crossing.

I can't count on both hands how many times I've spoken out with my "first words", realizing later through a process (and good mentoring) where those words really come from--it's hard to return and speak those second, real words.

Kudos to you.

Oh, and follow the good. This will help too. Tossing your TV away is better than shutting it down. More peace.

And here’s my suggestion to all you passive TV consumers who spend their time watching horror reality shows – turn your machine off, go outside and watch the sky - It’s beautiful. Horror is everywhere and there’s very little we can do about it. Watching your screen certainly isn’t going to help. Believe me: years of living in a war zone taught me this small yet important wisdom. Peace.

Jonis, I'm glad you posted what you did. I was afraid to check the comments tonight, but my faith in people is a tiny bit higher now.

Thanks.

The anger and frustration at seeing days and days of agony makes us all lash out at anything close, when the other is not reachable. If nothing else, this disaster and all its facets will teach us who we are and show us we need to change many things.

Keri, you already know you can't please everyone, and Jonis has apologized, so let's all go and make art!

Keri,

I feel so sad that you felt the need to explain yourself. I hadn't even read the comments to the previous post until I read this. All I saw in the last post was beauty. I am heartbroken about the tragedy (as I am with all life's tragedies) and I am helping in the ways I can-- but I am still living! I'm glad to see that you are too and that you are inspiring us with the beauty of life.

Welcome to California! :)

Hugs to you!

Keri, please don't feel like you owe anyone anything, however large your audience is. I think if you felt you had a responsibility to write about something, whether or not you *wanted* to write about it, it would dilute the essential Keri-ness that we come to your blog for. I'm truly amazed and grateful to Jonis for apologizing for her comment; that's so many magnitudes of classiness beyond the majority of "drive-by" commenters.

Dear Keri and all readers of her blog,
Let us not forget that while I, too, am angry at my government for their seemingly slow response to the hurricane disaster, it is because of this same government that Keri and all of us are allowed to speak our minds, different as they are, without fear of retaliation, imprisonment or punishment. This has come at a price over many, many years. But for all of it's faults, there is no other country which I would wish to live in than America...warts and all.

As tempers soften a bit, and we all struggle with this natural disaster of unequalled proportion, let us be grateful...to be able to donate to the Red Cross to help the relief effort...and yes, to sipping good wine, watching the thunderheads build, the soft kiss of summer heading out as autumn dribbles in, to Keri's safe move and arrival in her new home town, to all that is right with the world. Pass on your enlightenment from this week by turning your frustration and anger into something good for someone. Let's see how big we can make that silver lining...

I was re-reading Thoreau's Walden today. In the first essay he states, "I should not talk so much about myself if there were anybody else whom I knew as well." I've read Walden many times, I've read Thoreau's journals many times, and I don't feel that I really know that much about him other than little slivers of what he was thinking at particular moments. I feel the same way about Anne Frank. For that matter, I feel the same about you, Keri. Honestly. I read to make connections to myself, the person I know well. I'm an artist and a writer. I grew up in Canada (though I'm American) and I recently moved across the country, away from my family, away from everything familiar. I like the way you think (or the way you share what you're thinking anyway). I admire your courage. Thanks for being here. And I'm glad you landed safely in your new home!

Yesterday, I watched hours of CNN footage. I felt ashamed of my government, ashamed and embarrassed. Why is it taking so long to get these people aid? Footage of people dying on rooftops, wading through sewage, wreckage, water, losing family members, looting, raping, turning in their badges... But then I went to lunch at a flower shop/cafe. There, I let an older gentleman bum a cigarette. To my surprise, just for that, he bought my meal. And before I left to go back to the office (and the television), my waiter gave me an orange daisy that perfectly matched my shirt. On my way back to the office, I smiled and kept smiling. I sat on a bench outside my office building, not wanting to go back inside. When an elderly woman sat down next to me, I introduced myself. We began lamenting Hurricane Katrina as watched the traffic. The weather was beautiful.

While we should always be respectful of those who are suffering great losses, we do ourselves (and each other) a disservice when we turn away from those things that would bring us joy.

I work for a news publication and throughout the week at work it was everything about the tragedy with Katrina. And for a break, I read your blog... and had a smile when I read you were settling in your new home and celebrating your anniversary.

Of course to much of my shock and many other readers, the comments that went on for the past few days. Many wrote in alot of my thoughts already but I just wanted to add too that I hope you continue to share your thoughts in that eloquent and inspiring way that you do...and not feel obligated nor responsible to post certain topics/subjects because its the "right" thing to do...and so important to note to everyone that this blog is only a small hint of who you are!

Although I must say all this dialogue brings up alot of other things that are so interesting...more food for thoughts.

If I may add something to my previous post, I am truly sorry. For 2 years my wife has loved your blog and its helped her to grow and explore and be inspired. I slept badly-deservingly so- all night because I knew I was wrong. My words were very poorly chosen and yes, unfair. I'm a coward because I don't even put my real name/address. But I believe you have forced me to look inside myself at the ways I treat others when I am upset sometimes. I am very angry, that is true. When I moved to America, I had such different ideas about it, and while I love Americans, I loathe this government. I want people to revolt, to do something to stop the madness, and my e-mail was not the right way to do that, especially on your blog. I hope that you can forgive me. I am learning too.

It is things like these that bring bloggers to make their blogs private or "friends only". I am glad for your strength in not allowing critics of how you write something close you down emotionally, spiritually and publically. You inspire many, myself included. I don't know why people are so negative but it seems to be human nature these days/years/decades. I thank God that there are people in the world like you that try not to dwell in that negativity. I know you must have been stressed with your move and your own individual life and yes life does go on while the people all around the world do suffer. Peace to all.

For ineteresting, broader media coverage of world events than CNN is likely to give us, check out :

http://www.alternet.org/

and
http://www.truthout.org/

My personal take on what has happened is that Americans have given up on getting the responses and help they need from their President, but rather than direct the anger and frustration at him and his policies, they have chosen to turn their anger outwards at each other and the world.

Those who are upset that "some sadness" wasn't an adequate way to express sorrow over NOLA might really be frustrated with Bush, who said he was "satisfied with the response" to the disaster, but "not the results".

They might also consider that the Dalai Lama, who has spent his entire life cultivating compassion and who could never be accused of being self-centered or cut off from world affairs, told a cheering crowd of tens of thousands in Central Park that he felt an emotional response to 9/11 for about 15-30 minutes. He said that he felt sorrow and kinship with the world in its suffering, but that one cannot become lost in emotion because it leads to blind reactivity and loss of objectivity.

We must examine our emotions and discover their sources. Are we angry because one person didn't write an apology for a disaster she didn't cause? Are we angry because we think our government should do more, but we've chosen not to hold our government accountable? Are we angry at the Americans who, out of desperation, are behaving like thugs and causing embarrassment and difficulty? And then are we angry at ourselves for being angry at people who are suffering? Are we angry because we are mortal, and life is fragile, and a hurricane or other disaster can take away what makes us feel secure?

Whatever it is, and it might be different for everyone, it helps NO ONE to direct that anger at the wrong source. Keri is not the President. She does not head up the emergency management agency. If you must vent your anger, how about writing a letter to FEMA asking them why they failed to respond to a disaster that was seen in advance? Why not write to Homeland Security asking them why they couldn't figure out how to evacuate a city, which would need to happen in the event of a terrorist or nuclear attack? Why not write to Bush and tell him to stop taking long vacations and to rethink his policies that send large numbers of National Guard troops overseas when we clearly need them at home?

Why not do something good for the environment, like walk instead of driving? Why not do something good for someone you know and love? Why not help a stranger? Why not say a kind word to someone who needs it? Why not write your own blog and express your sorrow for hurricane victims, if that's what you think the world needs?

Jonis,

It takes a lot of courage to accept and to embrace what you just did. I can understand and relate to your anger; there are times I feel it too. You did not offend me in the least bit; I just wanted to shared another side of the world with you. I don't believe that you need to look at any ugliness within you; your last post just showed us the beauty and the compassion of your heart.

Dear Keri,
I just want to say, that I come to your blog regulary and you always inspire me and give me hope (concerning my artistic and personal life). I am sitting here in Europe on my computer and I am so grateful that I can read your words over such a distance and I really admire how you handle this discussion. I am not so good in finding words for things which have real meaning for me in this foreign language but I totally agree with you and I really think we constantly need to see beautiful things in this world (and thats what you inspire me to do) to stay sane because only then we could be there for the people who need us.
Happy anniversary (and I was so happy to read that you and Jeff enjoyed your first day in the new place).
Katrin

Damien Andrews,
I read your post in the last comments section, but the fact is that I was very wrong and I owe Keri and anyone else offended a apology. I wrote from my own big base of hypocrisy and stupidity. I am so angry this week at what I see on TV and feel so helpless. I feel like we should stop the whole world right now and right the wrongs going on everywhere from Iraq to Africa to NO to South America and onward. But this post and comments made me realize Keri, this site represents what is still good in the world, the light in the darkness all around. I better go find my flashlight and take a good look at my own ugliness. I was mean and wrong.

I guess I will jump in here on the other side of the 'debate'. I have enjoyed your journal very much but I was a little surprised when I read the journal entry in question. I was surprised that feeling "some sadness" was framed as a little detail of your day, like you might mention stubbing your toe or going grocery shopping. I don't think it was meant that way but it was the way it was almost trivialised that gave me pause. I think if it hadn't been mentioned at all, no one would have said anything. What bothered me (and it did bother me) was how it was mentioned. For me, and I think for many others, what is happening in New Orleans and the rest of the Gulf Coast has occupied my thoughts for most of the past few days. It's not that it is wrong to feel joy now, it's just that it doesn't seem right to reduce such a tragedy to a simple line item. And while people from all walks of life were affected, many of the people left behind in New Orleans *were* and *are* the voiceless who have gone unnoticed that you speak of -- the poor, the elderly, the infirm. I don't think anyone is trying to make you accountable for all the pain in the world, nor do I think that Americans now are displaying this "American ethnocentricity". When something like this happens to people you know (or who look like the people you pass every day on the streets) and places you've been, you feel it more acutely. And that is only human.

OHMIGOD. Ok, people. It is like this:

Keri, a very good person by all accounts, wrote a summary of her day on her personal blog, and one of the emotions she experienced was sadness about a recent natural disaster.

A very mean, nasty person ripped on her for not devoting the whole post to the disaster.

And then it turned into a tempest in a teacup.

Keri is not responsible for saving the world and I hope everyone giving her grief takes a step back and takes a look at themselves to see what pleasure or need they fulfill in themselves by adding more hatred to the world.

If we all just treated each other with more kindness, well, I think you can figure out the rest.

Can we move on now?

hi keri and all who visit her blog,
I have enjoyed visiting the wish jar journal for a while now and have never felt need to make a comment. However, reading the passionate and divisive comments of the last two days has urged me to make comment of my own.
As a compassionate and politically aware person, I feel all tragedies, local and global, with immense empathy, and the hurricane suffered by the people of new orleans and surroundig areas, is no exception. As an animal lover, I am also very distressed about the animals that have lost their lives as a result. However, as has been said, living is about suffering as much as it is about joy. Life is a connundrum and filled with contradictions and extremes. Just as the person we love the most can at times be the person we despise passionatly, so too in this life we see great happiness existing alongside immense despair, great beauty alongside destruction, and plenty alongside poverty...i am not saying that these co-existing extremes are right or just, but the fact is, they occur in our current world and in our individual every-day lives...there is only a limited amount to whch our empathic hearts and minds can be filled with the sadness and despair in the world, before becoming overloaded, burnt-out and ineffectual. If you try to care about and do something about everything, you end up doing nothing at all. Additionally it is imperitive that we find love, happiness and balance in our own lives if we are to be effective in bringing about positive change in our world. When we are able to find and experience that peace and happiness in our own lives, it is a fact that should be celebrated, not condemned. It seems to me that those so quick to criticise and 'point the finger' are doing so at the wrong person ...if anyone should be blamed , criticised and held accountable in the face of the current disaster it is the war hungry government of the USA who sink millions into killing other nations and fail to respond adequately when thousands of their own people need urgent help.
Peace to you all.

Thank you Keri for sharing your thoughts in this journal. All of the thoughts that you choose to share. Please don't get caught up in the idea that it is better to temper your joy and expand your sorrow. We all experience life differently. No one really has the right or the power to tell you how to feel, when to feel, or to what degree. The only thing we really can do is be the change we want to see.

"Is it your responsibilty to force your own feelings onto me?" I don't think it was about that, Keri. It was your choice of words "some sadness", that were not very well chosen.

awwww . . . does anyone really believe that sitting in your house and feeling all cruddy for something going on actually helps anyone? one of the things that I have always loved about you (what I know of you thru your site of course :) is that you aren't a wallower. You aren't afraid to reveal funk, your living is far from perfect, and yet you go again and again to the positive, the hopeful, the next possible Yes. I salute you. And join you in your joyfullness. And I'm pretty dang sure that Life/God/Spirit would agree . . . :)

This whole discussion reminded me of an entry I recently read in the delightful- Ben Lee's blog:
www.ben-lee.com/blog.htm

I thought I should let it speak for itself:

"praise works in the exact same way. it does not reflect on the thing we are praising - but rather on our own ability to see goodness. when i hear somebody pray fervently and enthusiastically, i do not learn more about the thing they are praying to (usually god), i learn more about THEM. i learn about the qualities they value and admire. i learn about their ability to see the good in life.

when you praise me/other musicians/each other on this board, try to realize that what you are saying is actually about yourself. you are only capable of seeing and praising that which you already are. so dont worry about inflating my ego - i do not take your praise personally! it is your individual unique expression of your own divine qualities!

while i dont want to spend too much time on this subject, it is important to mention that criticism works in the exact same way: you only criticize yourself. when we judge, it reflects on us, not on the thing we are judging. so dont worry about everyone else's path, there is no need to criticize it. none of us know what is right or wrong for someone else. keep your eyes on your own path, and realize that everything you see is yourself."

I think your blog is great Keri.
It is a wonderful gift you share, when you continue to stand by your choice of revealing your personal truth.

I find such inspiration in your writings Keri, and I really enjoyed this post. *smile*

I can't help but notice that the person who started this whole dialogue hasn't posted any comments since. Keri has certainly stepped up to the plate to respond to everyone's thoughts and ideas honestly, but this person has not. I applaud Keri for sitting still with this discussion, thinking it through with an open mind and an open heart, and sharing that journey with all of us.

I decided to catch up on your journal entries and I was stunned at the comments that were made. I live in Baton Rouge and went through Hurricane Katrina. I am also in the middle of the devastation, as Baton Rouge is being filled up with refugees from New Orleans. We are now the largest city in Louisiana because of this. I work at a library and when we went back to work yesterday, the day was filled with people desperate to find loved ones and to find aid to try to start their lives over. These people lost everything. Who among the commentators are directly experiencing the trauma first hand? None? I didn't think so. Keri should not spend her first anniversary dwelling on the tragedies of the world. If she did, she would just sit at home crying all day every day. She noted her sadness at the situation, but is not dwelling on it. I am as liberal and activist-minded as they get, but what is with this self-righteous diatribe against someone writing in her own journal. It is called the Wish Jar Journal, is it not? In case you don't know what journals are, they are a place in which a person writes about his or her daily thoughts and activities. To call someone selfish for doing so in their own journal is downright ignorant. And if you are so offended by someone not going on and on about this tragedy, why don't you get off your ass and come down here and help instead of shooting off your misplaced opinions. You obviously feel some kind of personal inadequacy. Why don't you stop projecting your feelings of inadequacy and do something constructive. To the person who mentioned this all was due to oil drilling in the gulf, yes, a small portion could be attributed to that, but last year Hurricane Ivan destroyed the barrier islands along the coast of Louisiana. That, and the fact that Katrina was a Category 5( That means sustained winds over 145 miles per hour. The storm itself lasts the better part of a day.), was the biggest reason for extent of the damage. We should reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, but that also is not the point.
The people who were griping should start their own blog if they want the content to be political. We need lightness in our lives, especially during the trying times we are in. Keri's blog is one of the places I am turning.

Your blog is the only one I regularly read because I know I am not going to be hit over the head with your opinions. You eloquently write about your life in ways that are wonderfully honest. I appreciate what you share and how you do it. Congrats on one year of marriage and continuing happiness to you both.

Hi Keri,

Welcome to your new home. I enjoy your blog *very much* and appreciate the openness and thought you put into your entries (particularly today's). Thank you for sharing yourself with this community.

I read your entries most days from my desk here at work. You don't have anything to justify or explain or defend. I was just reading the comments of the past 2 days after reading your entry today and I see bits and pieces of myself in every single post. The beauty, the gratitude, the contradictions, the anger, the love- thank you for reminding me about Anne Frank's words- true then, and true right now.Theres enough time in every day to light a candle and say a prayer of support for those in need, AND to skip down the street, arm in arm with someone we love. One act is not more important than the other.

Keri~ I was stunned to find the debate that had ensued over your last post, especially after having been so delighted to read of the sweetness you've experienced since your arrival at your new home! I've identified so much with all of the tugs at the heart you've been feeling about your move and loved reading that it's all culminated in such a positive way! I hope that the negative comments have not cast a pall on these life events that you have every right to enjoy and express gratitude for. And I don't think these expressions in any way downplayed your compassion for those in New Orleans. What is happening there is indeed heartbreaking, and I think you acknowledged that. What is interesting to me is that this reaction to what you said seems to be based solely in the fact that you stated your feelings simply. And what would have happened had you not expressed these feelings at all? I seriously doubt anyone would have written in to criticize you for it...also, there would have been no forum for your readers' own expressions of compassion and urgings for others to get involved. Negativity is so counterproductive - though I think the passion with which they care is admirable, I can't help wanting to chastise those readers who took their opportunity to connect and rally support on this front and transformed it into something hateful. I do hope it won't inhibit you from continuing to write with the honesty and openness that I value so much in your work. You put out so much good, Keri! Thank you for giving voice to both the beauty and the challenges you experience.

Thank you for addressing the comments in the last couple days. It was a beautiful post. Yesterday's unjustified comment made me so mad on so many levels. It gives us all a little more courage when we see someone else standing up for themselves. We can't hold the weight of the world. To feel empathy of the suffereing of the world does not mean you have to live in sorrow.

i like what you said about finding joy in the midst of suffering. sometimes it is very easy to find yourself feeling guilty enjoying what you have when you know that others are lacking so much.

maybe if we learn one thing from this disaster is that we need to grab life and enjoy it while we can because we just don't know when things will change.

Jen,
That is a very important point you just made. It is natural that we respond to things that are closer to us, and I think we are all guilty of having less empathy with things we cannot see or relate to. I do not want to imply that I do it better or even well.

I would say to you that it HAS happened to me on my own turf, I have lost many people who was close to, experienced great trauma in various forms. (No I have not experienced a natural disaster), but my point was more that suffering is suffering, who are we to judge that one is any worse than the other. It is a personal thing how we each respond to different situations.

"As someone who is not American you must understand that at times it appears that "some" of you are saying, "My pain is greater that your pain?"

People felt rotten during the Tsunami and posted about it then, too. Canadians did to some extent, too. But when it happens on your own turf, of course it's going to feel even worse, and people in other countries are not going to care as much as if it happened on their own turf. What I'm trying to say is that you feel rotten when someone you don't know dies & it's brought to your attention. But when you know that person personally, there is some sort of tie, that makes the pain even worse.

If it happens to your country, keri, during your life time, and you are in the midst of it, you will know what I mean.

In the mean time, let's move to Canada because they don't have this constant mess of things going on over there. They'll whip us into shape and teach us how to stay out of trouble properly. :)

Not sure that Canadians even want us, though. Not sure I wouldn't blame them. :(

As a US citizen, let me apologize for Jonis in the last set of comments. How embarrassing that this person couldn't just click onto the next blog, where apologia regarding Katrina is abounding. My prayer is that this person will learn that one usually reaps what one sows in the world.
Thanks for the positive energy that you sow through your blog, Keri.

I feel quite sad that on the last post someone made a comment like, "I was looking for inspiration and I found X (referring to your "apathy" to suffering in New Orleans)." What did that person think, that by writing a comment like that s/he could bring a little bit of beauty or inspiration into your life? I am sorry that you were subjected to so many negative comments.

I FIND INSPIRATION REGULARLY FROM YOU.

Thank you for having the courage to directly address the comments yesterday. The flurry of comments stimulated an interesting discussion between my husband and I (fellow Canadians living in California). You make an excellent point that the readers cannot (and should not) influence your writing.

Happy Anniversary. Good luck settling in!

I can't imagine what you must have felt at having to defend yourself on your own blog. I too wanted to comment about those who try to influence their will or feelings on others. Who are we to say what you feel or do not feel? For those who question or demand certain answers or responses remember this: We only see as much about someone as they will allow us to see.

Last time I checked this is Keri's space. She can say as little or as much as she wants. Life is indeed about suffering. Sometimes I think we forget that. By the way, I hope that you will be able to continue to enjoy and soak in your new surroundings.

Dear Keri - you are an amazing human being. I love, grow and am inspired by your writing and creativity every day. You are deeply caring, honest, kind, loving being. It is not for anyone else to dictate any part of your life, your emotions, your responses, your vision, your beliefs. This is your right and privilege and I am so honored that you share it with us.

i was just coming back to your site to make a comment on the other entry to find this new one. it had something to do with what you call "cast the net of empathy" mixed with the question of how to cherish a life lost if you don´t cherish your own at times, and so on, i am glad you wrote what you wrote because i, at other times, cannot be stopped from writing too much (embarrassingly so), and so here i just want to let you know how grateful i am that you let your readers have a plattform for their own feelings and outpourings without neglecting them - even when it must be painful for you. it sets quite an example for me that you let all the sides speak to you and than find your own position in them. i am happy to hear you arrived at your new place and i wish you everything best!