Cross points

  I

Let me tell you a story. It began simply enough. How do I convey my idea to you? Sign language began to get the point across

We were busy, we still needed to share our story. From a distance, I couldn't see your hand sign but the smoke signal got your point across

So busy, the story was pressing, we didn't want to carry wood to the desert, so we developed a flag and semaphore system to get our point across

We stumbled about our busyness, and in stumbling we fell and discovered sound, “ouch” was a breakthrough to get our point across

Sounds became easier to spread across a distance, we found the echo, and then drum beats to help get our point across

Devices were crafted, and refined, to help carry the sound or the drum beats for greater distances to get our point across

  II

In the telling of our story, through all the developments, time was spent on coding, and decoding, the message to get the point across

What did this hand signal mean? “I don't think it means what you think it does” was a problem to be resolved to get our point across

Coordinating the meaning of this, or that, makes a difference. It takes time to do, and for those who spend the time; they get their point across

The more time coordinating, and preparing, the more it becomes easier to craft the message, and be successful, in getting the point across 

Gather, discuss, decide, produce, rinse and repeat, these are the all important steps to keep the energy focused on the flywheel to get the point across

The energy can become distracted, attention can shift, from focal point to focal point, instead of trusting the process to get the point across

So Sherlock, what comes next? Consider the sun will rise tomorrow. Keep the flywheel spinning so folks can get the next point across.

I struggled to complete this but a friend sent me a text that gave me the spark to do so. Thank you!

'please' should not be needed

   I

In the search for happiness is it enough to have stuff in your bowl, 

or to help those with empty bowls

Many streets pass over culverts where we have no clue they run underneath, yet that water is critical to our lives, with or without an empty bowl

 

While Franklin is considered an idyllic community, it is not immune from food insecurity; almost 10 percent of our neighbors regularly face an empty bowl

If all you have is a hammer, there should be only a few circumstances where that hammer can positively help someone with an empty bowl

The new building campaign was not about "just the building"; it was about how the Pantry will be better able to use the space it provides to help those with empty bowls

Our neighbors stories are many, varied, and deeply personal; we need to be respectful when helping someone with an empty bowl

   II

The UN has an internet vocabulary game that for every correct answer they help to provide grains of rice to someone with an empty bowl

FHS students have worked diligently, crafting ceramic bowls in various shapes, colors, and designs as a reminder of those with empty bowls

The student led Empty Bowl dinner gets folks together for soup and conversation to help create the awareness of those with empty bowls

The ceramics crafted for the silent auction are truly works of art, some practical, some glorious, all reminding us to help those with an empty bowl

Some indigenous languages had no equivalent for "please", food was meant to be shared, it was a cultural given that one was treated respectfully when one had an empty bowl

Recovering from the pandemic will take time, many folks may have been shocked to find out how close they were to facing an empty bowl 

In reeling from the shock, the hope is that folks will recognize how easy it is, that they too, can help someone with an empty bowl

For Brenna Johnson and the FHS Empty Bowls Club