Where to Now?

Sometime in December and January we began the active promotion of empowerment. That is, the progressive process of adapting a mind-set of self-determination. We also began emphasizing that our ultimate objective was to go out of business, as a Support Group. We did not want to create dependency but support to integrate back into American society wherever that was appropriate. Whenever first-timers would come to our meetings this idea of self-sufficiency was foreign. It sounded like we had no empathy and compassion for what they had gone through. Quite the contrary. We felt that having people move to proactivity meant taking control of their lives. What better gift could we offer!

Many of the meetings turned into workshops. These workshops involved the mental transformation necessary for the displaced citizens' adaptation. Again, Ernest handled the day-to-day stuff during the week and Pastor Davis handled the spiritual stuff on Sundays. When many of those displaced learned that FEMA was planning to cut housing and food support, local Utah services stepped in. They attended our meetings. Listened to hours of frustration that had nothing to do with them. And handled these conversations with empathy, compassion, and love.

I have not heard a single complaint from any of those displaced about their treatment in Utah. On the contrary, they all stated how supportive the people of Utah have been. Most of them arrived here with the same prejudice (pre-judgement) I had when I first joined the faculty at the University of Utah. What's been even more surprising is that even after a year and all the publicity worn-off, the acceptance and support are still there.

My assessment is that the vast majority of those displaced here are rapidly moving toward a place of deciding "Where-to-Now." That is what we were attempting to accomplish with the Support Group. Next Monday (August 28th), there will be an anniversary celebration at Calvary Baptist Church at 6:30 P.M. Everyone is invited. Afterward, we will assess where we are and how do we go forward.

Next week I will be starting an online workshop for "adventurous spirits" who are interested in "going deep" with respect to inner exploration of your creative and spiritual consciousness. The workshop title is "Exploring the Depths of Inner Consciousness: The Next Scientific Paradigm." Be sure to tell your friends to tune in.

Bill