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Congressman John Lewis

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(@lovendures)
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Rep. John Lewis announced he had stage 4 pancreatic cancer today.  He plans to return to Washington to continue working and to undergo treatment.  

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/rep-john-lewis-undergo-treatment-stage-4-pancreatic-cancer-n1108331


   
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(@lovendures)
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A heart lifting story.

I happened to catch this live on my car radio Sunday and started to get very emotional. 

I love this man! Reading his words below is one things, but when I heard him speak live, my soul was touched so deeply.  The journalist who was covering the event live was shocked when Lewis got out of his car and began to speak.  

From USA TODY:

Rep. John Lewis, who was attacked with tear gas and police’s billy clubs on Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama, in 1965, made an unexpected, inspiring appearance at the 55th anniversary remembrance of the protest, leading marchers across the Edmund Pettus Bridge on Sunday.

Lewis, who was recently diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, was not expected to be at the event until an announcement from his office the morning of the final day of Jubilee, the annual events marking the voting rights protests in Selma.

“I thought I was going to die on this bridge. But somehow and some way, god almighty helped me here," he said of what he experienced 55 years ago. 

Lewis then told the crowd on the bridge to keep fighting today. 

"We must keep the faith, keep our eyes on the prize," he said. "We must go out and vote like we never ever voted before. Some people gave more than a little blood. Some gave their very lives." 


   
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(@jeanne-mayell)
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The lessons we have learned from the late John Lewis keep piling in.  

I perked up when I read about his 1963 speech at the tender age of 23 after he'd been asked in advance to tone it down. Civil Rights leaders had asked him to tone down what he was going to say. They were were afraid he'd offend the white dominant culture. But, true to himself and those he spoke for, he said it anyway.

I wish people would not tone it down. The only time I felt Trump et al were afraid of the left was when 18 year old Emma Gonzales made her I Call Bullshit! speech after the Parkland shootings.

Thank you, John Lewis, for not toning it down in 1963 so we could remember that lesson today. 

He was the last living leader who spoke at that event, on the steps of the Lincoln Monument before hundreds of thousands, where Martin Luther King gave his I have a Dream speech.  

https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2020/07/18/john-lewis-was-last-living-speaker-march-washington-civil-rights-leaders-asked-him-tone-it-down/?


   
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(@bluebelle)
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@jeanne-mayell @Lovendures

During my meditation channeling today, John Lewis came up.  I asked Spirit what I should share with the forum:

Everyone is facing fear.  Fear is an emotion.  Resolve is something else altogether.  We can acknowledge our fears without falling into despair.  Treat your fear and doubts with an application of resolve.  Resolve to be steadfast in opposition.  Resolve to use your voice to speak out and influence those around you.  Resolve to persevere through the hard times, the scary times.  Think of John Lewis.  Think of his suffering and his inner resolve.  Think of his perseverance.  His life’s work did make a difference in the lives of black Americans.  Think of the example he set.  His work was not finished, but we are still here and we can work for  racial equality and racial justice.  More opportunities will be available for us next year.  This time we are living in is the darkness before the dawn and the dawn is most definitely coming.  Persevere.


   
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(@share)
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@bluebelle what a positive vision.  I agree there’s so much fear and anger that’s ready to erupt within all of us but it’s how we allow the eruption to take place is the key.  Our voices and actions are so powerful and it’s time to avert this anger and fear towards positive change.  Thank you for sharing your scared space with Rep Lewis.

 

 

 

 

share the love and light 


   
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(@lovendures)
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@bluebelle

That is simply beautifully!

Thank  you Bluebelle!


   
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(@pikake)
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@bluebelle Thank you. Resolve and persevere, following in the footsteps of heroes like John Lewis. That’s our call to duty.


   
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(@michele-b)
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If Lewis’s legacy is to be summed up in a succinct way, if his immense and enduring gift to the generations is to be bowed with a single ribbon, it would be these passages from his 2012 memoir Across That Bridge: Life Lessons and a Vision of Change

"Our actions entrench the power of the light on this planet.

Every positive thought we pass between us makes room for more light.

And if we do more than think, then our actions clear the path for even more light.

That is why forgiveness and compassion must become more important principles in public life."


   
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(@michele-b)
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His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Statement on the Passing of Congressman John Lewis

The 14th Dalai Lama:

"I am saddened to learn of the passing of Congressman John Lewis. He was not only a leader of the American civil rights movement; his principled commitment to non-violence and justice made him an inspiration and a moral beacon to the world at large.
Like millions of people throughout the world I am an admirer of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Whenever I talk about non-violence, I cite the examples of Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Dr. Martin Luther King. Congressman Lewis not only knew Dr. King, but also gave him crucial support. Although I did not have the privilege of meeting Dr. King myself, in meeting Congressman Lewis, I feel have made a direct connection with him.
Through his principled adherence to the fundamental democratic values of liberty, equality and justice, Congressman Lewis won admiration even among those who did not share his political outlook. In the course of many years of public service, he inspired many Americans to take up the cause of justice and peace through non-violence. Although he is no more, his personal example remains to inspire Americans to make their country and the wider world a better place for everyone.

With my prayers,
Dalai Lama"

https://www.dalailama.com/news/2020/his-holiness-the-dalai-lamas-statement-on-the-passing-of-congressman-john-lewis-usa


   
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(@lovendures)
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I was able to watch/listen to  most of the funeral for John Lewis.

So inspiring.  So beautiful.  A perfect moment in time.

I am inspired to get into good trouble.

I am inspired about a lot of things today.  

Thank you John Lewis for your devotion to this country.


   
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(@deetoo)
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@lovendures,

I watched the funeral as well.  Beautiful and inspiring.  Did you get a chance to hear Obama's eulogy?  Talk about a call to action!  Obama did not mince words.  In the spirit of John Lewis, it was a treatise on American democracy, and what we need to do to preserve it.


   
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(@ghandigirl)
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I watched and stood with the congregants with my hand on my heart. (My cat stared at me...) and I sang along, because I am a singer and it felt wonderfully healing. A much needed dose of reality served in loving kindness. 


   
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(@unk-p)
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@ghandigirl Jennifer Holliday was practically levitating. I will have to go see if the two songs she sang today are posted up on youtube yet, so i can link to them

 

 

edited because i said "Judy", but meant Jennifer, lol


   
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(@lowtide)
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@jeanne-mayell

Re: toning it down...Prophets never tone it down. Prophets are vessels through which the Truth emanates loud and clear.

Let those who have ears, hear. 

I think those who have been led to this place with you recognize the voices of the Prophets. How blessed we are!

 


   
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(@jeanne-mayell)
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@lowtide Wonderful thoughts. Makes me feel so alive.


   
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