Saturday, April 14, 2007

Canada's Conscience..........our own Saint June


"The heart is never "successful." It does not want power, honours, privilege or efficacy; it seeks a personal relationship with another, a communion of hearts, which is the to-and-fro of love. This opening of the heart implies vulnerability and the offering of our needs and weaknesses. The heart gives and receives but above all, it gives. The heart goes out to those who are humble and who cry out in the weakness and their need for understanding and love. It is the human heart and its need for communion that weakens the walls of ideology and prejudice. It leads us from closedness to openness, from the illusion of superiority to vulnerability and humility. Because of this instead of finding security in the group we find it in our hearts, which have found a new inner strength, a real maturity."

Jean Vanier,
an excerpt from his book entitled Becoming Human.


Today, we mourn the loss of a beautiful Canadian woman who lived, advocated, created and from her own vulnerable compassionate heart. The legacy of humanity and goodness June Callwood leaves behind is beyond remarkable. She was a feisty role model who stood up for others more vulnerable that herself through her actions and her beautifully written words.

Serendipitously, I had read the above passage from Jean Vanier's book last night and was taken by the very idea that we need to redefine what success is in our society. The words quickly resurfaced this morning when I heard the news that Callwood had passed away. Vanier could've been thinking of his friend June Callwood when he penned the words because they fit her approach to her life passions.

June Callwood redefined success in our society.

To read more of June Callwood, go here and here. She truly was and is inspiring.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

I love when I come across these gems...new inspirational quotes and people to become absorbed in.
Thank you for sharing. I can't wait to check out her stuff.
It parallels something I have been thinking about. When I graduated from HS I gave a speech and it was all abot success. Oh, how my definition of success has changed in 11 years. I am so grateful for the awareness that has come my way and love to come across others (many reside here amoung my blogging friends) who define success 'unconventionally'.

Michael K. Althouse said...

She looks a little like Jimmy Carter, doesn't she?

Mike

awareness said...

hey Tori....June Callwood's life story is not only interesting, but affirming. I highly recommend that you check out the links as a route to finding more about her. Her writing and her activism are quite inspiring. I grew up watching and learning from her actions.

Her strong beliefs gave her the foundation to shake things up a bit. She wasn't well liked by the establishment, but had much support by others.....and eventually as she age, many of the establishment turned their thinking to recognize the good work she was able to do despite their protestations.

Hey Mike......yeah, she could be related. Their smiles and sparkle are the same........as are their personal philosophies. Both are doers. Apathy doesn't come into the mind with those two.