Thursday, March 5, 2009

When The Universe Speaks

Anger is a powerful emotion, rage is “hawt” and a good rant is almost as good as good sex.

But …

Woman can not live by rage alone. In responding to comments on yesterday’s post I mentioned the unholy trio of humor and irony and snark - and trust me – I love them and I’ll never forsake them.

But …

Sometimes the universe sends you a signal. Actually the universe is always sending signals; we’re just too busy to receive. I woke up really early this morning and decided to watch The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. He’s always on my DVR. Expecting the usual hilarity I was a bit disappointed to see his guest would be Archbishop Desmond Tutu. I thought I wasn’t in the mood for any serious talk. How silly of me to underestimate both of them.

Their conversation was wonderful. Craig proved again that he can talk to anyone about anything and I was reminded once more that Desmond Tutu is a lovely man. He has a wonderful giggling laugh and tells fantastic stories.

At one point in their conversation Craig was rewarded by Father Tutu with a gentle pat on the hand and a brilliant smile for this quote …

“Resentment is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die”

I have seen this quote attributed to author and all around rascal Malachy McCourt.

Craig and Archbishop Tutu continued their conversation about the balance of good and evil, about the resiliency of the human spirit and about the grace required to achieve true freedom.


In a complete full circle moment, as Oprah would say, a friend called me to remind me that today was the day Ken Starr was going to court to continue his assault on gay families. He was planning on watching live feed with his husband and children and was just touching base with me since he claims that, in the past, I have made him feel calmer and given him something to hold on to. I told him about my rant from yesterday and then told him I had just watched Craig and Archbishop Tutu.

He loved that I mentioned Tutu since it reminded him of this …

Archbishop Tutu has vocally challenged discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. In a 2004 article in The Times (London), he condemned persecution on the basis of sexual orientation, comparing it to apartheid. "We struggled against apartheid in South Africa, supported by people the world over, because black people were being blamed and made to suffer for something we could do nothing about—our very skins," he wrote. "It is the same with sexual orientation. It is a given. I could not have fought against the discrimination of apartheid and not also fight against the discrimination that homosexuals endure, even in our churches and faith groups."

And that made him - and me - feel stronger.

If you would like to see the Craig and Archbishop Tutu episode go HERE

If you would like to help protect my friend’s family and all the others from Ken Starr and people like him you can sign a petition HERE

While there click on the ‘Launch The Wall’ button – the lies and ugliness there needs to be drowned out. The darkness there needs to have a giant light shining down upon it.

And on we go …



the photo of Craig and Father Tutu is from The Late Late Show site linked above
the photo of that beautiful family is from The Huffington Post

36 comments:

Linda Reeder said...

Well, done. Channeling outrage into positive action.

gabrielle said...

I usually just watch Craig's monologue and go to bed. When he announced that Bishop Desmond Tutu would be his guest for the hour, I got my bag of ginger snaps and settled in. What a beautiful show! At once, light and serious and utterly engaging. Wasn’t Craig’s chess joke about bishops moving diagonally hilarious. And then the bishop saying, “I’m just glad to be here but I think you’re crazy”. I love Desmond Tutu giggling at Craig's irrepressible humor. And how reverent Craig can be when sitting with a person of such grace and wisdom. Truly an inspiring exchange between two people I hold in high esteem. Thanks for posting.
You capture it so well.

Kaylia Metcalfe said...

Amen sister.

I was trying to watch it here at work.. but.. no dice.

bobbie said...

A terrific quote about resentment. Gotta try to remember it more often!

Cherie said...

I watched the show this morning as well. Listening to Father Tutu giggling sent me into hysterics. It was a wonderful way to begin the day. I could listen to him for hours on end. I want to be like him when I grow up. :)

Jay said...

I've seen Tutu on many different shows. He's a very engaging and thoughtful person. And he has a surprisingly great sense of humor.

Raven said...

Desmond Tutu is truly special. Wonderful post. I think I'll hop over and watch the interview. Glad you are feeling a bit better today.

Dianne said...

linda - I try ;)

gabrielle - we would have so much fun watching CF together!!
I loved when Tutu shushed Craig !!! And Craig looked like a little boy - he does need to be shushed at times doesn't he. It killed me when Bill Maher asked him why be bothered having guests - he really wants to do it all himself.

kay - I am so looking forward to hearing how last night was - hugs sister :)

bobbie - it is a wonderful quote. I first heard it when Susan St. James was interviewed about her son's death in the plane crash - she amazes me anyway - now I have 2 reasons/ways to remember it

cherie - his giggling is infectious and gives him such an approachable air - he really made my day!! And I adore "serious Craig"

jay - he is and he does!! I could almost see myself going to church if he were there :)

raven - I had some kind of a spiritual renewal last night - in very large part to Archbishop Tutu - and in remembering my place in the world. My friend's children are so upset over Prop 8 - they feel so let down, so betrayed ...
I hope you enjoy the interview - they are wonderful together - I couldn't picture any other late night guy except Dave ever doing an interview like this.

Vinny "Bond" Marini said...

You inspire me with these posts...

jaycoles@gmail.com said...

Archbishop Tutu is one of my heroes. I watched it live last night. (Well as live as any TV is these days) - Thanks for the great post about it. You always do so well.

Queen-Size funny bone said...

I signed...

Daryl said...

I signed .. oh and if you want to keep feeling better watch Jon Stewart's interview with Sandra Day O'Connor ... there was one question I wish he'd asked: WHY did you'all get involved in the 2000 chad debacle .. it was NOT under the Supreme's jusidiction.

Since that day I have no respect for the court or the justices.. and Roberts only affirmed my feelings when he fluffed President Obama's swearing in

Betty said...

Ken Starr is what a friend of mine used to call "one of the maggots of society."

San said...

Great post. I too believe in the healthy purgative effect of a good rant. But you (and the good archbishop) are right in that holding on to the rage, re-visiting it, again and again, can be self-poisoning.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful post about a wonderful interview, Dianne. I was moved to tears several times during the interview and in awe of what a gentle man the Archbishop is. And he and Craig seemed to be having so much fun together, which I thought was extraordinary.

I love the quote you posted about him fighting discrimination that homosexuals endure, just as he fought the discrimination of apartheid. That was beautiful. It hit home even more for me this weekend as my husband and I sat in a lovely restaurant with two very good friends who happen to be gay. At one point during the evening, my husband leaned over and kissed me and our friends reminded us that they couldn't do that. I felt such a sadness, not only for them, but for our society. . .

Dianne said...

bond - what a lovely thing to tell me, thank you

jay s- but Craig's show is always "live" - "in your time zone" hehehehehe
It was such a wonderful show!!

queen size funny - thank you! you're a good soul

daryl - and so are you! I just finished watching the last 3 episodes of TDS - I needed my Jon fix
She was great, "just a cow girl"
The entire chad situation was horrific

betty - yes he is, your friend had a way with words ;)

san - I love that you've been visiting more often, I have to get over to your place - I blog in spurts depending on my comfort and sanity level ;)
reading me and tutu in the same sentence just gave me chills :)

lisa - oh my I miss you!! I think of the forum days and miss you, how wonderful that you stopped here
Craig was so lovely with the gentle archbishop - they were perfect together
what is happening to my friend in CA makes me sad and angry - they had such a beautiful wedding and their children were so happy - it's just wrong
love ya lady

Unknown said...

What a very wise man he is. Mean people suck and that is all.

Sylvia K said...

Mean people do indeed suck! I've signed the petition. I'll make note of it on my blog.

Dianne said...

pagan - yep! they do suck.

sylvia - thank you for all you do! all the time!!
you're a good soul

Anonymous said...

Oh boy, you got me in tears again - Tutu is of course a hero of the best sort who is an example to all and my respect for him has grown ever more so as he continues to fight even now, in post Apartheid South Africa, which is in grave danger of losing it's way as it lurches through immensely traumatic and painful early democratic days.

Bless you for blogging this. We can all take inspiration from this wonderful, intelligent, funny and above all, good man.

Glad he made you feel a bit more positive. He's like that!

Anonymous said...

I miss you, too, Dianne! I don't have much time to participate in the forums myself these days. Life has not become any less "daily." Soon, soon. . . But I miss the old days of the old gang. We had fun, didn't we? LOL!

I do visit your blog often, I just don't comment often. By the time I get around to reading your posts, there have so many wonderful comments made that I never really feel as though I have anything to add.

I read, though, and, as always, I enjoy your spirit--ranting or peaceful. :)

Love you, too, Di. Let's hope the country comes to its senses soon for the sake of your friends and mine and all the other perfectly happy families out there who would like to be recognized by society.

Anonymous said...

P.S. Did I ever tell you about the dream I had about Tutu years and years ago? He was dressed in a pink Tutu parading around in an establishment called "The Tutu Palace." How's that for a disturbing image? So wrong on so many levels. LOL!

Schmoop said...

Ha. That is a great quote, and undeniable true. Cheers Di!!

Ivanhoe said...

Signed, sealed, delivered :o)
Have a wonderful weekend, Di!

Bobkat said...

That sounds like a wonderful programme. I will have to try and come back and watch it via the link you give when I have more time.

Can non US citizens sign the petition?

Billie Greenwood said...

Great comment on resentment! I will go sign the petition now.

Linda Murphy said...

Thanks for including this-I missed the show and appreciated the recap.

Off to sign the petition to help drown out the ugliness.

Travis Cody said...

I love that quote. I'm going to try and remember it when I'm getting irritated with traffic.

And the thing I am constantly learning from our new President is to channel my outrage into action. The more we work at requiring equality, the more likely we are to attain it for all.

j said...

That quote was wonderful. I am going to watch the interview now.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

BRAVO to you, dear Dianne. This Ken Starr A**hole makes my Blood Boil....He is part of the "SPHINCTER POLICE", perhaps maybe even The Head of The Sphincter Police...(A term coined in the movie "Pretty Woman", which seems so very appropriate for all those who would legislate how other people love and live....)
I will never ever understand those people. Of course, Pepperdine, where Mr. Starr works, is a Christian School...But it is beyond me how these people can call themselves "Christians" and be so very very Un-Christ like. OY VEY. Deliver us all from the Religeous Zealots!

Anonymous said...

I just love Archbishop Desmond Tutu - I would give my right arm to meet him. That's a great blog entry, thanks so much.

Michelle O'Neil said...

Wow. The Tutu quote is so powerful. Wonderful post.

RiverPoet said...

Ah, just one of the many things I like about you, Dianne. I had already signed the petition, but I wanted to voice my support here again. My niece is married to her partner. My best friend married her partner. So many of my chosen family deserve to be treated equally, and that goes for me, too, should I ever find that right woman.

Peace - D

Mare said...

That was a great post. I really enjoyed the whole thiing. Liked the 'poison quote'.
Hope you are feeling better.

Anonymous said...

“Resentment is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die”
Oh, I like that!! Good thing isn't it... letting that rage for for a bit. I had to; it was killing me. It left a big hole though, and I'm still trying to find good stuff to take up the space it left. The anger is so much easier to access. Thanks for this.

CG said...

Great post. That quote about resentment; I need to have that tattooed on me somewhere I can always see it!!