Sedona City Talk

By Councilor Mark DiNunzio

Sedona AZ (September 27, 2011) – As I listened to a lecture about the vital importance of healthy, active citizen civic involvement at a conference of cities and towns recently, I found myself remembering a lesson that Jack Kornfield is fond of sharing through a parable. It seems an appropriate reminder for us a decade after the terror and trauma of 9/11 and as we face the upcoming votes on SR 89A referendum and initiative.

I’d like to share it with you:

A stranger walked toward the gates of a new city. By the side of the road sat an old, wise woman who hailed the traveler: “Welcome”.

“What kind of people are they who live here?” the traveler asked.

“How did you find them in the home city you left?” asked the wise woman.

“They were gossips, mean-spirited, and often selfish. Difficult to get along with.”

“You’ll find the people of this city to be likewise.”

Later a second stranger passed by and was welcomed by the old woman.

“What kind of people are they who live here?” the second traveler asked.

“How did you find them in your home city?”

“They were fine people—industrious, open-minded, and easy to get along with.”

“You’ll find the people of this city to be likewise.”

Simply put, the point of the story is that what we find in the world reflects the amount of love in our hearts for that is the place that our behavior comes from. Personally, I need to be reminded of the truth and wisdom of the story for I can be either of the visitors depending upon the amount of love in my heart for myself and my fellows at any given time. Sometimes I feel separate from and at odds with my neighbors and either withdraw from or argue with them. At other times I feel compassion and become part of my community, working with others for the common good.

Always, the choice is mine. For me, behaving from a place of gratitude and humility is much more rewarding and peaceful than being driven by pride and self-satisfaction. I prefer the former to the latter knowing that what we accomplish, or don’t, is no more important than how we behave as we do it!

Our city and our community are defined more by who we are as a people than by the Red Rocks. In the civic area, my direct experience has been that we are served and guided by a city staff of fine, industrious, open-minded people. It has been my pleasure to serve with them.

As fellow citizens, it is our duty to one degree or another to join with and support them by being responsible, respectful and kind as we engage in civic matters. Our civic involvement starts with and builds upon being informed on issues, by engaging friends in conversation about the issues, by registering to vote, by voting and by volunteering for community service as we can, no matter how small. Our payoff is the joy that comes from being a part of an effort with neighbors. We personally reap the benefits of the efforts of many.

So, each day as we awake and re-enter “the gates of our fair city” how will we find the people here? How will they find us? Thoughts worthy of quiet reflection.

These are the opinions of Mark DiNunzio and not necessarily those of the City Council.