Whose We Are

One way to measure the various stages we travel through from birth to advanced age is the use of “biological markers.” The expression is a convenient way to determine what is expected biologically from one stage of life to another. The “markers” for the elderly of our society paint a not-so-rosy picture. The “golden years” are not always glittering. The various losses we experience in our aging process are many. The losses include health, financial security, purpose, friends, and even identity. How can the aged among us survive these losses, even the loss of who we are? Our discussion in this episode explores ways in which we and our aged loved ones might find some stability and focus, even purpose, as we swim against the current of our “marker.” Download or listen to Aging Mindfully, episode 2: Do “biological markers” make us lose our identity?

Welcome to Aging Mindfully. These podcasts present an interdisciplinary dialogue between George Simms and Foster McCurley on opportunities and challenges connected with aging. George Simms has a special interest in the moral dimensions of medical decision making and the integration of the biological, psychological and spiritual aspects of aging. George has prepared himself well for this integration. He has a medical degree, a Ph.D. in human behavior, and a master’s degree in theology. Foster McCurley has two master degrees in theology and a Ph.D. in Assyriology. For the first half of Foster’s professional career, he served as a faculty member at a theological seminary. The latter half moved him to the theological challenges of social justice issues and to social ministry organizations of the Lutheran church, including seven years as a member of the Lutheran Disaster Response team. —————————- Download or listen to the introductory episode of Aging Mindfully here.

Yousaf Chaman talks about Oriental rugs and fair trade. " data-large-file="https://whoseweare.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/2009_promo_yousaf_web.jpg?w=500" class=" wp-image-179 " style="border:2px solid black;margin:2px;" title="2009_Promo_Yousaf_WEB" alt="Yousaf Chaman talks about Oriental rugs and fair trade." src="https://whoseweare.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/2009_promo_yousaf_web.jpg?w=159&h=239" width="159" height="239" srcset="https://whoseweare.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/2009_promo_yousaf_web.jpg?w=159 159w, https://whoseweare.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/2009_promo_yousaf_web.jpg?w=318 318w, https://whoseweare.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/2009_promo_yousaf_web.jpg?w=100 100w, https://whoseweare.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/2009_promo_yousaf_web.jpg?w=200 200w" sizes="(max-width: 159px) 100vw, 159px" />Yousaf Chaman talks about handknotted Oriental rugs, how they are made, and the importance of fair trade to the Pakistani artisans. Download or listen to Whose We Are, episode 4: Building Foundations. My guest for this podcast is Yousaf Chaman, the director of the Oriental Rug Program at Ten Thousand Villages, the largest fair trade organization in North America. A native of Lahore, Pakistan, Yousaf has spent many years learning first-hand from skilled artisans about the ancient art of Oriental rugs. In those years, he has seen the difference that fair trade makes in the lives of artisans. A business and economics graduate of Punjab University in Lahore, Yousaf blends his passion about Oriental rugs and social justice. When he walks onto the sales floor at Ten Thousand Villages, he brings that passion with him as he talks about how fair trade empowers the artisans (women and men) in the villages of Pakistan. Yousaf, who is fluent in Urdu, English, Punjabi and sign language, gives frequent seminars on how fair trade impacts global relations and lays the building blocks for peace. He is an articulate speaker, passionate about his work, and delights crowds with his knowledge of Oriental rugs and the people and culture of Pakistan. Yousaf talks about the origins of the artisan group called Bunyaad (the Urdu word meaning “foundation”), and he discusses how the group became connected with Ten Thousand Villages. He speaks of how the artisans benefit from working through a fair trade organization and the expectations for high quality products. Of particular importance is Yousaf’s discussion of the benefits to the communities where the rug artisans live. Like Greg Mortenson who is cultivating peace through schools he builds in Pakistan and Afghanistan, so is Bunyaad providing dignity through fair trade and economic development to the more than 850 families who are part of the artisan group. In Pakistan, in August 2004, we met Khalida who ties beautiful oriental rugs. " data-large-file="https://whoseweare.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/d-village-people16-khalida-and-us.jpg?w=500" class="size-medium wp-image-197" title="D Village people16 Khalida and us" alt="In Pakistan, in August 2004, we met Khalida who ties beautiful oriental rugs." src="https://whoseweare.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/d-village-people16-khalida-and-us.jpg?w=300&h=225" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://whoseweare.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/d-village-people16-khalida-and-us.jpg?w=300 300w, https://whoseweare.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/d-village-people16-khalida-and-us.jpg?w=600 600w, https://whoseweare.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/d-village-people16-khalida-and-us.jpg?w=150 150w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Khalida, who makes handknotted Oriental carpets, greets us in her home in Pakistan. Hear Yousaf in his own words talk about: The artisan group and how it started The changes that artisans experienced as a result of Bunyaad How families are making rugs How the rug artisan group became connected with Ten Thousand Villages Visitors to Pakistan who want to learn how rugs are made What life is like for a typical rug-making family in Pakistan The difference fair trade principles make in the lives of the rug artisans How an artisan becomes a member of Bunyaad The hopes and dreams for the future of the rug program

Melanie Taormina discusses spirituality " data-large-file="https://whoseweare.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/taormina3.jpg?w=500" class="size-medium wp-image-159" title="Taormina3" src="https://whoseweare.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/taormina3.jpg?w=182&h=300" alt="Melanie Taormina discusses spirituality " width="182" height="300" srcset="https://whoseweare.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/taormina3.jpg?w=182 182w, https://whoseweare.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/taormina3.jpg?w=364 364w, https://whoseweare.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/taormina3.jpg?w=91 91w" sizes="(max-width: 182px) 100vw, 182px" />Melanie Taormina Listen to or download Whose We Are, episode 3: Taize Spirituality with Melanie Taormina. It is a delight to have as my guest for this interview on spirituality, Melanie Taormina. Melanie lives, works, and worships in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. She is training to be a certified spiritual director in the contemplative tradition. While living in Pittsburgh, she served as an Authorized Lay Worship Leader in the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Melanie is a member of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Williamsport, the congregation in which she was baptized and raised. She is also a published poet and holds degrees in writing from Lycoming College and the University of Pittsburgh. Melanie works for Lycoming College as Director of Alumni Relations. She lives with Dan, her husband of 13 years, and their beloved cat. Melanie talks about the development of her quest for spirituality, particularly for spiritual direction and training. She attributes her motivation for this training to her experiences at the Taize community in France. The continuing development of her spirituality led her to a training program with Oasis Ministries for Spiritual Development.

Locks of Love Download or listen to Whose We Are, episode 2: Lots of Love and Locks. Corinne with her long hair " data-image-caption="Corinne with long hair " data-large-file="https://whoseweare.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/p1010001-rev.jpg?w=500" class="size-full wp-image-124" title="p1010001-rev" src="https://whoseweare.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/p1010001-rev.jpg?w=500" alt="Corinne with long hair" srcset="https://whoseweare.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/p1010001-rev.jpg?w=300&h=363 300w, https://whoseweare.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/p1010001-rev.jpg?w=600&h=725 600w, https://whoseweare.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/p1010001-rev.jpg?w=124&h=150 124w, https://whoseweare.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/p1010001-rev.jpg?w=248&h=300 248w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Corinne with long hair In March, 2009, our nine-year-old granddaughter, Corinne, surrendered 10 inches of her blond hair to Locks of Love. I interviewed her to give her the opportunity to speak about the organization and what it does for people. She knows children who have lost their hair through cancer treatment and because of alopecia. She also knows other young girls who have made such donations to Locks of Love and Wigs for Kids. Listen to the podcast to hear from Corinne herself how she regards the gift of her hair as an act of caring for others. Corinne gets her locks cut " data-large-file="https://whoseweare.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/rinnehaircut.jpg?w=237" class="size-full wp-image-128" title="rinnehaircut" src="https://whoseweare.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/rinnehaircut.jpg?w=500" alt="Corinne gets her locks cut" srcset="https://whoseweare.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/rinnehaircut.jpg 237w, https://whoseweare.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/rinnehaircut.jpg?w=150&h=113 150w" sizes="(max-width: 237px) 100vw, 237px" />Corinne gets her locks cut Short hair and a long “pony” " data-large-file="https://whoseweare.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/disney034.jpg?w=500" class="size-full wp-image-121" title="disney034" src="https://whoseweare.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/disney034.jpg?w=500" alt="Short hair and a long "pony"" srcset="https://whoseweare.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/disney034.jpg?w=300&h=225 300w, https://whoseweare.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/disney034.jpg?w=600&h=450 600w, https://whoseweare.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/disney034.jpg?w=150&h=113 150w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Short hair and a long "pony"