The first and second point wasn’t even discussed. The people gave it a quick and resounding affirmation of ………….acceptance. Even, crabby ol Salvadore, sitting up front near Father Donovan voted for these.
After these two rounds of voting, Father Donovan reminded us that “We would all have to work on, through much discussion, what we meant by “highest understandings of ideas.” Because of the different levels in our educations and what we understood, as products of our personalities and experiences, we would all have much sharing and compromising to do to collectively reach a high standard. It was the responsibility of the most educated to share their knowledge with the less educated, and the responsibility of the less educated to apply themselves to what was being shared with them. “It is understood”, he wrote for me to convey, “that not all concepts will be embraced by all of us. What is important, is knowing what these concepts represent, so as to better form an understanding of our relationship with them and an intelligent opinion about them. This will all take time, but will be a more welcome task if we can see that such an effort will strengthen the bonds within our community…which will increase the happiness, in it, as well.”
Then he made a motion that we consider Point (3), discuss it and cast our votes according to our highest understanding of it:
“Our “leaders” are recognized as the “best of the best”, as well as being “of” and “for” us. These terms to be considered and defined to a People’s majority, (80%), satisfaction.”

After about a minute of silence, Salvadore, in his usual agitated style,
croaked “What do ye mean by “best. Best what?!?!”
A few in the room chuckled or snickered and I stood to begin addressing Salvadore’s question. “Well…actually that seems to me to be a very good question. We should define what ‘best’ means in the context of leadership. Perhaps with the understanding that our definition should be ‘open’ and subject to change as the need arises from our experience in this matter. Who here would like to begin defining what we mean by ‘best’ as regards point three?
“I hope it’s not the same as ‘better’” came a woman’s voice from the north side of the circle. It was Margaret O’Shea, wife of Thomas O’Shea and Mother of two. After a second of silence, she added, “No one likes to feel that someone is better than us do they?” There were a few murmurs around the circle and Father Donovan began writing a response to this question.
While he was writing I said, “Well…sensing where someone is better than us does give us an indication of where we might need improvement, wouldn’t it…or help us value that person more?”
“Well, I suppose it could be like that,” Margaret replied, “but too often it is like someone is always looking down their nose at you, because they do something or have something better.”
“We shouldn’t resent someone because they have developed a skill that they are proud of and that person shouldn’t think that a good skill makes them a better person than others,” I answered, “We shouldn’t become too proud of our achievements…pride can cause us to make mistakes. And it doesn’t seem like a good idea to allow ourselves to envy a person because they possess a better thing…though I do imagine that there would be a limit to this at some point.” After I said this, Father Donovan handed me what he had written.
I held the paper up and then read it to the assembly. “The word ‘better’ is related to the word ‘best’ in that it is an indicator that progress in personal growth is being made. Even the best becomes better, or more, if effort to improve it continues. We should cultivate in ourselves the ability to admire someone who has earned the title ‘best’ and emulate them if we desire a similar skill. We must be ever diligent about allowing admiration to fear-corrupt into the state of envy. This is a non-productive mind set and can rob us of energies needed to improve ourselves. When we say best, we should always bear in mind that we mean ‘the best so far’.”
At this Margaret nodded and there was a general utterance of approval around the hall.
Jeremy O’Bannion injected a brief comment at this point. “It seems to me that there is really no such thing as being better in every way. We are only the best or better in certain ways and likewise lacking in other ways. It all balances out in the group as we learn to utilize the strengths of us and improve or leave the weaknesses.”
Everyone agreed with this and I told Jeremy he spoke well. Then, as an attempt to get more focused in our discussion, I posed a question. “So…what would constitute being a ‘best’, or ‘best of the best’ leader for us?”
“The best of the best would be the most caring about us as a people.” Kerry offered.
“And would be the best listener.” said Emanuel Alvarado.
“ I think it would be very important to be well trained and have experience in coordinating ideas and abilities.” Darleen O’Reilly put in.
“Good. Good.” I responded, “And what about some vision of what can be and where our chosen paths can take us?”
“Yes these are all attributes of a benign leader.” Danny Cuchulain said, “And we have already installed the person who comes closest to these ideals. Let’s vote yes on this point and move on.”
Several people seconded this suggestion and we voted. What was said about point three did help all of us to understand its meaning better. It became our third embraced principle.
I made a motion to move on to point four and asked for comments. We really went round and round on this one and it ended up being changed for additional clarity. I will report this discussion in my next post.
Shane