2020’s #ValuesProjects continue with Joy and Compassion for July.
Share your efforts to connect through acts of joy and compassion with the individuals and communities in your life. Email by ValuesProjects@CompassionatePomona.org by July 31.
A Proclamation for July
A PROCLAMATION BY COMPASSIONATE POMONA, A CONSORTIUM OF CARING INDIVIDUALS AND AGENCIES IN THE CITY OF POMONA, PROCLAIMING JULY 2020 AS “JOY AND COMPASSION’’ MONTH IN THE CITY OF POMONA
WHEREAS, as a Compassionate Pomona—in concurrence with the Charter for Compassion which the City of Pomona proclaimed on April 2nd, 2018—we continue to focus on thoughts and actions that promote compassion and inner and outer peace; and
WHEREAS, in alignment with the goal of compassion, Compassionate Pomona has identified “Joy and Compassion” as actions and values which support the Charter for Compassion; and
WHEREAS, during the month of July as we strive to make our world healthy and safe from the corona virus, we also struggle to heal our social divisions to overcome racism and historical inequities which make us unhealthy as a nation; and
WHEREAS, we acknowledge our dire need to build healthy relationships with others including those who bring sustenance, health services, emergency care and other necessities; and we also know that work remains to restore our sense of connection, worth, community, and trust; and
WHEREAS, our humanity allows us to experience joy in the midst of suffering by opening our hearts to nature and to each other, to affirm the value of our place in the world and to each other; and
WHEREAS, the pandemic has radically changed expectations of our youth as their school years have been drastically interrupted, traditional expectations have been set aside, and still existing milestones have moved; and
WHEREAS, while experiencing loss and disconnection, we must also encourage, create, invent, and adapt new traditions, new celebrations of life and accomplishment; and we must find different ways to express joy and compassion; and
WHEREAS, with the novel requirement to “social distance” ourselves, we also have opportunities to connect in new ways via the Internet, to host conversations and exchange of ideas, to invent interactive (but socially distanced) games, to learn new approaches to arts and crafts, to poetry, to music, to theater; and
WHEREAS, expression of our humanity through the arts can diminish suffering, can bring joy, and can help move us through grievance toward health and connection; and
WHEREAS, schools, businesses, and governmental and non-profit agencies can encourage and support projects and programs to engage our community in positive activities which foster expression of joy and compassion; and
WHEREAS, Compassionate Pomona can encourage all Pomonans to embrace “Joy and Compassion” through intention and action and to use “#valuesPomona” to share this movement on social media, thus integrating “Joy and Compassion” into the daily life of our community.
NOW, THEREFORE, COMPASSIONATE POMONA does hereby proclaim the month of July 2020 as
JOY AND COMPASSION
