Periodically check this page for more articles and stories about tough decisions all of us have to make personally, publicly or as elected/appointed officials. . . . and what guides us to make those choices.
Scroll down for latest additions. What’s your decision as a human being guided by others’ words (their compass) or your own belief system (your gyroscope)?
Moral compass vs. philosophical/spiritual gyroscope
Some of us cite a moral compass that we use to guide our life path and decisions. Or we follow others’ moral compass. A compass is two-dimensional and can lead us toward a false North. Ironic, isn’t it, that we have a problem up here in the Iron Range?
We automatically rely on those 4 letters on a compass (N, E, W, S) to guide us, forgetting we might be misdirected. Same with spoken, published and posted social media words we read. How often do published/posted words distract, misguide, misinform, disconnect or desensitize us from making decisions based on what we claim we deeply believe, our sense of what’s right, our sense of spirituality and interconnectedness?
Politicians and their minions, the greedy rich and powerful, social media, egomaniacs, psychopaths, etc. know how to manipulate words to indoctrinate.
Some of us crave something more than a 2-dimensional compass or words to guide our daily life and choices we make. We were all born with our own internal (some many say eternal) gyroscope. Our souls and life are more balanced when we are in balance with the living world around us.
Some community-based idealists who get hired, elected or appointed to office live semi-tortured lives, because they feel they had to swap their gyroscope for someone else’s compass. The tough life of an idealist in the real world. They want to quit, which doesn’t help the rest of us. Seek words and advice from like-minded and gyroscope-grounded folks, so you can articulate and incorporate your beliefs in ways others can understand, including citing previously hidden facts, ordinances, documents, etc.
Some/many idealists are (temporarily) able to block out their gyroscope and are happily adopted by their new compass family.
And then there are those who fully reject and refute the existence of a gyroscope.
Click here for more scientific info and lesson plans about gyroscopes: https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/Pages_from_New_AEX_II_2020_1_EF62A54539A5B.pdf
Links to articles, quotes, websites, etc.
KEEPING A DAKOTA SITE SACRED: Tribal leaders, Minneapolis Park Board debate future of popular Minnehaha Dog Park.
By Susan Du, The Minnesota Star Tribune, April 30, 2026.
Learn more about the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) meetings, YouTube viewing options, Mission, Comprehensive Plan, ordinances, budget, etc. go to their website https://www.minneapolisparks.org/about-us/leadership-and-structure/board-meetings/ You can search past meetings and even subscribe to receive agenda notices.
When you read through these excerpts, what bothers you? Why?
Are there parallels to Ely’s lack of respect for Indigenous history and culture?
What’s the compass path to take? What’s the gyroscope path to take?
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Blessed are the faithful people as peacemakers
How can you tell what truly guides you/others?
Look for nonverbal actions and deeds. Do your/their actions and deeds match up with or contradict with what is professed?
We are all humans. We misspeak, misstep, and mistake. We are (un)intentionally hypocrites.
Note “Timing Tells” below. There is a reason behind government inserting last minute agenda items and pushing them through without scrutiny. The independent Duluth Monitor has previously exposed non-emergency “emergency action needed” votes.
What is the spiritual gyroscope of those who speak out or are silent when injustice happens? What are their sacred beliefs?
When do YOU draw lines? And step out of your comfort zone?
Do YOU see injustice happening to others or only when it happens to you, your family & friends?
We’ve always normalized erasing, filtering, rephrasing speech. Censoring, deleting and refusing to recognize others’ identify, history and culture is an act of cleansing.
On a different note: Words can incite acts of hate and/or violence. Obscene gestures, shouting and signs incite negative reactions. How do you feel when they are directed at you?
What’s the tell about the spiritual gyroscopes of those who hold up obscene signs at rallies marches and protests? Same with obscene bumper stickers and gestures?
What we seek out to watch, read or listen to indicate what we (un)intentionally and/or (un)consciously choose as our guides, our building blocks, our philosophical/spiritual nourishment. Whatever we choose as guides can helps us reflect on our own and others’ actions in the past, present and future.
Some people want to watch, listen to, and feel Nature. Some want to be surrounded by Nature to nourish their souls vs. Nature as a non-living toy or tool for entertainment.
Some seek out formal traditional religious gatherings such as going to their church of choice on Sunday. Some seek general overarching or specific personal guidance. Some seek churches where all are welcome and respected. Some seek a loving, caring and forgiving compassionate God to guide them in daily life.
Some of us also find guidance in books, newspapers, social media, online games. What messages are are we absorbing? Note: Columnists in The Timberjay tend to write reflection-provoking, respectful and healing articles.
Devlyn Brooks, an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, offered guidance 5/3/26 in Duluth News Tribune. Excerpts below:
Blessed are the faithful people as peacemakers
Friends, if we are to live in a truly faithful manner, we have to respect the lives of every single person. … Yes, even the lives of those whom we vehemently disagree with.
People are choosing sides and defending their political dogmas with lives on the line. And each act of violence only amps up the rage in the opposing ranks.
As faithful people we cannot condone it. We have to draw a line in the sand, and state emphatically that political violence is not an acceptable end to achieve an outcome.
Sure, I believe that nonbelievers alike should be willing to take such a stand as well, but you know, it’s good practice to clean up your own house before you start casting stones at others for how messy theirs is.
What we need are more courageous people to help quiet the ugly rhetoric and instill more civility in our interactions, not more warriors.
Pastor Brook’s full Sunday 5/3/26 message is in the Duluth News Tribune. Per DNT: He blogs about faith at findingfaithin.com, and can be reached at devlynbrooks@gmail.com.
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