BROOKINGS, S.D., Feb. 24, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- In a selfless effort to show compassion to others, Phyllis Cole-Dai and James Murray left their comfortable Columbus, Ohio homes to voluntarily live on the streets and became voluntarily homeless on the streets of Columbus, Ohio. Their initiation into the difficulties of such an existence is vividly described in their powerful new book, The Emptiness of Our Hands: A Lent Lived on the Streets (now available through AuthorHouse).
On Ash Wednesday 1999, the authors left home with only the clothes on their backs and a goal: To to show every person as much kindness, respect and compassion as they could. Their firsthand accounts of securing beds in shelters, panhandling for bus fare and, staking out a suitable place to rest in the middle of the midwestern winter are moving. The writing both objectively tells of the realities of homelessness and reflectively imparts their deepest emotions and thoughts about the human experience.
The chronological diary entries of their 47 days on the street shatter common perceptions of the growing homeless population and serve as a bridge between the poor and those who rarely consider a downtrodden person's fate. Murray's photographs, which were taken with a pinhole cameras constructed from trash, also provide a fascinating glimpse into their experience. Physically, their bodies fell apart; Murray acquired a parasite from dumpster food, and both authors' bodies suffered from walking up to eight miles a day on few calories. Mentally, they lost the ability to spell simple words and do simple math problems. Their memory capacity dwindled, their ability to plan suffered and they both were diagnosed with ongoing anxiety problems. Their faith remained at the forefront of their daily routine, however and they meditated daily in a city square. Even it wavered somewhat.
Their journey was one many people would never dare to complete, and their descriptions of it prompt introspection and inspiration. Their belief that the social dimension of life and spiritual matters are inseparable make The Emptiness of Our Hands a remarkable look at not only the terrible conditions millions of homeless Americans endure, but also the positive effects of acting compassionately toward one's fellow man.
Cole-Dai is a writer and composer in Brookings, S.D. She holds graduate degrees in theology and English and lives with her husband, Jihong and their young son, Nathan. Murray lives with his wife, Phoebe, in Williamsburg, Mass. He is a counseling supervisor at The Academy at Swift River, an emotional growth boarding school. He majored in religious studies at Kenyon College near Columbus, Ohio. More information is available at www.fortysevendays.com.
ABOUT AUTHORHOUSE
AuthorHouse is the world leader in publishing and print-on-demand services. Founded in 1997, AuthorHouse has helped more than 18,500 people worldwide become published authors. For more information, visit www.authorhouse.com.