A Christmas Thought

I recently came across a tidbit of information that caused me to stop and think. It was found in Mark Nepo's Book of Awakening. It describes the first form of pencil as simply a ball of lead. Now it became evident that if this ball was scratched upon a surface, it would leave a mark. The effect was good; the process was not.
Gradually, as this tool was whittled to conform to the shape of the human hand, the ability to write and communicate became much easier. So it is with each of us as we move through this world and the people we encounter along the way. Imagine we are each like a ball of lead. We try to leave a mark that indicates to the other our intentions of love and connection. The cumbersome shape, though, does not allow for very clear communication. As we whittle this ball of lead through our trials, tribulations, challenges, acts of forgiveness, and moments of grace, we realize that the "point" of this work is to create a sacred tool that touches each one with the knowledge that we have finally come to a genuine understanding of what our love means.
I feel as we enter this Blessed Season that the message that The Child brought through His willingness to enter a human life is that what we craft from the raw material of our lives, like the pencil from the ball of lead, is precious and the gift we give to the world. The tool may be sharp but the message is hopefully soft and compassionate.
May you all know the deep and abiding joy and peace that is the essence of this Christmas time. May we all continue to strive for the lasting closeness which gives this life its meaning and encourages us to continue to leave our mark.
Blessings to you and all you love.

What changes our lives

I remember hearing a very sage comment many years ago and at the time I wasn't really sure how accurate it was. As the years have sped by, I can truly say that it was eminently true. It was expressed that we learn from the people we meet and the books we read. That said, I have been blessed to have people in my life who have introduced me to books which have had a dramatic effect on my life, thereby, effectively combining the two.

About three years ago I met a young (Grade 10) student in a religion class at a local high school. He was reading a book which had captured his attention and he graciously shared his thoughts with me. One of the joys of supplying in the high schools is the opportunity to listen to the thoughts of so many extraordinary young people. The book in question was" The Disappearance of the Universe" by Gary R. Renard.To say that this treatise has had an impact is a massive understatement. Both Max and I have a copy and we have read it twice to date. I will be returning to it in the new year. Its message is so simple but so unlike the standard dogmas of organized religions. Enough said. If this intrigues, you can read the introductory pages online.

The other author who has been a constant in my morning meditations, Iyanla Vanzant, has written another book, "Until Today", which was given to me by a very dear friend and which has come to be a reflection of the challenges and issues which continue to plague me. Her words often seem to be directed specifically to me which offers the added comfort of knowing I am not alone.

The last book which I will mention is "The Book of Awakening" by Mark Nepo. The author is a poet and that will be abundantly clear as you read and absorb the ethereal and mystical observations he makes on the human condition and the journey we all must travel. This book will truly take your breath away.

It has been such a long time since I felt the urge to communicate through this Blog but I hope these musings will encourage you to explore some books that I believe will enrich your life and give you pause to consider how interconnected we all are.

May this Blessed Season and the coming New Year bring you peace, joy, friendship, and knowledge to know and to share.

The "Other" Help

I recently heard that coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous. With this in mind,two situations occurred a few days ago that caused me to think that this might be a train of thought worth pursuing,
I came across a quote in one of my daily readings that touched a chord: "Teachers arise from somewhere within me that is beyond me, the way the dark soil that is not the root holds and feeds the flower." Later that same day, Max and I were walking in Hamilton and a group of young people were interviewing passersby about their feelings regarding the place of mentorship. I wondered if the action of established individuals in assisting those just beginning their professional lives might not be like the soil that supports the root and allows it to take valuable nutrition (information) which in turn enables the plant (person) to grow effectively.
Apart from the idea of mentorship and teaching only being in the prescribed confines of a classroom or a boardroom, what about the daily opportunities we have to share valuable insights without even being aware. We can engage in any number of personal interactions which may have a positive effect beyond what may be immediately evident: a smile, a courteous word or action, a thoughtful gesture to a stranger may make a difference beyond anything we might imagine or even intend. Often what we remember is the fact that someone cared to notice and act.
There was a catch phrase a few years ago which is still very true today: every day contains innumerable opportunities for random acts of selfless kindness. I can think of no better way to mentor the world. Do you agree?

Planted or potted?

Having just passed the traditional garden planting weekend, I would like to offer a thought for your consideration. Are you planted or potted? I came across this distinction in one of my favourite meditation tomes by Iylana Vanzant and it struck a chord.

Potted plants can be knocked over or turned over and very easily uprooted. A strong wind or careless movement may destroy a potted plant. They may be very beautiful to look at, but they are fragile. They require intensive care and they die easily under adverse conditions.

Things which are planted have strong roots. They are usually outdoors and able to withstand the winds and the storms. When something is planted, it makes the best of adverse conditions by grabbing on to whatever is available until things get better. When something is planted, it may be nibbled on by varmints; it may be stepped on by the careless; it will be pushed and prodded, but never uprooted. Planting requires reliance on God. Potting is subject to the whims of humans.

I suppose that I would wish for all who read this to have the strong roots of the planted and the glorious foliage of the potted. What do you think?

Let's put the FUN in funky

I recently came across a quote by cultural anthropologist Angeles Arrien which tickled my fancy. She mused that her grandmother told her, " Never hide your green hair-they can see it anyway. "

Serendipity struck almost immediately when I found myself dutifully doing my time on the treadmill at the gym in front of the TV. I looked up and what should I see but book editor Sandra Martin discussing her latest effort while sporting brilliant green hair! Now this is not a trendy young woman but a lady of "a certain age". No hiding here, just a joyous acceptance of a very personal style. Right on sister!

Maybe it is time, as the lighthearted season of spring is upon us, to look at how we can express ourselves in a new way and celebrate our own unique style. Now I am not advocating anything as daring as green hair but I am sure we could all benefit from taking a few well chosen chances. Let your imagination go. What would you suggest to make your statement? I leave this one up to you. Let me know. I, for one, am hunting down a wildly floral dress, and yes, I hope it helps me break out of the overly cautious choices I tend to make. Be on the lookout!

Giggles

I am feeling the call of the milder weather and an increasing lightness of spirit as well as clothing. With that in mind, I am simply going to offer some gentler observations for your consideration.

Whenever I have to choose between two evils, I always like to try the one I haven't tried before. (Mae West)

Sound really does travel slower than light- that advice parents give to their eighteen year old doesn't reach them until they are about forty. ( Anonymous)

Truth is more of a stranger than fiction. (Mark Twain)

In the Book of Life, the answers aren't in the back. (Charlie Brown)

Reporters interviewing a 104 year old woman: " What do you think is the best thing about being 104?" She simply replied, "No peer pressure"

Why are there five syllables in the word monosyllable?

Black Holes are where God divided by zero.( Steven Wright)

The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

Breaking free!

After having experienced the delightful meteorological respite of last Friday I thought of how anxiously we await the days when we can finally doff our winter duds and embrace a less encumbered body. What though of the emotional layers that we carry: the secrets we hide, the poor choices that haunt our daily life, the foolish actions which our pride keeps us from acknowledging? Do these weigh us down as effectively as woolens and leather? Do they keep us in a box of restrictions?

I recently came across a wonderful quote in a novel I was reading. It describes a young woman on the brink of discovering her place in the world. It resonated with me so strongly that I would like to share it with you and see how you feel.

Maybe her secrets and misgivings have not yet driven themselves through her skin to pop out on the surface of her life.

I am fascinated by this image of all the hidden foibles of our lives needing to rupture the protective coating of our public person in order for us to fly free psychically as well as physically. I also know that we cannot do this on our own. A loving and understanding hand, extended across our barriers is the transport that will propel us upward. Like a Jack-in-the-Box, finally released by a child's hand, we will bounce joyfully free. What a wonderful way to embrace a new 'spring' season! Would you agree?

As we approach the celebration of Valentine's Day and all its inherent romantic, commercial excess, I wonder what we really think it means to love someone.

I received a missive recently in which children were asked, "What does love mean?" As I was reading through it, I was brought up short by this observation from a four year old! He said that when someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth. My heart skipped a beat. In its childlike simplicity, can you imagine anything more profound? We take into ourselves the true essence of our loved one and within our being they know a feeling of warmth, acceptance, and security. Their spirit as well as their body is safe with us. In fact, the two cannot be separated.

May the loving way in which you speak the name of your beloved(s) this Valentine's Day and every day forward be uttered with the constant, gentle, and innocent expression of our truest feelings. What do you think?

Up front, I want to be clear. I truly enjoy a juicy blueberry, strawberry , or a raspberry. I frequent my local liberry, and I own many pieces of art by Gilberry. However, I do not own a BlackBerry. How have I survived organizing my daily commitments in order to write this?

I am now quite enthralled with my little iPod, but do not own an iPhone or an iPad. The only Facebook I see is if I am looking at a tome on make-up tricks. The only Twitter I really enjoy is the one the birds make when Max goes out to feed them.

Today, too often the only communication we seem capable of is with our thumbs. On that note I would like to give a" thumbs up" to Charles Dickens, who penned this thought over 150 years ago. Could this be the ghost of Communication Present reminding us of Communication Past and cautioning us to be wary of Communication Future?

"Electric communication will never be a substitute for the face of someone, who with their soul, encourages another person to be brave and true."

I do recognize the value in personal electronic communication. Otherwise you would not be reading this. However, would you agree that, given a choice, you would rather share time with a person than with a qwerty?

A Revelation for Your Resolution

As we begin a new year it seems we are inundated with media calls to make the dreaded New Year's Resolution. The problem I have with this is that it assumes that we are somehow not right the way we are. Now, I do realize that we all have room for improvement in our lives but I wonder if it is necessary to make the major changes that are trumpeted from the rooftops.

I will offer for your consideration this option. We are each totally unique human beings and this is stamped most effectively in our DNA. At one time I did look up the scientific meaning for this acronym and my eyesight as well as my mind boggled at the actual word. How about this possibility? Our DNA allows us to Discover New Attitudes. Great! Now, watch what happens when we change one small letter. Simply change the first "t" in attitudes to a "p" and we now are able to Discover New Aptitudes. Wait, it gets better. Now change the "p" to an "l" and we can now Discover New Altitudes. The sky can be the limit, one small letter and one small step at a time. What do you think?