When the wakening dawn gribs you tight
One foot down, let the other follow.
When the mirage of nations knot your mind
Loosen each bundle, one then another.
When the drumming beat knocks on your heart
Breathe slowly, transcend to your peaceful rythm.
Rest.
Each moment that moves, another lotus is emerging beneath your step.
(Inspired while pulling into the gym parking lot.)
Monday, March 30, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
DISCLAIMER:
The following 4 blogs were written since October, but I just posted them on here from Facebook. Enjoy!
Santa for President!!!
(Disclaimer: I do not regard myself as anyone who is really concerned about politics, however I am informed. My thoughts may be viewed as immature and ignorant, and feel free to think that. This is really just to give explanation on why I will be writing Santa Claus in on the ballot.)
Alright Already! I may be the only one, but I am SO over this election. Something that was a fought for right has turned into salacious gossip (I have "US Weekly" for that), and most often with greater focus on the fact that Michelle Obama shops at "White House Black Market" than her husband's political policies. Do I really care if my future president is a good dancer on" Ellen?" Is it really any of my concern what Sarah Palin's calves look like, how she does on SNL or anyone's racial background? Seriously people.
I have read many posts and blogs and heard conversations regarding this topic and it is strange to me that political figures, people whom we are not eternally governed by, have the power to stir dissension in such a manner. The fact is, we must, in regard to the candidates and in the words of someone wise, choose between a crap sandwich and a crap milkshake. Not ideal, but it really is true.
(....At least with Santa toys are involved, and we already know he can handle globalization and effective foreign relations. Can YOU go around the world in one night while creating peace and happiness...????)
We have bigger fish to fry...I recently heard a sermon about Heaven, Hell and eternity, and as a result feel I must seriously ask myself if I really have room on my plate to be bothered by an earthly hierarchy filled with better wordsmiths than me. This could, however, be my bias talking as I have never been very good at people and pedestals.
Yes, it is important that we are well informed, have a voice, hope for change and pick who we think will do that for us personally, but beyond that give this sensationalism no more power. I can just see it now.... New reality show, "America's Next Top President." Boy, oh boy!Please, lets give politics and political figures proper respect, time and energy.
Judgement.
How can it be that this one word, that this one action, that this one idea can cause so much strife, heartache and isolation. Not only is this induced by the people receiving the backlash, but it is always the final resting place of the persecutor. Even with this knowledge, we still go around rambling phrases like, " Well, atleast I am not THAT bad" or " Thank GOODNESS I am better than him/her" or my personal favorite, " Bless their heart." Sheesh! We toss these disdain dripping phrases and words around so freely, and usually to mask our own insecurity...
...Yes, you know I am right. Don't shake your head.
Feeling defensive??? Don't worry, I am also exposing myself right now. I have recently judged and I have recently been judged. I have seen people that I care deeply about be shackled in judgment's prison for their differences, ideas and others lack of understanding. I have, at times, felt hateful things in my heart about others because I couldn't get my own act together and I have also witnessed how wrong I usually am; how wrong we ALL usually are.
Most of the time our discomfort grows and judgment starts rearing it's ugly head when others challenge our paradigm of understanding, when they throw a curve ball into our suburban vortex and when they, with their fearless actions, shatter our cozy and comfy stereotypes.
Boy, do we HATE when his happens.
I have people in my life covered in tatoos, people that are considered radical thinkers, people that push the envelope and people that, at times, slap me across the face with surprise... Bless their heart.They show me everyday how ridiculous my safety bubble is, and yes, many times it makes me wanna throw things at them and cuss loudly .... However, I pray that we may all have the great opportunity to experience their radiance and audacity and appreciate it when we do. I can only hope we learn greater tolerance and have a more appreciative heart in regard to the way Christ feels about all of us, his silly and security hungry kids.
I wonder what He might say to us in these moments... I think it might sound a little something like, " * Do not judge, or you too will be judged. " Hmmm, wise words. We should really start listening more closely....
* Matthew 7:1
...Yes, you know I am right. Don't shake your head.
Feeling defensive??? Don't worry, I am also exposing myself right now. I have recently judged and I have recently been judged. I have seen people that I care deeply about be shackled in judgment's prison for their differences, ideas and others lack of understanding. I have, at times, felt hateful things in my heart about others because I couldn't get my own act together and I have also witnessed how wrong I usually am; how wrong we ALL usually are.
Most of the time our discomfort grows and judgment starts rearing it's ugly head when others challenge our paradigm of understanding, when they throw a curve ball into our suburban vortex and when they, with their fearless actions, shatter our cozy and comfy stereotypes.
Boy, do we HATE when his happens.
I have people in my life covered in tatoos, people that are considered radical thinkers, people that push the envelope and people that, at times, slap me across the face with surprise... Bless their heart.They show me everyday how ridiculous my safety bubble is, and yes, many times it makes me wanna throw things at them and cuss loudly .... However, I pray that we may all have the great opportunity to experience their radiance and audacity and appreciate it when we do. I can only hope we learn greater tolerance and have a more appreciative heart in regard to the way Christ feels about all of us, his silly and security hungry kids.
I wonder what He might say to us in these moments... I think it might sound a little something like, " * Do not judge, or you too will be judged. " Hmmm, wise words. We should really start listening more closely....
* Matthew 7:1
Heaven.
Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. - John 17: 3It is on nights like this, when the wind is cold and crisp and the air smells strangely of the universal childhood, that I cannot be anything but restless......
It is on nights like this, when I lay in bed typing away, feeling like my queen size bed is its own island and to travel from one side to the other would only further isolate and exhaust, that my heart grows anxious.
I think that we all have times of life when things are going very well and there is much to look forward to, yet we feel alone and antsy. When our happiness plays tug-of-war with our natural instincts, intincts that harldy ever cause one to be open, extroverted and optimistic.
Sometimes I can't help but shake a certain feeling, one that alway turns my eyes to the sky, and one that longs for rescue from this world . When this happens, my eyes pull upward, as if magnetically drawn to the dwelling place of my Father.
I look around at what we all do to eachother and ourselves and the state of this world, and can't help but desire a day when we are taken to our eternity and are FINALLY at peace. I am hopeful of a time where we will rest with the ones we have lost, have our "why?" questions answered and understand what all of our heartache and joy was for. This may seem like an extreme thought, but it holds my restlessness often and I can't lie about that.
In the words of my new friend, Oswald Chambers, "Life without war is impossible either in nature or in grace. The basis of physical, mental, moral, and spiritual life is antagonism. This is the open fact of life."
...and you ask why I could possibly long for this day; the day of rescue?
We are given life to be joyful in, to learn from and to store up many treasures for our eternity. However, I know that none of my happiness on earth will be close to that of in Heaven and I peacefully rest in that; seeing the pain of this world, how can I not? Knowing we live a life of war, it is not possible to believe otherwise.
Until this time all we can do, I assume, is focus our energies precisely, try to live a life of conviction and love, and remember these words in our times of trouble and lack of understanding..." Be good cheer, I have overcome the world." I will take heart in this... and always with my eyes turned upward.
A Different Kind of Resolution
In 1 day, 3 hours and 46 mintues it will officially be 2009...
In this same amount of time people all over the world will be celebrating, spending time with friends and family and reminiscing on the memories of 2008. This turning of the year also represents many resolutions that will be made and even more that will quickly end January 2nd...please don't be offended, you know it's true:)
As I look back on this year, it is astounding to me all of the changes that have occured in my life and all of the growing I did. There have been many adjustments made, some loss, new relationships, old one's nurtured and grown, chapters closed and begun... and all of this just makes me ask the question," What in the heck is coming in 2009??!" The beautiful part is , however, the mystery and hope that rests in the NOT knowing... January 1st marks a peaceful place of inspiration and renewal that is somewhat child-like. The innocent way in which we embrace and open the door of a new year, despite anything that has occured in the last 365 days, is an inspiring moment of faith.
My prayer for this new year is one filled with grace, mercy and that child-like faith that does not walk in the shadows of the past or in fear of the future. Rather, that we are able to be the "church" to one another, and that we offer the fruits of the spirit with unconditional love and faith-filled expectancy.
MUCH LOVE AND MANY BLESSINGS IN THE NEW YEAR...
"When we see eachother or are apart, there is expectancy of being together, of laughing and talking. That expectancy has no concrete definition; it is alive and dynamic and everything that emerges from our being together is a unique gift shared by no one else. " - The ShackBy: William P. Young
In this same amount of time people all over the world will be celebrating, spending time with friends and family and reminiscing on the memories of 2008. This turning of the year also represents many resolutions that will be made and even more that will quickly end January 2nd...please don't be offended, you know it's true:)
As I look back on this year, it is astounding to me all of the changes that have occured in my life and all of the growing I did. There have been many adjustments made, some loss, new relationships, old one's nurtured and grown, chapters closed and begun... and all of this just makes me ask the question," What in the heck is coming in 2009??!" The beautiful part is , however, the mystery and hope that rests in the NOT knowing... January 1st marks a peaceful place of inspiration and renewal that is somewhat child-like. The innocent way in which we embrace and open the door of a new year, despite anything that has occured in the last 365 days, is an inspiring moment of faith.
My prayer for this new year is one filled with grace, mercy and that child-like faith that does not walk in the shadows of the past or in fear of the future. Rather, that we are able to be the "church" to one another, and that we offer the fruits of the spirit with unconditional love and faith-filled expectancy.
MUCH LOVE AND MANY BLESSINGS IN THE NEW YEAR...
"When we see eachother or are apart, there is expectancy of being together, of laughing and talking. That expectancy has no concrete definition; it is alive and dynamic and everything that emerges from our being together is a unique gift shared by no one else. " - The ShackBy: William P. Young
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
LIFE IN ACTION
Boy, am I hard on myself....
I have been gone for a while from this post and while I will say that I am so glad to have these entries to reflect back on, I will also say that I am WAY to tough on myself. So much (not all) of what I have written is so perfection-seeking and sounds more like verbal drill-seargant school than anything. I can't be THAT bad and THAT confused by life. I should give my Father a LITTLE MORE credit than that, I think.
No more.
I am so not saying that I am not still growing, not still learning and not still screwing up. However, I will say that I plan on taking this blog in a little different direction. One that is less focused on what a situation has taught me in simple words, and more of a showing of that teaching through the picture my words, opinions and other prose' draw and articulate.
Hold tight for life in ACTION. NOT just discussion.
(You may notice a new design to this blog soon; I am trying some different HTML thangs out!)
Jess
I have been gone for a while from this post and while I will say that I am so glad to have these entries to reflect back on, I will also say that I am WAY to tough on myself. So much (not all) of what I have written is so perfection-seeking and sounds more like verbal drill-seargant school than anything. I can't be THAT bad and THAT confused by life. I should give my Father a LITTLE MORE credit than that, I think.
No more.
I am so not saying that I am not still growing, not still learning and not still screwing up. However, I will say that I plan on taking this blog in a little different direction. One that is less focused on what a situation has taught me in simple words, and more of a showing of that teaching through the picture my words, opinions and other prose' draw and articulate.
Hold tight for life in ACTION. NOT just discussion.
(You may notice a new design to this blog soon; I am trying some different HTML thangs out!)
Jess
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