Once in awhile, a person reads something that strikes a chord, scares, motivates, or rekindles a passion lost in the hubbub of life. Today, I read that piece.
On July 4th, 1776 (give or take a few days for the drafting, editing, and revising of our Declaration of Independence), a few so-called patriots picked a fight with the most powerful country in the western world. What the hell were they thinking?? They had it good! Modest taxation (give or take a few dollars), a world-class Navy, the best infantry in the world, a solid form of parliamentary government, etc. encompassed the mostly-independent American colonies. What the hell were they thinking?? That something better was out there, more well-suited for the demographic soon to be known world-wide as "America."
Today we grilled, made sure our flags were out, lit sparklers and other "made in China" decorative explosives to celebrate that we have come to know very little about - and have come to appreciate even less - than before.
Our Founding Fathers were willing to give up EVERYTHING to proclaim:
"When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation."
They were farmers, merchants, clergy, scribes, businessmen, lawyers, teachers, and the like. They were willing to give up their livelihood, their property, in many cases their family and friendships in order to campaign for something bigger.
Today, on our nation's 235th birthday, I wonder if we'd be willing to do the same.
Happy Birthday U.S.A! I hope that in the years to come, your spirit lives on, your people fight for what's right, your dreams come true, and that you live to be very old, wise, and tenacious woman.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Wait for the Garage
This morning I read the local paper and scanned through all of the comments about great dads, great lessons from dads, great dads who had passed on, etc. I spent time today with my dad, my children's dad, and thought a lot about those in my life who have lost theirs. Eventually, I thought a lot about those who didn't ever really have one at all.
The most intriguing piece of advice I came across today was, "If you are going to buy that new car, make sure you can afford to buy the garage for it."
vroom...
The most intriguing piece of advice I came across today was, "If you are going to buy that new car, make sure you can afford to buy the garage for it."
vroom...
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Whispering wind on my toes
Saturday mornings are peaceful. Traffic sounds from the nearby parkway are sparse, and few people choose to run their circular saws, or to continue with their urgent roofing project. It's quiet. A cup of coffee, the smell of homemade pancakes wafting from the kitchen are comfortable. No one in the house knows what time it is. No one cares to check.
During the warmer months, and on occasion the chilly ones, sitting with coffee and the windows open brings nature inside as the world awakes. Today squirrels are busy digging small holes looking for places to hide their late winter snacks. The birds are chirping and singing between their flights from tree, to wire, to tree. There's a light breeze coming in through the screens which I cannot feel on my face. It's too faint, gentle, and subtle. But on my toes, it feels like a cooling wind. There's a bit of a chill in it - forecasting the arrival of autumn.
During the warmer months, and on occasion the chilly ones, sitting with coffee and the windows open brings nature inside as the world awakes. Today squirrels are busy digging small holes looking for places to hide their late winter snacks. The birds are chirping and singing between their flights from tree, to wire, to tree. There's a light breeze coming in through the screens which I cannot feel on my face. It's too faint, gentle, and subtle. But on my toes, it feels like a cooling wind. There's a bit of a chill in it - forecasting the arrival of autumn.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
'Tis a Gift
At a wedding today, I was reminded of what is truly important. A ceremony centered on love, peace, and our connectedness to nature filled a void often felt when we're working hard to fill a void. The whispers of the wind in the trees, the birds and squirrels talking through their day, the occasional passerby's curious tip-toes were all lovely commands to listen, and to hear. And for the first time in a long time, I heard.
The community present at this ceremony was invited to share throughout the day, and many guests offered insightful, heart-felt expressions for the couple. One person also offered a bit of a song that many of us had heard, but few truly knew:
"Simple Gifts" written by Elder Joseph
-
- 'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,
- 'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
- And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
- 'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
- 'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,
The beautiful young couple that exchanged vows today has already found simplicity. And I think they're on their way to finding what it means to be free through the binding connection of marriage. Wow.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
When at first you don't succeed...
...do something else for awhile and then try again.
I learned a lot last week from a retired NASA astronaut. He mentioned that it was important to follow our passion and do what we're good at in order to succeed. He also mentioned that in the constant pursuit of improving what we are not good at, we lose sight of what's important. This seemed counter-intuitive to all that I've known. Was this permission to quit? Hardly. It was an urgent request to nurture and embrace those gifts we've been given without guilt, second-guessing, or doubt. It was an appeal to all of us listening that we accept who we are and move forward with intention, purpose, and tenacity. Surrounded by people who believe in others, we were asked to first believe in ourselves.
Success is not achieved by meeting the standards set before us by someone else. Success is achieved by meeting the standards we set for ourselves.
I learned a lot last week from a retired NASA astronaut. He mentioned that it was important to follow our passion and do what we're good at in order to succeed. He also mentioned that in the constant pursuit of improving what we are not good at, we lose sight of what's important. This seemed counter-intuitive to all that I've known. Was this permission to quit? Hardly. It was an urgent request to nurture and embrace those gifts we've been given without guilt, second-guessing, or doubt. It was an appeal to all of us listening that we accept who we are and move forward with intention, purpose, and tenacity. Surrounded by people who believe in others, we were asked to first believe in ourselves.
Success is not achieved by meeting the standards set before us by someone else. Success is achieved by meeting the standards we set for ourselves.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Right now, darnit....have a great day!
Coffee for thousands of years has been a mood altering substance. From what I've heard, the drink was first discovered in the plateaus of Ethiopia and was used by herders needing to stay alert in order to tend their flock. Makes sense.
What coffee has evolved to be for many is a mood altering substance that makes the consumer tolerable - not alert. As I work away in a coffee shop, I observe many different coffee drinkers. First, there is me. I drink coffee because I like it, it's warm (in MN in January), and it does keep me alert as I'm working (or blogging as the case may be). On occasion I use this beverage to wake me up in the morning when it's still dark outside and I need to be able to safely drive to work. Once in awhile it is a mood altering substance in that I do need it to bring an air of civility to my conversations with...say...UHaul reservation clerks who give my truck away on the morning I need to load it in order to move to another state. I find these situations to be rare, and exceptional. Second, there is the regular. This person is like Norm from the TV series, "Cheers." Walking up to the counter to order the latte, cafe Americano, herbal tea, etc. is a ritual for this person and for the barista. There is a certain familiarity for each of the people involved in the transaction and each takes comfort in the predictability of the situation. This is a very friendly, yet nearly anonymous relationship that is safe for both parties. It's a ritual they each look forward to without the risk of a commitment. Lastly, there exists a complainer. This person has very high expectations of the beverage he or she will purchase, high expectations of the service, and very low expectations of price. Voluntarily approaching the counter and perusing the menu, this individual is dissatisfied with the choices offered and the outrageous expense of each of them. "A dollar 85 for a small coffee? I could brew it myself for $.47" What this person doesn't realize is the basic economic structure of a business offering a good or service. Yes, brewing a cup o' joe at home could realistically cost $.47, but what is the time spent doing this worth? Has this customer considered the cost of electricity, the salary and benefits for the employee, the paper receptacle holding the beverage, the cardboard heat insulator or the plastic sipping cover? There is value-added in purchasing these warm beverages and the complainer misses this point.
I wonder if coffee shops were populated this way 50, 60, even 80 years ago. Did my grandparents make observations about those people surrounding them at "venda-mats" (grandma's term for the coin-operated self-service sandwich and coffee stations in rail terminals during the 30s and 40s)? When others are at coffee shops today, do they notice each other, do they notice me? Or they able to better focus on their novel, their crossword, their work? Do they watch the bubbles on the perimeter of the java crowd and pop as they nestle against the inside surface of the ceramic or paper cup. Does the steam curling up from the coffee with cream serve as a surrogate for the fireplace they'd rather have on a frigid afternoon in January? I would imagine it warms the mood.
What coffee has evolved to be for many is a mood altering substance that makes the consumer tolerable - not alert. As I work away in a coffee shop, I observe many different coffee drinkers. First, there is me. I drink coffee because I like it, it's warm (in MN in January), and it does keep me alert as I'm working (or blogging as the case may be). On occasion I use this beverage to wake me up in the morning when it's still dark outside and I need to be able to safely drive to work. Once in awhile it is a mood altering substance in that I do need it to bring an air of civility to my conversations with...say...UHaul reservation clerks who give my truck away on the morning I need to load it in order to move to another state. I find these situations to be rare, and exceptional. Second, there is the regular. This person is like Norm from the TV series, "Cheers." Walking up to the counter to order the latte, cafe Americano, herbal tea, etc. is a ritual for this person and for the barista. There is a certain familiarity for each of the people involved in the transaction and each takes comfort in the predictability of the situation. This is a very friendly, yet nearly anonymous relationship that is safe for both parties. It's a ritual they each look forward to without the risk of a commitment. Lastly, there exists a complainer. This person has very high expectations of the beverage he or she will purchase, high expectations of the service, and very low expectations of price. Voluntarily approaching the counter and perusing the menu, this individual is dissatisfied with the choices offered and the outrageous expense of each of them. "A dollar 85 for a small coffee? I could brew it myself for $.47" What this person doesn't realize is the basic economic structure of a business offering a good or service. Yes, brewing a cup o' joe at home could realistically cost $.47, but what is the time spent doing this worth? Has this customer considered the cost of electricity, the salary and benefits for the employee, the paper receptacle holding the beverage, the cardboard heat insulator or the plastic sipping cover? There is value-added in purchasing these warm beverages and the complainer misses this point.
I wonder if coffee shops were populated this way 50, 60, even 80 years ago. Did my grandparents make observations about those people surrounding them at "venda-mats" (grandma's term for the coin-operated self-service sandwich and coffee stations in rail terminals during the 30s and 40s)? When others are at coffee shops today, do they notice each other, do they notice me? Or they able to better focus on their novel, their crossword, their work? Do they watch the bubbles on the perimeter of the java crowd and pop as they nestle against the inside surface of the ceramic or paper cup. Does the steam curling up from the coffee with cream serve as a surrogate for the fireplace they'd rather have on a frigid afternoon in January? I would imagine it warms the mood.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Be it Resolved
That I shall play more this year. Resolutions in the New year sound like a very formal commitment that one has to oneself about matters of great importance. "I resolve to..." is a very serious preamble to the many superfluous to do lists that abound at the start of each new year. The lists usually include some combination of:
Health clubs, yoga studios, libraries, concert halls, etc. are wall-to-wall with people for the first 6 weeks of any given calendar year. Good intentions abound but don't see the longevity of the tradition itself of creating resolutions.
- losing weight
- eating healthy
- working more
- working less
- quitting smoking
- paying off debt
- spending more time with children
- spending more time with spouse
- spending more time with family
- starting a new career
- going back to school
- taking a fabulous vacation
- buying a new car
- remodeling the house
- getting a dog
- getting a cat
Health clubs, yoga studios, libraries, concert halls, etc. are wall-to-wall with people for the first 6 weeks of any given calendar year. Good intentions abound but don't see the longevity of the tradition itself of creating resolutions.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)