Friday, November 2, 2007
Free Will Astrology - my horoscope for the week
A drunk dominatrix sidled up to me at a party and said, "Reverend, please absolve me of my sins." I'm not officially a priest, but in the spirit of fun and games I replied, "Why, my dear? Have you seen the error of your ways?" She spread her arms wide as she bowed, hissing like a serpent through a toothy smile. "Not at all, Reverend," she said. "I just want to clear the docket so I can go out and commit a slew of fresh, new sins with crazy abandon." I sprinkled a few drops of her Heineken on her head and channeled William Blake: "You'll never know what is enough unless you know what is more than enough. The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom. If the fool would persist in her folly she would become wise." And now, Scorpio, I'm channeling the same blessing for you.
Monday, October 22, 2007
St. Mary Euphrasia
Greetings! It has been 6 weeks since my last blog, so for those of you who actually missed hearing from me I apologize. To my defense I have been quite busy with moving home and starting a new job. I am now a youth counselor at Maryhurst (http://www.maryhurst.org/). Maryhurst is a treatment facility for kids in the foster care system who have been abused and neglected. It is a place for “those in greatest need.” This may seem like a career change from my earlier church work (why did I get that M.Div), but I am actually learning more about who God is and who God calls us to be than I did at seminary.
I work in a dorm with 12 teenage girls. Life in the dorm is essentially managed chaos. Our goal is to provide structure, support and safety for these teenagers, so that they can learn how to express their emotions appropriately and make good choices. Our girls are fun and hilarious. They are also angry and wounded. When a girl is being unsafe, we sometimes have to physically put our hands on them. I have never had someone threaten to hit me before and actually mean it. I have never been in a physical struggle with a person when we were both using every ounce of strength we had. With all the training and all the support people can still get hurt. Once the point of crisis has passed there is an unbelievable time of softness and connection. The girl who was calling you every name in the book, bitting, hitting, or pulling your hair 2 hrs ago, now wants your care, support, and affection. It is so amazingly counter intuitive, but it is what these kids need. They need you to set limits. They need you to hold them accountable. They need you to forgive them. They need you to comfort them.
This weekend one of my girls fell and hurt her knee. We called the go-to and they said she didn’t need to go the hospital. She needed to stay off it and put ice on it, and we would get her in to see health services on Monday. At the time it seemed like a logical decision. As I reflected on the weekend however, I remembered a time when I got hurt. I was 13 and broke my ankle jumping on a trampoline. My Dad physically picked me up (an amazing show of strength on his part). He immediately carried me to the car and took me to the hospital. These kids deserve that overwhelming, ridiculously over the top show of love. They need to know that they are safe and cared for. We can’t always provide that immediate over the top show of protection and care, but we can ride out the storms with them. We can stay present as they hate us and love us and need us all at once.
I have no idea where God is directing my life. I really don’t know what it will look like in 5 or 10 years. But I know I am in the right place for today. I can’t see the whole picture but I know I am learning some very important lessons.
In honor of Maryhurst and the work that we do, here is a quotation from St. Mary Euphrasia
"Whatever may be your trials, you must never be disheartened, but raise your thoughts and eyes to God, placing your confidence in God . . . . Be strong in soul and generous, setting aside love of self, and if the opportunity occurs, do not hesitate to perform even heroic acts of virtue. If we only use the tips of our fingers or hardly wet ourselves with a sponge when we wash, can we expect to be really clean? To learn to swim we must not enter the water little by little, but throw ourselves into it . . . .
I work in a dorm with 12 teenage girls. Life in the dorm is essentially managed chaos. Our goal is to provide structure, support and safety for these teenagers, so that they can learn how to express their emotions appropriately and make good choices. Our girls are fun and hilarious. They are also angry and wounded. When a girl is being unsafe, we sometimes have to physically put our hands on them. I have never had someone threaten to hit me before and actually mean it. I have never been in a physical struggle with a person when we were both using every ounce of strength we had. With all the training and all the support people can still get hurt. Once the point of crisis has passed there is an unbelievable time of softness and connection. The girl who was calling you every name in the book, bitting, hitting, or pulling your hair 2 hrs ago, now wants your care, support, and affection. It is so amazingly counter intuitive, but it is what these kids need. They need you to set limits. They need you to hold them accountable. They need you to forgive them. They need you to comfort them.
This weekend one of my girls fell and hurt her knee. We called the go-to and they said she didn’t need to go the hospital. She needed to stay off it and put ice on it, and we would get her in to see health services on Monday. At the time it seemed like a logical decision. As I reflected on the weekend however, I remembered a time when I got hurt. I was 13 and broke my ankle jumping on a trampoline. My Dad physically picked me up (an amazing show of strength on his part). He immediately carried me to the car and took me to the hospital. These kids deserve that overwhelming, ridiculously over the top show of love. They need to know that they are safe and cared for. We can’t always provide that immediate over the top show of protection and care, but we can ride out the storms with them. We can stay present as they hate us and love us and need us all at once.
I have no idea where God is directing my life. I really don’t know what it will look like in 5 or 10 years. But I know I am in the right place for today. I can’t see the whole picture but I know I am learning some very important lessons.
In honor of Maryhurst and the work that we do, here is a quotation from St. Mary Euphrasia
"Whatever may be your trials, you must never be disheartened, but raise your thoughts and eyes to God, placing your confidence in God . . . . Be strong in soul and generous, setting aside love of self, and if the opportunity occurs, do not hesitate to perform even heroic acts of virtue. If we only use the tips of our fingers or hardly wet ourselves with a sponge when we wash, can we expect to be really clean? To learn to swim we must not enter the water little by little, but throw ourselves into it . . . .
Friday, September 7, 2007
My momma told me so
In honor of moving back in with my parents (I am that cool) I decided to list a few of their favorite sayings.
My Dad not only has a song about getting a job. He also loves to remind us to "make your plan and work your plan." Which is a pretty good recipe for getting stuff done.
Some of my Mom's best advice is to dress up when you feel crappy because how you look effects how you feel about yourself. So if you are having a low self esteem day or a big meeting or test wear your favorite outfit. It really does make a difference.
They both also use to say "But the candle back!" It is a reference to the movie Young Frankenstein. It used in moments of chaos when the best course of action is to just stand still.
What are your favorite parental sayings?
My Dad not only has a song about getting a job. He also loves to remind us to "make your plan and work your plan." Which is a pretty good recipe for getting stuff done.
Some of my Mom's best advice is to dress up when you feel crappy because how you look effects how you feel about yourself. So if you are having a low self esteem day or a big meeting or test wear your favorite outfit. It really does make a difference.
They both also use to say "But the candle back!" It is a reference to the movie Young Frankenstein. It used in moments of chaos when the best course of action is to just stand still.
What are your favorite parental sayings?
Monday, August 20, 2007
Amidst babel, I repeat, speak the truth.
In the face of death, live humanely. In the middle of chaos, celebrate the Word. Amidst babel … speak the truth. Confront the noise and verbiage and falsehood of death with the truth and potency and efficacy of the Word of God. Know the Word, teach the Word, nurture the Word, preach the Word, defend the Word, incarnate the Word, do the Word, live the Word. And more than that, in the Word of God, expose death and all death’s works and wiles, rebuke lies, cast out demons, exorcise, cleanse the possessed, raise those who are dead in mind and conscience.
WILLIAM STRINGFELLOW, An Ethic for Christians and Other Aliens in a Strange Land
WILLIAM STRINGFELLOW, An Ethic for Christians and Other Aliens in a Strange Land
change
I said there was but one solitary thing about the past worth remembering and that was the fact that it is past - can't be restored.
Mark Twain - Letter to Mr. Burrough
People pretend that the Bible means the same to them at 50 that it did at all former milestones in their journey. I wonder how they can lie so. It comes of practice, no doubt. They would not say that of Dickens' or Scott's books. Nothing remains the same. When a man goes back to look at the house of his childhood, it has always shrunk: there is no instance of such a house being as big as the picture in memory and imagination call for. Shrunk how? Why, to its correct dimensions: the house hasn't altered; this is the first time it has been in focus.
Well, that's loss. To have house and Bible shrink so, under the disillusioning corrected angle, is loss--for a moment. But there are compensations. You tilt the tube skyward and bring planets and comets and corona flames a hundred and fifty thousand miles high into the field. Which I see you have done, and found Tolstoi. I haven't got him in focus yet, but I've got Browning...
- Letter to W. D. Howells, 8/22/1887
Change is the handmaiden Nature requires to do her miracles with.
- Roughing It
Mark Twain - Letter to Mr. Burrough
People pretend that the Bible means the same to them at 50 that it did at all former milestones in their journey. I wonder how they can lie so. It comes of practice, no doubt. They would not say that of Dickens' or Scott's books. Nothing remains the same. When a man goes back to look at the house of his childhood, it has always shrunk: there is no instance of such a house being as big as the picture in memory and imagination call for. Shrunk how? Why, to its correct dimensions: the house hasn't altered; this is the first time it has been in focus.
Well, that's loss. To have house and Bible shrink so, under the disillusioning corrected angle, is loss--for a moment. But there are compensations. You tilt the tube skyward and bring planets and comets and corona flames a hundred and fifty thousand miles high into the field. Which I see you have done, and found Tolstoi. I haven't got him in focus yet, but I've got Browning...
- Letter to W. D. Howells, 8/22/1887
Change is the handmaiden Nature requires to do her miracles with.
- Roughing It
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Who am I?
"Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God."
-- Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love
-- Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love
Madeline Albright
When asked how she became the first female Secretary of state, Madeline Albright said...
I learned how to interrupt men at an early age.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Dream for an Insomniac
Here are a few of my favorite lines from one of my favorite movies
Anything less than mad, passionate, extraordinary love is a waste of your time.
Choices are like connecting highways. They all take you to the same place. Some just take longer to get there.
There are too many mediocre things in life to deal with and love shouldn't be one of them.
I never give up. I either get what I want or I change my mind first.
If you only dream when your asleep, then when your awake, there's still nothing there.
We cheer up occasionally, but we get over it.
Favorite movie lines?
Anything less than mad, passionate, extraordinary love is a waste of your time.
Choices are like connecting highways. They all take you to the same place. Some just take longer to get there.
There are too many mediocre things in life to deal with and love shouldn't be one of them.
I never give up. I either get what I want or I change my mind first.
If you only dream when your asleep, then when your awake, there's still nothing there.
We cheer up occasionally, but we get over it.
Favorite movie lines?
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Ok, Ok, so let me know when you are tired of Tom Robbins quotations
I am rereading Still Life With Woodpecker, a fabulous book that I recomend to all. Here are a few of my favorite lines.
Humanity has advanced, when it has advanced, not because it has been sober, responsible and cautious, but because it has been playful, rebellious, and immature.
Equality is not in requarding different things similarly, equality is in regarding different things differently.
Something has got to hold it together. I'm saying my prayers to Elmer, the Greek god of glue.
Now tequila may be the favoured beverage of outlaws but that doesn't mean it gives them preferential treatment. In fact, tequila probably has betrayed as many outlaws as has the central nervous system and dissatisfied wives. Tequila, scorpion honey, harsh dew of the doglands, essence of Aztec, crema de cacti; tequila, oily and thermal like the sun in solution; tequila, liquid geometry of passion; Tequila, the buzzard god who copulates in midair with the ascending souls of dying virgins; tequila, firebug in the house of good taste; O tequila, savage water of sorcery, what confusion and mischief your sly, rebellious drops do generate!
This is from his "Ode to Readheads" (http://www.angelfire.com/az/varuna/ode.html)
Red O red were the tresses of the original femme fatale.
Of course, much of the "fatale" associated with redheads is illusory, a stereotypical projection on the part of sexually neurotic men. Plenty of redheads are as demure as rosebuds and as sweet as strawberry pie. However, the mere fact that they are perceived to be stormy, if not malicious, grants them a certain license and a certain power. It's as if bitchiness is their birthright. By virtue of their coloration, they possess an innate permit to be terrible and lascivious, which, even if never exercised, sets them apart from the remainder of womankind, who have traditionally been expected to be mild and pure.
Humanity has advanced, when it has advanced, not because it has been sober, responsible and cautious, but because it has been playful, rebellious, and immature.
Equality is not in requarding different things similarly, equality is in regarding different things differently.
Something has got to hold it together. I'm saying my prayers to Elmer, the Greek god of glue.
Now tequila may be the favoured beverage of outlaws but that doesn't mean it gives them preferential treatment. In fact, tequila probably has betrayed as many outlaws as has the central nervous system and dissatisfied wives. Tequila, scorpion honey, harsh dew of the doglands, essence of Aztec, crema de cacti; tequila, oily and thermal like the sun in solution; tequila, liquid geometry of passion; Tequila, the buzzard god who copulates in midair with the ascending souls of dying virgins; tequila, firebug in the house of good taste; O tequila, savage water of sorcery, what confusion and mischief your sly, rebellious drops do generate!
This is from his "Ode to Readheads" (http://www.angelfire.com/az/varuna/ode.html)
Red O red were the tresses of the original femme fatale.
Of course, much of the "fatale" associated with redheads is illusory, a stereotypical projection on the part of sexually neurotic men. Plenty of redheads are as demure as rosebuds and as sweet as strawberry pie. However, the mere fact that they are perceived to be stormy, if not malicious, grants them a certain license and a certain power. It's as if bitchiness is their birthright. By virtue of their coloration, they possess an innate permit to be terrible and lascivious, which, even if never exercised, sets them apart from the remainder of womankind, who have traditionally been expected to be mild and pure.
From "Genius Waitress" (http://www.itineratesurfer.com/2006/04/19/tom-robbins-genius-waitress/)
Of the genius waitress, I now sing.
Of hidden knowledge, buried ambition, and secret
sonnets scribbled on cocktail napkins; of aching
arches, ranting cooks, condescending patrons, and eyes
diverted from ancient Greece to ancient grease; of
burns and pinches and savvy and spunk; of a uniquely
American woman living a uniquely American compromise,
I sing. I sing of the genius waitress.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Pearls Before Swine
I have been doing a little background reading on my favorite comic strip, Pearls Before Swine. The name of the strip comes from Matthew 7:6:
Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.
The comic strip is explained as a "tale of two friends: a megalomaniacal Rat who thinks he knows it all and a slow-witted Pig who doesn't know any better. Together, this pair offers caustic commentary on humanity's quest for the unattainable. ... In this case, Rat believes that he is an endless source of wisdom, and that it is wasted upon Pig, who is rather slow. In truth, neither of them is very smart, but while Pig is content with his humble status in life, Rat is always on a futile search for fame, riches and immortality.
Check it out at http://www.comics.com/comics/pearls/archive/pearls-20070715.html
Question of the week...
What is your favorite comic strip/cartoon and why?
Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.
The comic strip is explained as a "tale of two friends: a megalomaniacal Rat who thinks he knows it all and a slow-witted Pig who doesn't know any better. Together, this pair offers caustic commentary on humanity's quest for the unattainable. ... In this case, Rat believes that he is an endless source of wisdom, and that it is wasted upon Pig, who is rather slow. In truth, neither of them is very smart, but while Pig is content with his humble status in life, Rat is always on a futile search for fame, riches and immortality.
Check it out at http://www.comics.com/comics/pearls/archive/pearls-20070715.html
Question of the week...
What is your favorite comic strip/cartoon and why?
more fortunes (in case you don't read the comments page)
Never make the mistake of thinking you know everything about anything
You are a dreamer and your thinking is inspirational
You will receive praise for a job well done
Rarely have beauty and virtue existed together as strongly as they do in you (this one is totally appropriate for you Bethany!)
You are a dreamer and your thinking is inspirational
You will receive praise for a job well done
Rarely have beauty and virtue existed together as strongly as they do in you (this one is totally appropriate for you Bethany!)
Monday, August 6, 2007
Fortune cookie
My fortune cookie from Saturday night said
Failure is the mother of success.
WTF, what kind of fortune cookie is that? I don't think fortune cookie's should talk about failure. Once I go over my shock I decided it was a good thought. We don't always get it right, and that is ok. We are not made to be perfect, but to learn.
Failure is the mother of success.
WTF, what kind of fortune cookie is that? I don't think fortune cookie's should talk about failure. Once I go over my shock I decided it was a good thought. We don't always get it right, and that is ok. We are not made to be perfect, but to learn.
Monday, July 30, 2007
hello out there
So I found out this weekend that there are people who read my blog, but don't comment on it. I really thought Bethany, Luke and Alexis were the only people reading my random quotations. It is nice to know people are listening. To all of you silent readers out there - Hello!
Friday, July 27, 2007
Joe
A friend of mine from Christmas School is coming to visit this weekend (http://www.berea.edu/peh/dance/ccds/). I am super excited. In honor of Joe's visit here are a few of his favorite quotations from his myspace page.
The bread which you do not use is the bread of the hungry; the garment hanging in your wardrobe is the garment of him who is naked; the shoes that you do not wear are the shoes of the one who is barefoot; the money that you keep locked away is the money of the poor; the acts of charity that you do not perform are so many injustices that you commit.
- Saint Basil
Preach the gospel always and when necessary, use words. - St. Francis of Asissi
Who loves not women, wine and song remains a fool his whole life long - Martin Luther
The bread which you do not use is the bread of the hungry; the garment hanging in your wardrobe is the garment of him who is naked; the shoes that you do not wear are the shoes of the one who is barefoot; the money that you keep locked away is the money of the poor; the acts of charity that you do not perform are so many injustices that you commit.
- Saint Basil
Preach the gospel always and when necessary, use words. - St. Francis of Asissi
Who loves not women, wine and song remains a fool his whole life long - Martin Luther
Friday, July 20, 2007
cheers
One of my friends got married last weekend. At her shower we took some time to toast the couple. Toasting is one of my all time favorite things (if you are getting married please don't ask me to be a bridesmaid, but I am always happy to make a toast).
I used this quotation from my favorite author Tom Robbins from his book Still Life With Woodpecker. Then I added something about breaking all the rules other people have made for you to choose the life you want.
“Love is the ultimate outlaw. It just won't adhere to any rules. The most any of us can do is to sign on as its accomplice. Instead of vowing to honor and obey, maybe we should swear to aid and abet.”
So here is an official call for toasts! What are your favorite toasts?
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Monday, July 9, 2007
The lectionary can be a crazy thing
This Sunday's lectionary text left me with a lot to think about. I attended St. John's Lutheran Church in Atlanta. It is a wonderful congregation just up the street from me. Last Monday, their pastor Brad Schmeling, was officially removed from the rolls of the ELCA as a pastor because of his relationship with his partner Darin (a UCC minister). This was the lectionary text for last Sunday.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
The Lesson of the Smurfs
www.cracked.com
Communism works!
"For naysayers who point to the Former Soviet Union as proof that communism is inherently flawed, may we merely direct your attention to Smurf Village, where everyone shares everything, wears similar utilitarian clothing, battles Gargamel and his turn-Smurfs-to-gold get rich quick schemes and obeys the dictates of a bearded, red hat-wearing, benevolent authority figure. Quoth Comrade Papa: “From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs.” Really, he actually said that."
I am pretty sure I have heard that line about abilities and needs before. Hmmm....I wonder where
Communism works!
"For naysayers who point to the Former Soviet Union as proof that communism is inherently flawed, may we merely direct your attention to Smurf Village, where everyone shares everything, wears similar utilitarian clothing, battles Gargamel and his turn-Smurfs-to-gold get rich quick schemes and obeys the dictates of a bearded, red hat-wearing, benevolent authority figure. Quoth Comrade Papa: “From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs.” Really, he actually said that."
I am pretty sure I have heard that line about abilities and needs before. Hmmm....I wonder where
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Wabi Sabi
I have just spent the last few days at the US Social Forum here in Atlanta. It has been a wonderful week of edgy, grass roots, progressive folks descending on Atlanta. I was pushed and pulled in different directions and am leaving the week with much to research and ponder. One of the most interesting things I learned was during a workshop about Household Economic Justice. The presenter talked about this principle in Japanese architecture called Wabi Sabi. He described it as having three principles
-everything changes
-nothing is perfect
-nothing is finished
He used this to give people a way to examine their lives and working toward something good without beating themselves up. I looked it up on the Internet today and here are a few more interesting thoughts on Wabi Sabi
Wabi Sabi is a comprehensive Japanese world view or aesthetic centred on the acceptance of transience. The aesthetic is sometimes described as one of beauty that is "imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete"
nobleharbor.com
Pared down to its barest essence, wabi-sabi is the Japanese art of finding beauty in imperfection and profundity in nature, of accepting the natural cycle of growth, decay, and death. It's simple, slow, and uncluttered-and it reveres authenticity above all. It celebrates cracks and crevices and all the other marks that time, weather, and loving use leave behind.
-everything changes
-nothing is perfect
-nothing is finished
He used this to give people a way to examine their lives and working toward something good without beating themselves up. I looked it up on the Internet today and here are a few more interesting thoughts on Wabi Sabi
From Wikipedia
Wabi Sabi is a comprehensive Japanese world view or aesthetic centred on the acceptance of transience. The aesthetic is sometimes described as one of beauty that is "imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete"
nobleharbor.com
Pared down to its barest essence, wabi-sabi is the Japanese art of finding beauty in imperfection and profundity in nature, of accepting the natural cycle of growth, decay, and death. It's simple, slow, and uncluttered-and it reveres authenticity above all. It celebrates cracks and crevices and all the other marks that time, weather, and loving use leave behind.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
What I learned at the library
While I was at CTS I was a work study student for three years at the John Bulow Campbell Library. I loved working at the library for many reasons. The folks who work their are all wonderfully intelligent and unique. I got to interact with students (hello I am an extrovert). I got to read the Sunday papers while I put them on the racks. It is a laid back friendly place, while also being well organized and efficient. One of my greatest life/pastoral lessons came from one of the librarians who explained...
"The first question someone asks you is rarely ever the question they actually need the answer to."
"The first question someone asks you is rarely ever the question they actually need the answer to."
Stranger than Fiction
I am not generally a Will Ferrell fan (his brand of slap stick is generally not to my taste) but my parents convinced me that this was a movie I needed to see. They were right. It is a wonderful movie about getting lost in and saved by the mundane details in life. I suggest you watch it. My favorite scene in the movie isn't something you can capture in a quotation. It is when the main character Harold Crick (Will Ferrell) snaps. This measured mild man begins smashing up all the things in his apartment. It is beautiful and funny and sad and true (if you get this reference you get two gold stars).
This is another great exchange in the movie I decided to share with you.
Harold Crick is explaining to Dr. Jules Hilbert (Dustin Hoffman) a literature professor what the narrator had said...
Harold Crick: "Little did he know that this simple seemingly innocuous act would result in his imminent death."
Dr. Jules Hilbert: Little did he know. That means there's something he doesn't know, which means there's something you don't know, did you know that?
This is another great exchange in the movie I decided to share with you.
Harold Crick is explaining to Dr. Jules Hilbert (Dustin Hoffman) a literature professor what the narrator had said...
Harold Crick: "Little did he know that this simple seemingly innocuous act would result in his imminent death."
Dr. Jules Hilbert: Little did he know. That means there's something he doesn't know, which means there's something you don't know, did you know that?
Friday, June 15, 2007
Zen Shorts by Jon J Muth
There was once an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years. One day, his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit.
"Such bad luck," they said sympathetically.
"Maybe," the farmer replied.
The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it two other wild horses.
""Such good luck!" the neighbors exclaimed.
"Maybe," replied the farmer.
The following day, his son tried to ride one of the wild horses, was thrown off, and broke his leg.
Again, the neighbors came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune.
"Such bad luck," they said.
"Maybe," answered the farmer.
The day after that, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army to fight in a war. Seeing that the son's leg was broken, they passed him by.
"Such good luck!" cried the neighbors.
"Maybe," said farmer.
"Such bad luck," they said sympathetically.
"Maybe," the farmer replied.
The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it two other wild horses.
""Such good luck!" the neighbors exclaimed.
"Maybe," replied the farmer.
The following day, his son tried to ride one of the wild horses, was thrown off, and broke his leg.
Again, the neighbors came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune.
"Such bad luck," they said.
"Maybe," answered the farmer.
The day after that, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army to fight in a war. Seeing that the son's leg was broken, they passed him by.
"Such good luck!" cried the neighbors.
"Maybe," said farmer.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Big bro says...
The heart of a human being is no different from the soul of heaven and earth. In your practice always keep in your thoughts the interaction of heaven and earth, water and fire, yin and yang.
Morihei Ueshiba
The Art of Peace
It is bad to carry even a good thing too far. Even concerning things such as Buddhism, Buddhist sermons and moral lessons, talking too much will bring harm.
Feeling deeply the difference between oneself and others, bearing ill will and falling out with people - these things come from a heart that lacks compassion. If one wraps up everything with a heart of compassion, there will be no coming into conflict with people.
Yamamoto Tsunemoto
Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai
Anytime you feel tension and friciton building up between yourself and others, if you change your mind that very moment, you can prevail by the advantage of radical difference. This is 'becoming new'.
Miyamoto Musashi
The Book of Five Rings
The Way is the way of Heaven and Earth; Man's place is to follow it; therefore make it the object of thy life to reverence Heaven. Heaven loves me and others with equal love; therefore with the love wherewith though lovest thyself, love others. Make not Man they partner but heaven, and making Heaven thy partner do the best. Never condemn others; but see to it that though comest not short of thing own mark.
Inazo Nitobe quoting Saigo
Bushido: The Code of the Samurai
Morihei Ueshiba
The Art of Peace
It is bad to carry even a good thing too far. Even concerning things such as Buddhism, Buddhist sermons and moral lessons, talking too much will bring harm.
Feeling deeply the difference between oneself and others, bearing ill will and falling out with people - these things come from a heart that lacks compassion. If one wraps up everything with a heart of compassion, there will be no coming into conflict with people.
Yamamoto Tsunemoto
Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai
Anytime you feel tension and friciton building up between yourself and others, if you change your mind that very moment, you can prevail by the advantage of radical difference. This is 'becoming new'.
Miyamoto Musashi
The Book of Five Rings
The Way is the way of Heaven and Earth; Man's place is to follow it; therefore make it the object of thy life to reverence Heaven. Heaven loves me and others with equal love; therefore with the love wherewith though lovest thyself, love others. Make not Man they partner but heaven, and making Heaven thy partner do the best. Never condemn others; but see to it that though comest not short of thing own mark.
Inazo Nitobe quoting Saigo
Bushido: The Code of the Samurai
R&R
I discovered this weekend that many of the people in my world are stretched very thin (and I could pretend that I am not one of them, but we all know that wouldn’t be true). So here are some quotations in honor of rest. Send me your R & R quotations and I will add them to the blog.
A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world.
-Oscar Wilde
What is without periods of rest will not endure.
- Ovid
Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time.
- Sir John Lubbock
Be still, and know that I am God
-Psalm 46:10
don't just do something sit there
and from Kelly
When you have to make a choice and don't make it, that is in itself a choice. ~William James
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Dolly Parton
Inspired by Alexis here are a few of my favorite Dolly quotes. I adore Dolly for many reasons, she is empowered and down to earth at the same time. She has used her fame to bring industry back to the poor town she grew up in. I am especially proud that she is from East Tennessee. When I was in Kenya a few years ago I was going to have tea with a family from the church. When I walked in the door I heard Dolly playing. I was so shocked to hear her in this traditional rural Kenyan home. I got really excited. "Dolly Parton! She grew up in the same part of the country I did!" I don't think they quite understood why I was so excited. It was so wonderful to hear something familiar in a place so far from home.
Ladies and Gentlemen Dolly Parton...
Find out who you are and do it on purpose.
I'm not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I'm not dumb... and I also know that I'm not blonde.
It's a good thing I was born a girl, otherwise I'd be a drag queen.
Ladies and Gentlemen Dolly Parton...
Find out who you are and do it on purpose.
I'm not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I'm not dumb... and I also know that I'm not blonde.
It's a good thing I was born a girl, otherwise I'd be a drag queen.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Decisions
“Half the worry in the world is caused by people trying to make decisions before they have sufficient knowledge on which to base a decision.” -Dean Hawkes
OK, this is my official call for quotations. Please send me your favorite nuggets of wisdom about decision making and I will post them on my blog. And hopefully they will help me make since of my life too.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Moonstruck
Today's quotation is in honor of one of my Dad's favorite movies.
Moonstruck - Ronny Cammareri
"Loretta, I love you. Not like they told you love is, and I didn't know this either, but love don't make things nice - it ruins everything. It breaks your heart. It makes things a mess. We aren't here to make things perfect. The snowflakes are perfect. The stars are perfect. Not us. Not us! We are here to ruin ourselves and to break our hearts and love the wrong people and die. The storybooks are bullshit."
Moonstruck - Ronny Cammareri
"Loretta, I love you. Not like they told you love is, and I didn't know this either, but love don't make things nice - it ruins everything. It breaks your heart. It makes things a mess. We aren't here to make things perfect. The snowflakes are perfect. The stars are perfect. Not us. Not us! We are here to ruin ourselves and to break our hearts and love the wrong people and die. The storybooks are bullshit."
Monday, June 4, 2007
Sage advice from my big sis'
Today's words of wisdom (apparently I need lots of words of wisdom in my life these days) comes from my adopted big sister Leigh. Over the past four years Leigh has help me survive Greek and Hebrew, major life transitions, and heart break. This year as I have been trying to figure out what to do and where to go she keeps reminding me that...
"All you can do is make the best decision you can with the information you have at the time."
thanks Leigh!
"All you can do is make the best decision you can with the information you have at the time."
thanks Leigh!
Friday, June 1, 2007
My Momma says...
Last night my Mom recounted to me the speech she gave to her 4th graders on their last day of class. Apparently she also gave this speech to our class, but I wasn't wise enough at 12 to remember it forever.
Mom if I don't get it right, feel free to correct.
"It matters. What you do and say in this world matters. Every time you enter or leave a room that room is changed forever. All the things we do great and small have an impact on the world in which we live."
My Dad also has some wonderful lines. I could do a whole series on wisdom from the family. Hmmm...
Mom if I don't get it right, feel free to correct.
"It matters. What you do and say in this world matters. Every time you enter or leave a room that room is changed forever. All the things we do great and small have an impact on the world in which we live."
My Dad also has some wonderful lines. I could do a whole series on wisdom from the family. Hmmm...
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Swami
Yesterday I had tea with Swami Yogeshananda. I have met Swami a couple of times at different interfaith meetings here in Atlanta. He is a very interesting guy. He was raised Presbyterian, worked for the American Friends Service Committee during World War II and then became a Hindu. He told me about the Vedanta Center where he lives and works, giving me a couple of books to read about Hinduism. He asked me what I wanted to do in life. I started to answer and then just explained that I use to know what I wanted to do, but now I am just honestly not very sure. He said that not knowing what you want to do is a very good thing, because it makes you dig deep within yourself to get to know yourself better. It was such a relief to admit that I don't really know where I am headed from here. And it was wonderful to get assurance from him that taking the time to get to know myself was exactly what I need to be doing.
Today's quotations are in honor of Swami
Chhandogya Upanishad (pronouns modified)
"The Self is below, Self is above, the Self is behind, in front, to the right and to the left. The Self has become all this. She who understands this and thinks this way has her pleasure in the Self, her delight in the Self, her bliss in the Self, She is independent and has freedom of movement in all the worlds. But those who think otherwise are ruled by other and have no freedom.
Today's quotations are in honor of Swami
Chhandogya Upanishad (pronouns modified)
"The Self is below, Self is above, the Self is behind, in front, to the right and to the left. The Self has become all this. She who understands this and thinks this way has her pleasure in the Self, her delight in the Self, her bliss in the Self, She is independent and has freedom of movement in all the worlds. But those who think otherwise are ruled by other and have no freedom.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
give courage
First of all I want to give due props to Sara, Dorothy, and Amanda. They had a fabulous quotation board that we took over after they graduated (thanks Luke). I hope they will play along with this new electronic form.
Garrison Keilor said,
"The meaning of poetry is to give courage."
Since I need a little umph in my day here is my current favorite poem.
A Ritual To Read to Each Other
—William Stafford
If you don't know the kind of person I am
and I don't know the kind of person you are
a pattern that others made may prevail in the world
and following the wrong god home we may miss our star.
For there is many a small betrayal in the mind,
a shrug that lets the fragile sequence break
sending with shouts the horrible errors of childhood
storming out to play through the broken dyke.
And as elephants parade holding each elephant's tail,
but if one wanders the circus won't find the park,
I call it cruel and maybe the root of all cruelty
to know what occurs but not recognize the fact.
And so I appeal to a voice, to something shadowy,
a remote important region in all who talk:
though we could fool each other, we should consider
—lest the parade of our mutual life get lost in the dark.
For it is important that awake people be awake,
or a breaking line may discourage them back to sleep;
the signals we give—yes or no, or maybe—
should be clear: the darkness around us is deep.
Garrison Keilor said,
"The meaning of poetry is to give courage."
Since I need a little umph in my day here is my current favorite poem.
A Ritual To Read to Each Other
—William Stafford
If you don't know the kind of person I am
and I don't know the kind of person you are
a pattern that others made may prevail in the world
and following the wrong god home we may miss our star.
For there is many a small betrayal in the mind,
a shrug that lets the fragile sequence break
sending with shouts the horrible errors of childhood
storming out to play through the broken dyke.
And as elephants parade holding each elephant's tail,
but if one wanders the circus won't find the park,
I call it cruel and maybe the root of all cruelty
to know what occurs but not recognize the fact.
And so I appeal to a voice, to something shadowy,
a remote important region in all who talk:
though we could fool each other, we should consider
—lest the parade of our mutual life get lost in the dark.
For it is important that awake people be awake,
or a breaking line may discourage them back to sleep;
the signals we give—yes or no, or maybe—
should be clear: the darkness around us is deep.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
State and Main
"Everybody makes their own fun. If you don't make it yourself, it isn't fun. It's entertainment."
"Nothing is worth more than this day" - Goethe
When I was an earnest college student we use to keep a quotation board (yes - quotation and not quote just ask Dr. Skinner at Presbyterian College). This plain piece of poster board was a place for us to remember interesting things that we read, or keep up with great lines that came out of our friends mouths. Recently I have been working on slowing down and paying more attention to what is around me. I have decided to reawaken the quotation board in blog format and I invite you all to play along.
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Don't find fault, find a remedy.
Henry Ford
The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.
Dolly Parton (I love Dolly)
Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.
Confucius