Sept. 2009 Soul and Solace

Creativity/Spirituality, , ,

Milestone Moments

Whistles, cheers, and a low, rumbling chant: “one oh, one oh”—we heard it half a mile away. A moment later we saw flags waving and teens crowding toward the school’s doors. I noticed a number of new shoes and backpacks still bearing store-fresh creases. My daughter was somewhere in that crowd, sporting a sea-foam green t-shirt bearing the hot-pink logo “10.” Dots of sea-foam green adorned the crowd: Senior girls dressed to celebrate their first day of class as top of the heap. Waves of enthusiastic energy burst across the campus and into the street; they caught me up and took me back to such a day in my life. And in a season of life that at best could be described as perplexing and at worst as demoralizing, that enthusiastic, anticipatory energy gave me hope.

Such formative moments are like milestones on our life’s journey. As we first pass them, the milestones form tangible evidence that we have, indeed, come this far. Looking back on them in tough times, they become tangible reminders that things have not always been so and, indeed, may not always be.

What milestones form your life’s journey? What did they mean to you as you passed them? What meaning do they hold for you now? Consider graphing your milestone journey; you might write it, draw it, sculpt it, sew it, or . . . Then, if you like, share your experience of the practice with us.

August 2009 Soul and Solace

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Like Blanche DuBois, I recently had occasion to rely on the kindness of strangers. During a weekend outing to Fredricksburg, TX, I caught my foot on a curb and smashed my face full-force against the pavement. I could tell, from the blood on my hands, the state of my glasses, and from the expressions on my family’s faces, that something was amiss. Then strangers appeared: a child bearing a worried expression, a woman thrusting a pack of tissues into my daughter’s hands, people offering bottles of water, a man who ran into a restaurant and returned with a bag of ice and a handful of napkins. Bicycle police insisted I let EMS check me out; EMS directed me to a nearby Wal-Mart, where I could purchase first-aid supplies. While my daughters tended my wounds in the Wal-Mart bathroom, woman after woman appeared, looked at me, registered shock, and asked the question of compassion: “What happened to you?” Then they shared their stories of frightening falls and of recoveries. Each story was different, but I noticed a running theme: connection. The actions of, the stories of these strangers recognized that we are connected by our humanness, by our vulnerability, by our need for community, and by our need for hope.

After that weekend, I recommitted myself to being a stranger on whose kindness others can rely. What does “stranger kindness” look like to you?

July 2009 Soul and Solace

Creativity/Spirituality, ,

Summertime: children are seen everywhere. Or are they? Society tends toward two extremes in its treatment of young people. One extreme views children as big-eyed cartoon characters who say precious and endearing things. (Many children’s faith education publications sport just such illustrations.) The other extreme views children as “not quite” people. (For instance, the term “minor” indicates someone who is “less than.”)

The first view relates to children more as pets than as people, viewing them simply as “cute,” while denying them the respect afforded to equals. The second view renders children invisible: because they are small of stature, or because they cannot vote or earn a wage, society simply does not see them.

This summer, we can make a spiritual practice of valuing children as persons. Below are some ideas; you may have others. We’d love to hear them!

  • Get on a child’s eye level when interacting with him/her;
  • Ask questions in a child’s language: gauge word choice and sentence structure to the child’s needs;
  • Help other adults “see” children (For instance, children awaiting service in retail establishments often get overlooked. We can point out their presence to the wait staff.);
  • Say “excuse me” to a child every time you would do the same for an adult;
  • In teaching situations, replace “cute” with “quality”;
  • Learn a child’s name; and
  • Ask a child to teach you how to do something at which she/he is accomplished.

Do you have other suggestions?

June 2009 Soul and Solace

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Swimming pools, water slides, river rafting—summer & water, what a delightful duo! Scientists wonder if coming generations will have the resources to enjoy such treats. They predict that we face a critical shortage of water—readers of Frank Herbert’s Dune series can imagine the ramifications.

How, then, can we honor water—enjoying its gifts and conserving it as a precious resource for future generations? Below are a few suggestions. Do you have others?

  • Experience a glass of water with your senses: feel the water’s coolness on your hand as it flows from the tap, listen as it hits the bottom of the container, hold the glass up to a light and study the colors within the water, taste the water—what memory does your taste evoke?
  • Indulge in a long bath instead of a long shower; every once in awhile, light candles, play quiet music, and settle in for a soak.
  • Wait to wash. Wait until you have a full load in the dishwasher or the clothes washer before running them.
  • Xeriscape. Reduce the need to water the lawn by replacing “water-needy” plants with more drought-resistant ones.
  • Watch a rainstorm. Turn out the lights, snuggle up with someone you love, and just be.
  • Read A Search for Delicious by Natalie Babbitt. A delicious read!
  • Make a splash! Whether it’s a pool party, a water balloon fight, or just rolling up your pants legs for a wade, let water work its magic on you. After all, what better way to honor water than with laughter?

Do you have other suggestions?

May 2009 Soul and Solace

Creativity/Spirituality, , , ,

What Works?

I recently completed a job for which I was wholly unsuited—­we’re talking round peg stuffed into a square hole! Many people these days are doing the same thing—“you gotta do what you gotta do!” So what solace can we offer our souls while making our way through a tough work situation? I found the practices below helpful and would love to hear others you might offer.

  • Laugh: Finding a way to look at my workspace with a twinkle in my eye provided balance;
  • Visualize: I imagined what good my work would do, both for the world (I was providing a needed service) and for those closest to me (I imagined my daughter wearing the Senior Ring my salary would provide);
  • Survival Treats: Planning simple treats to delight my soul helped. Possibilities? Check out a film from the library, walk somewhere beautiful, visit a gallery or museum, phone a friend, create something, enjoy comfort food.

Do you have other suggestions?

April 2009 Soul and Solace

Creativity/Spirituality, ,

God Sightings

What does God look like, after all? Many world spiritualities reply, “Just look around.” This month consider a practice of “God Sighting.” Choose five persons with whom you share at least part of your vulnerable soul. What about them allows you that level of trust? Begin noticing those characteristics in others around you—maybe in a person; maybe in an animal; maybe in a rock, or a lake, or a sandwich—maybe in yourself.

What do you see? We’d like to know!

March 2009 Soul and Solace

Creativity/Spirituality, ,

A school principal told this story at a teacher’s conference. A student was brought, again, to her office. He’d a long history of acting out. Inspiration came as she gazed at the youth. Pulling a standing mirror from her closet, she instructed, “Stand before this mirror until you see someone you like.” Then she left the office. Once, she peeked to see the youth’s puzzled frown as he studied his reflection. When she came back later, he had gone­after that his behavior grew more thoughtful and loving and she did not see him again in her office.

It is easy, isn’t it, to describe how unacceptable, unworthy, or “less than” we are? What if, instead, just for the month of March, we let it be enough to be who we are where we are? What if we gazed in the mirror until we liked what we saw and then pulled out a mirror and invited others to do the same?

February 2009 Soul and Solace

Creativity/Spirituality, ,

Let’s face it: much in twenty-first century life, at least in America, permits isolation. Big vehicles, often equipped with tinted windows, hide us—and our actions toward others—from view. Through technology we communicate when we like, as we like, if we like, and block what we wish as well. Most of us live in single dwellings, where we can lock ourselves in and everyone else out. But what if we chose to become anarchists? What if we used our very anonymity to honor our connectedness to all creation?

What if we chose to become Kindness Anarchists: committing kind acts without “being seen.” Such as—

  • allowing a car to merge in front of us onto the highway
  • creating a beautiful and inspiring YouTube video or PowerPoint for others to “happen upon”
  • adorning the landscape outside our homes for the enjoyment of those who drive or walk past.

The possibilities available to a creative Kindness Anarchist are endless. We’d love to hear what kinds of Kindness Anarchy inspire you!

“Ahh, Bach!” — Creative Guitar Playing

Creativity/Spirituality, ,

“Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast, To soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.” (William Congreve)

I mentioned in a previous blog Hawkeye’s comment that when you said “Bach” that you’ve said everything (“I think once you’ve said that, you’ve said it all.”). For me there are “Ah, Bach!” moments that occur when musicians challenge my mind and soul. The literary references in Led Zeppelin, along with the music, soar above so many songs that I hear today; The Beatles wove stories through their music; U2 speaks for social justice.  Classical music is not the only genre that inspires and moves.

So, the other day I discovered—well, actually, I was sent this link (http://www.mikerayburn.com/flv/comicallyderailed.html) to—Mike Rayburn, who bills himself as The World’s Funniest Guitar Virtuoso. His artistic presentation, Comically Derailed, showcases creativity and performance that provided me with a lift to my soul and spirit. The range of music is amazing. Check him out. “Ahh, music!!! I’m charmed.”

January 2009 Soul and Solace

Creativity/Spirituality, , ,

Okay, I admit it—I LOVE Christmas music. I’ve been known to play it in the middle of July, just because I required a fix. And I’ve been grieving because, several years ago, the bell tower on César Cheváz played holiday songs that I reveled in as I walked, but, after that year, I never heard them again.

This holiday season both my husband and I were searching for “pay the rent” jobs and looking toward a new year filled with large question marks. One day as we walked, the bell tower chimed the hour, and then—delight!—began to chime Christmas music. After that, we timed our walks so we would be near the tower when the music began. The throb of the music pulsed through our walking feet and the bell’s vibrations pulsed in our ears until it seemed our hearts pumped in rhythm to their insistent best. In a season of perplexity, the bells rang out beauty, clarity, and harmony.

What music nourishes you? This month, gift yourself with its listening. Find a time free of distractions, choose a comfortable position (on a squishy couch, a firm mattress, or yoga-style on the grass) and give yourself up to the music. Listen again and again, if you like. The time is well spent.