This afternoon a congregant of mine died. While he wasn't in good health to start, this came rather suddenly and my heart has been heavy today. I grieve for his family. I grieve for the congregation, as this is the fourth death in just a few months time. Today it has been difficult to appreciate and embrace joy. It's not that it hasn't been there for me, it's just been difficult to reach out and grab it.
A sparkle of joy crept into my being this evening (I must have left the door open a tiny bit!) as I watched the local high school marching band practice their drill. Seeing nearly one hundred teenagers working so hard, with such amazingly positive attitudes, how could I not smile? Tonight I choose joy. Tomorrow may be just as difficult as today, but tonight I take a break from my grief and I choose joy - teenagers making music and marching with precision!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Joy and Sorrow
I found this great video the other day and posted it on Facebook. I hadn't thought much about posting it here, as I hadn't considered there being much joy connected with the video. As I've reflected on it, and gotten comments from others who have been touched by the video, I realize that once again this is an example of the sorrow and joy of life being linked together in ways that are not often obvious. Check out the video.
http://www.dailygood.org/more.php?n=3808
There is no joy in homelessness, but there is joy is being able to share a touching piece of art that may educate and inspire people to do something about homelessness. There is joy in knowing that this video was made with just $57 and yet won an award at a short film festival.
Opportunities to bring joy to others present themselves every day in our lives. Give someone a dollar or a cup of coffee, offer a smile or a hug, share a video!
http://www.dailygood.org/more.php?n=3808
There is no joy in homelessness, but there is joy is being able to share a touching piece of art that may educate and inspire people to do something about homelessness. There is joy in knowing that this video was made with just $57 and yet won an award at a short film festival.
Opportunities to bring joy to others present themselves every day in our lives. Give someone a dollar or a cup of coffee, offer a smile or a hug, share a video!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Oh Baby!
A colleague of mine posted some pic.s on Facebook last week of his beautiful newborn son. Seeing the photos of him and his wife cradling and snuggling that precious little one brought me to tears. I am without a doubt a soppy sentimental soul, and babies get me every time! Joy, joy!
In honor of my colleague's new baby, another colleague's baby due in Sept., and a congregant's first grandchild due in Oct., I wanted to post a "cute baby" image here and came across these. Obviously, these are not a real babies. The headline I saw with this image was "Marzipan Babies". Marzipan babies? Marzipan: that almondy-strange-sweet paste. Really? There were comments that accompanied the images, talking about the amazing talent of the woman who created these 'sweet' little things. You've got to be kidding. Oh, sure, the artist is definitely talented. But marzipan?! As it turns out, the mini babies are not made of marzipan. That was just a hoax. They are actually made from polymer clay. Now that makes more sense. It was just too creepy to think that those adorable little dolls were edible. Can you just imagine?
There are days when I miss cradling my babies, now 22 and 15. You don't have to be a parent to realize just how special children are. They are our teachers as much as we are theirs, and at some point they are our leaders. Look into the eyes of children and you will see your future. Consider some of the enlightened teachers of the world's great religions, like Jesus and Buddha. Their stories start with them as children. Their births are heralded with religious observance, national holidays, and lots of hoopla. But in the words of Sophia Lyon Fahs, an inspiring leader in Unitarian religious education, "Every night a child is born is a holy night." Every night. Every child. That includes you and me too.
Joy, joy! Bring on the babies, hold the marzipan.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Welcome to the 'silly season'
We are officially in the 'silly season'. That's the time of year (mid to late summer) when ridiculously frivolous news stories abound as the more newsworthy events typically happen with less frequency. The silly season is a part of politics as well.
Have you seen the ad that chides President Obama for taking a vacation with his family? The same group of lovely people that created the swift boat ads created this ad. I saw it on MSNBC this morning. There are those who will claim the ad is really about voting down the proposed healthcare plan, and of course that is a large part of the message. But the obvious inference, even if not the primary intent, is that the president is foolish and careless to be vacationing right now.
Yes, I am annoyed, and even slightly angry about this ad and the sentiment that our president should not leave D.C. right now to spend some quality time with his family. Of course I want leaders who work hard, see tasks through to the end, and set an example of what it means to be committed and dedicated to their calling. But I also want leaders who make their family a priority, who see self care as a worthy practice, who set an example of what it means to have balance in your life. I'm not speaking of just our president, but of all those who serve as leaders; leading others by way of example.
It would be difficult to find anyone not hiding under a rock who wouldn't agree that this is a difficult time for our country. We're in the throes of a health care reform crisis (I have to call it such when people come armed to town hall meetings and bark out ridiculous claims of Nazism against those who favor the president's plan). We've got women and men in our armed forces dying in Iraq and Afghanistan. California's unemployment rate continues to climb. Racism is alive and well. I could go on and on. But realistically speaking, would there ever be a time when there is not a crisis of some sort, or there is nothing but peace, quiet, and harmony throughout the land? Only in my dreams! All the more reason that we need all of our leaders to take time now and again to rest their bodies, minds, and spirits; refresh and rejuvenate in order to return to the difficult work with a renewed strength. Balance the struggles, challenges, and disappointments with time for rest and joy. As a minister, this is what I do for myself and my congregation - take time to care for myself in order to better care for my people.
Please find time to work for balance in your life. Care for yourself and you will be able to better care for others. You may not be able to take a vacation to Martha's Vineyard next week, but you can find the joy in a small moment of rest for your body, mind, and spirit, and be grateful that you are not the president!
There's more joy somewhere - keeping looking!
Have you seen the ad that chides President Obama for taking a vacation with his family? The same group of lovely people that created the swift boat ads created this ad. I saw it on MSNBC this morning. There are those who will claim the ad is really about voting down the proposed healthcare plan, and of course that is a large part of the message. But the obvious inference, even if not the primary intent, is that the president is foolish and careless to be vacationing right now.
Yes, I am annoyed, and even slightly angry about this ad and the sentiment that our president should not leave D.C. right now to spend some quality time with his family. Of course I want leaders who work hard, see tasks through to the end, and set an example of what it means to be committed and dedicated to their calling. But I also want leaders who make their family a priority, who see self care as a worthy practice, who set an example of what it means to have balance in your life. I'm not speaking of just our president, but of all those who serve as leaders; leading others by way of example.
It would be difficult to find anyone not hiding under a rock who wouldn't agree that this is a difficult time for our country. We're in the throes of a health care reform crisis (I have to call it such when people come armed to town hall meetings and bark out ridiculous claims of Nazism against those who favor the president's plan). We've got women and men in our armed forces dying in Iraq and Afghanistan. California's unemployment rate continues to climb. Racism is alive and well. I could go on and on. But realistically speaking, would there ever be a time when there is not a crisis of some sort, or there is nothing but peace, quiet, and harmony throughout the land? Only in my dreams! All the more reason that we need all of our leaders to take time now and again to rest their bodies, minds, and spirits; refresh and rejuvenate in order to return to the difficult work with a renewed strength. Balance the struggles, challenges, and disappointments with time for rest and joy. As a minister, this is what I do for myself and my congregation - take time to care for myself in order to better care for my people.
Please find time to work for balance in your life. Care for yourself and you will be able to better care for others. You may not be able to take a vacation to Martha's Vineyard next week, but you can find the joy in a small moment of rest for your body, mind, and spirit, and be grateful that you are not the president!
There's more joy somewhere - keeping looking!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Day 1!
Well, here it is. This is the first day, first post, first public musing from the Pulpit of Joy.
It isn't an easy task to find joy each and every day, but I do believe that it is possible. Yes, call me the cock-eyed optimist, but joy is there. It may be, and often is, in the simplest of what I might consider the mundane moments of my life, but it is nevertheless there.
With the healthcare crisis looming overhead and the vitriol that's being spewed about at Town Hall meetings across the country, finding joy can be like a game of hide-and-seek. It is important to be angry when injustice continues to rear its ugly head. It is understandable to be disappointed when trust has been compromised. It is perfectly normal, and healthy, to feel a sense of loss, sadness, and grief, when your life journey takes a turn in that direction. But it is equally important to find joy. Balance is the key to a life fulfilled. Now I do not have the best sense of balance. As far as the balance beam of life goes, I'm no Shawn Johnson - not even close. But I do know the importance of balance and I will continue to strive for it; seeking out joy in my everyday life.
As for today, let me share that there is joy in the five minute car ride with an almost fifteen-year-old young man when the conversation goes beyond grunts of agreement or eyerolling (yes, boys do the eyeroll too) of disagreement. It is pure joy when you hear a smile in your child's voice and see a smile in your child's eyes. That is joy and for that I am grateful.
More to come from the Pulpit of Joy!
It isn't an easy task to find joy each and every day, but I do believe that it is possible. Yes, call me the cock-eyed optimist, but joy is there. It may be, and often is, in the simplest of what I might consider the mundane moments of my life, but it is nevertheless there.
With the healthcare crisis looming overhead and the vitriol that's being spewed about at Town Hall meetings across the country, finding joy can be like a game of hide-and-seek. It is important to be angry when injustice continues to rear its ugly head. It is understandable to be disappointed when trust has been compromised. It is perfectly normal, and healthy, to feel a sense of loss, sadness, and grief, when your life journey takes a turn in that direction. But it is equally important to find joy. Balance is the key to a life fulfilled. Now I do not have the best sense of balance. As far as the balance beam of life goes, I'm no Shawn Johnson - not even close. But I do know the importance of balance and I will continue to strive for it; seeking out joy in my everyday life.
As for today, let me share that there is joy in the five minute car ride with an almost fifteen-year-old young man when the conversation goes beyond grunts of agreement or eyerolling (yes, boys do the eyeroll too) of disagreement. It is pure joy when you hear a smile in your child's voice and see a smile in your child's eyes. That is joy and for that I am grateful.
More to come from the Pulpit of Joy!
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