Danville Foodstock Dinner Today

The Danville Foodstock Sunday Dinner for December is today. Doors open at 11:00, dinner begins at 11:30 and goes till the food runs out.

Today's menu is Holiday Ham, scalloped potatoes, green beans, garden salad, and Christmas cookies for dessert.

The dinner is presented at the Tilton Public Use Buidling, behind the Tilton ball park complex.

For a map, directions, and further information, or to make a donation, please visit the Danville Foodstock web site.

Many thanks, as always to County Market (North), Vermilion Valley Produce, and the many other businesses and individuals who help make sure that Danville Foodstock continues to serve food - and hope! - to those in need.

In peace,

Lane

A Christmas Celebration

Later today, I'll be performing at a Christmas party in our area. Let me tell you a bit about it.

Every year, Robin - of Robin's Bar & Grill - puts on a Christmas party for the area's children. Each year she entertains dozens of children from low-income families, along with their parents. She pays for everything, the food, the gifts, the decorations... everything! This is one way that Robin gives back to her community and serves others.

Last year was the first time I was involved. I learned of the event from Glenda, who has participated for several years. I immediately offered to perform, and it was one of my first solo performances. I quickly learned several Christmas carols, and added a couple of my own tunes. I had a blast and so did the kids, so the event immediately became a part of my permanent calendar.

So, later today, if you hear one old man and a bunch of kids singing at the top of their lungs, with big smiles on their faces, that's us!

By the way, I just noticed that it's started to snow here. Cool deal! Snowball fights in the parking lot!

In peace,

Lane

Welcoming Teach Me Bass Guitar

Today I'd like to introduce you to Teach Me Bass Guitar (TMBG), a phenomenal new DVD-based instructional course created by one of my best friends, Roy Vogt. At the end of September, I joined The Learning Dock, LLC, (TLD) publishers of TMBG, as VP, Sales & Outreach. My main reason for considering the opportunity was to help Roy promote the crowning achievement of his thirty year career as an internationally-acclaimed musician and educator. I now have many more reasons to be with the company.

Before I go through the whole story, let me point out that Teach Me Bass Guitar is the most comprehensive, effective and entertaining course of bass guitar instruction available anywhere outside of a major school of music. Roy is a master educator with over thirty years experience teaching at the university level - at Nashville's prestigious Belmont University, no less. TMBG is great for everyone from brand-new beginners just picking up the bass guitar, to serious intermediate players who want to hone their skills and correct bad habits. It's also an excellent primer of various musical styles for those wanting to broaden their horizons. If you want to learn to play bass guitar, there simply is no better way to learn!

Now... grab your cup of coffee and let me tell you why I'm writing about Roy and TMBG here.

Roy and I go back to the mid 80s, when I met him while he was touring with Dickey Betts (Allman Brothers) and his band Great Southern. We hit it off right away and stayed in touch when and as we got the chance. This was before the Internet, email, texting and such. But once the Net was king, Roy and I were able to stay in much closer touch. Many years later, in the summer of 2005, Roy began to write bass guitar lessons and music business articles for Eden Electronics, a bass amp company Roy and I have both endorsed for more than a decade. At the time, I was the company's Special Projects Coordinator; one of my duties was as managing editor for the company web site. (For much of that time, I was also Roy's Artist Relations contact for the company, yet another reason to work together.)

Roy and I worked together as writer and editor until earlier this year, when funding cuts curtailed our project (among many others). I drove down to Nashville often, and always did my best to see Roy, several times offering music business clinics to his students at Belmont University, and inviting Roy to participate in my in-store events for Eden dealers. So when Roy first told me about Teach Me Bass Guitar, I immediately volunteered to help him promote it in any way I could.

What neither of us realized was that, by June, I would have left the company and would be searching for new ventures to fill the void. I believe I've mentioned here before that the parent company for which I worked was brutally damaged by the downward spiraling economy, as was much of the music manufacturing industry in general. I survived many cutbacks and lay-offs throughout the last part of 2008. But in January, 2009, I knew things were "going south" when the company cut me from the team that would be at the winter NAMM show. When a company will not pay the cost to take their chief promoter of an entire product line to a trade show, you know things are really bad.

Over the first half of this year, I watched my pay dwindle and my benefits disappear. I was converted to subcontractor status and basically supervised the break-up of my position with various duties taken by a number of others. I'm sure you can understand that, by the time it all came to a grinding painful halt in June, I was beaten up pretty badly. Even though I knew it was time to go - what with my close friend and "partner in tone" David Nordschow having already left the company at the end of summer, 2008 (I originally slowed down my consulting practice to assist David) - it was a difficult transition for many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that it put a serious financial strain on my new marriage.

Now, reading this blog, you wouldn't know much about that, as I wrote very little about it. And when I did, I talked about how fortunate I was to have an understanding wife and the faith that there was something better in store for me. I knew that if I worked hard to do my part, I would receive divine assistance. I knew that God had a plan, even if I didn't know what it was. And that's where Teach Me Bass Guitar comes in.

In mid-July, I met Barbara and David Crossman, owners of TLD, at the summer NAMM show - the second largest music industry trade show (the first being the winter NAMM show). I urged her to call me to discuss possibilities and Roy recommended me highly. One thing led to another, and we finally got to sit down for a few days of meetings in late September, with the result being that I came home with a truck-load of work to do, and an even greater load of hope and gratitude. Not only was I going to help Roy with his dream, I was going to help an entire family with theirs as well - all while helping to make my own dreams a reality.

David and Barbara are both very spiritual people. Devout in their faith, and both working hard to follow the teachings to the best of their ability. The same is true of their children and their families. I'll write more about this in future posts. For now, suffice to say that they all walk the walk, and there's not a whole lot of book-thumpin' going on. (Sure, we talk about spirituality, but that's not thumpin'; that's sharing.)

So here I am - doing something I love to do while helping one of my closest friends and a wonderful family - promoting the most amazing bass instructional course I've ever seen. I really wish I'd had something like this when I started playing bass 40 years ago!

Now, here's the really cool part - like many music education products, a large portion of sales is through affiliate marketing. For those that don't know, this is basically a system by which others promote your products and get a portion of each sale they refer. Because David and Barbara are very focused on service to others, they have set up a special program for non-profits and other charitable organizations. That way, a person can purchase the product and a good portion of their price will go to the organization through which they order.

You can now order Teach Me Bass Guitar through the Life with Spirit Foundation, with up to 30% of your purchase price going to support our work. I think that's just incredible! If you know someone - of any age! - who wants to learn to play bass guitar, or improve their skills, introduce them to Roy's course and Life with Spirit at the same time.

Isn't it interesting what a difference a few short months can make in person's life? No matter how bad things are, they can get better in a hurry if you do two things:

Do Your Part

Have Faith

Do what needs doing and get the job done. Sooner begun, sooner done, as my father used to say. It won't help to sit and worry or complain. It won't even help to pray if you aren't willing to take responsibility for your share of the burden. No matter your situation, get up every day and deal with it. Remember, God helps those who help themselves. You have to show you're willing to invest some effort to get through the bad times... that you'll do whatever is required of you to keep going. Or, to put it bluntly - Do Your Part.

Rome wasn't built in a day (I'm full of sayings and cliches today!), and it will take time to get through any difficult situation. Even when times seem their darkest, you have to have strong faith that the Light will prevail, as it always does. You have to know that, as a Child of Spirit, you are cared for and loved always... that you will be provided for, as Jesus often promised. "See the birds in the air..."

I did my part. And so did Glenda. But more importantly, I had faith. I trusted that I was on the right road, and was being guided in my journey. And my trust has been repaid many times over with a wonderful gift - of a new opportunity, new friends, and a new way to serve my fellow bassists. All in time for Christmas!

I'm a happy boy!! (smile)

In peace,

Lane

A Wonderful Weekend

This weekend the Danville Foodstock kitchen crew assisted with the Village of Tilton's Senior Holiday Dinner. Eleven turkeys and all the trimmings, with several pies and puddings for dessert. I ended up doing a short set of Christmas Carols and a few of my own songs, near the end of the dinner. Of course, Monty Schroeder, Danville Foodstock's Head Chef and Ktichen Boss supervised all of the cooking and the serving line. Glenda assisted throughout, never sitting down until we finally got home in the late afternoon.

We were all pleased to take part, and look forward to taking part again next year. This is our way of thanking the village of Tilton for their kind support of the Danville Foodstock Sunday Dinner series. They allows us free use of their building, and provide funding assistance for every dinner. Recently they repaved the long, winding 2-lane road that winds back to the facility, so that it would be less treacherous for dinner guests this winter. They have also allowed us to reserve the third Sunday of every month, beginning this coming Sunday. That will make it easier for folks to remember it and make it a permanent part of their schedule.

You can learn more about Danville Foodstock and how you can help by visiting the web site. While there, please sign up to receive our new monthly newsletter, beginning in January, 2010. You can also get instant updates through the new Twitter account - twitter.com/foodandhope.

In peace,

Lane

Thought for Today - 12.10.09

If prayer and passage meditation are talking to God, silent meditation is listening to God for the answers. After prayer or passage meditation, I always sit, at least for a few minutes, in silent meditation in case God has something to say to me.

In peace,

Lane

A New Opportunity to Serve

Yesterday, I wrote about a small congregation at risk of losing their church. To add a little to the story, I'm honored that they have asked me to serve as their minister - at least temporarily. Because their lawyer has recommended they not have services in the building until the lawsuit is settled, we will be holding services in the home of one of the members of the church. In respect of her privacy, I am not listing the address. However, if you would like to attend, please feel free to email me here.

Religion and Money

Like my indigenous forebears, I do not set fees for the spiritual work I do. Instead, I do the work when asked in a good way, leaving it to the person to make a free will offering after the work is completed.

Many times I have been asked why I don't set fees in advance. Today, I'd like to offer an example to illustrate my reason for not doing so.

Just a few minutes south of me is a small congregation that has been together for decades. Recently the parent organization - I hesitate to call it a church - decided they could make a pile of money by selling off the church. They had already closed others in the area, at least once barging into the sanctuary in the middle of a Sunday service, forcing everyone out of the building before the service was completed. On one building, they supposedly made almost a million dollars on the sale of the land.

These hypocrites have shown their stripes. They don't care about anyone's soul as much as they do money. If they did, they'd never stoop so low.

The good news here is that this particular congregation is not going away quietly. It seems that the parent organization had deeded the church and the land to the actual congregation and so do not have a legal claim to the property anymore. The bad news is that the lawyers are now involved, so it will be some time before the congregation can pray in their own house of worship.

All because of money. And that is the problem. When spiritual ministry becomes a service for profit, the spirituality itself becomes lost. When the value of a building is greater in one's eyes (or several persons'!) than the value of the spiritual well being of the congregation, that person is no longer religious, much less spiritual. Unless, of course, they worship money.

I much prefer the way I do things. I do the work and leave it the person or people for whom that work is done to offer what they can... what they feel is fair. Often, I won't even open the envelope for many days. And the money always goes to support more work.

So, if you ever ask me for spiritual support, know that money is not, and never will be, a part of my motivation. I do what I do because I feel called to the task. I do it because it's one way I can live a life with Spirit. May it always be so!

In peace,

Lane

Bringing Peace to the World

A few days ago, an e-letter arrived in my In box. It's one of numerous items I receive that relate in some way to spirituality, right livelihood, positive attitude, and what-have-you. I find them to be an interesting source of ideas to ponder. I don't always agree with the ideas offered, but even then they can be a good stimulant for my own thoughts.

This was such a time. What has made it so interesting is that this one paragraph catapulted me into a series of contemplations on how to bring true peace to the world. Heady stuff, to be sure, yet it seems to me that, if we are really living a life with Spirit, world peace should be one of our highest priority goals. For me, the short statement, or creed, I wrote more than a decade ago, encapsulates the essence of living a life with Spirit:

one world ~ one people
one Spirit ~ one message:
Live in Harmony

When we recognize the truth that we are all God's children, that each of us carries within the essence of the Sacred Source of all things, and then live our lives with that truth as our very foundation, we cannot help but strive to live in harmony with the rest of creation - most importantly, with our fellow human beings.

Now, after all that lead-up, let's go back to the message that got me started.

This issue's prayer called on God to "bring peace" to nations suffering from war. Why? If it were God's responsibility to end the war in Afghanistan, don't you think He'd have done something before now? Thing is, it's not His responsibility; it belongs to the people who started the war, and who perpetuate it. And, unfortunately, that means those of us in the US who have allowed this war to continue. We'll talk about that later, but there's a larger context in which we need to frame the discussion, and I'll get there in a minute. But there's another piece of the puzzle to display first.

The morning after this particular email, I watched a report about a 15 year old boy who was doused with rubbing alcohol and lit on fire by five other young teens. At one point the mother said that something had to be done to curb the violence in our children. Without thinking, I murmured, "start with the government." Glenda asked what the government could do to stop the violence.

My point was (and is) that we live under a government that, for decades, has only seen one option when we didn't get our way: violence. Don't like a legitimately elected government? Overthrow it. Want to control another country's resources? Invade it on a flimsy excuse. On and on it goes. Lies and fear are spread to force us into line. Cries of lack of patriotism if we disagree with the warmongers. And, now, we're told that constant war is the only way to have peace.

Wait a minute? Didn't Orwell warn us of this?

Like it or not, the US has been the largest geopolitical bully for more than fifty years - and all for the sake of the wealthiest among us, so they could capture even more wealth. Eisenhower warned us, and we ignored him. Now, we're reaping the sad harvest of that apathy. Our nation has gotten in bed with the worst of despots, dictators and iron-handed monarchs when it suited corporate profits. We have undermined legitimate governments that were supported by the people when they wouldn't yield control of their resources to us, setting up corrupt, repressive regimes in their place, and couldn't have cared less how it adversely affected the citizens.

The amount of money, people, resources, time and other measures of energy and focus spent on perpetuating global violence is staggering. How any person who claims religion as the cornerstone of their life can rationalize and excuse it is unfathomable. How does this relate to our children? Simple - they are doing what they're taught to do.

Our children are being taught that violence is the only answer. They see our own government do it. They see adults commit violence to get their way. They watch their parents get into screaming matches and fights at their soccer games. Does anyone think that they're learning to responsibly deal with conflict and disagreement?

At the same time, we live in a country that has lost much of its hope. Our children look at the world and see less opportunity to better their lives. They graduate college only to find that there is no work for them. They see little chance of fulfillment and happiness in the pursuit of career. It makes them frustrated and very angry. Faced with these feelings, they vent them as they have been taught - in violence.

If we really want to change things, we have to start with ourselves. That means living our lives centered on peaceful coexistence with others. It doesn't mean rolling over and letting others take advantage of us. We can still take a stand for our rights, and the rights of others, but it must be done from a center of peace. And that is very different center than violence.

Some talk about courage in terms of committing violence on another. Yet how much courage does it take to attack someone smaller, younger (or older!), weaker and/or less violent? How much courage does it take to attack an individual in groups? How much courage does it take to swing a club, throw a brick, fire a gun? (By the way, how often have you seen someone start a fight because they were in the right?)

It takes a very special kind of courage to take a stand in peace. Gandhi resisted peacefully and changed the world. John Woolman spent much of his life, quietly persuading his fellow Quakers to end their participation in slavery. Thanks to his efforts, no Quaker owned slaves - one hundred years before our Civil War.

Our spirituality calls us to be peacemakers. Matthew 5:9 (ISV) says:

How blessed are those who make peace, because it is they who will be called God's children.

In truth, creating a truly peaceful world begins within each of us who claim a life with Spirit. It must begin within before we can encourage it in others. We must rededicate ourselves daily to the promise of living in harmony - in peace - with others.

This is how it begins. In future posts, I'll offer thoughts on how it continues. But before we can look at others, we must look to ourselves. This, too, is an important part of living a life with Spirit.

In peace,

Lane

Gearing Up for Fall

As I'm sure you've already noticed, I have not been posting much over the last several months. The reason for that is that I've been busy dealing with the state of the economy. From early January through the beginning of July, I fought a rear-guard action as I watched my income from my principal employment shrink to the point of disappearing. Since then I've been working hard to replace that income.

Obviously, I'm not the only one dealing with economic issues, and I don't mean to cry "poor me." But I do admit that dealing with all of this has taken considerable time and caused a fair amount of stress. Through it all, however, I had two things that helped a lot.

First, I have a wife who believes in me. Second, I have my faith... faith that if I do my part, Spirit will do its part, too. Yes, there were times that I worried. And there were times that I thought I'd have to find another career path. But every morning and every evening I'd say a prayer of thanks, knowing that it could have been far worse.

I'm happy to report that things are looking much better. I've restarted my consulting career, which was put on hold some five years ago, and the work is building. Moving forward, I've promised myself I would post here at least once a week.

So... now you know where I've been and why. If my story is similar to yours, remember that faith -- both in ourselves and in the Divine -- can help keep you stable as you work through the difficult times. And keeping the faith in times of trouble is an important part of living a life with Spirit.

In peace,

Lane

An Example of Life with Spirit

I read an article in the newspaper today that I would like to share with you. In Reston, VA, not far from where I grew up, the Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation has opened its doors to the All Dulles Area Muslim Society for the Muslim Holy month of Ramadan.

Imam Mohamed Magid, leader of the Muslim congregation called the arrangement "a story that shatters stereotypes." Rabbi Robert Nasonchuk, leader of the synagogue, pointed out that "you only get to know someone when you invite them into your home."

In fact, this is not the first time the two congregations have shared space. Nor is it the first time that each group has worked with other religions. However, it is remarkable in that it is the first time that daily prayers have been offered, and for the fact that it shows such great respect for Ramadan.

Think of Jewish/Muslim relations and all that comes to mind is the strife and conflict between them. On both sides, we hear from the extremes, but seldom hear from the middle. We often forget that there are thousands upon thousands of clergy in both faiths that preach tolerance and respect, who promote the recognition of common ground.

Side Note: One might begin their own study of this common ground with the similarities between Kosher and Halal.

We are all taught to be tolerant of others, and respectful of their choice of faith. Yet, as a global society, we have a very hard time putting it into practice. That's why this story is so important to me. It reminds me that it is indeed possible to follow the teachings, even in this tumultuous time.

Let us all take this example of compassionate spirituality to heart. It inspires me to know that these two congregations are truly living a life with Spirit.

In peace,

Lane

PS - next post, I'll offer an update of everything that's happened since my last post over two months ago. - LB

Catching Up - Again

The past few weeks have been extremely busy, and it's been a lot of fun. On Father's Day, I presented services at the Circle of Gratitude and Love Learning Center. The message of the day was about fathers, of course. And, as usual, I talked about my father and the lessons I learned from him.

Then, on July 3, Danville Foodstock worked with several local businesses to mount a food drive in support of the Danville Area Food Pantry. We raised almost $500 dollars in food and donations.

Still in Foodstock mode, I recently secured sponsorship from Morningwood Studios to produce (for FREE!) a recording of Another Man's Blues, which will be our new "theme song". Studio owner Tom Foutch is my new favorite producer, and has really made me feel at home. Another wonderful part of this is that Deeper Blues' original drummer Aaron Bouslog did the drum track for the song.

We hope to finish the production quickly, as the Foodstock Fall Festival will take place Saturday, September 12. We want to use the song to help promote the event.

On the business side of things, this past Tuesday I met with Larry Spears, of the Spears Center for Servant-Leadership. Some readers may already know that promoting (and following) servant-leadership is a major part of my mission, both with the Life with Spirit Foundation and Foodstock Charities. It is also the cornerstone of my management consulting.

Larry is the world's foremost authority on servant-leadership, and I am extremely grateful for his friendship and guidance. I am very much looking forward to working more closely with him. Here's what came out of the meeting:

1. The next volume of essays in Larry's series of books on servant-leadership has been accepted for publication by Paulist Press. I mention this because I will have an essay in the book - Learning Servant-Leadership from Native America - Again. This essay compares native leadership to servant-leadership, and offers ideas on how we can use native teaching methods to teach our children the value of service to society. We expect a mid-2010 release.
2. Larry and I will work together on several writing projects, not the least of which is an expansion of his essay on the ten characteristics of servant-leaders.

My biggest problem (if you can call it that) is finding time to get everything done. There have been so many wonderful opportunities lately, that I often find myself working twelve hour days again, even on the weekends. While it may take a lot of my time, I do acknowledge that I am on much better footing than many... mostly because I am still able to earn an income. I am also very grateful for the opportunities that have arisen.

We often feel unsettled in times of change. I have found, however, that if one trusts to God (by whatever name) and has faith that the change is for the better, it really will be OK. I "let go and let God" last year, and I found Glenda, who had been there for months. This time, I "let go and let God" during a time of financial strain. Lo and behold, the opportunities have come pouring in.

Trusting the process, even in times of stress and upheaval, is an important step in living a life with Spirit.

In peace,

Lane

A Father's Day Meditation

In honor of Father's Day, I offer the following meditation. In truth, it's more a list of affirmations, but regardless of what you call it, I hope it serves.

Father's Day Meditation

I am a willing parent.

I will give my child the best I have to offer.

I will allow my child to live their life - not the life I wish I had.

I will allow my child to make mistakes and learn.

I will forgive my child's faults and continue to love.

I will forgive my faults and continue to love.

I will let go of my past so that I can be the best parent possible.

I will remember that I, too, was a child.

I am a willing parent and I continue to love.

In peace,

Lane

The Two Wolves Within

Last Thursday, I wrote about finding God within ourselves. As I reflected on that premise, I remembered a story I've heard many times over the years. It's about something else that goes on inside of each of us - the fight between "two wolves."

According to most sources, including many of the the indigenous Native American nations, this teaching story is Cherokee, and is used to illustrate to their children the need to always focus on the positive. Here is one version I have heard:

A young boy comes to his grandfather for guidance. He is very angry at his friend for some slight or wrong. The grandfather smiles and says "I have also felt anger at those who have done so much wrong, feeling no regret for their actions. But anger and hatred hurts you, not your enemy. It is the same as cutting yourself and wishing that your enemy would die.

"It is as if there are two wolves inside me. One is good, and he does no harm. He walks in harmony with all around him. He takes no offense when none was intended, and he only fights when he must, and it is right to do so. And , even then, he fights with honor.

"The other wolf, though, is full of anger and hate. Even the smallest perceived slight will enrage him. He is always fighting someone, often for no reason at all. Because of his constant anger, he cannot think or act with honor. But it is helpless anger because it changes nothing.

"It is not easy to live with these two wolves inside me. Each wolf tries its best to dominate my spirit, and so they fight each other all the time."

The boy sat for some time, considering his grandfather's words. Finally, he looks up and asks, "Grandfather, which one wins?"

The elder smiles and touches his grandson's chest, just over the heart, and says, "the one we feed."

Walking a good path - living a life with Spirit - is not always easy. Nor should we expect it to be, especially in today's world. Like it or not, we constantly encounter negativity in one form or another. There are rude people, selfish people, people who live in anger... people who whine and complain, people who justify any means as long as it serves their interests.

At such times, it's all too easy to respond in kind. When someone makes a rude comment we can, without thinking, enter into a game of oneupsmanship in an attempt to hurt the other person more than we have been hurt. Or, we can feed the good wolf, and hold our anger in check. When another causes us harm in our lives, we can wallow in our anger and hatred for that person, or we can rise above base emotions to cultivate our higher spiritual selves.

This does not mean we ignore the wrong committed. Rather, we connect with the God within to respond with compassion and love, because we know that God is within the other person as well, even if they don't know it. We can certainly stand our ground, but by feeding the good wolf, we can do so with honor, and without unnecessary negative thought or action.

The two wolves are always within each of us. And at every moment of choice between right and wrong, they battle for supremacy. Learning to feed the good wolf is an important step in living a life with Spirit.

In peace,

Lane

Finding the God Within

On May 17 I offered service at the Circle of Gratitude and Love Learning Center. The subject was Finding the God Within. Today I'd like to offer a few thoughts based on that presentation.

We have been told throughout the ages that the key to being close to the Divine is to look within for the Sacred within ourselves. And yet many continue to look outside themselves for manifestations of God. We read again and again that we are children of the One, but forget it as soon as we turn our eyes to the material world.

I have found that by praying often during the day - not just beginning and ending each day with a prayer, but offering prayers repeatedly - it helps me remain close to the Sacred. Other practices that help me are using a mantra and practicing meditation. All of these help remind me that I am a child of the Sacred, and that my greatest task in this life is to come closer to the source of all life.

Yes, all of the above are useful. However, they are only the beginning. When we manifest our spirit - our True Self - in the material world, we realize our true potential as spiritual beings. That is why many work so hard to serve others. We know from the teachings that we are called to serve our fellow man to the best of our ability. We are told that our greatest rewards are derived from this service.

Forgiveness is one of the most spiritual acts we can perform. Just as the Sacred immediately forgives our acts of transgression, we must learn to forgive others. Therefore, when someone's actions or words hurt or anger me, I do my best to remind myself that I am far from perfect. While that person's actions may be different from mine, they are no different on the basic level. All misguided action separates us from God, and keeps us from accomplishing our mission.

When we respond to another's actions based on the God energy within us, we cannot hold negative thoughts. When we look at the other person and see the God within them, we cannot judge and find them lacking. All we see is a reflection of ourselves, and of God, in that other person, and we recognize that we are all doing our best.

Our challenge is to continuously recognize the God within ourselves and all others - not just fellow humans, but all of creation. The whale manifests God as much as we do. The tree lifting its branches to the sky is a manifestation of God. Even the rocks - called by some "the grandfathers" manifest God in their unique way.

When we recognize the God energy within all things, we come one step closer to reuniting with the creator of all things. When we focus our existence on the Sacred, we remember that our journey is not about being better, but simply actuating our True Self – that part of us that is God, the part of us that is One with all things. And we find the God within.

Finding the God within is an important step in living a life with Spirit.

In peace,

Lane

Hell is the Absence of God

A thought came back to me this week as I've been preparing to offer services at the Circle of Gratitude and Love Learning Center this Sunday. I have a good friend (a Christian) with whom I have many deeper conversations regarding faith. Some time ago, we were discussing the concept of heaven and hell. He said, "hell is the absence of God." I couldn't agree more.

The more removed we are from God, the more fear, pain and loneliness we suffer. When we don't welcome the Sacred into our hearts, much less into our lives, we remove ourselves from the flow of divine energy that permeates the universe.

Conversely, the closer we come to fully living a life with Spirit, the closer we come to God, the more joy, peace, fulfillment and love will fill our lives.

It really is that simple. Yet it is also deeply profound. Our spirits yearn to be one with the Sacred. When we are disconnected, we feel it inside, in our heart, even when we cannot recognize it in our mind. As we devote more of our energy to the spiritual essence of our existence, we feel a sense of completeness that we may not have even known was missing.

For those who may be interested, I'll offer a pair of short mantras that can be used in meditation, or at any time during the day when you want to feel closer to the Divine:

I am a child of the Sacred. I serve the greater good.

Depending on your own life way, you may wish to replace "the Sacred" with God, the Father, Mother, or one of the other names of God. In meditation, I use both phrases; during the day I may, depending on the circumstances, use only one of them. I leave it to the reader to decide what is best for them.

Understanding that we create our own hell when we remove ourselves from the company of the Sacred is an important step toward living a life with Spirit.

In peace,

Lane

Gay Marriage and Religion

Yesterday, Maine became the fifth state to legalize gay marriage. This continues the trend in New England, where most states have legalized same-sex marriages, with others poised to follow suit. One of the comments made by State Senator Debra Plowman (R-Hampden) gave me pause. She said that the bill passed "at the expense of people of faith."

To me, this is wrong on two levels. First and foremost, who is she to speak for all people of faith? I consider myself a person of deep faith, and yet I enthusiastically welcome efforts to legalize same-sex marriages. I know many gay and lesbian people who are also people of faith. I know of churches who gladly open their doors to gay and lesbian members; some even allow gay clergy.

In fact, if Plowman can claim to speak for anyone, it is for those who would force their religious views on others. To me, that smacks of theocracy, and we all know how dangerous that can be. All we have to do is look around the world to see the negative impact of theocratic government.

SIDE NOTE: I wonder how many Americans, especially "people of faith", know the truth about the Puritans. In school we are taught that the Puritans fled religious persecution. In truth, it was exactly the opposite. They were thrown out of England because they were attempting to force their religious views on the rest of society. They then tried the same thing in Holland and were thrown out again. When they arrived on American soil, the Puritans set up a government based on their religion - one which allowed the public ridicule of offenders (the Scarlet Letter comes to mind), and torture and burning of those accused of witchcraft - which often was merely an understanding of the use of herbs to cure illnesses.

Second, I still do not understand how allowing gay and lesbian marriages harms others. No one is forcing a church that does not believe in gay marriage to sanction them, perform them, or even recognize them within their organization. Conversely, refusing others rights because their own beliefs do not reconcile you their own, they are actually denying rights to others based on a religious philosophy.

Many opponents of gay and lesbian marriage claim that it destroys the sanctity of marriage. How is that? What is it about gay marriage that is so damaging? I think that, if you want to protect the sanctity of marriage, you would be better served by working to end divorce, family violence and other problems. Refusing the right of marriage to others because their lifestyle is different does nothing to protect marriage at all. It only serves to force others into your own mindset.

I am proud of the state of Maine. I am also proud to support gay/lesbian marriage. I believe that offering to others the same respect and compassion as I hope to receive from others, regardless of whether or not their beliefs reconcile perfectly with mine, is an important step towards living a life with Spirit.

In peace,

Lane

Simplify

Here's a one-word answer to the question: How can I better (or, more fully) live a life of spirit?

Simplify.

Own less by getting rid of things you don't really need. For instance, one closet management article I read a few years back said that, barring seasonal clothing, if you haven't worn it in three to six months, throw it out or donate it. Others suggest adopting more of a Feng Shui mindset, removing as much as possible from every room in the house.

Here's the thing: consumerism, especially at the current level, is contrary to the teachings we all receive from our various religions. Worshiping at the altar of How Much I Have is not spiritual.

The fact that many of us have far more than we need is testament that we have fallen for the lie that money is the key to happiness. It isn't, and deep down, we know it.

I'm in the process of further simplification. I'll be back in a day or two with more on that. For now, just consider what you can do to simplify your life... in the hopes that it helps you live a better life with Spirit!

In peace,

Lane

Live Like You're Dying

What if you died tomorrow? What if today is the last day of your life? How would that change things for you?

These questions have hung in my mind for several weeks. I read The Last Lecture, by Randy Pausch. When he discovered he had terminal cancer, Randy's life changed dramatically. Yet in other ways, he simply continued as he always had - a giving, caring individual who actively sought ways to contribute to society and live a good life. He just looked for more opportunities to live the best life he could.

Reading Randy's thoughts on dying, and living, reminded me of a lesson from years ago. In his international best-seller, Way of the Peaceful Warrior, Dan Millman relates an extremely important thought: There are no ordinary moments.

Every minute of every day is a gift. Every minute wasted, or spent on something negative, is a moment you cannot retrieve. Both Pausch and Millman are telling us to make the most out of every minute of every day. They're telling us that, in order to get more out of life, we have to give all way have, all the time.

Whether you are at work, at play or at rest, immersing yourself in the activity will produce greater results. When interacting with others, be it your family, friends, coworkers, or strangers, giving your best enhances the experience. Even if all you are doing is having an ice cream cone, focusing on that sweet, cold refreshment will add to your enjoyment.

As I wrote of the ice cream cone above, an old memory popped to mind. I don't remember the comedian as it was many years ago, but I remember the last part of his skit. He talked about eating cookies, and how we often don't really enjoy them as much as we could. He talked about how much more delicious the last cookie in the package tastes. Then he went into a whole spiel about not realizing he was eating the last cookie, how he missed the entire experience because of his lack of awareness. He then ended by saying that, from then on, he ate every cookie as if it was his last, and urged the audience to do the same.

If it works for cookies, why not everything else? Enjoy the movie as if it were the last one you'll ever see. Enjoy making dinner with your family because it's the last food you'll ever have. Mow the lawn as if it were a testament to your dedication to your family. Enjoy every sunrise and every sunset, and everything between the two.

Everything we do is enhanced by careful attention, and by infusing the activity with love and compassion. Everyone we meet is better served when we bring our full attention to bear, and the best of ourselves into the interaction. Fill your days with productive work, compassionate service and joyful play and companionship, and you will enrich your life beyond measure.

Living every day as if you're dying is an excellent way to life a life with Spirit.

In peace,

Lane

Foodstock News

It's been a busy few weeks since I last posted. I apologize for the lapse, but I do have good news out of all that work. Danville Foodstock, a chapter of Foodstock Charities, has confirmed dates for two new events, and a strong commitment to produce a Foodstock benefit concert in San Jose, CA. Here are the details:

Working with The Danville High School Library Club, we're holding the first Foodstock DHS Inter-class Food Drive. The winning class (Freshmen through Seniors) will win an after-school party with refreshments and entertainment. Each student will also receive a certificate for participating and/or winning, as the case may be. The competition will run Monday, April 27, through Friday, May 1. All food and monetary donations will benefit the Danville Area Food Pantry. DAFP staff will audit all donations to ensure accuracy and fairness. Kurt Willer, Librarian for DHS and the sponsoring teacher for the Library Club, is our liason, and is handling everything with his club members. He was very excited to work with us, as the club was already searching for just such a project.

The second event will take place Saturday, June 6, as part of Spring Fest, an annual five-day carnival and festival produced by the Danville Jaycees. This year, Saturday will be designated Foodstock Day. We'll be collecting food and donations for the Danville Area Food Pantry, and celebrating with live music throughout the afternoon and evening. I'll be there, along with a lot of friends in the local music community as we combine two great causes, creating a stronger bond between the two organizations and helping us do more in the community.

The third piece of news is that my good friend Polo Jones enthusiastically volunteered to produce a Foodstock benefit concert in San Jose, CA. For two decades, Polo has been the bassist and musical director for a true international superstar, Zucchero. Performing to millions of fans world-wide on every tour, and selling millions of records, Zucchero (and Polo with him) has recorded with everyone from Luciano Pavorati to Eric Clapton.

For 2009, Polo is focusing on his new project while Zucchero takes a break from years of back-to-back touring and recording before beginning his next CD. In the meantime, Polo is busy recording and preparing to tour with Lighthouse for the Blind, a positive message heavy band featuring outsanding songwriting, filled with infectious grooves, tight harmonies and world-class musicianship.

About a week ago, Polo saw a report by our local ABC affiliate on the Foodstock Dinner Series. He went straight from that clip to our web site, which is where he learned about our benefit concerts. Like Mr. Willer's Library Club, Polo was consciously searching for something to do, something to help others. He emailed me right away, and by the time we spoke on the phone two days later, he'd already confirmed a venue and was talking to top local bands.

Wow! If this were hockey, we'd call that a Hat Trick! We're all very excited about all the opportunities. And, certainly, the Danville Area Food Pantry deeply appreciates the help!

I will take a few words to mention that there are expenses we are seeking to cover, above and beyond the concerts (which are 100% flow-through events, in which no one makes a dime) and the free dinner series, which is funded by individual donations and County Market Stores. In the near future, we will be posting a Wish List of items necessary to our work. It is our hope that supporters who can spare a few extra dollars will contribute to the general fund. In addition, you never know who might have a used item on our list.

Our sincere thanks to all who support Foodstock Charities, both here in Danville, and around the country. With your help, we're serving food - and hope - to those in need. And that's a very fulfilling element of living a life with Spirit!

In peace,

Lane

In Reply to a Response

On Friday, February 20, I put up a post about a letter I wrote to the editors of the News-Gazette in Champaign, IL. Scroll down a bit to find that letter. On March 2, the paper printed a response to that letter, in which the author, a Christian minister, accused me of twisting my interpretation to match my own misguided views. Basically, he said I didn't know my head from the hat I wear.

Of course I had to reply. My original reply as sent to the paper was far too long to fit within their guidelines, so working with the editors, I trimmed it down to this:

One law protects many religious views

Rev 's reply to my Feb. 20 letter demonstrates the truth of my statement: there are disagreements among Christian denominations concerning biblical interpretations. Sometimes they are small, sometimes quite large. In fact, many churches welcome homosexuals into their congregations, even into their clergy. I think it's wonderful we live in a country that makes room for us all.

Please forgive me if my earlier letter made it appear as if I wished to change the personal beliefs of others; that is not the case. Certainly if a denomination chooses to not bless homosexual union within its own organization, that is their right, and I support it even though I disagree.

But to deny homosexuals the right to union based on religious beliefs is contrary to our constitution.

Our country was founded in part on the concept of freedom to choose one's religion without coercion or force. To force upon our society a single mindset based on religion is to create a theocracy. One need only look at today's world to see how dangerous a theocracy can be.

There are indeed many different views on the Bible, and varying translations. Who would deny that King James cause the Bible to be edited?

Or that there are dozens of Protestant versions of the Bible? That the Catholic Bible is different from the King James and subsequent versions?

Personally, I am thankful our country allows us all to choose for ourselves. I believe that all should be treated equally under the law, including homosexuals. I also believe Jesus would approve.

In peace,

Lane

Yesterday's Service

Yesterday I gave the service at the Circle of Gratitude and Love Learning Center. (I offer the service there once each month.) Yesterday's presentation was titled Do the Work. I'm not going to repeat it all, but I did want to offer the main point:

We know that, in our daily lives, we have to put in the work if we want to receive the reward. However, we often forget that there's work to do in our spiritual lives, as well.

Spirituality is not just about reading, meditating, spiritual retreats, etc. It's about taking what we've learned and putting it into practice in our daily lives. It's about applying the knowledge we've received. And that, in a nutshell is the difference between knowledge and wisdom.

In Way of the Peaceful Warrior, Dan Millman explains it in a very practical way. Dan is visiting his mentor Socrates, at the gas station where Socrates runs the midnight shift. They're servicing a customer (back in the day when full service meant something). Socrates is cleaning his side of the windshield while Dan fiddles with his squeegee. Dan asks about the difference between knowledge and wisdom. Socrates answers, "you know how to clean a windshield. Wisdom is doing it."

It's just that simple. Wisdom is the application of knowledge. So the question we must each ask ourselves is this: Am I applying the teachings I've learned? Am I doing the spiritual work necessary to advance along the path before me?

I think that most of us - if we are honest - know that there is still more work to be done. I know I've got more to do, and every day I strive to be a better version of myself. Every morning I remind myself of this. Every evening, too. I've found that it helps me to stay focused on what really matters. It reminds me that I have to work hard every day to remain true to my spiritual beliefs.

Yes, knowledge is important. But translating that knowledge into wisdom -- doing the work -- is what it takes to truly live a life with Spirit. So... off to work I go!

In peace,

Lane

Interesting Meeting Last Night

Last night, I presented to the local Board of Education an overview of four projects we hope to mount with their assistance. Here's a quick run-down of what I proposed:

1. A Foodstock food drive for the local high school. We envision a contest in which the winning class (Freshmen, Sophomores, etc.) will receive a free party.

2. An arts and poetry competition for all school ages, grade school through high school. The contest will be judged on the day of this year's Foodstock concert.

3. A series of music appreciation and music education seminars for all levels.

4. A benefit concert in support of local music education.

This time around, I presented during the public comments portion of the meeting. This time around was really just a "warning shot", if you will. Next month, I'll be on the agenda and will offer more detail.

We're all very excited about the projects. We believe that by engaging our youth early, we have the best chance of helping them understand the need for volunteerism and the positive impact it will have on both the community and themselves. These projects will help us spread a message of community involvement and servant-leadership.

As things progress, I'll offer more info here. Until then, remember, serving one's community is a core principal of living a life with Spirit.

In peace,

Lane

Spears Center Feature

I'm very pleased and honored to report that I've been featured in the Spears Center for Servant-Leadership newsletter for March, 2009. Larry Spears and I have been long-distance friends, ever since we met in 2001, during my tenure with Men's Wearhouse.

Larry is the authority on humanistic management principles in the world. No other person does as much to promote the ideals by which businesses should guide themselves. I am proud to support the Spears Center for Servant-Leadership, and will support Larry for as long as I am in business. I highly recommend the Spears Center to anyone wishing to learn more.

When I began to refocus my energy on my consulting career, I naturally called Larry to discuss the opportunity, and to hear any advice he might offer. We have continued these discussions off and on over the past few months, and I recently sent him a copy of the Deeper Blues CD, Dig the Hole.

What caught Larry's interest most was the way I am using servant-leadership in my music career and with my charity endeavors (with the Life with Spirit Foundation), bringing the servant-leader message to new audiences. The time was right, Larry decided, to feature me in his newsletter. And, to be honest, I'm speechless... and very grateful.

The first half of the feature is an overview of my work; the second half is the opening to my essay Learning Servant-Leadership from Native America - Again. This is the essay that will be included in Larry's upcoming book The Spirit of Servant Leadership, due this year. Also included is a link to the entire essay.

The guidance and encouragement Larry has offered over the years has, and continues to be, deeply appreciated. While he may not know it, his advice has been crucial to my growth, not only as a servant-ldear, but also as a person. I highly recommend Larry and the Spears Center to anyone wishing to learn more about the servant-leadership community. And, again, I'm honored to be featured in his newsletter.

For those interested, here are links to the feature, and to the essay.

Read the newsletter here.

Read the full essay here.

Read more about my relationship with Larry Spears here.

Visit the Spears Center by clicking here.

To me, servant-leadership is all about bringing your spirituality to your working life. And I think that's an excellent way to live a life with spirit!

In peace,

Lane

A Smooth Transition

Over the past few weeks, I've been working on a realignment of my life that's long overdue. I'm happy to write that it's all gone very well, and has a happy "ending" for everyone involved. To explain, let me back up a bit for those who may not know all that much about me.

Since leaving the Navy in 1982, I've pursued a music career. It wasn't long before I added a budding consulting business, working with other musicians and entertainers. I've pursued both ever since, and will continue to do so for as long as I'm able. In the early 90s, I met David (Eden) Nordschow, founder of Eden Electronics, and one of the most important bass amp designers in the world. Thus began our friendship, as well as my endorsement of his company in the music industry. Over the years, I assisted with special projects from time to time, and helped promote the company whenever I could.

About four and a half years ago, not long after relocating to Illinois, he offered, and I accepted a full-time position with Eden. By then, David had sold the company to US Music Corp. (after the retail collapse subsequent to 9-11), and was running Eden as a division of the parent company. I came aboard to assist with relationships and communication -- dealers, consumers, other endorsing artists, even some media work. I write training and product manuals, offer in-store training and consumer clinics and a dozen other things. However, David and I both knew that, for both of us, it was simply a transition period. He knew he'd eventually leave to do something new and exciting, and I knew I'd soon follow.

David left at the end of last summer, while I remained to help with the transition to a "post-David" Eden. And in this little corner of the music instrument industry, it's a transition that has to be handled carefully due to David's stature. Now, about a half year later, I've made the first step in my own transition and am looking forward to new things. Basically, I'm now working as a contractor, which frees up a lot of my time, yet keeps me involved in the most important activities. Everybody wins.

One area that will feel a positive impact is my work with the Life with Spirit Foundation. I'll have more time and energy to focus on the Foodstock projects, and on expanding my speaking schedule (and area). There are already a few irons in the fire, but I won't say anything more until there's more definite news to report.

To tie this news in a bit tighter to the purpose of this blog, I'll briefly note that there are two things that have helped immesnely during this time. First is the unqualified support I receive every day from Glenda, for whom I am eternally grateful. The other is faith and trust... knowing that everything was unfoldingas it should be. It has not been easy for me to lay aside my fears and not worry about tomorrow. I've struggled with that for many years. Even lately, when I know that my life is unfolding just as it should, there are times that the momentary struggles cause a lot of stress.

Actually, I cause the stress by succumbing to the fear. It took a while to figure out that fear is an illusion. And even longer to stop reacting in my old set ways. Lately, however, even when I had far more questions than answers concerning this transition, I was able to ignore fear's incessant nibble at the back of my mind and stay focused. And sure enough, by the end of the final conference call this morning, it all had unfolded exactly as it should.

I know this is an extremely difficult and turbulent time for many people. I also know that letting your fear overcome you will not help. What will help is to stay on track, and have faith that we will all get through this. More thoughts about the economy and spiritulaity in another post, another day. Right now, it's time for us to go babysit the grandchildren, something we both look forward to each week, so I'll close for now.

Remember, though. Fear won't help you live a life with Spirit.

Faith will.

In peace,

Lane

Another View on Bible's Passages

Last Monday, I read a letter to the editor of the News-Gazette (Champaign/Urbana, IL) in which the writer used the Bible to rationalize his hatred of homosexuals. I was moved to respond, and sent in m own letter. Here is the slightly edited version that the paper printed:

I am writing in response to [name]'s Feb 16 letter, and I would like to offer a different point of view. While [name] shares a specific, narrow interpretation of the Bible's teachings, not all Christians agree. There are multiple interpretations of the passages that many use to condemn homosexuality. Translations through the ages have changed the original texts, often to fit the prejudices of the translators

Thankfully, we do not live in a theocracy controlled by a small sect of adherents to a limited view of one religion. We enjoy the right to choose our way of faith. Most of us are taught by our faith to show respect and compassion for those who choose a different path. To me, it is unfortunate that so many who claim a religion based on love, compassion, respect for others, and service to others, use their faith to attack others.

Instead of sowing hate based on narrow interpretations, why not work to right the many injustices in our world? Why not expend that same amount of energy working to ease the suffering of so many in our society?

Aren't there enough real crises to attend to? Aren't there enough ways in which to demonstrate one's commitment to faith without resorting to sowing hatred for others?

I do not ask that others adopt my beliefs. I do ask that others not ridicule or belittle me - or others - because of differences of faith. I do ask that all members of our society be treated with respect, including homosexuals.

We are all children of the Sacred, doing our best to live good lives. Let us not sow discord and hatred. Instead, let us seek common ground with a true willingness to serve others. After all, isn't that what Jesus taught?

In peace,

Lane

Second Foodstock Dinner a Success!

Yesterday, Foodstock Charities (a project of the Life with Spirit Foundation) held its second monthly Sunday dinner.I'm very pleased to report that it went very well, and that we served almost twice as many dinners as we did the first time. Including meals delivered to seniors and handicapped that could not attend in person, we served fifty-one meals, up from twenty-seven for the first dinner. So our total stands at seventy-eight meals served.

Now, that might not seem like a lot until you consider the situation. First, most of our funding still comes from our own pocket. Thankfully, this is changing. (More in a moment.) Second, we have been careful to slowly ramp up the program. Again, this is, in many ways, still a private program run by three individuals. We have been careful in our advertising so that we were not overwhelmed by more mouths than we could feed.

The good news is that the community is beginning to take an interest in our work. We received numerous donations yesterday, which will help fund future dinners. In addition, one dedicated long-term Tilton resident has contacted us with the interest of providing significant funding for March's dinner! That's right - Connie Weddle has offered to assist with funding for next month's spaghetti dinner. Thanks to Mrs. Weddle, we will not be limited by the amount of funds that Glenda and I can offer.

Before closing, I'd like to offer our sincere thanks to those who assisted:

Kiss Country, KOOL-FM and WDWS radio stations for conducting interviews in advance of the dinner to help spread the word. We greatly appreciate our media partners that kindly offer their support.

Duane for planting (and then removing) the signs that got folks to the Tilton Lions Club building.

Arlene for the milk run! (smile)

The community of the Circle of Gratitude and Love Learning Center. After their noon service, the entire group came to show support, offer donations, and generally have a wonderful time!

We all ended the day feeling very positive about the Foodstock Sunday Dinner Series. We made new friends and gathered new supporters. We strengthened bonds among various segments of our community. And most important of all, we fed more than fifty people in need.

Next month, we again hope to double the number of meals we serve. The March dinner is scheduled for Sunday, the 22nd. Again, meal time will be from noon till 3 p.m. We will also continue to offer delivery (or carryout) for seniors and handicapped individuals who are unable to attend in person. For further information, please visit Danville Foodstock.

We are all taught to live a life of service to others. In so doing, we are told, we find our greatest fulfillment. I can tell you from personal experience, that knowing you've done something to ease the suffering of others, to reach out with a hand of compassion and friendship is to truly live a life with Spirit!

In peace,

Lane

Stop the Bullet

I don't watch much television programming. I can't tell you who got voted off the island. I have no idea what the current popular sit-coms are. Years ago I read Gerald Mander's Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television and the follow-up In the Absence of the Sacred in rapid succession. Four Arguments changed my TV-watching habits almost instantly; Sacred changed quite a few other things soon thereafter.

Nowadays, I watch a few programs that I find very interesting and entertaining, along with some mindless comedies, such as Red Green, one of Glenda's favorites. I'll also watch a "learning" show if I happen to come across one by accident and the topic interests me in some way. However, it was the new episode of one of our regular programs that caught my attention last night.

The show is Numbers, which features a pair of brothers and their father. One brother is a senior FBI agent; the other is a super-genius mathematician who consults (along with his genius mathematician friends) to the FBI, using high order, exceedingly complex math to help them solve important cases.

Near the end of last night's episode, Charlie the young genius has a light bulb moment, in which he wonders how he can use his talents to reduce crime. He wants to treat the problem, not the negative result. The epilogue showed him at a blackboard filled with mystic (or at least mysterious) equations. His father enters and asks what he's doing, to which Charlie replies with his concept. He ends by saying, "I feel like I"m putting band aids on bullet holes. I want to stop the bullet."

For Charlie, this may mean using math to alter the environment (the shopping mall, parking garage, e.g.) to make it less opportunistic in a potential criminals eye. And, thinking back to the scene in which he mentions that very concept, I can see that there is merit in the idea. If we can make our streets safer by making them less attractive to would-be criminals, it certainly would enhance the quality of our lives. However, I'd like to offer another way to stop the bullet even earlier:

Create a just society based on the teachings we all receive.

Before leaving you to consider the thought, let me point out that I am not suggesting a society based on religion, much less a true theocracy. I am not advocating changing anyone's beliefs or religious dogma, not even atheists and agnostics. What I am advocating is that we each follow our own teachings to the best of our ability. I believe that, if we all do, our society will improve dramatically.

Let me ask you to consider this for a day or two, as I do the same. There's more I'd like to write, but today Glenda and I have a few last-minute errands in preparation for tomorrow's Foodstock Sunday Dinner. (Visit Danville Foodstock for further information.) So we're off to a few stores for supplies and such. As I go through my day, however, I'll be considering this, and almost certainly talking to Glenda about it as well. I'll continue in a few days.

Until then, please consider that building a society that is truly just for all, one that operates in concert with our deepest spirituality is an excellent way for our entire society to live a life with Spirit!

In peace,

Lane

Forgiveness - It's All About You

"Forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us."

Most of us have been taught that forgiveness is an important aspect of living a spiritual life. I wholeheartedly agree, but I want to offer a thought. Have you ever considered that forgiveness does at least as much for you as it does for the other person?

When we hold a grudge, we carry the weight of that negativity with us. We hold onto it, even knowing that it's making our life miserable. So why not let it go?

"But they..."

OK. Let's say they did. How does staying angry at that person going to help you? How is it going to hurt them? Chances are, the offending party isn't bothered; they may not even be aware that they did something wrong, or that you're angry. In other words, their life has not been affected by the issue - while yours has.

Another point to consider is that we all have our faults. None of us is perfect, although we may be trying very hard to be good people. When we are angry at another for some perceived slight, I think it helps to remember that we have committed our own slights, our own "sins" if you will. Of course, we would want others to forgive our shortcomings, so why is it so hard for us to do the forgiving?

Perhaps it's because of the hurt we suffered. Perhaps because it's often hard to step back and realize that the other person is also doing the best the know how to do in the circumstances.

When we recognize that we are all children of Spirit, and that we are all here to learn and grow, it often makes it harder to see the offender in a different, more gentle light.

Remember, too, that forgiving another isn't the same as saying it's OK to act poorly. You can forgive someone their fault even knowing that it shouldn't have occurred. Forgiving someone is simply saying that you recognize that the other person is doing their best, and that you aren't going to hold onto negative thoughts that you don't need and that hurt yor life.

Is it easy? Not always. But the effort will be repaid many times over. Forgiveness is an excellent step toward living a life with Spirit!

In peace,

Lane

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!

Today is my lovely and loving wife Glenda's birthday. I'm very excited to celebrate this first birthday together. And, of course, I wish for many, many more.

This morning I sat and watched the snow fall, drinking a hot cup of coffee that She Who Completes Me prepared, as usual. I thought of how very important she is to me, and how lucky I am to have her in my life. I thought of how empty and dull my life had become when I was alone, and how much more fulfilling it is, now that we're together.

I am a very lucky man to have someone with whom to share my days, especially because Glenda believes so strongly in me, and in the things I hope to do. Every day she offers amazingly deep support and comfort. Often, she is the first to give feedback on something I plan to do, or something I've written. Glenda keeps me grounded and balanced. She strengthens my faith in myself when it is weak. When times are difficult, she reminds me of the purpose behind the work - the vision and the mission that drives me.

For all these reasons and many more, I'm going to work my hardest to make this a special day for her. We're going to dinner with many members of her family - at the restaurant she loves best. I'm going to make sure everything is clean when she gets home, so she won't feel the need to do anything. I'll make certain the pets are cared for, and that the driveway is already shoveled.

Most important of all, I'll do all I can to show her how very dear to me she is.

Happy birthday, sweetheart! I hope it's a wonderful day!!

In peace,

Lane

God is Too Big to Fit Into One Religion

Several weeks ago, Glenda and I made a day-trip to East Peoria. We went so she could show me some of the interesting shops there, and to pick up some incense and such. While there, Glenda saw a button that made perfect sense to both of us:

God is too big to fit into one religion.

Well, of course the Sacred is too large for a single sect or life-way! God is so big that it encompasses ALL beliefs, all religions. In fact, to me, the Sacred is so big that it encompasses everything in existence.

Imagine a loving caring parent - the pure embodiment of compassion. If the child of such a parent did something wrong, do you really think the parent would consign their child to eternal pain and damnation? Why would God do that to its children?

According to many Christians, this is exactly what God intends to do with most of his children - consign them to eternal damnation. Remember that most people on this planet are not Christian. And remember that some Christian sects even believe that it will happen to other Christians who do not believe exactly as they do. Consider that many Protestants believe all Catholics are going to hell, and that many Catholics believe the same of Protestants. Even within the Protestant community, I hear people saying they believe that only their sect will attain eternal happiness while all others are doomed.

How can this be? How could a loving God damn the majority of its children? How could the embodiment of compassion and love be so mean-spirited, childish and vengeful?

To me, the Sacred is the father/mother of us all, and wants above all things for its children to live spiritually-centered lives of service to others. God wants us to "come home," so to speak. God certainly does not want to see most of its children burn in hell.

A few days ago, my friend Mike dropped by for a cup and a chat. As often happens, the discussion turns to spirituality. When we turned to the concept of hell, he said, "Hell is the absence of God."

What an excellent viewpoint! The lack of the Sacred in one's life often leads to many unhappy outcomes, not the least of which is to be separated from the divine nature of all things. It can lead to loneliness and despair. It can lead one to make very unhealthy choices. The potential negative outcomes comprise a list far too long for a single entry. But I hope you see my point.

I believe that all faiths have some amount of truth to them, that they all contain the universal teachings by which we should live our lives. I believe that God "speaks" to us in many ways, and has done so at many times throughout history. God is indeed far too big to fit into a single religion. And the Sacred is nothing if not the pure love a good parent has for its children.

When interacting with people from other life-ways, I believe it's important to remember that, while this person may not share my exact interpretation of the Sacred, we are both children of God. Coming from this mindset, it's easier to remember to show respect and compassion for others. When I remember that we both came from the same source, that we are both doing our best to understand the nature of our existence, that we all make mistakes and have to learn certain lessons, I can more easily interact with that person in a positive manner.

Remembering that God is the ultimate parent of us all is an excellent step toward living a life with Spirit.

In peace,

Lane

Donations Now Gratefully Accepted

As you may have noticed, I have added a Donate button to the right-hand navigation. There are a few things that went into this decision. The first being that, recently, I've received emails from readers offering to support my efforts. The second is that this support comes at a very opportune time.

For over a decade, I have done my "spirit work" as a side project, devoting as much time as I could, but spending most of my time simply making a living. I have come to the point that I want to devote far more time, but can only do so by seeking the support of others. Like it or not, I still have to eat. (smile)

All donations will directly support my outreach, writing and speaking endeavors. The funds will be used to offset travel expenses and the printing of materials used in my presentations.

To those who have already donated, thank you very much! Your belief in, and support of, my efforts means a lot to me.

In peace,

Lane

Service is Cool Again

I'm sure that almost anyone with a blog or other outlet for their words will weigh in on today's inauguration of Barrack Obama as the 44th president of hte United States. But that doesn't mean I can't do the same. I just re-read the transcript of Obama's speech, and one thing stood out clearly to me:

For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.

Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.

This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

This is the source of our confidence - the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.

Service - the key to fulfillment - is cool again. And so is hope.

May it always be so. May we look forward to four (or more) years of a life with Spirit!

In peace,

Lane

How Enlightened Are You?

Dan Millman is, without a doubt, my favorite writer and speaker on positive living and spirituality. I've been a devoted reader of his books for more than fifteen years, and have even had the pleasure of attending one of his seminars and meeting him. (Yes, I asked him to sign every book in my collection!)

What I like best about Dan is that he has no pretensions whatsoever, in print and in person. And he offers his ideas in a very clear, easy to understand way. I also really like that he has no problem offering the thoughts of others in his writings - stories, quotes, philosophies, you name it. His willingness to point to others who could be of value to those seeking to live a good life is something I very much respect, and it makes me pay all that much more attention to what he has to offer.

I receive Dan's occasional email newsletters, and always look forward to reading them. They always include several interesting quotes and valuable stories. In his most recent offering, Dan offers this little test, which comes from an anonymous source, a perfect example of Dan's willingness to offer positive thoughts, regardless of where he finds them. So....

How Enlightened Are You?

Well. . .

If you can live without caffeine or nicotine;

If you can be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains;

If you can resist complaining;

If you can understand when loved ones are too busy to give you any time;

If you can take criticism and blame without resentment;

If you can ignore friends' limited educations and never correct them;

If you can treat the rich and poor alike;

If you can face the world without lies or deceit;

If you can conquer tension without medical help;

If you can relax without liquor;

If you can sleep without the aid of drugs;

If you can have no prejudice against creed, color, religion, gender, sexual preference, or politics...

...then you have almost reached the same level of spiritual development as your dog.

How did you do? After taking the test, I realized that I have a few things to work on. Specifically:

1. I need to get rid of my crutches, on both of which I'm working hard.

2. While I'm not a complainer by nature, I could complain even less than I do, especially about the cold weather. (Different post; another time. :-) )

3. If I'm completely objective, I have to admit that I still have some issues with automatic judgements about people of certain political leanings. Taking a minute to consider this one, I realize that there is a lot I'd like to say on the subject, but I'll leave this one for another day, too.

Wow. That's a real eye opener, isn't it? Our dog Sadie is more spiritually advanced than me... and with the exception of a very few individuals, pretty much everyone I know. And yet, I came away from that test smiling, still feeling good about myself, yet with a very valuable lesson.

I highly recommend Dan's books, and encourage you to read them. You can learn all about Dan and his work by visiting his web site. You can also sign up for his newsletter.

To me, Dan is an excellent example of living a life with Spirit!

In peace,

Lane

Foodstock Sunday Dinner Update

I'm late. I admit it. The last week or so has been a very interesting and busy time, but the headlong pace has prevented me from getting back over here. Here's what's been going on.

In my last post I mentioned the service I was to hold at the Circle of Gratitude & Love Learning Center. I'm pleased to report that it was well-received, and that the minister, Lee Fellers, has invited me to speak again. (No date yet, but I'll be sure to mention it when it's set.)

Although the new year began several days before the service, my message for the day was actually a guided process of looking both behind and ahead. It's fair to say that, on a personal level, I am pretty serious about the whole new year thing. For me, it's a time to look back at the previous year - first to again appreciate the good things and, second, to objectively review the things I could have done better.

In the US today, we do these things by going to New Year's Eve parties, and making resolutions. Well, that's not much different than what humans have done for thousands of years. However, today, the parties that began as feasts of thanks have become more about how drunk we can get than being thankful. And while resolutions concerning weight loss, quitting smoking and other behaviors are certainly positive, there is a deeper level available to those who are interested.

Side Note: Resolutions trace back to ancient Babylonia, circa 2000BC. The most popular resolution of the day was to return borrowed farming equipment!

The first task - appreciating the good things - is important to do on a regular basis. For me, it's a daily thing, but also an important part of many holiday celebrations. During the New Year process, it's my little "This is Your Life" during which I can cherry pick the best times, the best people, and again give thanks for them being part of my life. It reminds me that my life is a good life, much better than that of many people in the country, not to mention the world. It also reminds me how important it is that I do my part. And that leads to the second task, reviewing my own actions and offering the most objective self-appraisal I can.

Objectivity is far different that the self abuse that often infuses our time in front of the mirror. Whether it's wrinkles around the eyes, or less than perfect behavior, we sometimes see things in their worst light, and recriminate to excess for the slightest transgression. Down that road lies self-loathing, not self-improvement.

When I look back, I don't beat myself up for mistakes. What I do look for are the ways I've responded to pressures or difficulties, and asses whether or not my actions were successful. Did they work? Did they help alleviate my stress or keep it high? Was there a better way to address those issues? When done correctly, this self-assessment can pinpoint specific actions or thoughts that can be improved upon.

I also look for behaviors that are less than my best. Looking back over the last year, I can see that, while I am an interested and engaged listener in many situations, there are others in which I could have talked less and listened more. Therefore, this year, I'm paying close attention to how much I'm listening.

Is what I'm doing any different? Not really. It is, perhaps, a more serious way of going about it - not serious as in dour-faced, but as in having respect for the need to do it, and the most effective process to accomplish my goal. To me, however, it's not a problem, or an inconvenience. It's simply putting some effort into living a life with Spirit.

If any of this makes sense to you, and you haven't completed your New Year ritual yet, I invite you to do so now. It's never too late to make a fresh start!

Now, about that dinner! I am pleased to say it was success in every way we hoped. Although we started small, serving 27 meals, we now know that our processes work, as does our time line. Next month, we can ramp up our outreach and serve more meals.

We were very pleased that one of the local papers sent a reporter, and very much appreciated the coverage. For the next dinner, our good friend and avid Foodstock supporter, Larry Weatherford, is coordinating interviews to be broadcast on his radio stations, KOOL Oldies, and Kiss Country, both of which have large local audiences.

Our menu was simple, yet nutritious and fun. The centerpiece was Hearty Chicken Noodle Soup - thick broth that was almost gravy, lots of veggies, and the best noodles anywhere! We also served a no-lettuce salad of tomatoes and cucumbers, rolls and bread, and a dessert of pudding and vanilla wafers.

Next month, the dinner is scheduled for Sunday the 15th, from noon till 3 p.m. (For more info visit the Danville Foodstock web site.) The menu will consist of home-made Meatloaf with brown & ketchup gravies, mashed potatoes, green beans, no-lettuce salad, and dessert. This will also be the beginning of our delivery service for seniors and handicapped individuals. My wonderful wife, Glenda, is overseeing the deliveries, and is seeking volunteers to help.

Some have asked, "what's the point?" It's simple, and I've written (and spoken) about it often: we dervive our greatest fulfillment from our service to others, and to our community as a whole. It is our spiritual duty to reach out to those in need. It's also our spiritual community to be a positive force in our community - to be a part of the glue that binds the community together for the betterment of all. Foodstock concerts help put food on the shelves of the Danville Area Food Pantry, which serves thousands of individuals every year. The Sunday dinners will provide hot, nutritious meals to many who might have one that day without them. Both activities bring members of the community together, strengthening existing bonds while creating new ones.

Being spiritual isn't about "easy" or "fun". It certainly isn't about being "cool". And it most definitely isn't about showing up at church so everyone knows how religious you are. In addition to, and perhaps more important than, our relationship with the Sacred (or God by whatever name), it's about right action. t's about doing what needs to be done, based on our understanding of the spiritual nature of this life.

In order to achieve our greatest potential spiritually, we must constantly strive to do better, to be better. We must constantly look for ways to improve ourselves and our community, which in turn requires that we always keep our eyes (and hearts) open for opportunities to serve. And that is when the real fun begins. That's when you begin to truly live a life with Spirit.

May it always be so.

In peace,

Lane

Activities on Sunday, January 4, 2009

This is just a quick note to inform those in the Danville, IL, area about two things we'll be doing this coming Sunday, January 4, 2009.

At noon, I will present my first service at the Circle of Gratitude and Love Learning Center. I am very honored - and humbled - that Lee and Susan (our ministers) have invited me to offer the first service of the year - one that I do not take lightly. I will be offering my thoughts on the new year and how to take the most positive early steps.

The Learning Center is a non-denominational, spiritual congregation. All are welcome, regardless of belief system. If you aren't doing anything else, I'd love to meet you.

Later, from 3-6 p.m., we'll be at the Lion's Club building in Tilton, IL, serving our very first Foodstock Charities Sunday Dinner. Last year, we began to produce benefit concerts in support of the Danville Area Food Pantry. This year, we're implementing Phase II by offering a free dinner one Sunday each month. The menu comes courtesy of Bob, who is a professional caterer (among other things). All of Bob's recipes are heart healthy, and very nutirtious. This week we're offering Chicken Vegetable soup and bread, with pudding for dessert. Each month, we'll offer a different meal.

The dinners are FREE, and open to all. There is no qualification necessary. We're serving everything but the sermon! With the current financial crisis, each week more families find themselves in trouble. The Foodstock Charities Dinners are one way that we can help.

If you're in the Danville area, please feel free to stop in to say HI! and enjoy a bowl of home-made soup!

In peace,

Lane