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
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
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