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