“Every man should keep a fair-sized cemetery in which to bury the faults of his friends.” – Clive Staples Lewis
The holiday season is the perfect time to practice the art of forgiveness. Bury the hatchets that have been stored in the cellar for so many months and/or years. Set your family or friends free from judgement and blame. In turn you’ll really be setting yourself free.
“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.” – John Muir
He would know.
There are tons of blogs, web pages, and books dedicated to the concept of dreaming. It’s important to dream and think about things beyond one’s self. It’s vital for our spirit to have a dream for our lives. A dream keeps us going when we just want to throw up our hands and quit. It gives purpose to some of life’s mundane chores and errands. However, I don’t want to talk about the importance of having a dream. What I really want to do is ask a question. That question:
Is your dream really yours?
You’re gut reaction will probably be to say”yes, of course my dream is my own .” But think about it for a bit. Dive into your dream a little and pull back some layers. You might find out that your dream is really your parents, your best friend’s, your spouse’s, or anyone else that has had influence in your life. The truth is we allow the influence of others to shape our lives and dreams. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it can be… especially if it creates a life that you never wanted.
Take some time today and think about that. I was amazed at what I found.
It’s important that each of us find our “Walden Pond.” Thoreau found his and wrote about. We read it and talked about it, but not many took it further than that.
There is a place out there we need to discover, or perhaps, rediscover. It’s a place that offers solitude and wisdom. A place where one finds rejuvenation in simple, intentional, and purposeful living. Where man’s modern day worry – technology/communication overload, achievement, money, power – is cast aside in order to remember that which was once forgotten – joy, rest, love, peace.
Man needs to leave his cubicle, concrete, and car in order to reorganize and find himself. Nature has a way of speaking sense to us and reminding us of what’s important. Once immersed, it has a way of peeling back the facades and masks of conventional living, in order to reveal what is truly important. It reminds us that it’s not what we achieve in life that matters, but how we live.
I have my own “Walden Pond” that’s far away from the stress of modern living (I hope to find several more) . I go back there a hand-full of times a year in order to rest and rejuvenate. It’s a necessity for me and I challenge you to find a place where you can do the same.
Seasons come and seasons go. In the natural, we’re moving from Spring to Summer. Spring being a season full of new life, rebirth, and rejuvenation; and Summer being a season of decrease in one element (rain) and an increase in another (fire/sun).
We see the natural seasons change all the time, but how often do we take notice of our own personal season? We, like nature, are constantly going through transition. We find ourselves in times of abundance, accomplishment, and great results (fruit), as well as times of vulnerability, barrenness, and introspection. The former being an example of Spring and the latter being Winter.
It’s important to pay attention to the season God has you in. Each season has a lesson that you can only learn during its term. If you’re in a Winter season, which is a time to grow deeper roots and face storms, then it’s probably not a good time to plant new seeds or ideas and shy away from difficult circumstances. Moving in a season that you’re unaware of will cause you to run into problems and not have the ability to face and handle them with great results. That’s why we must grow in our ability to discern the season we’re in, as well as have the courage to stay in it until completion.
Understanding and working through a season consciously will yield the strength, faith, confidence, and courage needed to continue growing into your best.
Scientific studies show that happy workers are productive workers. One of the keys for happiness in the work place is finding meaning or value in the work itself. Employees need to know that their contribution is making a positive difference in the world. It gives them a sense of purpose and meaning.
If this is true of the work place, then how much more true is it for life outside the cubicle? How much more important is it to contribute and find purpose outside of vocation?
In what ways do you believe you are making the world a better place? How do you contribute? What’s that look like?
There is no question that America’s food system needs to be revolutionized. I’ve never been more convinced of this, and after listening to Jeffrey Smith’s keynote speech below, I’m positive you’ll feel the same. The amount of irresponsibility behind the regulation of America’s food industry shows such a lack of wisdom, compassion, and stewardship. If you care about your health, your child’s, and even your pet’s, then the video below is well worth the time.
Jeffrey Smith, head of the Institute for Responsible Technology, is one the leading voices behind the anti-genetically modified food movement. See his keynote speech via Vimeo or YouTube.
http://vimeo.com/6575475 – Full uninterrupted video clip
Have you ever wondered if you could live a life devoid of toilet paper? Do you think you could go a year without a car, or much more, without purchasing anything new? I’ve personally given it some thought. Then again, I think most of us were first confronted with the idea of not having toilet paper when the movie “Demolition Man” came out in the early 90’s and Sylvester Stallone’s character found himself in the “three seashells debacle” (All you Gen Y-ers know what I’m talking about).
Ok, so maybe you have considered a life of less consumerism, less want, and less environmental impact, but how many actually walk any of those thoughts or desires out? I know I’ve fallen short many times, and when I say, “many times,” I really mean “all the time.” Take riding my bike to work for example. It was lovely at first- the fresh air, the exercise, the absence of fossil fuel- but as soon as I was too tired, woke up a little late, or just felt slightly inconvenienced, I headed straight for my car and was giving the “envy eye” to all the people biking to work. For those that don’t know, “envy eye” is very similar to the “stank eye.” The difference is the user is aware that his actions are found purely in jealousy and envy.
I think that’s how most people reacted to Colin Beavan’s documentary “No Impact Man.” In his film, Colin offers the audience a glimpse into sustainable living. For one whole year he decides to take his wife, Michelle, and daughter, Isabella, on an environmental vision quest that includes no electricity or garbage production, and a reconnection with food and community. It’s a remarkable endeavor that is both amazing and inspiring to watch. However, one of the most astonishing pieces of the story was that his yearlong experiment offended absolutely everyone at first. Those outside the environmental community thought his experiment was foolish and that he was a jerk for dragging his family along for the ride. While those inside the environmental movement questioned his character, his intentions, and his credentials. Literally no one seemed to support him.
Colin Beavan shopping at the Farmer's Market
It reminded me of what happens in certain religious circles when someone decides to powerfully “practice what he preaches.” Those on the outside of the circle view the lifestyle as crazy and illogical, while those on the inside of the circle feel so convicted that they try and tear the man down any way they can in order to justify they’re menial practice. In the case of Colin Beavan, the legalistic environmentalists came out in full force. Trying to discredit his experiment by saying it’s pure self-promotion and he’s not as much of an environmentalist as they are. It’s like saying to someone who just climbed Everest, “ You only did it to say you did it. Plus, you’re not really a true mountain climber because you haven’t been doing it as long as I have.” Even if all that is true, the guy freaking climbed Everest! Colin did something that few would even consider doing, much less actually do. Plus, he is the first to say that there is a bit of self-promotion in all this. After all, he is trying to make a living.
Although Colin is the catalyst for the film and its main focal point, his wife Michelle truly makes the story whole. If Colin were
Michelle Beavan
alone, then it would just be a film about an environmentalist doing something extremely environmental. However, his wife takes the film and broadens the scope, as well as its audience. She is the real hero in the story. She represents the “Everyday American” – A fast paced consumer disassociated from her environmental and social impact. Through her we get to watch the tension of transition and her transformation from unconscious consumer to conscious activist. Her transformation is what gives the greatest hope. If she can change, then anyone change. If she can see the benefits of a sustainable lifestyle, then so can everyone else.
Does that mean I want to do a yearlong experiment like the Beavan’s? No. No thank you. However, I do want to practice many of the concepts that the film highlighted. For instance, I want to become more of a localvore, or someone who eats food that is produced locally. I also want to build more of a relationship with my food. We often buy food and consume it without any thought, but food has historically been a very intimate part of life. People used to know the farmers that produced their food. Families would spend time preparing a meal and then share life together while dining. Life and community once revolved around food and “the common meal.” We’ve come a long way from that, and I personally would like to reengage. If what I’m saying still isn’t making sense to you then check out an earlier post I wrote about how food shapes our environment.
Overall the film did exactly what it was supposed to… it got me thinking, and I’m sure it will get you to do the same.
Every year I find myself writhe with conviction on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I’ll re-read excerpts from his books and sermons, listen to his speeches and watch his interviews all the while my heart burns, my spirit dances, and my stomach ties knots. The guy ruins me. His rhetoric, his passion and influence flood out from my computer and wash over me with revelatory waves of dreams, ambitions and courage. I feel stronger just listening to him, and yet I can also feel so small.
Have you ever been around someone with an all-consuming passion? A passion that they were willing to spend their entire life pursuing, perfecting and promoting? I’m not describing people who merely talk about what they “love” or spend a lot of time doing something they enjoy. I mean people who live from a passion that sweeps you off your feet and carries you into their dream and vision. There are tons of passionate people, but few who can actually influence and lead people into their passion. These are the people that are changing the world. These are the people we fall in love with.
I have to ask myself the question, “What am I passionate about?” And whatever my answer is, it’s followed by another question, “Are you really?” I believe that if I’m really passionate about something, then I should be leading people into an encounter with that passion. I should be influencing people into that passion. I’m reminded of a quote that has stirred my heart for two years now:
“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up men that will just build it. Instead, teach them the desire of the sea.” – Antione de Saint-Exupery (French Pilot)
In other words, don’t just pay people to follow you, but infect them with your passion so that they desire to follow you. That’s true leadership and true passion.
So what are you passionate about? Are you really?
Ah yes, the New Year Resolution. I know many people think it’s a meaningless tradition, and it can be, but most people just haven’t tasted success as a result of making them. Many either abandon hope of personal improvement just weeks into the New Year and decide to try again the next, or have such a bad taste from previous years that they don’t even bother trying. Have you ever wondered why so many people make the same resolution each year? Could it be because they remained exactly the same as the year before? Like they ran a 365 day long circle and the finish line became the starting line (I’m reminded of the film “Groundhog Day”)? Shouldn’t we have new starting lines each year?
Everyone wants breakthrough in their life, but breakthrough doesn’t come easy. If it did, then we would all be pretty amazing, awesome, powerful people by now wouldn’t we? We tend to go down the path of least resistance, or the path of familiar, but breakthrough is always a new place which requires an act of violence. I’m not talking about “violence” as in “criminal activity.” I’m talking about “violence” as “swift and intense force.” After all, it is called “break-through” for a reason. Something needs to break, or shatter, in order for new life to begin. An old paradigm, or pattern of thinking, must be broken in order for a new one to be installed and activated. In order for something to break, it requires force. Sometimes “swift and intense force.”
Have you ever seen a sail boat switch courses? The wheel rotates; the rudder shifts; the boom swings hard across the main deck; ropes loosen for a moment and then constrict sharply with tension; the sail bends and shifts under the wind; and the entire hull is pressed firmly against the water. It’s a violent process that requires complete intention and attention. If one doesn’t stay aware throughout the process then he might find himself getting hit with the boom or slipping off the side.
I think this is a good analogy for the New Year. A New Year Resolution is a shift in course and a plan for a new destination. However, a plan is worthless without action. That’s why we need to take the first step of grabbing the steering wheel and directing our lives toward our desired destination. When we take the first step of changing course, it sets off a chain reaction that requires our full attention. Many people lose sight of their goal during the process, or may even become fearful of the “violence” that ensues, and give up. That’s why so many resolutions go unfulfilled each year. Most of us can turn the steering wheel, but few can withstand the shift of the boat. Don’t believe me? ” Try making a resolution this year like cutting out sweets or sugar…especially if you have a big “sweet-tooth.” How much force does it take you to stay away from the sugary delicacies each time you see them? Your stomach growls, the “pleasure center” in your brain starts going off, and your mouth begins to salivate. It takes a strong and violent force to get you to turn away and walk in the opposite direction.
Try creating some resolutions this year. It’s actually a good exercise to practice throughout the year. I suggest keeping this idea in mind as you create a new course: reflect on the past, create a vision for your future, and respond to the present according to that vision. After all, as Socrates so famously said,“The unexamined life is not worth living .”
