Today's blogpost is based on the section entitled "Morning from the Chapter "A Sabbath Day" in Wayne Muller's book "Sabbath".
What would a Sabbath morning look like for you? This question brought a story to mind. At a conference I attended some years ago, I heard Mike Yacconelli, a youth ministry guru, talk about how he and his wife wake their children. While he tends to go in, get them up and get them dressed, her approach is much different. She wakes them slowly, stoking their hair. As she holds them, she asks them about their dreams. They have conversations there in the stillness of the morning about the night before and the day to come.
One morning, the family was running late. Mike fussed at his wife saying, "Would you quit that nonsense and hurry up?! We have to go." Her response was that, no, she would not quit or hurry. If she didn't do this morning ritual, their children "would not be who they are called to be today."
I love this story. It reminds me, on the days when i seem to rushed to pay much attention to anything other than getting out the door, that I need to slow down, stroke my daughter's hair. I need to hold her close while she sits on my lap and drinks some milk. Together, we need to watch the morning sunlight glisten on the snow. I need to ask her about her dreams. If I don't she won't be who she's called to be today. Entering the day well is important -- too important to be skipped.
Likewise, I need to enter the day well. Every morning, not just on "Sabbath mornings" I begin with prayer. You may imagine a pastor's prayers to be formal recitations. But, not mine. I usually start by saying "Hi God, It's Leah." (Why I feel the need to reintroduce myself to God every morning, I don't know....it's odd, but I do it anyway.) I used to wake up and ask God what God had for me to do today. But, lately, I've been waking up with gratitude. My morning drive prayer usually begs the question of usefulness for the day.
These spiritual practices create Sabbath space every morning for me. What about you? What do your mornings look like? How can you have Sabbath space every morning?
Showing posts with label Epiphany 2010. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Epiphany 2010. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Sabbath evening
Today's blogpost is based on the section entitled "Evening" from the chapter entitled "Sabbath Day" in Wayne Muller's book "Sabbath".
The Sabbath evening is more than just a candle lit dinner. It is a time to be together to bless one another. It is sacred space shared with loved ones. Our dinner conversation should be more than talk about the weather. In that sacred space we can talk deeply about what matters and the goodness of God.
Have you ever experienced such a sacred space? I have. My church camp friends and I used to do it all the time. We would play a game called "What I love About You." We would go around the circle sharing what we loved about each person. It was more than just mining for compliments. It was a blessing of one another in profound ways. When I think of what an evening of Sabbath space looks like, this is what emerges as most important. Good food and wine and candle light -- yes, sure, let's have those things too. But, really, it's the gathering of spirits in sacred space to lift one another up and laugh -- that's what's most important here.
Have you ever had a dinner like this? Would you? Could you? Might you invite those closest to you over for such an evening? Could you risk letting those you love know it? Could you risk being that vulnerable? What would happen if you did? How would those you love be blessed by your words? How would you be blessed by sharing them?
The Sabbath evening is more than just a candle lit dinner. It is a time to be together to bless one another. It is sacred space shared with loved ones. Our dinner conversation should be more than talk about the weather. In that sacred space we can talk deeply about what matters and the goodness of God.
Have you ever experienced such a sacred space? I have. My church camp friends and I used to do it all the time. We would play a game called "What I love About You." We would go around the circle sharing what we loved about each person. It was more than just mining for compliments. It was a blessing of one another in profound ways. When I think of what an evening of Sabbath space looks like, this is what emerges as most important. Good food and wine and candle light -- yes, sure, let's have those things too. But, really, it's the gathering of spirits in sacred space to lift one another up and laugh -- that's what's most important here.
Have you ever had a dinner like this? Would you? Could you? Might you invite those closest to you over for such an evening? Could you risk letting those you love know it? Could you risk being that vulnerable? What would happen if you did? How would those you love be blessed by your words? How would you be blessed by sharing them?
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Breaking the trance
Today's blogpost is based on the section entitled "Breaking the Trance" from the chapter "Consecration" in Wayne Muller's book "Sabbath".
Today, as I sit and ponder this last section of Muller's offerings to us, I am taken with the titled of this section. It seems as if our old way of life, the way that leaves no room for rest and renewal, has had us in a trance. We have been captivated by perpetual motion, overwork and busyness. But, as I have listen to you talk about this study of Sabbath, it seems as if that trance has begun to lift. At the very least, this study and sermon series have made you aware of your own patterns of rest and work. For some of you, it has prompted a paradigm shift in your life.
So, I wonder, as we near the end, how has the trance been broken for you? Would you share a few words below about how this study and sermon series have changed your life?
Today, as I sit and ponder this last section of Muller's offerings to us, I am taken with the titled of this section. It seems as if our old way of life, the way that leaves no room for rest and renewal, has had us in a trance. We have been captivated by perpetual motion, overwork and busyness. But, as I have listen to you talk about this study of Sabbath, it seems as if that trance has begun to lift. At the very least, this study and sermon series have made you aware of your own patterns of rest and work. For some of you, it has prompted a paradigm shift in your life.
So, I wonder, as we near the end, how has the trance been broken for you? Would you share a few words below about how this study and sermon series have changed your life?
Friday, February 5, 2010
Lessons from a Rental
Today's blog post is based on the section entitled "Ownership" from the chapter "Consecration" in Wayne Muller's book "Sabbath".
When we moved to Champbana, we moved into a rental house. It is considerably smaller that our house was in Michigan. That coupled with the fact that we do plan to buy a home here, thus moving yet again, means that about 75% of our stuff is still in moving boxes in the garage and basement. We have less stuff out here than we did in Michigan -- a lot less stuff. And, since this is a rental house, I have not been coming up with lists of home improvement projects for David and I to tackle.
This is what I've learned -- I am so much more rested and relaxed at home here than I was there. There, when I sat down, all I could see were the undone projects. Here, I see a free evening to sit and read or watch tv, hang out and laugh with my family. There, we were forever cleaning and organizing. Here, with less stuff and a smaller space, we get it done so much quicker!
Yes, we own stuff. But, our stuff really owns us. "Stuff management," as I like to call it, is really what owns our time and energy.
How would your life change if you owned less stuff? Think of how much time, energy and money goes into "stuff management" in your life. How would your life be different if you could reduce your "stuff management". What would you have time to do? What what you have energy to tackle? What could you do with that extra money?
When we moved to Champbana, we moved into a rental house. It is considerably smaller that our house was in Michigan. That coupled with the fact that we do plan to buy a home here, thus moving yet again, means that about 75% of our stuff is still in moving boxes in the garage and basement. We have less stuff out here than we did in Michigan -- a lot less stuff. And, since this is a rental house, I have not been coming up with lists of home improvement projects for David and I to tackle.
This is what I've learned -- I am so much more rested and relaxed at home here than I was there. There, when I sat down, all I could see were the undone projects. Here, I see a free evening to sit and read or watch tv, hang out and laugh with my family. There, we were forever cleaning and organizing. Here, with less stuff and a smaller space, we get it done so much quicker!
Yes, we own stuff. But, our stuff really owns us. "Stuff management," as I like to call it, is really what owns our time and energy.
How would your life change if you owned less stuff? Think of how much time, energy and money goes into "stuff management" in your life. How would your life be different if you could reduce your "stuff management". What would you have time to do? What what you have energy to tackle? What could you do with that extra money?
Thursday, February 4, 2010
It's Enough
Today's blog post is based on the section entitled "The Way of Enough" from the chapter on "Consecration" from Wayne Muller's book "Sabbath".
God was so smart in designing manna for the people in exile. When you wake up in the morning, there it is. You could go out, gather it up and eat as much as you needed for the day. But, you couldn't, for instance, stock pile it over night, then gather up all the next day's manna, corner the market and set up shop. This is where God is smart -- manna spoils over night. You can't hoard it. You can't save it. Get what you need, have your fill, be satisfied -- there's enough. And, there will be enough tomorrow too.
We are not the people of the exodus. We aren't a wandering people, hunting and gathering what we need. We are settled. We have enough. Especially here, in the land of the "super store", we have enough. Even the poorest among us in this country have more than the rest of the poor in the world on average. But, we aren't living as if that is so.
We tend to hoard and stock pile and share in very stingy ways. If only we lived as if our resources were manna from heaven -- taking only what we needed for today so that everyone would have enough. Power would shift. Greed would become a non option in our world.
How might you live as if your resources are like manna from heaven? Would you share more of them? With others? With yourself? How would your life change if you knew you had enough?
God was so smart in designing manna for the people in exile. When you wake up in the morning, there it is. You could go out, gather it up and eat as much as you needed for the day. But, you couldn't, for instance, stock pile it over night, then gather up all the next day's manna, corner the market and set up shop. This is where God is smart -- manna spoils over night. You can't hoard it. You can't save it. Get what you need, have your fill, be satisfied -- there's enough. And, there will be enough tomorrow too.
We are not the people of the exodus. We aren't a wandering people, hunting and gathering what we need. We are settled. We have enough. Especially here, in the land of the "super store", we have enough. Even the poorest among us in this country have more than the rest of the poor in the world on average. But, we aren't living as if that is so.
We tend to hoard and stock pile and share in very stingy ways. If only we lived as if our resources were manna from heaven -- taking only what we needed for today so that everyone would have enough. Power would shift. Greed would become a non option in our world.
How might you live as if your resources are like manna from heaven? Would you share more of them? With others? With yourself? How would your life change if you knew you had enough?
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Living Intentionally
Today's blog post is a reflection on the section entitled "Mindfulness and Holiness" from the chapter "Consecration" in Wayne Muller's book "Sabbath".
Many years ago, I made conscious decision. I would stop eating in my car. No more drive-thrus or fast food in general. If I were to eat it, I would have to eat at the restaurant or take it home, sit down and eat. Making that simple change in my eating habits changed my relationship to food. It made eating sacred.
Seeing the sacred in life is really what mindfulness, living intentionally as I call it, is really about. When Jesus broke bread with the disciples, he made the ordinary extraordinary. When we are able to stop and take in a moment for all it's worth, give thanks, and proceed with blessing, we too are making ordinary moments extraordinary ones. This is Sabbath space in our lives.
Stop rushing. Be still.
Be mindful of your surroundings. Be intentional about your actions.
Smell the aroma of your food. Give thanks for the hands that grew it.
Look at the one you love. Trace the outline of their face in your heart.
When you brush your child's hair from their face, whisper a blessing.
Feel the wind kiss your cheek and know it's the very breath of God.
Stop rushing. Be still.
Be mindful of your surroundings, intentional about your actions and consecrate your very ordinarily extraordinary life.
Many years ago, I made conscious decision. I would stop eating in my car. No more drive-thrus or fast food in general. If I were to eat it, I would have to eat at the restaurant or take it home, sit down and eat. Making that simple change in my eating habits changed my relationship to food. It made eating sacred.
Seeing the sacred in life is really what mindfulness, living intentionally as I call it, is really about. When Jesus broke bread with the disciples, he made the ordinary extraordinary. When we are able to stop and take in a moment for all it's worth, give thanks, and proceed with blessing, we too are making ordinary moments extraordinary ones. This is Sabbath space in our lives.
Stop rushing. Be still.
Be mindful of your surroundings. Be intentional about your actions.
Smell the aroma of your food. Give thanks for the hands that grew it.
Look at the one you love. Trace the outline of their face in your heart.
When you brush your child's hair from their face, whisper a blessing.
Feel the wind kiss your cheek and know it's the very breath of God.
Stop rushing. Be still.
Be mindful of your surroundings, intentional about your actions and consecrate your very ordinarily extraordinary life.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Shopping Will Not Save Us, Part 3
Today's blog post is based on the section entitled "Selling Unhappiness" from the chapter Happiness in Wayne Muller's book "Sabbath".
If you were here Sunday, then you heard of my on-again-off-again love affair with Target and Target's commercials. I shop at Target because of how it makes me feel -- I feel far cooler than I actually am, like I am one of the shiny, happy, trendy, skinny women in their commercials. But that's the point of advertising, isn't it? Otherwise, why would we spend so much money on things that are worth far less than we are paying? Because we are trying to buy the feeling associated with the product.
But, Sabbath time invites us to do something different. Sabbath invites us to be happy -- be with the people you love, do the thing that make you happy, bask in blessing. Be happy. Sabbath time invites us to love the life we have instead of the life we lust after in commercials and in the pages of magazines. As Muller suggests, Sabbath time invites us to stop lusting after the shiny, happy people in the commercials and BE those people.
Be the one making something to eat that's so lovely it could be in a magazine. Be the family curled up on the couch together laughing. Be the couple holding hands walking down a tree lined path. Be the person stretching into a yoga pose. Be happy.
If you were here Sunday, then you heard of my on-again-off-again love affair with Target and Target's commercials. I shop at Target because of how it makes me feel -- I feel far cooler than I actually am, like I am one of the shiny, happy, trendy, skinny women in their commercials. But that's the point of advertising, isn't it? Otherwise, why would we spend so much money on things that are worth far less than we are paying? Because we are trying to buy the feeling associated with the product.
But, Sabbath time invites us to do something different. Sabbath invites us to be happy -- be with the people you love, do the thing that make you happy, bask in blessing. Be happy. Sabbath time invites us to love the life we have instead of the life we lust after in commercials and in the pages of magazines. As Muller suggests, Sabbath time invites us to stop lusting after the shiny, happy people in the commercials and BE those people.
Be the one making something to eat that's so lovely it could be in a magazine. Be the family curled up on the couch together laughing. Be the couple holding hands walking down a tree lined path. Be the person stretching into a yoga pose. Be happy.
"I have no idea where I am going"
Today's blog post is a reflection on the section entitled "Beginner's Mind" from the chapter on Wisdom in Wayne Muller's book "Sabbath".
How often have I uttered the Thomas Merton prayer which begins, "My dear God, I have no idea where I am going...." Often, I assure you. But, that wasn't always the case.
I discovered this prayer in college. It was printed on a little piece of paper, propped up against some books in the chaplain's office. The prayer, eventually, was a revelation to me. But, at first, it was the kind of thing that made me scrunch up my forehead.
What do you mean 'I have NO IDEA where I am going' ???
Whatever....(eye roll)...I know where I am going! I've got plans. I've got dreams. I've got goals. I know where I am going!
Yeah, well...we may think we know where we're going. We may even have a plan to get there. And don't get me wrong: I'm not knocking planning or goal-setting. At the same time, I think Merton got it right. Even though we may think we know where we're headed, we can't ever really know for sure. Merton prayer invites us to ease our grip, surrender to the flow of the Spirit, and trust God, instead of only relying on our selves.
Life's like that -- it throws us curve balls all the time. If we are so set on our way, our plans, and our goals, then when life fails to cooperate, we will cause ourselves undue grief. Our inability to be flexible may make the situation worse than it ever should have been. Giving ourselves over to the guiding grace of God is good Sabbath practice. If we trust, we will find, there was providence before we ever knew there would be need. I have found this to be true -- but it took practice!
Merton's prayer, in its entiretiy is printed below. Print it out, post it somewhere in your house. Pray it when you need to be reminded that you aren't entirely in charge....and that's ok.
Dear God, I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself, and
the fact that I think that I am following Your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe this: I believe that the desire
to please You does in fact please You.
I hope I have that desire in everything I do.
I hope I never persist in anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this,
You will lead me by the right road,
though I may know nothing about it at the time.
Therefore I will trust You always,
for though I may be lost, and in the shadow of death,
I will not be afraid, because I know
You will never leave me to face my troubles all alone.
-- Thomas Merton
How often have I uttered the Thomas Merton prayer which begins, "My dear God, I have no idea where I am going...." Often, I assure you. But, that wasn't always the case.
I discovered this prayer in college. It was printed on a little piece of paper, propped up against some books in the chaplain's office. The prayer, eventually, was a revelation to me. But, at first, it was the kind of thing that made me scrunch up my forehead.
What do you mean 'I have NO IDEA where I am going' ???
Whatever....(eye roll)...I know where I am going! I've got plans. I've got dreams. I've got goals. I know where I am going!
Yeah, well...we may think we know where we're going. We may even have a plan to get there. And don't get me wrong: I'm not knocking planning or goal-setting. At the same time, I think Merton got it right. Even though we may think we know where we're headed, we can't ever really know for sure. Merton prayer invites us to ease our grip, surrender to the flow of the Spirit, and trust God, instead of only relying on our selves.
Life's like that -- it throws us curve balls all the time. If we are so set on our way, our plans, and our goals, then when life fails to cooperate, we will cause ourselves undue grief. Our inability to be flexible may make the situation worse than it ever should have been. Giving ourselves over to the guiding grace of God is good Sabbath practice. If we trust, we will find, there was providence before we ever knew there would be need. I have found this to be true -- but it took practice!
Merton's prayer, in its entiretiy is printed below. Print it out, post it somewhere in your house. Pray it when you need to be reminded that you aren't entirely in charge....and that's ok.
Dear God, I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself, and
the fact that I think that I am following Your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe this: I believe that the desire
to please You does in fact please You.
I hope I have that desire in everything I do.
I hope I never persist in anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this,
You will lead me by the right road,
though I may know nothing about it at the time.
Therefore I will trust You always,
for though I may be lost, and in the shadow of death,
I will not be afraid, because I know
You will never leave me to face my troubles all alone.
-- Thomas Merton
The Blog is Back
Hi folks.
Sorry for the break in blog posts. I will be posting again beginning today. I will also try to post comments on the chapter I missed.
Blessings,
Leah
Sorry for the break in blog posts. I will be posting again beginning today. I will also try to post comments on the chapter I missed.
Blessings,
Leah
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
The flu bug has bitten!
The flu bug bit me earlier this week. Eeew. It was not pretty. I was not up for blogging and am trying to play catch up in the office. Look for new blog posts soon. In the meantime, blessings to you!
-- Leah
-- Leah
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Shopping will Not Save Us, Part 2
Today's blog post is a reflection on the section entitled "The Gospel of Consumption" from the chapter on "Happiness" in Wayne Muller's book "Sabbath".
So...when I wrote the blog post called "Shopping Will Not Save Us" a few days ago, I had no idea that there would be a "Part 2". But, here is it all the same.
I was so taken be this statement from today's reading: Americans now consume twice as many goods and services, per person, than we did in 1945. "Oh, my God," I want to utter under my breath, both as a cry of disbelief and as a cry for help. What are we doing? Why is this statement true?
I am very bothered by our consumerism, as you may have already guessed by reading other blog posts. I am bothered on a personal, communal, spiritual and environmental level. Our Gospel of Consumption will not save us. It is not good news. In fact, it is very bad news. It is not sustainable. Every time I walk through a store, all I can think is, "Some day...this will all be in a land fill." And, then, when I turn a something over to see where it was made, usually, my response is, "What impoverished person had to work for pennies to make this piece of plastic crap for me to buy?" Really. Truth be told, that's how I feel when I go shopping.
So, I keep wondering how we can turn this tide of consumerism around in our culture. How can we turn away from shopping as gospel and turn towards actual good news, life changing good news? Ideas?
So...when I wrote the blog post called "Shopping Will Not Save Us" a few days ago, I had no idea that there would be a "Part 2". But, here is it all the same.
I was so taken be this statement from today's reading: Americans now consume twice as many goods and services, per person, than we did in 1945. "Oh, my God," I want to utter under my breath, both as a cry of disbelief and as a cry for help. What are we doing? Why is this statement true?
I am very bothered by our consumerism, as you may have already guessed by reading other blog posts. I am bothered on a personal, communal, spiritual and environmental level. Our Gospel of Consumption will not save us. It is not good news. In fact, it is very bad news. It is not sustainable. Every time I walk through a store, all I can think is, "Some day...this will all be in a land fill." And, then, when I turn a something over to see where it was made, usually, my response is, "What impoverished person had to work for pennies to make this piece of plastic crap for me to buy?" Really. Truth be told, that's how I feel when I go shopping.
So, I keep wondering how we can turn this tide of consumerism around in our culture. How can we turn away from shopping as gospel and turn towards actual good news, life changing good news? Ideas?
Friday, January 22, 2010
Need VS. Want
Today's blog post is based on the section "The Pursuit of Happiness" from the chapter on "Happiness" in Wayne Muller's book "Sabbath".
What do you really need?
Think about it for a moment. What do you really, truly need?
And what is it that you think you need because you want it so badly you don't know how you'd live your life without it?
Those are the kinds of questions I started asking myself when I realized I wasn't happy in life. It is hard, in our consumer driven culture, to focus on what we really need versus what we really want. Our lives circle so much so around our material desires that we get lost there. The Buddhists call this material desire the "hungry ghost" and it must be satisfied. It must be, unless, we learn how to tame it.
How are you attempting to live intentionally through this study of Sabbath? What new ways of living have you adopted so that you can be at peace and dwell in joy? What Sabbath practice ought you to adopt so that Rabbi Heschel's words ring true in your heart: Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy.
What do you really need?
Think about it for a moment. What do you really, truly need?
And what is it that you think you need because you want it so badly you don't know how you'd live your life without it?
Those are the kinds of questions I started asking myself when I realized I wasn't happy in life. It is hard, in our consumer driven culture, to focus on what we really need versus what we really want. Our lives circle so much so around our material desires that we get lost there. The Buddhists call this material desire the "hungry ghost" and it must be satisfied. It must be, unless, we learn how to tame it.
How are you attempting to live intentionally through this study of Sabbath? What new ways of living have you adopted so that you can be at peace and dwell in joy? What Sabbath practice ought you to adopt so that Rabbi Heschel's words ring true in your heart: Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Honoring Worth
Today's blog post is based on the section "A Deeper Wealth" from the chapter on "Time" in Wayne Muller's book "Sabbath".
"Be sure they pay you what you're worth." Have you ever received that advice. I have. And the truth is, that's a statement of privilege. Only a minute percentage of people can make such demands. And even then, even when people are paid "what they're worth" they aren't really. Even the wealthiest person in the world is worth more that their net worth.
If we had to simply do the math, and determine each person's worth according to their pay check, the truth would be this -- most people in this world are not paid what they're worth in the least. Moreover, we've tended to organize our pay scales in a bizarre fashion, paying entertainers, athletes, and CEOs exponentially more than those who teach our children, feed the hungry, care for the land and tend to the infirm.
Regardless of how much money you make, though, the truth is this: we are worth far more than our pay stubs reflect. We must remind each other of this because, in our culture, where success, self-worth and self-esteem often have a direct tie to our status in the working world, we often end up feeling less than. Maybe this is the greatest gift Sabbath gives us. Muller states, "during Sabbath, we specifically honor those precious things -- courage, creativity, wisdom, peace, kindness and delight." It is "only in the soil of time" that these things grow. Only when we honor Sabbath time are we able to see richness all around us.
"Be sure they pay you what you're worth." Have you ever received that advice. I have. And the truth is, that's a statement of privilege. Only a minute percentage of people can make such demands. And even then, even when people are paid "what they're worth" they aren't really. Even the wealthiest person in the world is worth more that their net worth.
If we had to simply do the math, and determine each person's worth according to their pay check, the truth would be this -- most people in this world are not paid what they're worth in the least. Moreover, we've tended to organize our pay scales in a bizarre fashion, paying entertainers, athletes, and CEOs exponentially more than those who teach our children, feed the hungry, care for the land and tend to the infirm.
Regardless of how much money you make, though, the truth is this: we are worth far more than our pay stubs reflect. We must remind each other of this because, in our culture, where success, self-worth and self-esteem often have a direct tie to our status in the working world, we often end up feeling less than. Maybe this is the greatest gift Sabbath gives us. Muller states, "during Sabbath, we specifically honor those precious things -- courage, creativity, wisdom, peace, kindness and delight." It is "only in the soil of time" that these things grow. Only when we honor Sabbath time are we able to see richness all around us.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Beyond Measure
Today's blog post is based on the section entitled "Why Time is Not Money" from the chapter on "Time" in Wayne Muller's "Sabbath".
Did you ever see the movie "Say Anything"? It's the last of the great 80s teen flicks. In it, John Cusack's character, Lloyd Dobbler, gives a memorable dinner table speech in response to a question posed to him by his love interest's father. Lloyd's response goes like this:
"I don't want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don't want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed. You know, as a career, I don't want to do that."
"Basically," Lloyd continues, "I just want to take care of your daughter, sir."
Lloyd Dobbler's admission would fit well into this section of Muller's book. Here, we are reminded that our modern tools for measuring worth do not take such ventures into account. Caring for those we love and tending to those in our communities, unless it is a job we are paid to do, has no way of being accounted when it comes to measuring a nation's riches. But, how poor would we be without our common care for one another. After all, there are a million ways to be rich; having money is just one of them.
How do we measure our kindness? Only in what our kindness produces -- which is love.
Did you ever see the movie "Say Anything"? It's the last of the great 80s teen flicks. In it, John Cusack's character, Lloyd Dobbler, gives a memorable dinner table speech in response to a question posed to him by his love interest's father. Lloyd's response goes like this:
"I don't want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don't want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed. You know, as a career, I don't want to do that."
"Basically," Lloyd continues, "I just want to take care of your daughter, sir."
Lloyd Dobbler's admission would fit well into this section of Muller's book. Here, we are reminded that our modern tools for measuring worth do not take such ventures into account. Caring for those we love and tending to those in our communities, unless it is a job we are paid to do, has no way of being accounted when it comes to measuring a nation's riches. But, how poor would we be without our common care for one another. After all, there are a million ways to be rich; having money is just one of them.
How do we measure our kindness? Only in what our kindness produces -- which is love.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
I need the Time
Today's blog post is based on the section entitled "Seize the Day" from the chapter on "Time" in Wayne Muller's Book "Sabbath".
I lived in Battle Creek Michigan for the past 5 years -- birthplace of the corn flake and home to Kellogg's. I was fascinated by Muller's explanation of Kellogg's six-hour work day. Believe me, there's no remnant of that left in Battle Creek today.
What was most fascinating to me was the quote from plant workers in the mid-forties. When given the chance to return to a shorter work week, as opposed to working a standard 40 hour week, many of the workers replied, "I need the extra money, but I need the time at home more." Isn't that the truth!
Considering our current economy, many folks may find themselves in the category of needing more money, but when given the choice between more money or more time, I wonder which one people would really choose.
In my experience, when I've had less money, I've found ways to make ends meet. And, through a little creativity and ingenuity, I've always found a way. But, that's not the case when I've not had enough time. It seems like there's no good way to make ends meet when there's a lack of time. When I am pressed for time, my creativity gets zapped. I become hurried and careless. It seems that I can find ways to cut corners and still live a full and robust life when I don't have enough cash. But, when I don't have enough time, my like seems thin -- how strange since it is so full!
Having time to sit and be with the people I love is important. it is something money cannot buy. What about you? What has been your experience with time and money? Would you agree with the Kellogg's workers that having more money would be nice, but you need the time more?
I lived in Battle Creek Michigan for the past 5 years -- birthplace of the corn flake and home to Kellogg's. I was fascinated by Muller's explanation of Kellogg's six-hour work day. Believe me, there's no remnant of that left in Battle Creek today.
What was most fascinating to me was the quote from plant workers in the mid-forties. When given the chance to return to a shorter work week, as opposed to working a standard 40 hour week, many of the workers replied, "I need the extra money, but I need the time at home more." Isn't that the truth!
Considering our current economy, many folks may find themselves in the category of needing more money, but when given the choice between more money or more time, I wonder which one people would really choose.
In my experience, when I've had less money, I've found ways to make ends meet. And, through a little creativity and ingenuity, I've always found a way. But, that's not the case when I've not had enough time. It seems like there's no good way to make ends meet when there's a lack of time. When I am pressed for time, my creativity gets zapped. I become hurried and careless. It seems that I can find ways to cut corners and still live a full and robust life when I don't have enough cash. But, when I don't have enough time, my like seems thin -- how strange since it is so full!
Having time to sit and be with the people I love is important. it is something money cannot buy. What about you? What has been your experience with time and money? Would you agree with the Kellogg's workers that having more money would be nice, but you need the time more?
Monday, January 18, 2010
Shopping will not save us
Today's blog is based on the section entitled "A Life Well Lived" from the chapter on "Time" in Wayne Muller's book "Sabbath".
After 9/11, I remember President Bush telling America that the best thing we could do was to go shopping.
Really?
Really.
Of course, I understand that after an attack which brought one of the bright and shining symbols of our free-market economy tumbling to the ground in a pile of twisted rubble, one might fear that our actual economy would follow suit, and therefore shopping was a perfectly reasonable response to such a tragedy.
Really.
Really?
Well, one might contend that our actual economy has followed suit. Sending Americans out to the mall on 9/12 didn't save the economy. And, shopping will not save us in the way we fool ourselves into thinking it will.
Really.
We will not become those people we see in commercials. Having more things, or better things won't make us more successful.
Really.
So, what';s your relationship to shopping? Has it become your main leisure activity? How much more time would you have if you didn't "go shopping" as a leisure activity?
After 9/11, I remember President Bush telling America that the best thing we could do was to go shopping.
Really?
Really.
Of course, I understand that after an attack which brought one of the bright and shining symbols of our free-market economy tumbling to the ground in a pile of twisted rubble, one might fear that our actual economy would follow suit, and therefore shopping was a perfectly reasonable response to such a tragedy.
Really.
Really?
Well, one might contend that our actual economy has followed suit. Sending Americans out to the mall on 9/12 didn't save the economy. And, shopping will not save us in the way we fool ourselves into thinking it will.
Really.
We will not become those people we see in commercials. Having more things, or better things won't make us more successful.
Really.
So, what';s your relationship to shopping? Has it become your main leisure activity? How much more time would you have if you didn't "go shopping" as a leisure activity?
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Ritualize, Repeat
This blog post is based on the section "The Book of Hours" section of "Rhythm" from Wayne Muller's book "Sabbath".
As Protestants, we're pretty bad at ritual. My inner Catholic longs for incense and kneeling benches, lighting candles and liturgy I know by heart.
As Protestants, we don't know how to ritualize things. I think we've suffered because of it. Ritual is important. When we have rites of passage ritualized it helps us mark time and our children to grow. When we attached sacred meaning to common objects, we suddenly have an ability to see the Holy everywhere. When we don't ritualize our faith lives, only our secular tendencies get ritualized. And that's fine, but it's probably not enough to feed our souls.
We're pretty good at ritual when it comes to the big high Holy days, like Christmas and Easter. But, beyond that....well, there's not much. I wonder what would happen if we infused our faith lives with more ritual, more opportunities to create sacred traditions.
Do you have thoughts on this? About sacred traditions? About rites of passage?
As Protestants, we're pretty bad at ritual. My inner Catholic longs for incense and kneeling benches, lighting candles and liturgy I know by heart.
As Protestants, we don't know how to ritualize things. I think we've suffered because of it. Ritual is important. When we have rites of passage ritualized it helps us mark time and our children to grow. When we attached sacred meaning to common objects, we suddenly have an ability to see the Holy everywhere. When we don't ritualize our faith lives, only our secular tendencies get ritualized. And that's fine, but it's probably not enough to feed our souls.
We're pretty good at ritual when it comes to the big high Holy days, like Christmas and Easter. But, beyond that....well, there's not much. I wonder what would happen if we infused our faith lives with more ritual, more opportunities to create sacred traditions.
Do you have thoughts on this? About sacred traditions? About rites of passage?
Friday, January 15, 2010
Just "Let it Be" is hard to do!
Today's reflection is based on the section entitled "Let it Be" from the chapter on "Rhythm" from Wayne Muller's book on "Sabbath".
Every day, I make a list of things that need to be done at work. As I go through the day and finish things, I cross themoff, which feels really good by the way. I love crossing things off my list. At the end of the day, I look at what is left on the list, if anything, and move it to the next day's list. Sometimes, though, I stick around and get it done, just so it's done.
Yesterday, I had a long list of things that didn't get done. Some things, like this blog, really needed to be done for today. Normally, I would have stuck around to do it becasue it's important. But, it was date night. I had this made these plans with my husband. But the blog! I have to do the blog! But it's date night! But the blog! But it's date night! Aaah!
And, then, Muller's words came floating back into my brain, "If we only stop when we are finished with all our work, we will never stop -- because our work is never completely done." Muller's right. The work will never be done. There will always be more work to do. There will always be another thing on the to do list. And that's why Sabbath doesn't wait for our work to get done.
Sabbath comes whether we are ready for it to come or not. When we have committed ourselves to holding Sabbath space sacred, when it arrives we welcome it. Whatever work must be done, it will wait. Whatever is left undone, it will still be undone tomorrow. And you can do it. Tomorrow.
And, so, all of this is to day that the reason you weren't able to read this early this morning as usual is because I was taking Muller's wisdom to heart. When Sabbath time arrived, I took it. And the work? I let it be.
Every day, I make a list of things that need to be done at work. As I go through the day and finish things, I cross themoff, which feels really good by the way. I love crossing things off my list. At the end of the day, I look at what is left on the list, if anything, and move it to the next day's list. Sometimes, though, I stick around and get it done, just so it's done.
Yesterday, I had a long list of things that didn't get done. Some things, like this blog, really needed to be done for today. Normally, I would have stuck around to do it becasue it's important. But, it was date night. I had this made these plans with my husband. But the blog! I have to do the blog! But it's date night! But the blog! But it's date night! Aaah!
And, then, Muller's words came floating back into my brain, "If we only stop when we are finished with all our work, we will never stop -- because our work is never completely done." Muller's right. The work will never be done. There will always be more work to do. There will always be another thing on the to do list. And that's why Sabbath doesn't wait for our work to get done.
Sabbath comes whether we are ready for it to come or not. When we have committed ourselves to holding Sabbath space sacred, when it arrives we welcome it. Whatever work must be done, it will wait. Whatever is left undone, it will still be undone tomorrow. And you can do it. Tomorrow.
And, so, all of this is to day that the reason you weren't able to read this early this morning as usual is because I was taking Muller's wisdom to heart. When Sabbath time arrived, I took it. And the work? I let it be.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Today is Sacred
Today's blog is based on the section entitled "Hurtling Toward the Eschaton" from the chapter on "Rhythm" in Wayne Muller's "Sabbath".
We progressive Christians may have a hard time when people start talking in eschatalogical terms. Talking about "end times" and when "Jesus is coming back" doesn't easily fit into our theology. Since it doesn't fit neatly and nicely into our theology, we tend to just avoid it all together. What Muller does is ingenious. He doesn't avoid it; he transforms it. Muller makes an excellent point in this chapter about the eschaton and our relationship to our post-modern version of it.
We do live as if progress is the new second coming. It seems as if many of us live in anticipation of this mythic moment in life when we will finally have enough time and more than enough money so that we can finally be happy. Problem is, if we are always living in anticipation of that moment, we never find the inherent joy in this moment.
Instead of waiting until those mythic moments arrive to be happy, why not be happy now?
Instead of waiting until those mythic moments to arrive to enjoy ourselves and those why love, why not enjoy them now?
Instead of waiting, do it now. Love the life you have, not the life you wished you had. Truth is -- this life is pretty good, even with all it's messiness.
I am curious, what did you think of Muller's take on eschaton?
We progressive Christians may have a hard time when people start talking in eschatalogical terms. Talking about "end times" and when "Jesus is coming back" doesn't easily fit into our theology. Since it doesn't fit neatly and nicely into our theology, we tend to just avoid it all together. What Muller does is ingenious. He doesn't avoid it; he transforms it. Muller makes an excellent point in this chapter about the eschaton and our relationship to our post-modern version of it.
We do live as if progress is the new second coming. It seems as if many of us live in anticipation of this mythic moment in life when we will finally have enough time and more than enough money so that we can finally be happy. Problem is, if we are always living in anticipation of that moment, we never find the inherent joy in this moment.
Instead of waiting until those mythic moments arrive to be happy, why not be happy now?
Instead of waiting until those mythic moments to arrive to enjoy ourselves and those why love, why not enjoy them now?
Instead of waiting, do it now. Love the life you have, not the life you wished you had. Truth is -- this life is pretty good, even with all it's messiness.
I am curious, what did you think of Muller's take on eschaton?
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
It's only natural
Today's blog is based on the section entitled "Inner Music" from the chapter "Rhythm" in Wayne Muller's book Sabbath.
I am AMAZED at what I read in today's bit from the Sabbath book. I love think about all the animals, fish and flowers living in tempo with the rhythm inherent in creation....the world attuned to the rising of the sun and the circling of the moon, light and dark...the pulse of the ocean, the hum of the earth. How cool is that?
It is cool and, unfortunately, something we completely ignore. We have cut ourselves off so much from the natural world that we live lives unaware of nature's rhythms. Likewise, most of us have learned how to ignore our bodies. Especially in western cultures, we value such a mind/body dichotomy that we miss creation's rhythm beating in our own selves.
We have to stop ignoring our bodies. If we pay attention, our bodies will tell us when to rest and when to rise. Our bodies will tell us when to move and when to be still. Our bodies will tell us when to find nourishment and when to close the refrigerator door already! If we pay attention to those deep circadian rhythms at work in our bodies, we'll find our way...it's only natural.
I am AMAZED at what I read in today's bit from the Sabbath book. I love think about all the animals, fish and flowers living in tempo with the rhythm inherent in creation....the world attuned to the rising of the sun and the circling of the moon, light and dark...the pulse of the ocean, the hum of the earth. How cool is that?
It is cool and, unfortunately, something we completely ignore. We have cut ourselves off so much from the natural world that we live lives unaware of nature's rhythms. Likewise, most of us have learned how to ignore our bodies. Especially in western cultures, we value such a mind/body dichotomy that we miss creation's rhythm beating in our own selves.
We have to stop ignoring our bodies. If we pay attention, our bodies will tell us when to rest and when to rise. Our bodies will tell us when to move and when to be still. Our bodies will tell us when to find nourishment and when to close the refrigerator door already! If we pay attention to those deep circadian rhythms at work in our bodies, we'll find our way...it's only natural.
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