Bless this

After a few days at the beach amidst sun, ocean, waves, and an easy pace, I'm beginning to think I could do this kind of gig full time. Therefore, I am seriously considering applying (is that how it's done?) for the position of shaman for some island tribal community....hey,I'm ordained. I would be the visible, go-to person in terms of spiritual guidance, a wise word, perfomer of rituals --- when you think about it, isn't that a lot of the role of clergy anyhow?

Spiritual leaders of any community are often sought to pronounce blessings in formal settings. It's one of the favorite opportunities given me and from benedictions to babies to bake sales, I have blessed them all.

One does not need a formal affair to extend a blessing. In the last few days, I have blessed: the car and the drive; meals ranging from grilled burgers and dogs to a bowl of "Lucky Charms;" the breeding ground of sea turtles; the lighthouse; and the doorway as I head-out each morning.

Here's the truth, one does not have to be ordained nor an island shaman to offer a blessing. All that is needed are the awareness of one's surroundings and a willingness to extend light and good energy to people, persons, places, and situations.

As you go about your day....bless and be a blessing.....we all can offer one and, most definitely, we all can use one.

sj;

Sign...sign...everywhere a sign....

Pay attention --- two words of frequent counsel; you hear the words from your parents, your teachers, your coaches. Pay attention is wise spiritual guidance to remind you to be aware of the present moment and to listen, look, and be part of what is happening around you and within you.

Part of my paying attention involves making note of words and messages that individuals write on walls, on sidewalks, on bridges and overpasses, in tunnels, on railroad ties, on rocks and beaches and on playground equipment. I am not condoning graffiti, yet, I am a student of what people choose to write, paint or carve on very public and permanent surfaces. I like when some degree of creativity is expressed other than a too frequent curse word, relationship status, or sketches of body parts. Give me something I can use.

One of the grand inventions of recent years is sidewalk chalk. What a wonderful concept to give kids (and adults) fat pieces of pastel chalk and permission to write, draw, and express all over the giant canvas of a big sidewalk! I make it a point to admire the efforts of sidewalk scribes and artists always looking for some movement away from the standard fare of suns, rainbows, hearts, and one's name.

On the walking bridge in Harrisburg, someone with a caring spirit stenciled at various intervals the words: PLEASE BE OK. What a heartfelt hope! What a wonderful wish! It made me want to connect with my fellow bridge walkers to offer a smile, a way to express in person the wish expressed in purple paint.

As I write this, I am at the beach for a glorious week of vacation. I am debating writing some less-permanent, eco-friendly messages in the sand at the shore. These messages may not last long, yet, many important messages are given to us briefly and to get the message you have to pay attention.

What are the signs you are reading?

sj;

"Dear Heart"

In case you may have forgotten, words matter. Move past that ridiculous and violent rhyme of childhood that referenced the obvious pain inflicted by sticks and stones and the falsehood that words would never hurt.

How we refer to someone has impact. This past weekend, I made a run to the "Strip" to purchase some cheese at Penn Mac. There is one cheese server who I hope will wait on me everytime I order my Welsh Cheddar! She is a legend at the Penn Mac cheese counter! What makes her a classic is she calls everyone, "Dear heart." From when she yells your number, it's "dear heart;" after each cheese order its "anything else, dear heart?" It's enough to make me order five different kinds of cheese just to be called "Dear Heart" over and over!

A kind word, a simple gesture that acknowledges the personhood of another is a gift. When I was living in DC and commuting daily on the METRO, I played a game to see how many stressed, hurried, and self-indulged fellow travelers I could get to smile. I would make eye contact and give a little grin. My average was I could usually get 8 out of 10 folks to smile back. Felt good.

What about you? How do you share a little light to brighten the day of another?

Truth is we all need that smile, that human connection, that acknowledgement that someone sees us. Remember in the film, AVATAR, the expression of love was evidenced in the phrase, "I see you." Indeed.

sj;