Lessons from leisure

Tomorrow, we are heading back north; of course, we will stop halfway to watch the Steelers game. It's been wonderful and here are some lessons from my leisure:

* "No-see-um" the best name ever for a tiny insect whose bite itches for a very long time.

* I am drawn to the whole concept of a lighthouse and a lighthouse keeeper.

* Amazing how quickly the storms come in and move out while at the shore -- I think that is true both literally and metaphorically.

* The female loggerhead sea turtle will journey over 800 miles to come back to the place where she was born to lay her eggs.

* Before one swims in the ocean for any long period of time, one should probably have some clue about what one is doing.

* Watching and listening to the steady rhythm of the waves is therapeutic

* A good vacation is one that stays with you and from which you return and live life more simply.

sj;

Power Play

This is the warmest part of the year that I've been at the beach so I've been doing some ocean swimming. Neither metaphorically nor literally would I be considered a lightweight. However, the ocean waves have walloped me time and time again. I am amazed at how much force a wave brings --- the sound is like cracking thunder and getting hit square by a wave knocks me on my soggy butt.

In the pleasant times of bobbing in the waves and riding them into shore and still mindful of the ocean's power, I found cause to reflect on the nature of power. There are similarities between the ocean and humans. Power comes from being connected to a higher source. Power comes from constancy.

Speaking in truly human terms, power is "having a proper sense of self in a universe full of wonders" (Chittister). Power comes from trusting and being open and not clinging. Power is taking responsibility when it was you who blew it. Power is honoring and protecting the dignity of each person.

What say you?
While you think about it, still reeling from the ocean's power, I need to extract sand from my unmentionables.

sj;

Why do it

Today is the birthday of the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, Jane Addams. Born into a wealthy family and a Quaker, Jane Addams was a community organizer who founded Hull House. Located on the Southside of Chicago, Hull House was a neighborhood center for the impoverished immigrants living in the community and that offered a communal kitchen, a day care, a library, and a boarding house for women.

Jane is the kind of woman I celebrate, a woman of active compassion who cares for neighbor and in doing builds a strong community.

I take pride in being a community organizer. Why do it?

* My lineage of strong women set the example.

* If we do not actively care for each other we are done.

* It is a real rush to inspire a group of persons, too often on the margins of
society, to come together and work for a more just society.

* Sarah Palin makes fun of me.

* My faith compels me to do this.

Whenever we meet a new person, after the exchange of names, the next question we ask is What do you do? More than that question, I want to ask, Why do you do it?

Well.......

sj;