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;

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;