Trade the heart and soul of the Oilers, Mr. Canada, just to save a buck.
Kevin Lowe deserves to be. . . so many things I won't repeat here.
FRICK!
John
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Monday, February 26, 2007
Check this out
Hey friends,
Take 13 minutes out of your day and make your way over to my brother in law - Jordan's blog and watch the Craig Ferguson video.
Trust me. You'll be glad you did.
John
Take 13 minutes out of your day and make your way over to my brother in law - Jordan's blog and watch the Craig Ferguson video.
Trust me. You'll be glad you did.
John
Saturday, February 24, 2007
poor popster
I'm a little behind the times on my celebrity gossip. A couple friends came over last night and refered to poor Britney and I fully agreed thinking they meant poor Britney- bad music, butt of all parenting jokes, trashy fashion sense, why do you dress your pets Britney. I shook my head sympathetically, because hey, no girl likes to see one of her own continually humiliated ala spotlight. My good friends then informed me that, as bad as that is, how can you possibly not know about the head shaving, car attacking, door pounding, rehab hopping Britney? Well, I didn't want to tell you, but I'm really a cloistered nun. And I forgot to renew our newspaper subscribtion since we've been back from Disney (yes, it's been a week....why do you ask?) Anyway, as much as I love to make fun of Tinsletown and it's pampered inhabitants, this did seem beyond finger pointing peals of laughter, even for me. You kind of wish the poor girl could just move to Switzerland and live her life away from all the staring eyes and gaping, ridiculing mouths. And to be honest, I'm surprised we don't see more graceless falls from the almighty pedestals we place these people on. Granted Britney's awkward stumble began some time ago, but seriously- I know I couldn't stay sane in that diamond crusted bubble (did I just mix metaphors? I'm so bad. The pedestal is in the bubble, OK? It works). Maybe what I really like to make fun of are the people who worship this false and glittered ideal. I suppose I could just not make fun of anyone, be it Hollywoodites or their faithful fans.
Aw, who am I kidding? Tom Cruise is just asking for it.
Angie
Aw, who am I kidding? Tom Cruise is just asking for it.
Angie
Thursday, February 22, 2007
The longest comment ever
Note: This originally appeared as "the longest comment ever" on Tim's blog and now appears as a Post because enough people thought it should. Enough people meaning Tim. . .and. . .my wife. Perhaps you should read Tim's "youth minister rant" post before you read this.
Tim is correct, when he calls me a surviving youth pastor. I began my ministry with The Calgary Church of Christ in 2001 and 6 years later I’m still here. When I began I was absolutely clueless which really sucked because the lead minister of our church just happened to be the best youth minister in Canada only years before (in CofC circles). Yes I’m speaking of Troy, who is now the leader of this church. So, its bad enough to fail but when you do it in front of a youth minister guru its much worse. I must give Troy his props. Never did he make me feel like the failure I was. In fact he never stopped believing in me and I think that’s how I survived. Most youth minsters, as Patrick says, don’t last. I think 2 years is the average. The reason for this is many things but the top 3 would be: low pay, lack of respect and burnout due to lack of support. I’ve experienced all 3 but have somehow managed to stay. Why have I stayed? More on that later.
I want to address youth ministry’s function in the church. For many years, youth ministry functioned to protect church kids from the evils of the world - “Better the kids are at church on a friday night then murdering people in the back alleys of our city.” Ok, that’s a bit extreme, but still that was about the extent of it. Youth ministry existed to keep the kids from "badness." One of the many problems with this is sheltering a free spirit only leads to resentment and ultimately rebellion. Teens are free and desire independance and can see right through a church that tries to control them by keeping them from the realities of the world. This is one of the reasons why many teens lose their faith once they graduate, they’ve been raised in a phony world and once they leave that world the real world eats them alive. Often the church and parents then blame the youth minister - “how could you let this happen, you're supposed to protect them from this -what’s wrong with your youth ministry?” Its a valid question but the wrong one. The issue isn’t youth ministry its bad theology and even worse parenting. Parents who have been privelaged to have a youth minister in their church take advantage of this free service by taking a 6 year vacation from nuturing their teens faith. Once their kids turn 18 they begin to show a renewed interest in their teens life but its too late because their teen’s formidable years have just been raised by the system instead of as God says - the parents (Deut 6). Once the teens graduate, they leave the system and are often then very alone. Their parents haven’t helped, the church hasn’t helped, they think they have because they hired a youth minister but they haven’t really helped, where it counts. If you doubt this ask anyone in your church when was the last time they took a teenager out for coffee and just listened to them. In fact, if you do ask and find someone who has reached out, you need to get them into youth ministry because they are one of the few who actually give a rip.
This cycle of bringing teens into the system, helping them flourish in the system, then watching them graduate out of the systen - into a black hole is a cycle that is always going to be there as long as parents and the church view youth ministry as not their responsibility. People even ask me this same question “what’s wrong with your youth ministry John, once your teens graduate, so many of them them seem to fall of the map.” I used to respond in anger, because “how dare you judge me when you didn’t once in the last 6 years show any type of interest in the teens” but over the last few years I have responded much more genereously, yet always the same; “That’s a great question and I’m inspired that you care. I think it would be a great idea if you took that teen out for coffee and asked them that same question.” The response is often the same, people slink away like the rich young ruler as they realize for the first time that they don’t care as much as they should. The good/bad news is nobody asks me anymore.
I realize that much of what I have said is very negative and critical and I'm sure some of you may feel that I've unfairly characterized things. Perhaps I have. But I've done this full time for 6 years and so I think I have earned the right to say what I want. That being said, as bleak as the above sounds, I have been very very fortunate in my youth ministry here in Calgary as I’ve always had enough parents who cared to make the youth ministry a success. I’ve also always had fantastic leaders serving alongside me who have made our youth ministry a success. Even the church has been quite supportive. BUT - there are still parents and a large enough segement of the church who fit what I described above - enough that I figured it warranted me calling a spade a spade. And believe me, the words above are not just my description of my church they apply to all churches of all denominations across the board. Talk to any youth minister and they will tell you the exact same things and may give even worse details.
So why have I stayed?
Two Reasons. First is God. He has never let me leave. I know how that sounds but its the truth. A year ago I even tried to leave but it never felt right. So I stay. Am I hopeful, yes I am. Am I content. Most days I am. Is it because I am a booming success and have 100 teens coming each week. No. Its because through my obedience I believe I”m honoring God.
The second reason I’ve stayed is changed lives. I’ve seen enough to feel I’m making a difference. Even now as I write this with misty eyes I realize that many teens lives have been changed and are being changed, and its not because I’m great but because I’ve stayed. I’ve been there. And for teens, that’s the whole shabang.
John
Tim is correct, when he calls me a surviving youth pastor. I began my ministry with The Calgary Church of Christ in 2001 and 6 years later I’m still here. When I began I was absolutely clueless which really sucked because the lead minister of our church just happened to be the best youth minister in Canada only years before (in CofC circles). Yes I’m speaking of Troy, who is now the leader of this church. So, its bad enough to fail but when you do it in front of a youth minister guru its much worse. I must give Troy his props. Never did he make me feel like the failure I was. In fact he never stopped believing in me and I think that’s how I survived. Most youth minsters, as Patrick says, don’t last. I think 2 years is the average. The reason for this is many things but the top 3 would be: low pay, lack of respect and burnout due to lack of support. I’ve experienced all 3 but have somehow managed to stay. Why have I stayed? More on that later.
I want to address youth ministry’s function in the church. For many years, youth ministry functioned to protect church kids from the evils of the world - “Better the kids are at church on a friday night then murdering people in the back alleys of our city.” Ok, that’s a bit extreme, but still that was about the extent of it. Youth ministry existed to keep the kids from "badness." One of the many problems with this is sheltering a free spirit only leads to resentment and ultimately rebellion. Teens are free and desire independance and can see right through a church that tries to control them by keeping them from the realities of the world. This is one of the reasons why many teens lose their faith once they graduate, they’ve been raised in a phony world and once they leave that world the real world eats them alive. Often the church and parents then blame the youth minister - “how could you let this happen, you're supposed to protect them from this -what’s wrong with your youth ministry?” Its a valid question but the wrong one. The issue isn’t youth ministry its bad theology and even worse parenting. Parents who have been privelaged to have a youth minister in their church take advantage of this free service by taking a 6 year vacation from nuturing their teens faith. Once their kids turn 18 they begin to show a renewed interest in their teens life but its too late because their teen’s formidable years have just been raised by the system instead of as God says - the parents (Deut 6). Once the teens graduate, they leave the system and are often then very alone. Their parents haven’t helped, the church hasn’t helped, they think they have because they hired a youth minister but they haven’t really helped, where it counts. If you doubt this ask anyone in your church when was the last time they took a teenager out for coffee and just listened to them. In fact, if you do ask and find someone who has reached out, you need to get them into youth ministry because they are one of the few who actually give a rip.
This cycle of bringing teens into the system, helping them flourish in the system, then watching them graduate out of the systen - into a black hole is a cycle that is always going to be there as long as parents and the church view youth ministry as not their responsibility. People even ask me this same question “what’s wrong with your youth ministry John, once your teens graduate, so many of them them seem to fall of the map.” I used to respond in anger, because “how dare you judge me when you didn’t once in the last 6 years show any type of interest in the teens” but over the last few years I have responded much more genereously, yet always the same; “That’s a great question and I’m inspired that you care. I think it would be a great idea if you took that teen out for coffee and asked them that same question.” The response is often the same, people slink away like the rich young ruler as they realize for the first time that they don’t care as much as they should. The good/bad news is nobody asks me anymore.
I realize that much of what I have said is very negative and critical and I'm sure some of you may feel that I've unfairly characterized things. Perhaps I have. But I've done this full time for 6 years and so I think I have earned the right to say what I want. That being said, as bleak as the above sounds, I have been very very fortunate in my youth ministry here in Calgary as I’ve always had enough parents who cared to make the youth ministry a success. I’ve also always had fantastic leaders serving alongside me who have made our youth ministry a success. Even the church has been quite supportive. BUT - there are still parents and a large enough segement of the church who fit what I described above - enough that I figured it warranted me calling a spade a spade. And believe me, the words above are not just my description of my church they apply to all churches of all denominations across the board. Talk to any youth minister and they will tell you the exact same things and may give even worse details.
So why have I stayed?
Two Reasons. First is God. He has never let me leave. I know how that sounds but its the truth. A year ago I even tried to leave but it never felt right. So I stay. Am I hopeful, yes I am. Am I content. Most days I am. Is it because I am a booming success and have 100 teens coming each week. No. Its because through my obedience I believe I”m honoring God.
The second reason I’ve stayed is changed lives. I’ve seen enough to feel I’m making a difference. Even now as I write this with misty eyes I realize that many teens lives have been changed and are being changed, and its not because I’m great but because I’ve stayed. I’ve been there. And for teens, that’s the whole shabang.
John
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Good News
A quote from the great Huston Smith.
"There is within us - even in the blithest, most lighthearted among us - a fundamental
dis-ease. This desire lies in the marrow of our bones and deep in the regions of our soul. All great literature, poetry, art, philosophy, psychology and religion tries to name and analyze this longing. We are seldom in direct touch with it, and indeed the modern world seems set on preventing us from getting in touch with it by covering it with entertainments, obsessions and distractions of every sort. But the longing is there, built into us like a jack-in-the-box that presses for release. Whether we realize it or not, simply to be human is to long for release from mundane existence with its confining walls o finitude and mortality.
The Good news. . .is that longing can be fulfilled!
John
"There is within us - even in the blithest, most lighthearted among us - a fundamental
dis-ease. This desire lies in the marrow of our bones and deep in the regions of our soul. All great literature, poetry, art, philosophy, psychology and religion tries to name and analyze this longing. We are seldom in direct touch with it, and indeed the modern world seems set on preventing us from getting in touch with it by covering it with entertainments, obsessions and distractions of every sort. But the longing is there, built into us like a jack-in-the-box that presses for release. Whether we realize it or not, simply to be human is to long for release from mundane existence with its confining walls o finitude and mortality.
The Good news. . .is that longing can be fulfilled!
John
Monday, February 19, 2007
Disney Fanatics
So I lost a few pictures, no biggie. Yeah, Angie didn't buy it either. Well if it makes you all feel better at least I discovered my stupidty 14% into the deletion and besides 235 pictures is still a lot pictures. Still not buying it eh? Whatever.
Anyways, I thought I'd give you a brief update. Try to sum up the best holiday ever. Don't worry, I'll stick to the highlights, things worth sharing.
We arrived at our hotel 12:30pm Saturday - SNORE - no listen it gets better - we arrived nice and early but get this - our room wasn't ready until 3pm. So there we were, stuck in a hotel lobby in the middle of nowhere, no transportation and very little wakefulness as we had got up at 330am to catch our plane. We literally laid moaning on the chairs in the lobby until we couldn't take it anymore and we decided to walk. . .yup, walk - as far as we could - in a desperate attempt to murder time. We killed it -that's for sure but still, that part sure sucked. In fact, our trip started off kind of yucky blah pfff. But eventually we were allowed into our room and after enjoying a good nap we awoke refreshed and ready to conqueror California. There wasn't another bad moment the rest of the trip, seriously. Except for the fact that the Oilers lost every game. Those Oilers, they make me so mad.
Disneyland was magical. Yes I'm a DUDE, but still, there's just something about that place that captures even the coolest of Dudes. The first day we arrived we found ourselves in Fantasyland going on all the classic rides - Peter Pan, Snow White, Pinnochio and I gotta tell you, at one point the Disney people must have turned on the mist machine because I was feeling it. Something about being at a place you've seen in the movies your entire life and now being there and seeing your own kids taking it in, wow. It was special. We also did Space Mountain that first day which we all loved.
The next day we moved on to more adult rides, ha, that sounds slimey, you know what I mean - Pirates of the Caribbean, Indian Jones, that kind of stuff. The rest of the week was spent at California Adventure where we all went on The Tower of Terror -crazy ride, Grizzly River run - Lexa's favorite, Soaring over California - which I loved and California Screamer a roller coaster that wowed us all, especially Ethan.
Half way through the week we changed it up and went to Universal Studios. It was great especially the Tour where we got to see actual movie sets. We saw where classics like Back to the Future, Psycho and Jaws were filmed. I was in my element but the kids kept looking at me as if to say "why are we here again?"
I never thought I was a touristy kind of guy but I came home with a Goofy shirt, Pirates of the Caribbean Hoody and a Mickey Mug. I even bought a friggin Disneyland Magnet. That place, its got like some sort of wierd power that reduces everyone to 8 yr old Disney fanatics. It got me anyways.
We arrived back 330am Sunday morning after a long delay at LAX because apparently the Calgary Airport was on fire. No jokes.
The plane ride home was a dream, everyone was so tired, so it was silent. Ahhh.
Apparently a picture is worth a thousand words so go check out our Frickr - as my kind wife calls it. We added a few dozen pictures.
It was by far the best holiday ever.
That being said, there's always something special about coming home. It just feels right.
Glad to be back.
Oh yeah, one more thing, Dave was in Disneyland with all his kids on Tuesday but we never hooked up. We had agreed to find each other but it never happened. Which was too bad. Cause Dave's cool.
John
P.S. I'm in Regina March 2-4 so perhaps I'll see some of you. I'm hoping. . .
Anyways, I thought I'd give you a brief update. Try to sum up the best holiday ever. Don't worry, I'll stick to the highlights, things worth sharing.
We arrived at our hotel 12:30pm Saturday - SNORE - no listen it gets better - we arrived nice and early but get this - our room wasn't ready until 3pm. So there we were, stuck in a hotel lobby in the middle of nowhere, no transportation and very little wakefulness as we had got up at 330am to catch our plane. We literally laid moaning on the chairs in the lobby until we couldn't take it anymore and we decided to walk. . .yup, walk - as far as we could - in a desperate attempt to murder time. We killed it -that's for sure but still, that part sure sucked. In fact, our trip started off kind of yucky blah pfff. But eventually we were allowed into our room and after enjoying a good nap we awoke refreshed and ready to conqueror California. There wasn't another bad moment the rest of the trip, seriously. Except for the fact that the Oilers lost every game. Those Oilers, they make me so mad.
Disneyland was magical. Yes I'm a DUDE, but still, there's just something about that place that captures even the coolest of Dudes. The first day we arrived we found ourselves in Fantasyland going on all the classic rides - Peter Pan, Snow White, Pinnochio and I gotta tell you, at one point the Disney people must have turned on the mist machine because I was feeling it. Something about being at a place you've seen in the movies your entire life and now being there and seeing your own kids taking it in, wow. It was special. We also did Space Mountain that first day which we all loved.
The next day we moved on to more adult rides, ha, that sounds slimey, you know what I mean - Pirates of the Caribbean, Indian Jones, that kind of stuff. The rest of the week was spent at California Adventure where we all went on The Tower of Terror -crazy ride, Grizzly River run - Lexa's favorite, Soaring over California - which I loved and California Screamer a roller coaster that wowed us all, especially Ethan.
Half way through the week we changed it up and went to Universal Studios. It was great especially the Tour where we got to see actual movie sets. We saw where classics like Back to the Future, Psycho and Jaws were filmed. I was in my element but the kids kept looking at me as if to say "why are we here again?"
I never thought I was a touristy kind of guy but I came home with a Goofy shirt, Pirates of the Caribbean Hoody and a Mickey Mug. I even bought a friggin Disneyland Magnet. That place, its got like some sort of wierd power that reduces everyone to 8 yr old Disney fanatics. It got me anyways.
We arrived back 330am Sunday morning after a long delay at LAX because apparently the Calgary Airport was on fire. No jokes.
The plane ride home was a dream, everyone was so tired, so it was silent. Ahhh.
Apparently a picture is worth a thousand words so go check out our Frickr - as my kind wife calls it. We added a few dozen pictures.
It was by far the best holiday ever.
That being said, there's always something special about coming home. It just feels right.
Glad to be back.
Oh yeah, one more thing, Dave was in Disneyland with all his kids on Tuesday but we never hooked up. We had agreed to find each other but it never happened. Which was too bad. Cause Dave's cool.
John
P.S. I'm in Regina March 2-4 so perhaps I'll see some of you. I'm hoping. . .
Sunday, February 18, 2007
home
We're back! We traveled there in a plane full of cheering excited kids and came home surrounded by sleeping, coughing, throwing up kids (mostly sleeping- and of ours only Alexa was coughing, so not too bad for a whirlwind trip to the big D). We had a blast, only one rainy day, very few line ups (except for that last day where the entire world decided to show up) and of course there's churros. Yum. We tried to download some pics to Frickr, I mean Flickr, and some how ended up erasing 45 (oh, did I say we, cause I meant John. John accidentally erased 45 pictures. We're still married.) Ah well, there's still 235 left and we'll be looking forward to your feed back on each and every one of them. When we figure out a few things. We're computer morons.
Ang
Ang
Friday, February 09, 2007
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Tickled Cerebellums
I came across a quote today that tickled my cerebellum or cerebrum, or whatever its called.
"When I feed the hungry they call me a saint; when I ask why people are hungry they call me a communist." - Dom Helder Camara
Hmm.
John
"When I feed the hungry they call me a saint; when I ask why people are hungry they call me a communist." - Dom Helder Camara
Hmm.
John
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Clouds
Ever experience a moment so raw in its intensity that you just knew you had been touched by the divine? Sounds pretty wierd, I know, but I think I may have just experienced such a moment.
I was sitting in my office, with the door shut to prevent anyone from bothering me. "You're my ministry hero John" - "Shut up Jimminy Cricket."
The reason I had to be so impersonal is I'm in the middle of my last Masters course and have a huge Book Review due today on a book I just finished reading, uh, 13 minutes ago. Besides the Review I have a pile of other readings and assignments due as well plus I am still working full time. On top of that we leave for Disneyland in 3 days so I have to have all this stuff done plus get all packed and organized for the trip. Crap, I haven't even got any American money yet.
So. . . I had shut my door, refused to answer the phone in the hopes that by Saturday I could actually enjoy the land of the Mick.
As I tried to work a cloud of defeatism began to set in. You know the one, your passion fizzles , your heart pounds your head swims and if left uncontrolled paralysis sets in and before you know it, you've become useless.
Well I was in the early stages of this when Peter opened the door to my office, waltzed in and began to speak in his broken English. I must admit I was a tad annoyed because;
A. Did he not see that my door was shut?
B. Did he really not knock?
C. Does he really not know how busy I am?
Before I could be a Jerk I was hugging Peter and welcoming him in. Peter is a 34 yr old Sudanese refugee .
I got talking to Peter and here is where that moment comes in. Peter began to tell me how he had to be at the airport at 3:00am this Saturday morning so he could catch his 5:45am flight to the Sudan. Yes the Sudan. Peter was going home to see his grandmother, siblings and parents. Peter went on to explain that once he arrived he would have to walk the rest of the way because there are no automobiles in the part of Sudan where he grew up. When I asked him how far he had to walk he said "36hrs" without even blinking. And then he said it again, probably because of the way I was looking at him. I was about to respond when he told me that it had been 20 years since he'd seen his family "so I'm pretty excited" he said.
On a day where a blog is the last thing I have time for, I just had to tell you - My cloud is gone.
John
I was sitting in my office, with the door shut to prevent anyone from bothering me. "You're my ministry hero John" - "Shut up Jimminy Cricket."
The reason I had to be so impersonal is I'm in the middle of my last Masters course and have a huge Book Review due today on a book I just finished reading, uh, 13 minutes ago. Besides the Review I have a pile of other readings and assignments due as well plus I am still working full time. On top of that we leave for Disneyland in 3 days so I have to have all this stuff done plus get all packed and organized for the trip. Crap, I haven't even got any American money yet.
So. . . I had shut my door, refused to answer the phone in the hopes that by Saturday I could actually enjoy the land of the Mick.
As I tried to work a cloud of defeatism began to set in. You know the one, your passion fizzles , your heart pounds your head swims and if left uncontrolled paralysis sets in and before you know it, you've become useless.
Well I was in the early stages of this when Peter opened the door to my office, waltzed in and began to speak in his broken English. I must admit I was a tad annoyed because;
A. Did he not see that my door was shut?
B. Did he really not knock?
C. Does he really not know how busy I am?
Before I could be a Jerk I was hugging Peter and welcoming him in. Peter is a 34 yr old Sudanese refugee .
I got talking to Peter and here is where that moment comes in. Peter began to tell me how he had to be at the airport at 3:00am this Saturday morning so he could catch his 5:45am flight to the Sudan. Yes the Sudan. Peter was going home to see his grandmother, siblings and parents. Peter went on to explain that once he arrived he would have to walk the rest of the way because there are no automobiles in the part of Sudan where he grew up. When I asked him how far he had to walk he said "36hrs" without even blinking. And then he said it again, probably because of the way I was looking at him. I was about to respond when he told me that it had been 20 years since he'd seen his family "so I'm pretty excited" he said.
On a day where a blog is the last thing I have time for, I just had to tell you - My cloud is gone.
John
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
my week
Currently reading- The Helmet of Horror by Victor Pelevin (very cool. and strange. and thought provoking.)
Next read- Galileo's Daughter (He was quite the guy, that Galileo...)
Reading with kids- White Fang (Kids are riveted. Really they are. Don't always assume I'm being sarcastic.)
Watching- way too many Oiler's games
Avoiding- 24. Jack's a nice guy and all... and I really did try....
Looks good- Heroes. Haven't watched it.
Learning- Decaf coffee is not coffee (OK, I have a problem. That's the first step right?)
Teaching- Canadian history, long division, dinosaurs, alphabet, Van Gogh
Enjoying- newly discovered dog park by our house- Hugo's heaven!
Looking forward to- Disneyland (4 days!!!)
Most excited for- Space Mountain, of course. And Peter Pan. Why? I don't know. Because I'm 3.
Recommended tea- Canadian Maple and Vanilla (Celestial Seasonings). Mmmm
Ang
Next read- Galileo's Daughter (He was quite the guy, that Galileo...)
Reading with kids- White Fang (Kids are riveted. Really they are. Don't always assume I'm being sarcastic.)
Watching- way too many Oiler's games
Avoiding- 24. Jack's a nice guy and all... and I really did try....
Looks good- Heroes. Haven't watched it.
Learning- Decaf coffee is not coffee (OK, I have a problem. That's the first step right?)
Teaching- Canadian history, long division, dinosaurs, alphabet, Van Gogh
Enjoying- newly discovered dog park by our house- Hugo's heaven!
Looking forward to- Disneyland (4 days!!!)
Most excited for- Space Mountain, of course. And Peter Pan. Why? I don't know. Because I'm 3.
Recommended tea- Canadian Maple and Vanilla (Celestial Seasonings). Mmmm
Ang
Sunday, February 04, 2007
my late generosity
OK, so I'm late for the gridblog. Very poor blogmanship, I know. I have nothing profound to offer, but in the little bit of soul searching I've managed in the past couple of days I realized something that I'm not proud of. It's easy to think you're a generous person when A) you're married to someone who is generous and does the giving for you *ouch* or B) a few non profits get your monthly contribution that you only remember when you see it on your bank statement *ouch again* or C) you often think of ways to help others.... but neglect to act on those moments. It will occur to me that a friend could use a day off, maybe I should take her kids, or a neighbour just moved here from India, I'm sure there's alot of needs there. Just look at big generous me with all my generous thoughts. But then, and here's my really good excuse, I get distracted. With life, I guess. I am, by nature, a scatter brain. Thoughts buzz in and out and I try to focus on the important ones. I know I'm not incapable of remembering the things that matter to me. The excuse would be viable if I was also forgetting dinner out, or the kids swimming lessons, or my Monday night class. But those things stay remembered, as my thoughts of others are often forgotten.
We've been the greatful recipients of so much giving and nothing's made us feel more loved. And the times when I've had the fortitude to act on my thoughts of giving to someone else- I've felt the same way. So, you would think that it would be a little more prevalent in my life.
Blair wanted practical suggestions. Again, I have nothing new to add to what's already been said, but I know what I need to do in my own life. I need to let thoughts of giving actually sink in before my mind goes to the next thing. I need to let my own life take second stage now and then. I need to be present in the lives of others, whether it's someone at the homeless shelter, someone in Africa I will never meet or a good friend. I can blame my forgetfulness on being a scatter brain, but I think it's clear that when I am ungenerous it's because my mind is too busy being consumed with itself.
And on that chipper note... :-)
Ang
We've been the greatful recipients of so much giving and nothing's made us feel more loved. And the times when I've had the fortitude to act on my thoughts of giving to someone else- I've felt the same way. So, you would think that it would be a little more prevalent in my life.
Blair wanted practical suggestions. Again, I have nothing new to add to what's already been said, but I know what I need to do in my own life. I need to let thoughts of giving actually sink in before my mind goes to the next thing. I need to let my own life take second stage now and then. I need to be present in the lives of others, whether it's someone at the homeless shelter, someone in Africa I will never meet or a good friend. I can blame my forgetfulness on being a scatter brain, but I think it's clear that when I am ungenerous it's because my mind is too busy being consumed with itself.
And on that chipper note... :-)
Ang
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Is your table full?
I think it was Shakespeare or Tolstoy that said "generosity maketh the world go round." I agree with them. Unfortunately many don't.We live in a time of "oooo, cake, me love to eat cake. No sharey cake. Cake for me." So we stuff our faces oblivious to the fact that perhaps our creator isn't all about the cake but has his sites set on other things. Like cake for everyone. Starting with us sharing ours.
Let's be honest, you, me and Chelsey long for Others to live generous lives (sorry Chels but it rhymed). We rant and rave about rich capitlists but at the end of the day we too can be found eating cake. We think we're better then our capitalist enemies because our cake is no name and the houses we eat them in are "humble" but as Tim rightly pointed out - materialism and greed is not a $ figure. Its something much more.
For instance; envy and jealousy. We judge the rich because we're not. We judge the corporations because we're the ones their screwing. We judge capitalism because we've yet to reach the tax bracket where we can profit from its theory. We resent the Joneses because we're just The Closes. We We We. I I I. How generous is that?
Now don't hear me wrong, I'm not saying the rich, capitalistic corporations don't need to be raked over the coals but if by raking we think we're making a more generous world, we're smoking the magic dragon. Being right and Being right are two different things. Cynicism (which I love) is much fun and can funtion to prick hearts or convict the heart's of the pricks but unless we are practicing generosity in our own lives we might as well be holding hands with the same ones we judge.
At the end of the day, when all our witty rants and clever judgements have passed, do we in fact live generous lives?
Are we generous with our words?(perhaps the prick remark wasn't)
Are we generous with our time?
Are we generous with our judgements?
Are we generous with our enemies?
Do we have a large table, with many chairs, and lots and lots cake?
Is our table full?
John
P.S. It wasn't Shakespeare or Tolstoy.
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