A Little Somethin' Somethin' to Brighten Your Day
Sometimes you just need to get out of your head, y'know?
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I get stuck in an endless loop— thinking, planning, problem solving, rinse and repeat. I know I need to shut off the “on” switch, and I would, if only I could find it. But thinking about thinking and trying to plan or problem solve it doesn’t really “fix” anything (because it’s part of the loop, you see… ;-)).
I’m sure both seminary and anxiety, along with being a parent, contribute to this mental madness.
As life goes along, though, I often think to myself in times of stress, “If I knew I was going to die today, how would I live?” And, right on the heels of that, “What would matter?”
The Master, says the Tao Te Ching, “knows that he is going to die, and he has nothing left to hold on to: no illusions in his mind…” (verse 50).
“We’re beings toward death,” says philosopher Cornel West, “we’re featherless, two-legged, linguistically-conscious creatures born between urine and feces whose body will one day be the culinary delight of terrestrial worms. That's us.”
Some of us are closer to death than others, but the truth is that in the end, we will all die. While contemplating your mortality may feel depressing at first, I hope you can see with me that it can also bring tremendous freedom and clarity of mind and heart.
What really matters?
For me, the answer to this question is love: love as seen through a prism. Love in this, love in that, love in the other, but in all and in the end, love, Love, love.
This kinda L-O-V-E short circuits my brain, brings me back to myself.
Today I want to share with you five things that speak to me of love, of what really matters. I hope these will bless you and give you a moment to contemplate or practice, “What really matters?,” for yourself.
1.
This song, sung by two creative, talented women who are no strangers to suffering— Allison Russell and Brandi Carlile— is a warm hug.
2.
I took an art class with Rukmini Poddar, and learned so much! Her approach to watercolor is non-judgmental and process-centered; it always leads to deep introspection.
3.
Arguably one of the best shows out right now— it combines good storytelling with an inclusive and redemptive outlook on life. (word to the wise: this is post-apocalyptic, so expect to cry just as much as your heart feels warmed…).
4.
Imagine the person saying these words is God talking to you…
5.
This is one game my family just can’t stop playing. It’s fun for all ages, and just as relaxing as it is challenging.
Happy Friday, friends! (Drop me a comment and tell me what you’d add to the list…I’d love to know.)