Really Hear

When she began to sing, there was no one who really heard her who was not then glad to be alive. 

        Does the "really" Hafiz wrote in matter? As in, those who "really" heard her, being those who took the time to listen? Those who paused? As in when we "really" hear people, we usually see goodness, quality traits, and talent? But if we don't "really" hear someone, it is all too easy to discard their words, and even worse, their lives.
       In our community, another life was lost too soon to teenage suicide. More awareness needs to be raised about depression, bullying, and most of all, hope and a place to reach out to. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 for "hope".

Kahlil Gibran On Self-Knowledge (from the Prophet)

Your hearts know in silence the secrets of the days and the nights.

But your ears thirst for the sound of your heart's knowledge.

You would know in words that which you have always known in thought.

You would touch with your fingers the naked body of your dreams.

And it is well you should.

The hidden well-spring of your soul must needs rise and run murmuring to the sea;

And the treasure of your infinite depths would be revealed to your eyes.

But let there be no scales to weigh your unknown treasure;

And seek not the depths of your knowledge with staff or sounding line.

For self is a sea boundless and measureless.

Say not, "I have found the truth," but rather, "I have found a truth."

Say not, "I have found the path of the soul." Say rather, "I have met the soul walking upon my path."

For the soul walks upon all paths.

The soul walks not upon a line, neither does it grow like a reed.

The soul unfolds itself like a lotus of countless petals.

People Loving People (2014), Garth Brooks

The Truth of Myself

Nothing could ever be in opposition to the truth of myself. 

Post coming soon!

There Is A Place

There Is A Place

There is a place between knowing you are priceless 
and at the same time, recognizing you are nothing. 

Somewhere between those two poles, live;
if you can.

       Keith Green's The Prodigal Son Suite touches on life between these two poles, while at the same time telling a compelling story of redemption. The opening orchestral music is just breathtaking. Take a listen!

The Prodigal Son Suite, Keith Green

Every Horse Should Run Full Speed

Every Horse Should Run Full Speed

Accomplish something with your life;
use all your wits and talents.

As every horse should be able 
to run full speed,
and know all the beauty and wonder
of its strength. 

         Today is my mom's birthday, I wish her the full speed of a beautiful running horse and the ageless wisdom contained with Wordsworth's poem. I love you, Mom!

Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey

William Wordsworth

Oh that best portion of a good man's life, 

His little, nameless, unremembered, acts 

Of kindness and of love. 

Nor less, I trust, To them I may have owed another gift, 

Of aspect more sublime; that blessed mood, 

In which the burthen of the mystery, 

In which the heavy and the weary weight 

Of all this unintelligible world, Is lightened:

- that serene and blessed mood,

by the power of harmony, and the deep power of joy, 

We see into the life of things - and become a living soul. 

Wild Horses

Photograph by: Chuck Haney

Venus Just Asked Me

Venus Just Asked Me

Perhaps for just one minute

out of the day,

it may be of value to torture yourself

with thoughts like,

“I should be doing

a hell of a lot more with my life”

But with all the rest of your time.

it would be best to try

looking upon your self more as God does.

For He knows

your true nature.

He sees only Himself in you.

            Questions of self worth usually arise from time to time with everyone. They can come from comparing yourself to another, or comparing yourself with the version of yourself you wish had happened by now. Although it is fine and often appropriate to reserve time for self-evaluation, Hafiz has provided a great warning, the rest of the day should be spent recognizing everything that is great about you. There is a difference between hubristic pride and earned pride, one is detrimental and arrogant, the other serves as encouragement to continue working hard for the life you imagined. Many will find solace in knowing that God is walking with you and sees himself in your struggles, your joys, your very reflection. 

Below is the popular, Footprints in the Sand, text:

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.


Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.


In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.


Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,


other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,


when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,


I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,
‘You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.


But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one set of footprints in the sand.


Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?’

The Lord replied,
‘The times when you have seen only one set of footprints in the sand,

is when I carried you.

How Many Times Have You Felt Like a Corpse?

How Many Times Have You Felt Like a Corpse?

How many times have you felt like a corpse

and then came back and told a good joke,

that made us all laugh?

And did you ever swear off dancing and then

there you were one day, twirling about again?

And how many times has your soul felt empty

and then maybe, a temple for all near you became?

Bring those, anything you have cherished, to the

forefront of your mind’s view, where they belong

as a testament to your destiny.

            Find someone to cherish this holiday season and you will undoubtedly behold the latter part of these questions. While you’re at it, check out this highly spirited and full of goodwill “Christmas Miracles” video by WestJet airlines.

At Birth The Throne Was Promised

At Birth The Throne Was Promised

         At birth the throne was promised to the first son of a king; a promise that did not even have to be given. It was simply understood by all in the world. It would never be questioned. So as the prince grew, the idea of worth or un-worth never entered his mind. It should not enter yours any longer.

            In the Bible, the three gifts the magi give Jesus are identified as gold, frankincense, and myrrh. In general the three gifts are thought of as:

• Gold: A valuable and a symbol of kingship on Earth. 
• Frankincense: A symbol of deity and used as a perfume/incense.
• Myrrh: Representation that Jesus would one day die, it was used as an embalming oil. 

I read on Spiritual Living 360, an interfaith site, that the fourth gift that the Magi brought is often forgotten. After they honored Jesus with the three traditional gifts to a king, they worshipped him. When they proclaimed that they believed in him, that was the greatest gift. This is one of Hafiz’s few short moral stories, and in it, he is telling us to believe in ourselves. His final sentence is to recognize our own worth and never question it again as we go forth into the world. 

Several Times In The Last Week

Several Times In The Last Week

Maybe we should make this poem into a song –

How does this refrain sound, for I know it as a

Truth:

Ever since happiness heard your name, it has

been running through the streets trying to find

you.

And several times in the last week, God Himself

has come to my door –

asking for your address

wanting the beautiful warmth of your heart’s fire.

            This poem is delighting, recall the Rumi quote: “What you seek is seeking you.” Hafiz tells us that happiness is coming for us, that it’s hunting us down, and that God Himself wants to draw near. I take this to mean that you’re never alone when two of the top forces in the universe are seeking you.

Here’s a great article to reflect on about writing: The Daily Routine of Great Minds

Enjoy this sweet Christmas tune, Snowed In, by a new artist Mindy Smith:

What Harvest Is Ever Gathered Without Your Hand?

What Harvest Is Ever Gathered Without Your Hand?

Who can turn from green to gold

without your love?

What harvest is ever gathered

without your hand helping?

God will enter the rhythm of our remembrance

but first there must be a natural reception

as we go about our Holy labor,

which is all work on Earth.

Yes, a graceful life sings beyond

what most pens can offer.

But I am the mountains’ representative,

you too try to speak on their behalf,

And extend a link between yourself

and you will now find they adorn you.

A king could change your life in many ways

but not half as much as this truth.

            I think the truth Hafiz speaks of is the realization that we have the magnitude of mountains, that we can speak on their behalf. I’ve decided to interpret this as metaphorical because it fits where I’m going with this poem. Imagine the grandeur of your work if you believed it was Holy, that God set music to your daily tasks, creating your rhythm of remembrance. Now you’re adorned with mountains, you have unmatched worth, you have significance beyond what is human. Of course the jewels of a king could not compare.

            There are a few precious souls on Earth who live out the enormity of their importance. Nelson Mandela, former South African president, anti-apartheid leader, and champion of peace, was one of them. He died today. I particullary like President Obama’s remarks: “He achived more than could be expected of any man, he belongs to the ages.” Interpret that how you like, but I think Hafiz knew that the ultimate harvest of a good life is the legacy you leave. 

Stevie Wonder dedicated the Academy Award for his hit song "I Just Called To Say I Love You" to Mandela.