Jesus: Execution on Death Row

Ash Wednesday was yesterday and I had the blessing to curate an Art Exhibit in conjunction with an Ashes service. The Art Exhibit was not just any Art Exhibit. It displayed hand-drawn and oil painted canvas scrolls depicting the Twelve Stations of the Cross. In addition, was a stand-alone canvas of the risen Christ.

This description may not stand out to you either. However, it's important to note that the picture and the
scrolls are the mastery of prisoners who live on Tennessee's Death Row.

How ironic is that! Death Row prisoners painting the story of Jesus on his journey to Death Row.

Let that sink in.

Jesus’s death was a State-sanctioned execution. We don't often think about Jesus being incarcerated
or being executed. We have a more touchy-feely version...one of gratitude that he died for our sins
and redeemed us, to secure us a seat at the Table of the Lord in a heavenly kingdom. Now, I'm not
debating Jesus’s death, or even how he died, or even that he willingly went to the cross on our behalf.

Scripture is quite clear about this and Jesus is in agreement. But, Jesus did ask for a stay of execution.
Three times in fact! (Matthew 26 “Father, let this cup pass from me…”) His stay was not granted and
Jesus was executed.

A few questions to ponder: How does  the death penalty impact society today? How is it that we
explain to our children in any more, or less I should say, graphic detail that someone is executed
by State sanction?

We already have a Savior and we don't need another.

There will be no hand drawn and painted scrolls and there will be no portrait of the Risen prisoner
when someone is executed by electric chair or lethal injection.

If we believe in a God who came to redeem the world, then we can sit securely that our executed will
return to their Maker.

It does no good, in my opinion, to put our children in a bubble and not talk to them about mass
incarceration. Not if we are going to talk to them about Lent -- a steadfast faithful tradition where
we teach them about what a wonderful thing Jesus did.

Most Protestant Christians and Catholics and Orthodox believers walked around yesterday with a
black cross on their forehead.

We are reminded of our mortality.

We are reminded of our broken lives and our broken world.

We are reminded that we are in need of something good and holy to reconcile us back to  our Maker.

I'm reminded of the goodness in the world when I look at these beautiful scrolls and this beautiful
portrait of the Risen Christ.

I'm reminded of what is good and pure and holy in this world.

Human hands dedicated their time, talent and treasure...from Death Row... people who shouldn't
really even give a damn...but still do.

As you journey through Lent this season, I invite you to take a deeper look  at the underside of life.

The side that makes you uncomfortable.

The side that makes you want to look away.

The side that makes you want to shelter your children.

And then, I invite you to LEAN IN  TO LENT.

The Stations of the Cross remind us that Christ willingly died for ALL people, regardless of
their station in life.

For more information on the Lutheran Church (ELCA) click here
For more information on the Lutheran Church concerning Criminal Justice click here
For more information on Dawn Bennett click here

Full or Filled

I am often touched by the willingness of people who return to their place of upbringing...those who carry back to others what was given them for their journey.

This week, Jesus does just that. He has returned to Nazareth, the place of his upbringing, He's preaching to his friends and loved ones. He went home to spend time together. They know that he has been out spreading good news across the land, performing miracles and such. All they want upon his return apparently, is some of what he has shared with others.

I suppose it is not an unrealistic expectation. But what happened to the relationship of mutuality? When Jesus declares ancient prophecy has been fulfilled in their hearing the Nazarenes get a little sideways because they are expecting signs and wonders and all they get, at least in their opinion, is a sermon full of words.

It begs the question, are the townspeople full of the love that they helped produce? Or have they allowed their disappointment and unmet expectations to fill them with misguided rage?

Perhaps it is, that they don't realize that their lives are full, and Jesus returned to remind them of that. They have everything they need to go about the work in their community taking care of those in need...to be light in the darkness.

How often it is in our own context that we drive up to the red light and witness a street vendor or a panhandler and think why are you out here? Certainly you have everything you need, if not in your possession at least available to you through Public Services. We allow ourselves to be filled with disgust and hardness of heart.

For us who have been raised in the Christian tradition, we would do well to remember that the Good News of our faith comes back into our lives on a daily basis. Many times a day, actually.

If we remember our roots, we can be full of hospitality and grace. We can be full of love and mercy. And in our fullness, we are equipped upon arriving at the red light...to share our gifts to help fill someone else's life.

For information on how you can help fill other's lives in Nashville, TN click here.

If you are looking for ways to fill others regionally or nationally click here

Weddings and Families

This Sunday we take a break from the synoptic gospels and we spend one week in the book of John. The Wedding Feast at Cana is only recorded in the book of John and the story has always mystified me a bit. There have been a few remaining questions, none of which seem to have clear answers in scripture.

Like, who was it that was getting married? And why was Jesus so undecided about performing a miracle? His mother seemed to know who he was, as the Christ child and it's almost as if she were acting by divine inspiration.

I have often wondered why Jesus and his mother were guests at this particular wedding. Scripture doesn't seem to say if the couple getting married are important people, or just common town folk. The other part it doesn't tell us is whether or not the couple’s family was present at the wedding. Imagine how sad it is when no one in  your family comes to your special celebration - a day that lives forever in your memories.

This reminds me of an advocacy effort worthy of noting. Ever since marriage equality, LGBTQ+  people have been planning weddings and honeymoons and finding ways to enjoy the same rights and privileges as the rest of the country.  You may be surprised to learn that not all parents are ecstatic about their gay children getting married.

Actually, there are many couples who go through their special day without any family representation.

My friend and colleague Sara Cunningham started a nonprofit called Free Mom Hugs. I'm part of the group who gives out free hugs to queer youth when I can... and as a minister, I will also be part of the group who marries LGBTQ+ people. I hope to stand beside Sara someday as mutual support for a young couple choosing to spend life together.

Do you attend an affirming church? Or, maybe your church is a historical landmark? Maybe you could start a ministry in your town so LGBTQ+ have an affirming place to get married. How delightful it would be to have the honor of marrying some young couples. Just imagine? The Fellowship Hall could be filled with jars of wine, just waiting for the party! Your church kitchen could host the festivities and provide a warm and welcoming environment to a couple starting a new life together.

In a recent Facebook post, Sara said she would be a stand-in mom  for any couple whose birth mother refused to come to the wedding if their child was marrying someone of the same sex. Yes, believe it or not, it really happens. Jesus and Mary showed great hospitality during the wedding feast. I wonder if they were attending on behalf of a non-affirming family... Now that’s radical hospitality!  How will you be a stand-in community for LGBTQ+ couples in your town?

Grace and peace,

Vicar Dawn

All Mine, Get Your Own

A few weeks ago we heard about Samuel’s dedication. This week it’s Jesus’ turn. Sam was baptized because his folks brought him to the altar. Jesus went down to the river all on his own. I mean sure, there were witnesses, just like for Sam, but, Jesus declared his own belonging.

Baptism is a forever thing. Once dedicated to God, we are never removed from sacredness or subscription. Actually, we are sacred before subscription, but baptism is our way of making it public.

Our sacredness is not based on anything we do (or don’t do) and no one can strip another person of their belonging. You may be saddened to learn that for LGBTQ+ folks the story is sometimes very different. For some, faith-life has come under attack because of coming out as gay, lesbian, transgender or queer. Now, only God gives and takes away holy things. And the door  to The Club of God’s holy place only swings one way...IN.

ELCA Lutherans are a faith family who believe ALL God’s children have EQUAL value, worth and beauty. If it’s good enough for Jesus, it’s good enough for us. Maybe he was Lutheran, lol. Lord knows he razzled up more than one fight on God’s behalf (a wink and nod to the Protestant Reformation).

Here’s the thing, when we Christians choose to baptize our children, we acknowledge we have publicly given them back to God. The entire community of believers rallies around and publicly confesses to be an active part of their upbringing. It’s a done deal. God squeals in delight!

Imagine for a second how your life would be impacted by someone you don’t even know demanding that God no longer loves you and you can no longer worship together...and then imagine that person is part of your family.   Sit with that a moment…

It’s the middle of January and already some have been told they are now out in the cold. No one has that power or authority. YOUR BELOVEDNESS IS FROM GOD (not from another person). Our baptism into the mystery of Love is ours. No one can take it from us and we cannot take it from anyone else. Just like your thumbprint is your entrance to humanity, your baptism is your heartprint into the Mystery.

Learn more here about ELCA Lutheran views on human sexuality

Learn more here about becoming an Ally and friend to LGBTQ people

It's Mine You Can't Have It

Text 1 Sam 2: 18-20, 26

This week we read about an annual gift Samuel’s Mom and Dad brought to him when they visited the Temple. You might recall Samuel is Hannah’s son. Forever and a day she lamented that she couldn’t have a baby. She poured out her heart to God in a song. When the time was right his parents dedicated Samuel to God.

Today, we call this baptism. It’s a forever thing. Once dedicated to God, we are never removed from sacredness or subscription. (Note: we are sacred before subscription, but baptism is our way of making it public)

You may be saddened to learn that for LGBTQ+ folks the story is sometimes very different. For years I have worked with Christian parents who rush their children to the altar of God so that they can be joined in Love to the Body of Christ.

In more recent years, I have worked with youth and parents whose faith-life has come under attack because of coming out as gay, lesbian, transgender or queer. Now, we all know that only God can remove us from The Club of God’s holy love and since God is love….well let’s just agree we humans don’t have that kind of power or authority.

ELCA Lutherans are a faith family who believe ALL God’s children have EQUAL value, worth and beauty. Imagine for a second how your life would be impacted by someone you don’t even know demanding that God no longer loves you and you can no longer come to church...and then imagine that person is part of your family. Sit with that a moment…

As we ponder the start of a new year, a new opportunity and zest for life, let us remember that ONLY GOD gives and takes away. What belongs to God is God’s. And by God’s grace, the life we have is ours. Our baptism into the mystery of Love is ours. No one can take it from us and we cannot take it from anyone else.

Learn more here about ELCA Lutheran views on human sexuality

Learn more here about becoming an Ally and friend to LGBTQ people

Journey To the Center of My Birth

   Happy New Year! For some 2016 has been declared as the turn-around year. For others, it will be a year of traveling in the same direction, only deeper, and perhaps at a faster clip. And, that may or may not be a good thing. Time will tell.

                For me, I’m hoping for a bit of both actually. You see, for me, 2016 is going to be a year of great change. And it won’t all be good change. Or will it? Change is one of the only guarantees in the Universe. We can embrace it, reject it, rail against it, work in harmony with it, question it or just observe it. Whatever we choose to do, change is inevitable. In Ecclesiastes 3:4, the Bible talks about a time for all things under the sun. I believe this is true and I also believe that not all change is looked upon as welcomed. For part of this year, I will have that attitude I expect.

                We are each on a private journey to discover who we are, in the midst of where we are. Where we are physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. We must learn to look upon this journey as a necessity rather than a burden, even when the journey is through a dry and weary land. Being a human being is the most excruciating journey we will ever encounter. This is a strong statement and I admit that. But, selah (from Hebrew, meaning, “pause and think on this”). 

                If we are a people whose belief and trust are in something or someone bigger than us, then we are sure to resonate with that infamous lyric so eloquently stated by Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones, “You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes you just might find, you get what you need.” Believers in God will undoubtedly admit that there are times we wonder where the hell God is in a particular situation. When we can’t see the forest through the trees. Sometimes we can’t even see the trees. But God has clearer vision. That’s where our hope lies.

                The journey to the center of our birth is a requirement for all of us, to figure out where we came from, where we are and more decidedly, where we want to go. In 2016 many of us will travel through fire to get to our next place. For some, a smooth sail down a quiet stream will be in store. Others will be led into a desert and will likely feel the cracked ground beneath their feet and wonder again, where the hell is God? But, have no lingering fear. Notice, I said lingering. Fear is inevitable, even with the good changes that will come our way.

    I think it’s fair to say change and fear live in tandem.

   (I know you’ve heard of the fear of failure. But, have you heard of the fear of success?)

                One important adoption for the coming year of change will be to acquire some type of calming discipline. For some yoga, others running or extreme sports will be needed. Yet for others, prayer and meditation. (Oops! I accidentally typed medication….I corrected the typo, but realized that for some it may very well include medication…and if that’s what it takes, that’s okay too, under a doctor’s supervision of course.) The important thing here is that the journey to the center of your birth will require from you the hardest part of the journey…a decision.

                A few years ago a great philosopher gave me some life changing advice (okay, it was my older brother actually). He said, “Everyone else has an opinion, you have a decision.”

   Here I am again this year looking at some continuing big-life changes. As I recalled that advice, I believe it is still powerful and still true. My decisions may only make sense to me. Your decisions may only make sense to you. To others they may look like delusion or risky. That’s their opinion. I have to decide what it takes for me to be able to travel my journey (and so do you).

                As you look over your new 2016 calendar, you’re only about seven days or so in. You’ve got about another 355 days or so of change waiting for you. So what’s it going to be? Embrace? Reject? Question? Rail? Walk in harmony? Observe? You decide. Let the naysayers and haters have their opinions. Let the loved ones and supporters have their opinions. There’s nothing you can do about what they think of your circumstance or your decision to act (or not).

   They have an opinion. YOU HAVE A DECISION.

                I’d love to tell you to stand tall and face your fears! To roar like a lion! To fight, fight fight! But, the best advice might just be to shut the hell up and let time pass. To cry and lick your wounds in private. To pray and just keep hoping in a brighter day. See, I just have an opinion too. I also have a decision, and it’s no less scary than yours. Being a writer doesn’t grant me any special passes, only a vessel to talk about my life on a public platform, and hope that another beautiful human is somehow inspired.

                The journey to the center of your birth never ends. The journey started before you left the womb and it will continue until you return to the Dust. If you don’t have the moxie to be brave today, don’t fret. Bravery is a relative term (the magazines and media will tell you otherwise though). If you need to retreat today, please do. If you need to run and rage, do so (just don’t hurt anyone else in the process). If you need to stand up for yourself, stand. If you need to sit quietly, sit. There is a time and a season for everything under the sun. Just remember, it’s your journey to the center of your birth. We all have an opinion and we all have a decision. Do what your Spirit calls you to do. Be well. Be loved. Love.

                Be the most authentic version of you you can be today. Don’t lose hope in a brighter tomorrow though. Hope is a vital supply needed for the journey. Find your hope, keep your hope. It’s our birthright. 

Me or My Mask, the Beat Goes On

So, it’s Halloween! Last night I went to a trunk-or-treat at a local church. Thankfully we got there early! By the time we left the people were wrapped around the building. And I’m not kidding. There were costumes of all kinds. Kids and grown-ups alike. Before we left I read up on the activity and found that no scary costumes were allowed. That’s fine because there’s plenty of scary stuff in the world without having to make up additional stuff. Right!?! Anyway, now it’s the morning after and I’ve been looking over the pictures we took. The one of my husband with the clown, well, that one will live on in history! We had one taken with Batman and there was another of a man whose costume was himself sitting on the shoulders of a bear. Very witty and quite impressive, as far as homemade costumes go.

This morning my grandson was looking at the picture of us and Batman. He said, “Look, I’m a REAL vampire! My eyes are red!” (He’s 5 so he doesn’t know about red eye.) But he does know about costumes and masks and the fact that they are only pretend. Not real. He does understand that when we have a costume or a mask on that there is a “real me” under or behind it. What he doesn’t know [yet] is that for many people, a costume or a mask is a way of life. Yes. It’s true. For many of us in this crazy world, we don’t feel safe enough in our circles to be our authentic self.

In the past week alone I have had conversations with people affected by discrimination, bigotry, judgementalism, hate and just plain unkindness. What’s the deal? The deal is we are ALL hurting. There’s not a person on earth who has not been hurt and caused hurt. If you think you are absolved of this dirty deed, think again. We ALL have the capacity to inflict harm. Even children. This week my friend who has spent several years in prison told me that he is sad because life passed him by while he was gone. The truth is, life didn’t pass him by and he wasn’t gone. He lived all those days out, just not how he would have liked. The beat goes on. I spend time in a middle school working with youth in an after-school enrichment program. This particular day the program was over and our group, along with the other groups, were waiting for the the parents and bus driver to arrive. One of my students was minding his own business when another student approached him and poked him, called him some names (which he then repeated to the ten or so kids standing around them), laughed and turned away. This went on for about three minutes, back and forth. My student, a tall somewhat heavy young man (for his age) didn’t voice a reply. Instead, as I watched his face he flinched, multiple times. I began to count the flinches…1,2,3,4. Every time the other boy poked him physically or verbally [my] youth flinched. I silently yelled out, “Don’t take that sh@#!” The beat goes on.

Yesterday I participated in a conference entitled Adolescent Sexual Responsibility. It was very informative. I deepened my knowledge of sexual violence in the youth population, LGBTQ issues (of which I am an active advocate in the mission field), parental responsibility and advocacy resources for teens and families. The event kicked off with a youth advisory panel during which youth were very forthcoming about how they wish to interact with adults. They gave us keen insights about their knowledge and experience of sex, conflict and responsibility. They affirmed that they DO in fact value the input of their parents, teachers and caretakers……”so don’t give up!”…..they told us. I remember saying they same things as a youth. I wanted my parents to know what I knew and what I still needed to learn [contrary to how I may have behaved at the time]. What I experienced most is that today’s youth are a wise and talented bunch and they have wonderful additions to impart to our world. If we [adults] will just take the time to stop and notice them. Then take the next step to hear them. Then, to LISTEN to them. The beat goes on.

Back to the costumes and masks. Which face do you wear every day? Is it the face that requires a bunch of makeup to cover up the scars of hurt and pain from your past or present? Or do you let it be shown, the real you. The you that has experience in this world. No matter how scary it is sometimes, you have much to give to the world by way of your life’s experience. Age is NOT a factor. What outfit do you don? Do you dress up in costumes that only reflect the you you want people to see? Do you dress in clothes that create a fantasy life? Or, do you dress in “plain clothes”? The clothes that suit you? The clothes that reflect who you are INSIDE and OUT, clothes that tell the world you have some age and some miles, clothes that represent a person of vibrant color and detail. Our lives are a tapestry. With each life lesson, hurt, pain, success, failure, party, grief, accomplishment and good deed, we color our world and the world of those around us. When we release our colors into the world, the world absorbs them and the painting is changed.

Today, after you collect your candy, or rob your kid’s candy bucket, after you attend the party and enjoy the music, take off your costume. Take off your mask. Remember that party and candy is just a way to pass the time. Put your beautiful face back on , don YOUR own clothes and color your world with the people, events, causes and things that matter to YOU most. It’s YOUR life. The most beautiful mask to wear is NO mask at all. The beat goes on.

Nice To Meet You Authentic-Self

Sitting in a coffee shop recently, I watched as people passed me by. I wondered if they lived the life they would like to live, or the life others expected them to live.  How often do we curtail our own desires and self-expectations to fit the mold that we’ve allowed others to place in front of us?

This question becomes more and more important to me, as I myself, have decided to journey in search of my authentic- self. It’s only in my own decision,  have I come to realize my children need to choose their own path; and I need to allow them to. I’ve done my job.  I’ve given them tools and rules to live by. They should have become, now that they are grown, guidelines. But so often I think we parents have an expectation that the tools and rules equate to coulds and shoulds.

Are you offended when your grown children make decisions that are contrary to “how you raised them”? It’s only in the second half of my life, second marriage and second chance to be my authentic-self that I admit I’m that child. I did what was expected of me, as a child, young adult, wife and mother. But rarely was I my authentic- self. Was my life a lie? No. It was sincere. There’s a difference. I sincerely loved my parents, my first husband and my children. I loved my friends and my job. But, if I’m honest, they chose me, I didn’t always willingly choose them. Wait. That may need some explaining. Yes, I chose my husband by virtue of our wedding. Yes, I chose my children, by virtue of my birthing and raising them. I’m talking about how I lived my life during those years. I forfeited my own authentic-self; my hopes and dreams, my goals, my wants and needs. It’s a very costly life, that non-authentic self.

I’ve made the most wonderful friend in the past few months. My friend lived his life doing all the same things I did – what was expected of us. I’ve learned it was just as costly for him. I’m glad to see she is now living her authentic-self life. Our changes are not easy, staggering and polarizing sometimes. But, necessary nonetheless. Very few people from the old life understand the requirement to declare authenticity, and we don’t all declare it. Some fortunate souls make the transition gently and over time. Their metamorphosis is celebrated. For a great many of us though it is shattering to our non-authentic world.

I read an article recently about the suicide of college students at Penn State. The strive to perfection is depleting and harmful. As a Christian, I can assure you, we will never reach it. We were not created to, actually. There is only One who succeeded. For the rest of us, we were created to live life as our authentic-self, the life gifted to us by our Creator, and through partnership with him, we attain ‘life more abundantly’.

I’ve met a great many people in the last few years who, by sheer requirement to continue breathing, have declared war on their non-authentic- self. It feels like war too, as societal expectations help to keep troops armored down with weapons.  I have a quote that has traveled in and out of my life for the past decade:

“The chains of habit are too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be broken.”
--Samuel Johnson

How little we know the power of this quote as we follow the path laid before us. It is only when we get to the end of that path and realize we are not there. The body that arrives is oftentimes the shell of our authentic-self, the innards are of another being.  Change must come.  Our very life depends on it. Otherwise, we leave this world, often by suicide, and the space in which we once stood is filled with grief and void.

As I reach, scratch and claw my way through the muck and mire in the pond of my old non-authentic- self, I see light and life awaiting me on the other side. The harder I swim, strangely the more strength I gain. Yes, I lose a bit of weight along the way. This weight represents the expectations put on me, either by myself or by others. There is no shame in letting go, regardless of how it feels. Swim, swim, swim. Harder, with more veracity. Your life awaits you. Don’t spend one more day in fins that no longer fit. Declare life to your authentic- self, no matter the cost. Surely there is a cost, you will pay it now, or pay it later. Make safe decisions. Get help from trusted sources when needed. But always, always, listen to your inner voice. When it stops yelling, talking, whispering or squeaking you will expire. Your inner voice is your authentic self.  It may take some time, some rest, some partnership along your path, but as long as there is breath in your body, your authentic-self rents a room in your being. Our non-authentic-self rents a room also, work to keep it a broom closet.

Line Leader

So you want to follow me? Do you know where I’m going? Maybe I want to follow you. Where are you going? Either way, get ready for an adventure.

Being a Line Leader is a huge responsibility. In preschool a line leader is somewhat of a celebrity, at least for a day. But what about those of us who have advanced well beyond the years of preschool. Perhaps we are parents, or maybe we are in management at our jobs. Or, maybe a pastor in a faith community. Every day we go through our day we are a Line Leader in some capacity, if only at the traffic light. To be a good line leader, you’ll need three things: 1) A destination, 2) A map of the journey there, 3) All of the necessary equipment for the trip.

Let’s break it down. First a destination. As a line leader, everyone is expected to follow me, that is, behind me. Now, if no one inquires where we are going I could easily have a group of very misled people. Also, as a line leader I have control and opportunity over my fold. From their perspective, they offer me trust [that I’m going to lead them to a good place] and encouragement in the event that I get weary on our way. Some Line Leaders may enjoy the silent sheep, how very dangerous for that sheep. How easily you will be mistreated and misled ….. As a good Line Leader I will have at least two others to probe me with questions and hold me accountable for my choices. Lest in my poor leading I negatively infect rather than positively effect. If you are in line, who are you in line behind? Where are you being led to? Do you know? Do you care? You have responsibility to know. And to care. Ahead of time. If not, then you forfeit the right to cry about your destination when you arrive. Get to know your Line Leader.

Second, as an effective Line Leader, I’ll take the responsibility to map our journey ahead of time. Preschoolers know three things for sure. They know how to get to the bathroom, the snack table and the playground. There is a specific direction required to arrive at each destination. So many public figures are Line Leaders and they have not taken the time to map the journey. Or, maybe they have mapped it right straight back to their bank account. But, what about the account of people’s lives? Far more volatile than one’s bank account. As a Line Leader I must, and I repeat must, realize that mapping the journey is a critical step toward ensuring my safety and the safety of my fold (physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually). Hence, my need for those two others who ask questions and hold me accountable. Being a Line Leader is no easy task. There is a human element. What happens when I make a bad move? Well, Moses had a bunch of ticked off people. Out in the hot desert, hungry and whining. Thank goodness for Aaron, or he’d ‘ave sunk. How many public ministers I can think of today whose ministries have gotten dangerously big. So big, that when they stumble they take thousands of people down with them. As followers of the Line Leader people, WE have a responsibility to know where we’re headed and the basic plan of how we’re gonna get there! (Otherwise, remember, we lose our crying rights when we all fall down).

Finally, as a Line Leader I am tasked with the responsibility of packing for the trip. Some preschool leaders get to carry a flag, to signify their leadership. As an adult Line Leader, my flag is my dignity and integrity. And let me tell you, they will shine like a beacon as long as I’m on top. When I fall watch out! Not only will the light go out, but I will withdraw so you can’t see me (a human defense mechanism). As a follower, think about that. When my Line-Leader-light goes out, how will you see where you’re going? You see, as a Line Leader, I’ve only been given the role for a short period of time (relatively speaking). The reality is I’m human just as the rest of my group. I make mistakes, sometimes horrendous mistakes. If I don’t have the necessary equipment, which is my plan, my integrity, my moral compass, and my ethics in my satchel, then shame on  you [followers] for getting in line behind me. (And by the way, you can’t buy ethics, no matter how many conferences or classes your pay for; either you have them or you don’t. A conference will just you up on Best Practices).

People, seriously, think about it. We all fall short. We all stumble. We all fall.

In life we are only Line Leader for a day, and some may never get the opportunity, because of social caste. Those of us in front have a huge responsibility to be kind, equitable, responsible and accountable. We have a responsibility to make a well thought out plan ahead of the journey. If there are changes along the way, fine, reassess, but always with the group in mind. The very day we begin to lie, cheat and scheme is the first day of the end of our leadership. If you are in line, great, we need supporters. Don’t follow blindly. Ask questions, hold your leader accountable. Stand up and be counted. If you choose not to, and it is your choice – no one can choose for you -  you will forfeit your right to cry if you end up where you don’t want to be. Then, your journey back may be much longer than you planned.

Choose to be your own Line Leader. Just know people are watching and waiting. And we are all human.

 

Raisins and Grapes

I’ve read that you will “know all men by their fruit”. What does this mean? It means what a person’s life amounts to can be summed up in what is the visible outpouring of their actions. Contrary to what a person says, which cannot be seen, what a person does leaves a visible and sometimes tangible mark on the world.

With that in mind, raisin or grapes? Let’s see. Both the same fruit right? Both come from the same vine, yes? Yes. But what’s the difference? Visibly, grapes are much more aesthetically pleasing. They are plump and juicy, and they come in a variety of colors…red, purple, green. Some have seeds and some do not. [We’ll leave the seeds for another blog….] Raisins on the other hand, not so beautiful, shrunken and deformed, lacking any visible signs of life. Raisins taste pretty good though, if you can get past the appearance. They too come in a variety of colors, although they all have the same streak of brown which works to age the fruit and sometimes cause onlookers to scrunch up their face in disgust. Raisins are an acquired taste.

Are you a raisin? What are the things you think about during a day? Are they positive? What type of impact do you think about making on the world around you? What creative ideas do you have to improve your own quality of life and the lives of those in your corner of the world? It’s been said there are “thinkers” and there are “doers”. Which are you? If you are mostly a thinker, don’t fret, thinkers are important. Everything starts with a thought (what a HUGE thought that is!)Are you a doer? If you are a person to get involved in advocacy in any way, shape or form, you are a grape!

Some raisins have a tendency to adversely affect their world. Raisins are people who talk a good talk, but whose actions leave those around them somehow in a lesser state then before. Raisins are those who give false compliments, who make commitments they do not keep, who gossip at the water cooler, who manipulate people for their own gain. In the world of ‘knowing all men by their fruit’, you definitely do not want to be a raisin.

Are you a grape? Why, everyone wants to be a grape(at least in reputation, ouch!) It’s not hard to be a grape. Being a grape is as simple as thinking before you speak, giving honest compliments, practicing the discipline of keeping your hurtful comments to yourself, doing simple favors for strangers (and family!).  Being a grape is walking out the positive thoughts you have in your mind…Putting your hand to your creative ideas that will improve your own quality of life and the lives of those in your corner of the world.

The interesting thing about raisins and grapes is they both grow on the same vine. That said, they both have the potential to be a wonderful compliment to the world. We all share that same potential. Every day we have the opportunity to enrich the lives of those around us. If our ideas wither, if our conversation wilts and decays, if our actions toward one another are manipulative and self-serving, we shrivel up. We dry out and wither like raisins. Then, we will need a very powerful additive to bring us back to form.

Today is an opportunity to look around your life, see the outpouring of the mark you leave on the world. It’s a chance to check your “vine”. Where do you get your information from? Where do you draw your ideas and thoughts from?  Check your vine. Next, check yourself. Your attitude and motivations. Do your own litmus test to see if you are making the mark on your world that you would like to be. How will you be remembered today? If someone else had to write your epitaph, what would it say? Do you agree?

Raisins or grapes. BE the fruit you want to be. Because, man, woman or child, we will know all of you by your fruit.

Boxes

Have you ever taken the time to ponder boxes and what they mean and accomplish? Let’s see, there are big boxes, little boxes, square ones, and rectangle ones. I have even seen tube shaped boxes. What I want to talk to you about today however, is open and closed boxes. Have you ever heard the analogy of people and their boxes? The idea is to compare people, how they live their lives and what motivates them to make the decisions they do, to boxes and how they are aligned in any given situation.

            Think on this: I am in my box (big, little, square, etc.) pondering why my life is so chaotic. I look up and realize the box lid is closed over me. It would seem I am running around inside my box, seeing only what I bring into my own view, I communicate only with myself [and the committee in my head]. I get no outside inspiration or edification from anyone else in my life. The opposite can be true to: I am in my box doing my thing, life is good [in my perception], the lid is open, the sun is shining and I’m plugging along in my life. But, I’m still in my own little world. Me, myself, and I. I can’t see out of the top of the box, so I have no idea of what lies next to me, around me, or far away from me.

            Life can be like that right? Stuck in a proverbial box. So, what if I stood up? What would I see? The first answer is, I don’t know. The second is like it, I won’t know until I stand up and look outside the box. Let’s try for a minute and see what we get. Stand with me, will you? Oh look! There is a homeless man over there holding a sign! Oh, oh! Over there is a family playing in the park! Well, look at that. Right next to me in the very next box, an elderly couple struggling to mow the grass. On my other side I see a child crying because he misses is daddy, while his mom tries her best to keep the household upright.

            Folks, there are people all around us. There is life all around us. Stand up! What’s around you? What’s outside your box? How can it be of help to you? How can you participate in it, and make a positive difference in your corner of the world today?

            Are you suffering? Sad? Stuck in a difficult place in life? Stand up. Open the box lid [now that you’ve seen it is close above you]. Don’t allow the darkness to keep you in a sitting position. Stand up! Open the lid. Let in the light. There are people just like you right outside your box. Life is not that mysterious. We are far more alike that we are different. That I guarantee you!

If you are in a good place in life, celebrate it! Enjoy it now because struggle is right around the corner. Life is not static, we are constantly growing and changing. If you are in a difficult place in life, don’t fret, stand up! Get up on your feet! Embrace the challenge and walk into the fear. The challenge will only last a little while [which is a matter of perception], because the good life is right around the corner. Again,life is not static, we are constantly growing and changing. Remember, you’ve got to Go through it to Grow through it. C’mon now, let’s stand up together.