Advice and the New Christian

Problem-solving is totally different after one starts "swinging the J-way". With life issues (ok, relationship issues), it's way too easy and often ingrained with girls/women who aren't supported in their self-esteem, to run to friends and close family members when a problem comes up. OK, so this isn't necessarily a Christian spirituality issue, as it's important for us to learn to stand on our own two feet, and listen to the voice within no matter your religious path. However, for someone trying to learn the Christian life, going to the same old sources when one has a problem can be dangerous. Why? Because the advice may not jibe with God's values and what He would propose as the solution.

I've been writing this in an impersonal voice, but, OK, I've recently experienced this and it's been on my mind. I'm more conscious of when these dissonances happen--that's the good news. Better options is to listen to the voice within (Holy Spirit?), pray and listen for answers/guidance from God, and, if one needs to turn to people, turn instead to mature Christians who can help mentor one in God's way.

Gotta have a link: talked on the quad with these great folks who are affiliated with the 1000 Wells Project.

Everyone's "On" if you're the Big Man

So, with my humble GTD "apprentice" status (yes, still partially implemented--what can I say?: all have sinned and fall short of the glory of GTD), Merlin Mann's 43 folders is a regular stop of mine. Earlier this week he discusses a USA Today article on attitudes toward the wait staff. I heartily concur with his conclusion: that everyone should spend some time on the frontlines of the restaurant biz in one's youth. In fact, I use this as a barometer as I'm getting to know people: have you ever waited tables? If they have, or if they have a similar experience in serving the public, they seem to display a certain sensibility that better tolerates the foibles in others. My restaurant experience makes me more patient with restaurant waitstaff (especially if they're slammed or short-staffed), retail checkers, and maybe even my son.

This clarifies the notion of when one is "on"--all the time! Rather than inducing some kind of panoptical paranoia, this should compel us to be more mindful, especially in those little moments of vulnerability: when we are tired, when our bodies hurt, when we are embroiled in some requirement of the ego to such an extent that we forget about how we touch others' energies. Last night I observed this in action: my back was hurting from a muscle pull and I found myself a little short with my spouse. I was not really angry yet my tone of voice changed and expressed anger. Had to do some quick work to realign the energy and reroute to peace.

Sun Energy = Sleep no more

After a longer than usual rainy spell (for here, anyway, very usual for PNW), the sun is finally out, with all of the energy that brings. The season for hibernation, fermentation, rumination is over and now time for implementation. More simply said, it's time to get moving, get active and put all the stuff that my head has been mulling over into practice. This means getting out into the garden, making conscious changes at work, and being nice to myself and others.

The Scholar still continues her activities, though, and on the church side, our group is reading Donald Miller's Blue Like Jazz, a down-to-earth episodic exploration of Christian spirituality; on the personal development side, reading Carolyn Myss' Sacred Contracts; starting in on Bruce Chilton's Rabbi Jesus, close on the heels of Thomas Cahill's Desire of the Everlasting Hills: The World Before and After Jesus. This last one is listed in a great bibliography on Rob Bell's Nooma site, found as a result of his videos which we are watching in our church life group (see Donald Miller above).

All good stuff to keep one "salty".

Also--some big changes going down at work which will stretch and test me--I'm ready.

OK, so Hail April!

Here we are in April already. Almost 2 straight weeks of rain, which isn't bad except it takes longer to get places and I can't spend time in the garden as much. Daylight savings will make the gardening more regular once things dry out a bit. The coastal jaunt was fantastic and very invigorating--driving up Highway 1 (before the rains kicked in again making parts of it sketchy). And, I managed to stave off the cold until the trip was done and we were back home (vs. my usual way of getting sick on the trip). I can't forget how powerful the ocean is for me in terms of nature's recharge.

Capitola is very quaint and I think we know where we're staying next so Michael can play on the beach. This place reminded me of Burano, the island around Venice that has its houses painted the colors of the clans. Indeed the place is called the Capitola Venetian Motel....