That last bit of the race. You are well past the halfway mark, and you can hear the crowds cheering you on. The last bit of a race is often the fastest and most comfortable bit of the race. You are in a good stride, the adrenaline has kicked in and from nowhere the energy appears to run faster and stronger and with more grace than you have ever before.
Keeping running. The finish line is in sight.
(Then you can start planning the next race you want to train for.)
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
For every girl and boy
For every girl who is tired of acting weak when she is strong,
there is a boy tired of appearing strong when he is vulnerable.
For every boy who is burdened with the constant expectation of knowing everything,
there is a girl tired of people not trusting her intelligence.
For every girl who is tired of being called over-sensitive,
there is a boy who fears to be gentle, to weep.
For every boy for whom competition is the only way to prove his masculinity,
there is a girl who is called unfeminine when she competes.
For every girl who throws out her E-Z-Bake oven,
there is a boy who wishes to find one.
For every boy struggling not to let advertising dictate his desires,
there is a girl facing the ad industry’s attacks on her self-esteem.
For every girl who takes a step toward her liberation,
there is a boy who finds the way to freedom a little easier.
Adapted from a poem by Nancy R. Smith
there is a boy tired of appearing strong when he is vulnerable.
For every boy who is burdened with the constant expectation of knowing everything,
there is a girl tired of people not trusting her intelligence.
For every girl who is tired of being called over-sensitive,
there is a boy who fears to be gentle, to weep.
For every boy for whom competition is the only way to prove his masculinity,
there is a girl who is called unfeminine when she competes.
For every girl who throws out her E-Z-Bake oven,
there is a boy who wishes to find one.
For every boy struggling not to let advertising dictate his desires,
there is a girl facing the ad industry’s attacks on her self-esteem.
For every girl who takes a step toward her liberation,
there is a boy who finds the way to freedom a little easier.
Adapted from a poem by Nancy R. Smith
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Warrior of Light
Paulo Coelho is one of my favourite authors. Here's what he has to say about leadership... I hope it brings some light to you too.
A long time ago, in my unconscious, I changed the word “leader” for the expression “warrior of light”. What is a warrior of light?
Warriors of light keep the spark in their eyes.
They are in the world, are part of other people’s lives, and began their journey without a rucksack and sandals. They are often cowards. They don’t always act right.
Warriors of light suffer over useless things, have some petty attitudes, and at times feel they are incapable of growing. They frequently believe they are unworthy of any blessing or miracle.
Warriors of light are not always sure what they are doing here. Often they stay up all night thinking that their lives have no meaning.
Every warrior of light has felt the fear of joining in battle. Every warrior of light has once lost faith in the future.
Every warrior of light has once trodden a path that was not his. Every warrior of light has once felt that he was not a warrior of light. Every warrior of light has once failed in his spiritual obligations.
That is what makes him a warrior of light; because he has been through all this and has not lost the hope of becoming better than he was.
That is why they are warriors of light. Because they make mistakes. Because they wonder. Because they look for a reason – and they will certainly find one.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Making all things new...
God has a good habit of making all things new. I take advantage of this all the time. When given a fresh wind to blast out the cobwebs I face it and enjoy the thrill of it all. I'm just back from a week on the east coast of America - it felt a bit like that. January had been full of all kinds of strain and uncertainty and a change was what was needed to give my weary self a rest.
It's funny how traveling far away, but doing the same kinds of things can give you a break from yourself - or perhaps reconnect the broken bits. While I was away I spent time with friends, attended classes and did some photography. All things I would usually do at home. But I was doing these with a sense of purpose. Taking time to soak up what was going on and enjoy the chance to rest when it came my way.
I met old friends, acquaintances from Scotland and made some new friends too. A common interest can really provide a strong connection to someone you just met. When God's your connection - anything can happen (if you let it).
Walking the streets of Princeton I found the space to breathe.
Walking the streets of New York I got excited again.
Walking the streets of Washington I felt at home.
Walking the Mound in Edinburgh I felt ready to be home.
Traveling is like stepping in and out of the wardrobe to Narnia. The other world seems just beyond your reach when you're not actually in it. You miss things when you're not there, but you gain other things. My concept of heaven is that all those places and people are joined up. You don't have to be without something in order to have another. Not a "having it all" in the material sense, but a sense of peace about not being apart from the people you love.
Meeting up with old friends is like a little piece of heaven. When you have those real moments of connection, the brokenness is held with someone else and the scars fade a little. Everything is made new.
It's funny how traveling far away, but doing the same kinds of things can give you a break from yourself - or perhaps reconnect the broken bits. While I was away I spent time with friends, attended classes and did some photography. All things I would usually do at home. But I was doing these with a sense of purpose. Taking time to soak up what was going on and enjoy the chance to rest when it came my way.
I met old friends, acquaintances from Scotland and made some new friends too. A common interest can really provide a strong connection to someone you just met. When God's your connection - anything can happen (if you let it).
Walking the streets of Princeton I found the space to breathe.
Walking the streets of New York I got excited again.
Walking the streets of Washington I felt at home.
Walking the Mound in Edinburgh I felt ready to be home.
Traveling is like stepping in and out of the wardrobe to Narnia. The other world seems just beyond your reach when you're not actually in it. You miss things when you're not there, but you gain other things. My concept of heaven is that all those places and people are joined up. You don't have to be without something in order to have another. Not a "having it all" in the material sense, but a sense of peace about not being apart from the people you love.
Meeting up with old friends is like a little piece of heaven. When you have those real moments of connection, the brokenness is held with someone else and the scars fade a little. Everything is made new.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
January and being thirty
Keep going. It's January and everyone is wondering if anything will ever change and if this year is going to be the same as all the others or worse. Well I have it on good authority that this is the year for the best so far. So keep going.
Many of my friends are older (much older than me) and having watched many of them go through the trauma that is turning thirty I was interested to see how that would turn out for me. Well I want to tell anyone who is not yet at that wonderful age, that it's awesome! I spent some time considering whether to mark the occasion or let it just slip by and decided it was time to do it in style.
Some of my friends had had parties, some had had wild weekends camping and others just stayed home. I decided I wanted to have as many of the people that I love and that have contributed to me being me all in one place. I decided my house was not that place. I didn't want to worry about how everyone would fit in, or answering the door, or pouring drinks all night, or cleaning up afterwards. I didn't want to have it in a place that would make anyone feel out of place. I wanted everyone to have a fun time. I wanted music. I wanted dancing. I wanted my family. I wanted my friends from near and far.
I got everything I wanted and a whole lot more.
There were a few heartstrings missing, because of prior commitments, but almost every aspect of my life was represented in some way: family, school, Aberdeen Uni, ICC, Strathclyde Uni, Nebraska, New College, Galgael, St Paul's, Govan, Iona Community, Stepps, After8, the Dennistoun Massive, Vestry Mob/Sunday Night Club, Carberry Festival and beyond...
I loved it. People mixed. People danced and they certainly drank. I hope they had a good time. I had the best night of my life so far. Thanks to everyone who helped me celebrate getting this far.
(And if you're reading - you know who you are, thanks for the dance.)
Many of my friends are older (much older than me) and having watched many of them go through the trauma that is turning thirty I was interested to see how that would turn out for me. Well I want to tell anyone who is not yet at that wonderful age, that it's awesome! I spent some time considering whether to mark the occasion or let it just slip by and decided it was time to do it in style.
Some of my friends had had parties, some had had wild weekends camping and others just stayed home. I decided I wanted to have as many of the people that I love and that have contributed to me being me all in one place. I decided my house was not that place. I didn't want to worry about how everyone would fit in, or answering the door, or pouring drinks all night, or cleaning up afterwards. I didn't want to have it in a place that would make anyone feel out of place. I wanted everyone to have a fun time. I wanted music. I wanted dancing. I wanted my family. I wanted my friends from near and far.
I got everything I wanted and a whole lot more.
There were a few heartstrings missing, because of prior commitments, but almost every aspect of my life was represented in some way: family, school, Aberdeen Uni, ICC, Strathclyde Uni, Nebraska, New College, Galgael, St Paul's, Govan, Iona Community, Stepps, After8, the Dennistoun Massive, Vestry Mob/Sunday Night Club, Carberry Festival and beyond...
I loved it. People mixed. People danced and they certainly drank. I hope they had a good time. I had the best night of my life so far. Thanks to everyone who helped me celebrate getting this far.
(And if you're reading - you know who you are, thanks for the dance.)
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Thanksgiving
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving in the USA and tonight we celebrated early. Granted there was no American Football game to watch in the background (Go Huskers!), but it felt just right to be sharing a meal with friends and sharing the things we are thankful for. Sometimes it's difficult to say what we are thankful for because it cuts so deep with us, but that difficulty needs to be endured so that people might know who we really are.
I am thankful for:
the wonderful people in my life
Peppermint Hot Chocolate
laughter (it's like running on the inside - uses those muscles!)
sweet potato souffle - mmmmhmmmm yum
old friends reacquainted
old friends who never went anywhere (at least not far from my heart)
new friends
sunsets
music - that makes memories
the quietness of the early morning
sleep (which I am going to get now)
this list would be longer if it wasn't for the sleep thing....
I am thankful for:
the wonderful people in my life
Peppermint Hot Chocolate
laughter (it's like running on the inside - uses those muscles!)
sweet potato souffle - mmmmhmmmm yum
old friends reacquainted
old friends who never went anywhere (at least not far from my heart)
new friends
sunsets
music - that makes memories
the quietness of the early morning
sleep (which I am going to get now)
this list would be longer if it wasn't for the sleep thing....
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Banquet...
So the parable of the banquet... (Luke 14:15-23) All those people were invited, but they came up with all kinds of excuses not to come. "Just got married." "Need to sort out my new oxen." "Just bought some new land and I need to check it over." I suppose these refusals to a banquet are quite ridiculous really!
I can think of lots of excuses myself not to go to places and enjoy myself. I'm too tired. I just want a night in by myself. I won't know anyone. New people might not like me. I'm too old. I'm not smart enough. I don't have the right clothes to wear. There are so many excuses that seem to be reason enough to not become part of a community. But they are ridiculous!
Compared to the worst that might happen, the best is also likely to happen. You might enjoy yourself. You might connect with another human being. It might lead to you throwing a banquet yourself. The walls that you built up, just might not be real. You might actually live life in all its fullness. There might be laughter and later there might be tears to share. I think it is worth accepting the invitation to fullness of life.
Go and say yes, or throw a party yourself and invite some people you might not normally talk to. They just might say yes, and if they say no, they just might be ridiculous!
I can think of lots of excuses myself not to go to places and enjoy myself. I'm too tired. I just want a night in by myself. I won't know anyone. New people might not like me. I'm too old. I'm not smart enough. I don't have the right clothes to wear. There are so many excuses that seem to be reason enough to not become part of a community. But they are ridiculous!
Compared to the worst that might happen, the best is also likely to happen. You might enjoy yourself. You might connect with another human being. It might lead to you throwing a banquet yourself. The walls that you built up, just might not be real. You might actually live life in all its fullness. There might be laughter and later there might be tears to share. I think it is worth accepting the invitation to fullness of life.
Go and say yes, or throw a party yourself and invite some people you might not normally talk to. They just might say yes, and if they say no, they just might be ridiculous!
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