HOLD THAT THOUGHT

Hold that thought, 

whatever it is, 

and before long 

it will hold you. 

At first, like an opinion, 

its trickle will hold you up,

buoy you, carry you.

Like a belief, 

it will give you a stream of comfort, 

even a pool of sanctuary. 

But then, eventually, 

like an eddy, 

it will hold you back,

hinder your growth,

keep you from expanding

into new thought, 

fresh definitions,

ever more creative ways 

of being in the world.

Its comfort will turn to constraint, 

its utility to uselessness,

its pooling into a prison.

For your modus operandi, 

like a river’s current, 

is always in sweet flow, 

always taking you in tow.

As is the journey of all flesh,

and even in this moment,

you are becoming something 

more than you were, 

but less than you will be

upon arriving at the great sea.

THAT'LL PREACH

At first light,

one Sunday Morning,

back in the day

of Star Wars and Skywalkers,

I prayed, “Lord, help me 

preach this sermon,

(“A Force Called Forgiveness,”

in case You don’t remember)

with conviction!!!”

The Lord thought about it 

for a thousand years,

and then got back to me 

by my next breath,

“No, pastor, just preach it

as one who’s been convicted,

and knows forgiveness.

That’ll preach.” 

SHHH!

Remember when public libraries used to be quiet places? 

We all understood that the people there were thinking--reading/studying/researching/etc.--and we were taught NOT to unnecessarily interrupt them because that level of (critical and creative) thinking was highly valued by most people. The public library was the local community’s communal thinking place…of the people, by the people, for the people. Sounds almost constitutional.

But times have changed.

Now they’re noisy…people talking out loud, playing their music, making important phone calls…you know…what to order for lunch. (Hold the mustard!) The cynic in me says this is happening because our dominant societal values no longer encourage us to care what or how others think. The individual is all that matters. Hmm.

But libraries themselves haven’t changed. It’s the people using them. Yet it’s not really the people. It’s their--our--thinking. Or more succinctly…the superficial level of our thinking. 

“It’s not my fault!” we cry. 

Well, yeah, it is…unless we want someone else to do our thinking for us which, surprisingly often, we do. Letting someone else do it may seem easier. But at what price?

There is, however, another reason for this that really isn’t our fault. It’s the sheer volume of information the world seemingly requires us to assimilate. TMI! With so much coming at us, it’s difficult to sort and shelve (never mind synthesize) one shipment  before the next truckload comes in. 

What can we do about it? 

Though we can’t stem the tide, we can remember that each of us is a living library…that the librarians at our front desk (our five senses) need to post hours when we’re simply not available…and take time to go back into the stacks, poke around just for fun, or maybe just sit down in a corner and take a deep breath. 

Shhh! I’m thinking.

TODAY.

LET’S GIVE THE WORLD, EACH OTHER & OURSELVES A GIFT.

LET’S THINK ABOUT HOW WE THINK.

LIVING DYNAMICALLY

Is your thinking working for you? 

What are the signs if it is? For one, you're happy from the inside out. Two, you’re wisely hopeful. Three, you feel resilient…you have a sense that you’ll survive anything that comes your way. Four, you believe that you have the power within you to thrive. Five, you understand that you--and you alone--are responsible for your joy.

What are the signs it’s not? For one, you’re giving in to thinking fearful, worried thoughts even though you know that doing so won’t help matters. Two, you’re obsessing over petty things, letting them irritate you and rob you of your joy. Three, your thinking is negatively affecting your relationships, especially the most important ones. Four, your thoughts are making you feel insecure and inadequate or defensive and even self-righteous. Five, you’re feeling neither peaceful nor loving and frankly…you’re not much fun to be around. 

Even with yourself.

Living dynamically means living in a continuously conscious relationship with our thoughts and where we’re letting them lead us…continuously examining not just the content but also the process of our thinking for both its value and validity. When we choose to live (i.e. think) this way--and to be sure, it is a choice--we are not only different people. We are dynamic people making a dynamic difference in our world.

Let’s think dynamically…so we can live dynamically. After all, we may not think we can make a difference in the world, but how we think makes a world of difference in the lives of those around us.

This is how we do it.

TODAY.

LET’S GIVE THE WORLD, EACH OTHER AND OURSELVES A GIFT.

LET’S MAKE TIME TO THINK ABOUT HOW WE THINK. 

AU CONTRAIRE

I say “au contraire” because the world’s powers that be prefer we all think and act as lemmings…needy, highly malleable, conformable clay-like creatures that do exactly as told. (Unfortunately, even some of our religion fosters this attitude and behavior.) But do YOU believe that’s why we’re here? For me, the answer is a very hard no! To the contrary, in the broadest sense, I believe I’m here to evolve and expand along with you and the rest of the universe. (This, I believe, is the true purpose of religion.)

So. . .  

#1: I CONTINUALLY REMIND MYSELF: THIS IS EASY!...no matter what “this” is. In other words, having the right state of mind is absolutely paramount. (BTW: I don’t use a to-do list. I have a “This is easy!” list.) 

#2: I’M CONSCIOUSLY THANKFUL…or try to be! Nothing unlocks our creativity and generosity like a joyful, thanks-giving spirit. Nothing. 

#3: I KEEP ASKING QUESTIONS. The worst ones keep us thinking while the best lead to better and better questions…and insights. What a great way to expand.

#4: I SEE MYSELF AS A SCRIBE. Let Life/God/Universe/Inner Wisdom speak. Just listen, REALLY LISTEN. Quietly take good notes…verbatim. No filtering. No editing. Just write down what you hear. If it’s good, you’ll think about it later. (This is the essence and one of the key values of meditation.)

#5: I TRUST MYSELF! Again…I try…and train myself at this. We actually do a lot less of this than we think. Further, our culture teaches us NOT to trust ourselves. (See above.) But trust. Trust your gut, your intuition, your leadings. Trust the Voice…and voices you most highly value.

Being contrary can be a very good thing.

TODAY.

LET’S GIVE THE WORLD, EACH OTHER & OURSELVES A GIFT.

LET’S MAKE TIME TO THINK ABOUT BEING AU CONTRAIRE.

P.S. I’d love to hear what some of your top “au contraire’s” are. After all, we’re in this together.

HERALDS

It’s early morning. Still dark. I can barely see trees 

yet robins are a-hopping, hummingbirds a-humming. 

I decide I'm awake. Heat up a cup of cold-brew coffee.

Now a red squirrel chases its tail ‘round a huge jack pine. 

“Oh, that my life was that simple!” I say, sipping.

I sit down with my computer, glance up at the still waters, 

check email, phone messages, appointments, endless etcetera.

Hmm. The flowers already have their makeup on. 

Looks like the Black-eyed Susans stayed out late again. 

Will this be a good day or a “Get me outta here!”? 

Now I see a gaggle of one, two…seventeen Canadians

sashaying single-file down the lake to their feeding grounds.

My question to them: Why not fly? Minutes vs. hours.

But I haven’t seen any of them checking their smartwatches. 

Grand scheming, though, is my life any different? 

I, too, did this exact same thing yesterday morning. 

Here come the chipmunk twins for breakfast. 

Can’t they read the sign? BIRDS ONLY! Seriously!

Why don’t I see any of them checking their calendars, 

their to-do lists, social media accounts or finances?

To my overthinking mind their lives seem enviably simple,

yet they, too, are fulfilling some larger-than-life purpose 

just by doing what they’re doing, aren’t they? My guess is yes. 

In fact, they’re doing it right now. With me. To me. For me.

Breaking in. Breaking through. Breaking up. Breaking forth.

Heralding a different way of being in the world.

Each of them. All of them. Messengers from on high. 

Some of them even have wings.

NOTE TO MY READERS

 Dear Readers,

I'm having more and more difficulty publishing my writings on this site so have decided to discontinue doing so. If you would like to continue to get them please email me your interest and I'll add you to a new mailing list.

Thanks!

Jerry

AFFINITY

O Life of life,

every time we try,

every where we turn,

we see your affinity

for abundance.

From stars in deep space, 

to jokes in a jester,

from oak trees in an acorn, 

to stirrings in a heart,

from wildflowers in a meadow,

to wooings in a suitor, 

from grains in a timber,

to whys in a child, 

from swallows in a swarm,

to prayers in a priest,

from dunes in a desert, 

to swells in a sea,

from winds in a canyon, 

to raindrops in a cloud, 

from questions in a quandary,

to yawns in a babe.

Indeed, we are immersed

in your abundant ways. 

Why then, 

are these not also

the ways of the world? 

Why do we live as if 

the only thing in abundance 

is scarcity?

ALL MY LOVERS

Let me tell you about all my lovers.

I love each of them dearly, but they don’t just receive my love and delight in my attention. Like any true lover, they love me back. They love me with an undying love--even when I may tire of them. I know. I can feel it. They give without thought of return and they forgive extravagantly. Each of them brings me a sense of deep joy and wellbeing.

They’re always here for me. Always glad to see me. Glad to have me show up at their doorstep though I may have been gone for days, weeks, even months! Each of them, like my heart, my mind, my body, works so hard for me, works so hard to make my life good. 

Each is endlessly creative and loves to make me smile. They love to delight me with their gifts--with what they can do for me--and with me. They never get angry or lose patience. They never reject or abandon me. They never walk away in a huff. No, when I look back over my shoulder, I see they are still looking at me. Still coming to me. Still wanting to be with me. Oh, they love it when I give them my full self, yet none of them gets jealous when I share my love with the others.

Sometimes in my headstrong way, I go off, forgetting I have a deep and intimate relationship that goes way back with each of them. And frankly, at times I tire of one and want another. And they’re okay with that! They just want me to be joyful and generous…to be my best.

It’s the wildest, most beautiful feeling in the world. And I know, I don’t deserve them. But they don’t think that way. They just love me infinitely and immediately. They’re always right here. Always right now. Always available. Always and forever.

Let me give you a few of their names…writing, words, deep talks, drawing, painting, building, singing and making music. 

What about you? Who are your lovers? Will you spend time with them today? 

TODAY.

LET’S GIVE THE WORLD & OURSELVES A GIFT.

LET’S THINK HOW WE THINK ABOUT OUR LOVERS.

LIFE & LOVE & LAUGHTER

 

I’m sitting here 

on a dock,

looking out on this, 

yet another

rapturously “beatific?”

Yes, “Beatific!” morning.

Yet another cacophony 

of water and waves,

sunshine and shimmerings,

green broad-stroked shorelines 

and florid-winged troubadours,

whited blue skies 

and pine-infused breezes,

all so meticulously produced

--right down to the atom--

that it comes off

looking completely, well, natural. 

If I didn’t know better

I’d think Mother Nature 

was showing off.

But no, thankfully,

she doesn't know how,

for she clearly has no ego.

She’s just bringing her best,

and showing up for another day 

of life and love and laughter

in the holy hope 

that you and I 

will do the same.

PASSION'S FRUIT

We recently visited the Ashley Bryan exhibit at the Farnsworth Art Museum in nearby Rockland. It was in a word…Stunning! Especially when you know his story. 

Born in Harlem, raised in the Bronx, at age 19 Bryan was drafted into the US Army and served in a segregated unit landing at Normandy on D-Day. Years later, after a long and distinguished career as an artist, author, and educator, he retired to Cranberry Island, ME. He died in February at age 98--as recipient of the Farnsworth’s 2022 “Maine in America” Award. 

Was Bryan born an artist? No. Was he born with artistic ability? Yes. Did family, friends and others encourage him? Of course. But could they make him into the artist he became? No. Most importantly, was he passionate about his artistic ability? Well, the story is he stowed some of his art supplies in his gas mask while serving during WWII. So, yeah, I’d say so.

My point?

Only Ashley Bryan could act upon Ashley Bryan’s passion for artistic creativity. Only he could THINK THERE WAS SOMETHING IN HIM WORTH BEING PASSIONATE ABOUT no matter what the odds. And ultimately, only he could believe and trust in his abilities to bear his own passion’s fruit.

So what about you and me? Which of our passions are we acting upon today? While our lives may be vastly different from Bryan’s, like him, we (and only we) have the ability to think and act upon our passions. If we never stop to think about them, we will never bear the uniquely delicious fruit each of us has to offer. Fruit that the world so desperately desires…and needs.

TODAY.

LET’S GIVE THE WORLD & YOURSELF A GIFT.

LET’S THINK ABOUT HOW WE THINK ABOUT OUR PASSIONS.

ALWAYS. EVER. NEW.

Yes, grace comes first. 

We’ve named that grace “God.”

It is God (“Good”) entering in,

into what we call “reality.” 

Grace doesn’t brandish or beguile. 

It doesn’t cajole or con. 

It just comes. 

In fact, it’s the real reality

because, like the squirrels 

and spiders and sparrows in our yard,

it was here first.

It is we who come to it. 

And when we do--if we do--

we come to see--and know--

that we’re already living in grace. 

Oh, we may not understand it,

or worse, we may not believe it,

but precisely because grace is…we are.

In the moments we see this truth 

we live out of it. And we live it out.

Then everything changes. 

All things, even old things, are made new.

“New” meaning, no longer how things “are.” 

“New” meaning, no longer can the past 

seize, snag or snatch our present power from us. 

Like Paul once Saul said, “If anyone is in Christ, 

(aka: grace) that one is a new being.” 

That is, each one’s presence and purpose 

in this old, old world, is refreshingly new. 

New in the now. New right now. 

Always. Ever. New.

LOVE

LOVE LOVE

is the juice

of life.

It sweetens

It soothes

It satiates

It encourages

It pleases

It opens

It binds

It loosens

It strengthens

It releases

It helps

It warms

It softens

It feels

It forgives

It penetrates

It lubricates

It advocates

It vitalizes

It enlivens

It engages

It nourishes

It nurtures

It motivates

It excites

It inspires

It holds

It frees

It fills

It empties

It brightens

It gives

It awakens

It reawakens

It colors

It cleanses

It clarifies

It connects

It communicates

No wonder

we can’t live

for a moment

without it.

WE COME TO IT

 

The truly deep wisdom of life is ever present, always available. 

But it doesn’t come to us. 

It is the still small voice that appears from out of nowhere because it is everywhere. And it is everywhere because it is the invisible essence and energy of all that exists. We unlock its experience at ever deepening levels by opening ourselves to its presence around us and within us. And we do so through intentional humility, vulnerability and awareness.

Like the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-24) who “came to his senses” and it changed his life forever. . . we come to it. Thankfully, it cannot be forced, cajoled, seduced or manipulated. This is not to say we can’t request it. Rather, once we do, we must consciously open ourselves to whatever it seeks to teach  us--which is often not the answer we expect or desire--or it’s the one that may have been right in front of us all the time. 

Like the wind, we cannot see it, only its effect. 

But once we become aware of it, we see and experience its life-transformative power wherever we are, whomever we are with, and whatever we’re doing. To put it in traditionally Judeo-Christian terms. . . 

. . . wisdom is the kingdom of God at hand.

TODAY.

LET’S GIVE THE WORLD & OURSELVES A GIFT.

LET’S THINK ABOUT HOW WE THINK ABOUT WISDOM.

LIFE

“Life is your art. An open, aware heart is your camera. A oneness with your world is your film.” Beautiful words from the late Ansel Adams, the world-renowned American landscape photographer and environmentalist. No wonder his photographs are so profoundly captivating and universally cherished!

BAND OF BROTHERS

I’ve written these words this past week while on my annual “band of brothers” (siblings/sons/grandsons) Canadian fishing trip--which took a three-year hiatus due to Covid-19. We have a great time reconnecting with each other, especially after so long!

Love and joy raise the corners of our eyes

as we look into each other’s aging faces.

It’s been so “Too long!” since our last rendezvous.

But in these few days and nights 

our parts to play in The One Great Story

web us together ever so tightly once again.

We bask beneath each other’s sun 

while the knowing takes fresh hold.

Filaments thin but strong wrap round us, 

and for this trickle of time our lives like stars align. 

Too soon it will be over. Again. Till when? If then. 

Even now, one of us is gone. And though stilled,

yet we feel his bands pull at our hearts. 

While life’s larks seek to undo our sweet weavings

these three things we carry always. 

One, at the end of each day 

the tales of its making will, like the universe, 

grow beyond the size of its catch. 

Two, that in these trophy times together

death is being eclipsed by life yet again.

And three, the bands, the bonds 

that gather us as eternity’s brothers 

cross all our chasms, all our divisions,

drawing us deftly into one another’s orbit 

under the guise of this, humanity’s ancient affair 

with the waters, their wares, their wiles. 

THE CHICKEN IN THE EGG

I recently had a dream in which I was standing on the shore of a swift-flowing river just where it opened to the ocean. While I watched, an empty unattended panel truck parked nearby rolled backwards down a small embankment and into the water. It sank instantly, though I'd expected it to do so slowly since it was basically an air bubble encased in a thin skin of metal. 

Fortunately, at least, there was no one in it.

A moment later a huge, heavily armored tank came clattering over a hill and into view. Without hesitation, it drove out onto the river and to my astonishment, remained afloat as if on solid ground. Once there, it turned 90 degrees and followed the river’s flow out onto the open ocean and off to a distant shore!

We’d spent the day at the ocean, I’d watched the evening news, and before going to sleep I’d been ruminating on a question:“What is the relationship between my thoughts and the world I experience every day? 

In other words, which is the chicken in the egg and which is the egg in the chicken?” 

TODAY.

LET’S GIVE THE WORLD & OURSELVES A GIFT.

LET’S THINK ABOUT WHERE OUR THOUGHTS COME FROM.

ALREADY

To say that today may turn out to be a fantastic, extraordinarily monumental, once-in-a-lifetime sort of transformative day is to miss its point. It already is.

PLAY ON!

We have this vast outfield within, 

and a diamond upon which our minds 

play pick up ball all day. 

And we are the ones, the only ones, 

who can populate this green,

the only ones allowed to play this field.

If some thought throws us a curveball, 

we can wait for the next one pitched. 

Don’t like that one either?

Well, we’re up. We get to choose.

Once a passing thought gets purchase

it’s like the hitter making first base.

Think it again, we’re at second.

Will it make it all the way home?

Does every thought become an action?

Most don’t. Oh, but when they do!

So play on!

Moral of the Metaphor: A thought, a worthy one, and especially a grand one, usually has to rise through several iterations of the imagination in order to reach the level of a full fledged action. Oh, but when it does!

LABYRINTH

To every labyrinth there is a center, 

a destination, a terminal point.

But the whole of it, that is, 

every step of its way is sacred. 

The very moment we place our foot 

upon its threshold the holy begins. 

 

When we reach its core

we don’t simply retrace our steps.

No, as with our memories, 

we walk back upon the same path,  

but from the opposite direction, 

seeing the same scenes and scenarios 

but from a differing perspective. 

 

We may trace invisible footprints 

laid and left by the masses

who traveled here before us 

but still, these are our feet, not theirs.

This is our gait, our stride, our pace.

We can only walk our own labyrinth.

 

So it is with this labyrinth we call life;

Only we can place our own design upon it. 

And though up close, 

each one’s print is delightfully different,

from a distance we can see

we are all surprisingly similar.

 

Yes, our lives are the real labyrinths, 

labyrinths of our own God-like creation

with each step being sacred. The real holy.

All the other ones are but metaphors

lovingly, gently, intimately designed 

to point us wholly to our own,

and to the moment when we place our feet 

upon it at the threshold of each new day 

and the holy begins again. 

 

TODAY.

LET’S GIVE THE WORLD & OURSELVES A GIFT.

LET’S TAKE TIME TO THINK ABOUT OUR LABYRINTH.