Welcome to here we collide. A project by To Write Love on Her Arms.
This project is for you. We believe in stories; when something involves people, our story, and our lives intertwining with others’ it becomes important. Our stories collide. Something happens. And we believe there is significance in these smallest of moments in all of our lives.
You are breathing. You are alive with so much purpose, so full of potential. The future is wide open and full of beautiful things yet to be discovered. We believe in hope, in finding it amongst the chaos of life. We believe in sharing it with each other, and telling stories in our own unique ways.
This project is about moments. The photos, films, words and music we post are small glimpses of the world captured by strangers. We hope they are a light to your story and a daily reminder of possibility. We hope that you are inspired to capture your own moments as these stories collide with yours.
http://herewecollide.com/about
So I have written less and less on this site- and Yesterday I stumbled on a project by To Write Love on Her Arms, a description is listed above... and it brought me back. About three years ago I sketched out a project of my own: using art (photography, music, art, poetry) to capture community; people at work, living, struggling, overcoming, falling, and rising- everyday people- the good, the bad, and the ugly of little towns and big cities- Capturing it all, seeing what life looks like, what it feels like, what it is. How our world affects us and what we can do about it-
This idea, my idea, like so much of our school "work" gets buried away in the notebooks and letters past. I looked in vain for that notebook tonight.
Now I am not saying TWLOHA stole my idea, hardly. I am saying I had a similar idea, a little bit of energy and creativity that made it's way to paper and lit a spark in my heart- a spark that re-lit a lantern. See the "Daring Correspondence" is just that; a notion, an idea, that in everyday life, in all that is right and wrong in our world's, be they big or small, that you have a chance to relate, to correspond. That this chance, this choice, this idea corresponds to you, it hits you in the heart and shakes you to the core.
It could be the light on a group of kids playing in the park, making us feel as if everything is OK; it may be an elderly couple having coffee, allowing us to believe love and devotion to another can outlast the latest divorce statistic; it could be the smile of an old friend, allowing herself to be soaked in forgiveness or even praise, for both are long awaited- It is so normal, yet so daring, so bold.
Because, my friends and family, we have forgotten.
We have forgotten the beauty, the essence, the promise, of every little thing this life has to offer. we have forgotten to the point that to feel these things, to allow life to stir us and move us, we have to be daring. Our part is to be Daring, the Correspondence comes from beyond, from somewhere else, way bigger than us, way too beautiful to comprehend. The Daring Correspondence. A movement, a feeling, a way of life.
As if this little project of mine just began, it is time to put it away. I don't know for how long, I don't know if this is an ending. All i know, is that these principles and these Hopes take great courage, yet they are all worth every little effort. I encourage you to see yourself as part of a story, to believe in what is bigger and BRIGHTER. I cannot agree more with the encouragement to "capture your own moments as these stories collide with yours".
Sometimes people, songs, books, poems, and, experiences, serve us and change our worlds. Yet we experience all sorts of different stuff and certain things strike as at different times- sometimes for but a season in our life- and like the fading days of summer or the first flowers sprouting forth, we have to move accordingly, lest we be lost in the heat of the day, or frozen in time-
Goodnight and sleep well.
listen: Switchfoot- "restless" *new*
Switchfoot- *new* "restless"
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Are we really ready to pay for Love?
When the things that you can't hold on to
Are the things that you wish you could
Are you really ready to pay for love
If it costs you everything?
All of God's children
All of God's children
Shining underneath
Shining underneath
I believe in a world that's beyond me
I believe in a world I ain't seen
Past the glass, and shotgun shacks
Violent faceless racist facts
I believe in a world that's made clean
All of God's children
All of God's children
Shining underneath
Shining underneath
Ohhhh, yeeeaaahhhh
Underneath it all
Underneath these scars
Underneath it all
Underneath our walls
Underneath it all
Underneath the bullet holes
Underneath it all
We still don't know who we are
It's shining underneath
It's shining underneath
Is there a well that won't run empty?
Is there a friend that can't be bought?
You'll find them when you're thirsty
Learn the lesson that can't be taught
All of God's children
All of God's children
Shining underneath
Shining underneath
ALL OF GOD'S CHILDREN- Switchfoot
Are the things that you wish you could
Are you really ready to pay for love
If it costs you everything?
All of God's children
All of God's children
Shining underneath
Shining underneath
I believe in a world that's beyond me
I believe in a world I ain't seen
Past the glass, and shotgun shacks
Violent faceless racist facts
I believe in a world that's made clean
All of God's children
All of God's children
Shining underneath
Shining underneath
Ohhhh, yeeeaaahhhh
Underneath it all
Underneath these scars
Underneath it all
Underneath our walls
Underneath it all
Underneath the bullet holes
Underneath it all
We still don't know who we are
It's shining underneath
It's shining underneath
Is there a well that won't run empty?
Is there a friend that can't be bought?
You'll find them when you're thirsty
Learn the lesson that can't be taught
All of God's children
All of God's children
Shining underneath
Shining underneath
ALL OF GOD'S CHILDREN- Switchfoot
Monday, June 20, 2011
My little Poverty
I have been out of college for, let's see, 18 months and am finding it very hard to get "established" after making that final step out of your parents house, yet still needing them, financially every now and then. I am working quite a bit, at least hours wise, and am just beginning to see the light of enough resources to take care of myself fully, almost. Anyways, without disclosing many details I'd like to share a little bit about what my struggle means in the grand scheme of human life and share a story about time spent recently with a good buddy.
My buddy and I were strolling the streets of Concord, coffee in hand, and I asked him, "Ya know, I think people are the most important, I want to help people, what do you want to do?" and he answered, that He was more concerned with nature and the environment and our impact therein. We talked of poverty, riches, preservation, and peace. It occurred to me, very strongly indeed, that I myself, was considered poor, or otherwise, living in poverty, according to U.S. government standards. Yet, here we were, driving around, eating pastries and drinking coffee in a city. NOT POOR.
It made me think about "the gap", "the reality", and "the lie". First of all I am not by any stretch, poor, nor am I living in poverty. According to the world, i am quite wealthy, and, while my bank account may not agree, my heart and soul certainly do. Second, certainly this poverty is not like that poverty. We have different standards in different places, fair enough. But what does it all really mean? We buy a lie, as young people, as Americans, that we are and have the right to be comfortable and safe, at all times. We have no right. Freedom, is fought and earned. What about safety and comfort? Same thing. These are not rights but things to be earned or otherwise blessed with. A time for war, and a time for peace right??? But sometimes we forget, that the truth of it all, is that we often times have to enter into or overcome, dangerous and extremely uncomfortable situations first to find that safety and comfort. Oh, we don't know the half of it!
The reality of all of this, is that we still have poor people in America, absolutely. But the problem is, they are often hidden, or their may even be some politics within their poverty, such as welfare or a certain law pertaining to a certain group of people. We have systems (albeit flawed) to help the poor in our country. As for the ones who refuse help or otherwise do not receive the help they need, in America, well that is up to us, the body, the community to reach out, lend a hand, say a prayer, bake a lasagna, whatever it takes. The reality is, we all have a way here. Wouldn't it be cool if we took care of ALL the Americans and then went out to help the poor in other countries?
Finally, the Gap. No not the clothing store. But rather the space between. It seems there is a gap between these types of poverty. From rich to middle/lower class in this country; but especially from poverty to poverty. Like, for instance, my poverty versus the poverty in Mexico or Russia. Looks different. There is a space. How do we close the gap? How do we build a bridge? Why don't we want to? What is our human responsibility? What is our right (and isn't it a universal one)?
listen:
Shawn McDonald- "the space between us"
My buddy and I were strolling the streets of Concord, coffee in hand, and I asked him, "Ya know, I think people are the most important, I want to help people, what do you want to do?" and he answered, that He was more concerned with nature and the environment and our impact therein. We talked of poverty, riches, preservation, and peace. It occurred to me, very strongly indeed, that I myself, was considered poor, or otherwise, living in poverty, according to U.S. government standards. Yet, here we were, driving around, eating pastries and drinking coffee in a city. NOT POOR.
It made me think about "the gap", "the reality", and "the lie". First of all I am not by any stretch, poor, nor am I living in poverty. According to the world, i am quite wealthy, and, while my bank account may not agree, my heart and soul certainly do. Second, certainly this poverty is not like that poverty. We have different standards in different places, fair enough. But what does it all really mean? We buy a lie, as young people, as Americans, that we are and have the right to be comfortable and safe, at all times. We have no right. Freedom, is fought and earned. What about safety and comfort? Same thing. These are not rights but things to be earned or otherwise blessed with. A time for war, and a time for peace right??? But sometimes we forget, that the truth of it all, is that we often times have to enter into or overcome, dangerous and extremely uncomfortable situations first to find that safety and comfort. Oh, we don't know the half of it!
The reality of all of this, is that we still have poor people in America, absolutely. But the problem is, they are often hidden, or their may even be some politics within their poverty, such as welfare or a certain law pertaining to a certain group of people. We have systems (albeit flawed) to help the poor in our country. As for the ones who refuse help or otherwise do not receive the help they need, in America, well that is up to us, the body, the community to reach out, lend a hand, say a prayer, bake a lasagna, whatever it takes. The reality is, we all have a way here. Wouldn't it be cool if we took care of ALL the Americans and then went out to help the poor in other countries?
Finally, the Gap. No not the clothing store. But rather the space between. It seems there is a gap between these types of poverty. From rich to middle/lower class in this country; but especially from poverty to poverty. Like, for instance, my poverty versus the poverty in Mexico or Russia. Looks different. There is a space. How do we close the gap? How do we build a bridge? Why don't we want to? What is our human responsibility? What is our right (and isn't it a universal one)?
listen:
Shawn McDonald- "the space between us"
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Ruthless, Raw and Broken... Love and Easter lillies @ 3:16
"Love can be, such a non-word... sometimes, it loses its meaning, its potency, like, I really love cheeseburger... like, I really love, a sunny day, like, I really love my family... and all of those are different things. The love that I am singin about in this song is not a pretty, clean, Hollywood Hot pink sorta love. Its the kind of love that is willing to love things that are messy, and even the difficult, and, sorta, kinda gross, kinda things... " -John Mark McMillan (commenting on the meaning behind the song "How He Loves")
That's just it. Love can be used casually, love can be used intensely, love can be unrequited and Love can change the face of the world. Such a word, such an action has so much meaning that even God himself has taken the word to say that HE is it. I strongly feel that, through all of loves meaning, through all of life's defining love, that the sacrifice of a man, for all of his people, for His beloved, is the most brutal and real essence of Love their will ever be. Love is not just Roses or Easter Lillie's for that matter, but love is also answering a friends phone call at 1am, stopping to make sure that car that went off the road is ok, or meeting a friend for coffee even though they have blown you off the last seven times. Love is staring somebody in the eye and saying, "I forgive you". Love is leaving your heart on your sleeve, not looking for a response, or a reward, but because that's all you've got, and you would rather have the courage to put that forward than stifle your truest self into the skin and bones of your being. Love is not always pretty. It is hardly perfect. It may be messy and even gross, but Love, in all its forms, is the choice, is the action that we have to be willing to take, because maybe, just maybe, we experience a little bit of God's own heart when do. Maybe it is in the "pouring out" of oneself, in blood, sweat and tears, that we find what we so desperately seek.
Happy Easter
"We are only asked to love, to offer hope to the many hopeless. We don't get to choose all the endings, but we are asked to play the rescuers. We won't solve all mysteries and our hearts will certainly break in such a vulnerable life, but it is the best way. We were made to be lovers bold in broken places, pouring ourselves out again and again until we're called home." -ToWriteLoveOnHerArms
Video:
JMM- "How he Loves: a story"
That's just it. Love can be used casually, love can be used intensely, love can be unrequited and Love can change the face of the world. Such a word, such an action has so much meaning that even God himself has taken the word to say that HE is it. I strongly feel that, through all of loves meaning, through all of life's defining love, that the sacrifice of a man, for all of his people, for His beloved, is the most brutal and real essence of Love their will ever be. Love is not just Roses or Easter Lillie's for that matter, but love is also answering a friends phone call at 1am, stopping to make sure that car that went off the road is ok, or meeting a friend for coffee even though they have blown you off the last seven times. Love is staring somebody in the eye and saying, "I forgive you". Love is leaving your heart on your sleeve, not looking for a response, or a reward, but because that's all you've got, and you would rather have the courage to put that forward than stifle your truest self into the skin and bones of your being. Love is not always pretty. It is hardly perfect. It may be messy and even gross, but Love, in all its forms, is the choice, is the action that we have to be willing to take, because maybe, just maybe, we experience a little bit of God's own heart when do. Maybe it is in the "pouring out" of oneself, in blood, sweat and tears, that we find what we so desperately seek.
Happy Easter
"We are only asked to love, to offer hope to the many hopeless. We don't get to choose all the endings, but we are asked to play the rescuers. We won't solve all mysteries and our hearts will certainly break in such a vulnerable life, but it is the best way. We were made to be lovers bold in broken places, pouring ourselves out again and again until we're called home." -ToWriteLoveOnHerArms
Video:
JMM- "How he Loves: a story"
Monday, March 28, 2011
a stereotype, a generation, and a young man
Dear young man,
Young man with the beer in your hand, the beer that comes in a collectable set, the kind of set that comes in thirty (what comes in sets of thirty)?
Dear young man, I am sorry, but I just don't understand. I cannot see the point of so many drinks at once, you could come by this store again, then again, I've never quite understood, perhaps I should have asked you?
Dear young man, why is it you caught my attention? Why is it my heart has sunk? Do you even care what I think?
Dear young man, do I have the right to guess what you are doing with your purchase? Should I even care?
Dear young man, are you a student or statistic? Pretty content with life or reeling from the tension? Somewhat found or barely understanding? Where would you go tonight?
Is there a reason to drink alcohol at all?
Am I really Irish?
What color are your eyes?
Do you see me, right behind?
Or is there something you are trying to hide?
Are you escaping or looking to find yourself (or something else)?
What's the point? What isn't the point?
Will you you follow your dream tonight?
Will you forgive me?
Can we grab a cup of coffee sometime?
Listen:
Moving Mountains (cover)- "can't afford this color"
Young man with the beer in your hand, the beer that comes in a collectable set, the kind of set that comes in thirty (what comes in sets of thirty)?
Dear young man, I am sorry, but I just don't understand. I cannot see the point of so many drinks at once, you could come by this store again, then again, I've never quite understood, perhaps I should have asked you?
Dear young man, why is it you caught my attention? Why is it my heart has sunk? Do you even care what I think?
Dear young man, do I have the right to guess what you are doing with your purchase? Should I even care?
Dear young man, are you a student or statistic? Pretty content with life or reeling from the tension? Somewhat found or barely understanding? Where would you go tonight?
Is there a reason to drink alcohol at all?
Am I really Irish?
What color are your eyes?
Do you see me, right behind?
Or is there something you are trying to hide?
Are you escaping or looking to find yourself (or something else)?
What's the point? What isn't the point?
Will you you follow your dream tonight?
Will you forgive me?
Can we grab a cup of coffee sometime?
Listen:
Moving Mountains (cover)- "can't afford this color"
Monday, March 7, 2011
Internal (from the inside out)
Seems as we move faster and faster in the world, with all the communication, media, ideas, etc. that we are forgetting a big thing. OURSELVES. We have many personalities, a multitude of attitudes and faces and a wellspring of things to do with our time. Yet, we are struggling. There are new statistics on the rise and it seems like we young people just aren't as happy as we used to be. There are many, many reasons for this, but i believe the most prevalent one is found within the false self, or rather, as Brennan Manning refers to it, "the imposter".
The community in which I reside has really taken on a new focus as of late. Seems like many of my friends are not only Slowing down, but they are also facing things head on and seeking healing and truth in the process. I have used what I have seen to take stock of things in my own life and see where I am at in terms of being true to myself and the people around me. Scary what you uncover when you look to the past to go forward.
It is also scary that just slowing down, (i.e. sitting down and turning off your brain for a few minutes, meditating, reading or even sharing a cup of tea) with no distractions (school work, television, music) can actually be a terrifying ordeal. As we begin to discover our identity in society as a new age of communication and young people emerge, this may be the biggest threat to our well being and success as world changers and overall happy and fulffilled individuals and communities.
Can you sit and reflect, without being nervous or upset?
Can you sit and tell your mind to hush, if even for a moment?
Can you sit and not be consumed by the fear of a vintage Alfred Hitchcock film?
Can you sit and be... with yourself?
The answer to all of these questions is Yes. Maybe not right now, but it will be a convincing yes. With practice and letting go and slowing down. It may be our only option. So we are all people made for awesome and amazing things. After all, if you can sit and rest, within the "sound of silence" or even, as one friend says, "sit in the pain", then you can see the situation for what it really is, and, in the light of revelation, darkness has no choice but to flee. Once you understand the situation, once you see things for what they are, you can see how you have the strength to overcome, even when things speed up again.
It is only when you allow that spirit to embrace you, that you can see things with eyes of truth and make peace with whatever the "imposter" says, which is not you at all.
If we cannot find this in an increasingly fast paced society, we may never come to realize who we are or what we are actually doing here.
"Nor will people say, Look! Here [it is]! or, See, [it is] there! For behold, the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you]."- Jesus
listen:
Damien Rice- "what if i'm wrong"
The community in which I reside has really taken on a new focus as of late. Seems like many of my friends are not only Slowing down, but they are also facing things head on and seeking healing and truth in the process. I have used what I have seen to take stock of things in my own life and see where I am at in terms of being true to myself and the people around me. Scary what you uncover when you look to the past to go forward.
It is also scary that just slowing down, (i.e. sitting down and turning off your brain for a few minutes, meditating, reading or even sharing a cup of tea) with no distractions (school work, television, music) can actually be a terrifying ordeal. As we begin to discover our identity in society as a new age of communication and young people emerge, this may be the biggest threat to our well being and success as world changers and overall happy and fulffilled individuals and communities.
Can you sit and reflect, without being nervous or upset?
Can you sit and tell your mind to hush, if even for a moment?
Can you sit and not be consumed by the fear of a vintage Alfred Hitchcock film?
Can you sit and be... with yourself?
The answer to all of these questions is Yes. Maybe not right now, but it will be a convincing yes. With practice and letting go and slowing down. It may be our only option. So we are all people made for awesome and amazing things. After all, if you can sit and rest, within the "sound of silence" or even, as one friend says, "sit in the pain", then you can see the situation for what it really is, and, in the light of revelation, darkness has no choice but to flee. Once you understand the situation, once you see things for what they are, you can see how you have the strength to overcome, even when things speed up again.
It is only when you allow that spirit to embrace you, that you can see things with eyes of truth and make peace with whatever the "imposter" says, which is not you at all.
If we cannot find this in an increasingly fast paced society, we may never come to realize who we are or what we are actually doing here.
"Nor will people say, Look! Here [it is]! or, See, [it is] there! For behold, the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you]."- Jesus
listen:
Damien Rice- "what if i'm wrong"
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
We did it!
I admit that I am a bit of a dreamer. Some would call me an idealist. Regardless, I choose to believe in "the better part" as it were. That being said, something struck me recently and I just can't let it go.
Where I live in NH there is a mountain called MT Kearsarge that overlooks a better part of the area. In addition to being home to a fire-tower and the Colby-Sawyer annual "Mountain Day" destination, it is also home to a number of hiking trails. The longest trail, titled "Lincoln Trail", travels just under ten miles up the mountain and back to the original destination of Mt. Kearsarge. This trail first ascends the little brother to Kearsarge, called "Black Mountain".
Now what struck me about this situation is that Black Mountain was supposed to be purchased by a contractor and turned into condos on the side of the hill. That would have knocked out the trail and really been an eye sore for those who live in the area or travel south on Rte 89. So the nature conservation had to raise some money to save Black mountain.
Well, this story ends happily and Black mountain will remain conservation land. I am super excited and very grateful that they were able to make this conservation possible! However, what shocked me was the money it took to get there!
1.2 million dollars.
That's correct.
1.2 MILLION DOLLARS $1,200,000
That's a lot of money, and i do not know just where the money came from or even if it is to be paid over many years or what.
But what shocked me, besides the amount, was that a community could raise over a million dollars for a piece of land, but yet we can seldom give $20 to our church or put a five in a homeless man's cup.
The title on the flyer said, "we did it"
and
I am super pumped to keep playing in the forest on Black Mountain.
But it makes me wonder.
As if it hasn't been said enough, being the wealthiest (or at least second) wealthiest country in the world how come their is still so much poverty and pain due to problems that could simply be fixed by very small financial distributions.
Should we buy a mountain or a clean water for a village?
Should we buy a mountain or give some meals?
Should we buy a mountain or a battered w omen's shelter?
Is the world really a cruel an unfair place or are we?
Even though I love Black Mountain, when given the option, I would much rather spend, or rather, distribute my "expendable" financial resource elsewhere.
listen:
Sleeping at Last "emphasis"
Where I live in NH there is a mountain called MT Kearsarge that overlooks a better part of the area. In addition to being home to a fire-tower and the Colby-Sawyer annual "Mountain Day" destination, it is also home to a number of hiking trails. The longest trail, titled "Lincoln Trail", travels just under ten miles up the mountain and back to the original destination of Mt. Kearsarge. This trail first ascends the little brother to Kearsarge, called "Black Mountain".
Now what struck me about this situation is that Black Mountain was supposed to be purchased by a contractor and turned into condos on the side of the hill. That would have knocked out the trail and really been an eye sore for those who live in the area or travel south on Rte 89. So the nature conservation had to raise some money to save Black mountain.
Well, this story ends happily and Black mountain will remain conservation land. I am super excited and very grateful that they were able to make this conservation possible! However, what shocked me was the money it took to get there!
1.2 million dollars.
That's correct.
1.2 MILLION DOLLARS $1,200,000
That's a lot of money, and i do not know just where the money came from or even if it is to be paid over many years or what.
But what shocked me, besides the amount, was that a community could raise over a million dollars for a piece of land, but yet we can seldom give $20 to our church or put a five in a homeless man's cup.
The title on the flyer said, "we did it"
and
I am super pumped to keep playing in the forest on Black Mountain.
But it makes me wonder.
As if it hasn't been said enough, being the wealthiest (or at least second) wealthiest country in the world how come their is still so much poverty and pain due to problems that could simply be fixed by very small financial distributions.
Should we buy a mountain or a clean water for a village?
Should we buy a mountain or give some meals?
Should we buy a mountain or a battered w omen's shelter?
Is the world really a cruel an unfair place or are we?
Even though I love Black Mountain, when given the option, I would much rather spend, or rather, distribute my "expendable" financial resource elsewhere.
listen:
Sleeping at Last "emphasis"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
