PLANS- the Track Record
"It's so crazy how suicide occupies the minds of so, so many happy people
Don't lie you know you've thought about it, we all have
Part of growing up is asking questions
Isn't it mad weird how our wildest dreams tell us about our fears and what we want out of this life
Some say that it's healthy to experience breakups, mistakes, letdowns, or the death of a loved one
We owe all that we have to the people in our lives
We can only hope that this song reaches you in time
(Two pairs of eyes share a beautiful silence
Perfect weather breeds perfect smiles
So show me that face when you can't hold back yours
Plans to wake up on the beach
You know how it feels so fucking awesome when a song lets you know that you're not alone
Well these 3 minutes will beckon you too think, dance, live, learn, teach, and love)
So i'll meet you in front of Hagerstown at 10
And we'll live for the single moment
I swear i will hold you
On this bathroom wall forever
I promise not too hold this grudge against you
if you love like you've nothing to lose
I swear i will hold you
We owe all that we have to the people in our lives
We can only hope that this song reaches you in time"
Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, whatever thought is on your mind,
I Hope it finds you well.
More then well,
I Hope it finds you Alive and well-
The purpose of this life is to truly live- -
The Track Record- Plans (to wake up on the beach)
Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
2nd wind
For such a race, there are great stories. Each day is filled with triumphs, overcoming, Hope and heartbreak. Similar to the recent soccer world cup, there are rrepresentatives from all over the world. It is beyond category!
My favorite stories are the ones of courage and passion, or, as the Italians call it, panache! The days where a rider breaks away from the pack all day and wins the day in front of his compatriots or when a rider finishes the race despite a crash that would put most in the hospital for a month. The stories of true grit, and never giving up. Of setting your sights on a goal and reaching it no matter what.
This years tour has been full of such stories. Even today, Lance Armstrong attempted to win the day by riding over four mountains solo to the finish over one hundred miles. He did not make it. However, his effort was valiant and had all the fans reminiscing about his wins just a few years back.
But it was truly the attempt that took the most courage and gave everyone, especially Lance, a reason to Hope. This is every bit a parallel to real life. We are more then halfway through summer. For many their have been great struggles, beautiful and equally gut wrenching stories, reasons to Hope and reasons to doubt. Yet it is in the attempt, in the saying "yes", in the moving on, even if that movement is at a crawl; it is in these things that our stories are truly made complete.
In endurance sports, after the rush and speed of the opening of a race, or a long mountain climb, an athlete is said to get their "second wind". A rush of adrenaline and strength that leads them to get back in the hunt or otherwise continue on towards the goal.
My Hope is that,
wherever you are,
in reality and passion,
in spirit and in truth,
that you are on your second wind, or quickly approaching this renewal, while keeping an iron focus on the goals of Life and Love.
This is not just my Hope, but it is also my belief. I know that you will find that strength, from deep within, and when you do, know that you are courageous and lovely, a bright spot in a universe that would sometimes seem against all that is good and true.
It may not start with moving all the mountains in your life,
but it may just begin with YOU.
Listen:
josh moore- "too good to be true"
Dedicated to Vino'- for second wind, and second chances...
(photo courtesy of Graham Watson)
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
presence: Part II
In the last post I spoke about companions and shared a little bit about the companions I have been so fortunate to have in my life. The companions I have and the companion I am leads into this next idea of presence; that we can be in a place, in different places during a day, yet we may not actually "be there". Companionship is so great and so important because it allows you to share your heart, to share the very essence of life and living. It may actually slow life down, slow it down to allow you to breathe, to laugh. But this is under duress. Companionship and slowing down enough to grab a cup of coffee with a friend is becoming more and more difficult. We are Moving TOO fast people! One issue I see with this is the fact that we can be in different places and do different things over the course of a day and yet not really think about anything we have done or witnessed. We are not present in the very life we are living!
There is a scene in one of my favorite movies, Garden state, where Andrew (Zach Braff) has just finished telling the story about how his mother became paralyzed when he was a child. The scene is set as four people are sitting by a fireplace and the only light cascading through the room is the lit place in a giant, yet otherwise empty living room. Andrew is sharing the story with everyone, but Sam (Natalie Portman) is the only one really paying attention (they have all had a little to drink). As Andrew finishing telling the story, Sam asks a striking question,
Sam: You're in it right now, aren't you?
Andrew Largeman: What?
Sam: My mom always says that, when she can see I'm like working something out in my head, she's like, 'you're in it right now' and I'm looking at you're telling this story, and you're definitely in it.
Our lives and our relationships are lived out in reality, but sometimes we get so into a moment, usually from the past, that we exit the reality we are in. The thing that is neat about this, is that, even though we are simultaneously in two places, in one story, while sharing the same story or moment, those listening are focused on us and this part of us we want to share. We are "in" one story while living another! Yet the reality of it is that we have to be present to be in either or rather, both.
A great priest once said (Fr. Guissani) "to discover Christ as a presence, we must first come to the conclusion that Christ is indeed, present". Jesus may be the best example of a presence. He was always in the moment, so fired up, so focused. We should be as such for those around us. Human connection is one of the most sacred and amazing gifts we have to share in this life, and even with the best companions in the world, your presence is still required to live out and enjoy this story; to be "in it".
Never underestimate the power of presence. Entering into a place, a situation, a relationship, or continuing into an existing one, means so much to the people around you. I had the opportunity to see an old friend recently. And although we have not kept up for awhile (yet hopefully will this summer!) my presence at his house made hm extremely happy and I believe, was a bit of light for a few of the other guests at the party, especially the kids. Although it was a different setting then I was used to, my presence was needed there, and, as the band Sleeping at Last puts it so well, "the Light that we hold (EVERYONE HAS THIS), must be buried, buried to Bloom".
Dear__________________,
Welcome to summer. I'll be voyaging with you the entire time. Your presence is formerly requested at the rope swing, the mall, the beach, work, the bike race, the family barbecue, the trip to New York, your birthday, the fireworks, camp, your nephews house, a mountain hike, and on and on...
Will you choose to accept? Will you meet me there?
Your gracious companions,
Infinity, Destiny, & Yahweh
listen:
Brooke Fraser- "CS Lewis song"
There is a scene in one of my favorite movies, Garden state, where Andrew (Zach Braff) has just finished telling the story about how his mother became paralyzed when he was a child. The scene is set as four people are sitting by a fireplace and the only light cascading through the room is the lit place in a giant, yet otherwise empty living room. Andrew is sharing the story with everyone, but Sam (Natalie Portman) is the only one really paying attention (they have all had a little to drink). As Andrew finishing telling the story, Sam asks a striking question,
Sam: You're in it right now, aren't you?
Andrew Largeman: What?
Sam: My mom always says that, when she can see I'm like working something out in my head, she's like, 'you're in it right now' and I'm looking at you're telling this story, and you're definitely in it.
Our lives and our relationships are lived out in reality, but sometimes we get so into a moment, usually from the past, that we exit the reality we are in. The thing that is neat about this, is that, even though we are simultaneously in two places, in one story, while sharing the same story or moment, those listening are focused on us and this part of us we want to share. We are "in" one story while living another! Yet the reality of it is that we have to be present to be in either or rather, both.
A great priest once said (Fr. Guissani) "to discover Christ as a presence, we must first come to the conclusion that Christ is indeed, present". Jesus may be the best example of a presence. He was always in the moment, so fired up, so focused. We should be as such for those around us. Human connection is one of the most sacred and amazing gifts we have to share in this life, and even with the best companions in the world, your presence is still required to live out and enjoy this story; to be "in it".
Never underestimate the power of presence. Entering into a place, a situation, a relationship, or continuing into an existing one, means so much to the people around you. I had the opportunity to see an old friend recently. And although we have not kept up for awhile (yet hopefully will this summer!) my presence at his house made hm extremely happy and I believe, was a bit of light for a few of the other guests at the party, especially the kids. Although it was a different setting then I was used to, my presence was needed there, and, as the band Sleeping at Last puts it so well, "the Light that we hold (EVERYONE HAS THIS), must be buried, buried to Bloom".
Dear__________________,
Welcome to summer. I'll be voyaging with you the entire time. Your presence is formerly requested at the rope swing, the mall, the beach, work, the bike race, the family barbecue, the trip to New York, your birthday, the fireworks, camp, your nephews house, a mountain hike, and on and on...
Will you choose to accept? Will you meet me there?
Your gracious companions,
Infinity, Destiny, & Yahweh
listen:
Brooke Fraser- "CS Lewis song"
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
A desirable day
"I'd rather get lost with you instead..."
Looking back on yesterday, I can honestly say it was one of those ordinary miracles of a day that we soooo often take for granted. As with all good days, it seems, the day began with some resistance. Evan woke me up at 6:40 after a high blood sugar and all I wanted to do was go back to bed- I didn't.
Evan teaches me a lot about friendship and agape phileo. That is to say, I love him like a brother, but he can also make my blood boil, over the top of the pot, over again. That's how I know I care about him.
The rest of the day was brilliant. Masterful. Astounding.
To revisit, in the caverns of my mind, the sights and sounds of the kids playing at the after school program, as the clouds danced above, in and out of darkness, the kickball game receiving a ten minute rain delay and the kindergartner's dancing in raindrops.
The efforts of a long run in the country, greeting passers by, smiling, moving, breathing, straining; the hills seem bigger today and the animals closer (baby bear!).
Finding yourself in a field with your best friend, musing over life and love, letting the trinity of three gorgeous mountains sweep you away before you attempt to take one another down, in the spirit of all things playful and joyous.
The lowering sun and the elegance of young married couples and their lovely children frolicking on the hillside at the party for their beloved sunshine. Summer skirts, ukulele's, wild flowers and cakes of carrots. All the while quiet conversation and a promise of tomorrow to guide us to a sigh of relief for a job well done and the blessings of the chance to do it again in the morn.
Happy birthday Sunshine!!!
At the outset of the day, Evan, upon being asked if he was feeling better, simply said, "yeah i think this is the best day of my life". Them's serious words. Best implies greater then all others. Best is a big word. Like tallest or longest, flashiest or most hilarious, like perfection, like Jesus. Although I don't think Ev meant to say this day was better then all others, as if perfect, it got me thinkin about perfection. As the above adventures of the day would imply, it was a beautifully dynamic and intricately connected day. Yet as the sun set and the mind wandered, I began to see through to the imperfection of it, counted the few elements or even the sole element I was missing, Hoped for those who had not had such a day, and desired Love even more.
That is to say, Love made perfect (1John 4:18There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love).
Sitting back with a cup of (decaf) coffee last even in, recounting the day, thanking the heavens for a once "quiet" evening, I was greatly humbled, not troubled, by whatever it is I had missed during this "best day". And although I know pretty well what I missed and what I desired, it was humbling, even warming (like a warm drink on a winter day!) to know that it can and will be better; and different, in the future, tomorrow.
(Nothing happens the same twice- Narnia) There is still a great deal to be offered to those who wander this earth. A great romance beyond the mountains. There is still a desire to be met, still a journey to travel; but life IS NOT a checklist, we cannot go about checking boxes of different hopes and goals. Nor is it even close to perfect. Yet each experience has the capacity to draw us closer to our heart-of-hearts, to our innermost being, to who we are created to BE; each experience and even moment has the opportunity to change us or our friends, to make straight this path were on, to leave a mark on our community; to change the very world we live in. Truly, each moment can do this. Until all moments speak perfection and float as eagles, we have each other and we have today.
May your day be humbly hopeful, and happily imperfect; with all you have...
listen:
Mat Kearney- All i Have
photo: www.whitemountainart.com/images/fhs132.jpg
Evan teaches me a lot about friendship and agape phileo. That is to say, I love him like a brother, but he can also make my blood boil, over the top of the pot, over again. That's how I know I care about him.
The rest of the day was brilliant. Masterful. Astounding.
To revisit, in the caverns of my mind, the sights and sounds of the kids playing at the after school program, as the clouds danced above, in and out of darkness, the kickball game receiving a ten minute rain delay and the kindergartner's dancing in raindrops.
The efforts of a long run in the country, greeting passers by, smiling, moving, breathing, straining; the hills seem bigger today and the animals closer (baby bear!).
Finding yourself in a field with your best friend, musing over life and love, letting the trinity of three gorgeous mountains sweep you away before you attempt to take one another down, in the spirit of all things playful and joyous.
The lowering sun and the elegance of young married couples and their lovely children frolicking on the hillside at the party for their beloved sunshine. Summer skirts, ukulele's, wild flowers and cakes of carrots. All the while quiet conversation and a promise of tomorrow to guide us to a sigh of relief for a job well done and the blessings of the chance to do it again in the morn.
Happy birthday Sunshine!!!
At the outset of the day, Evan, upon being asked if he was feeling better, simply said, "yeah i think this is the best day of my life". Them's serious words. Best implies greater then all others. Best is a big word. Like tallest or longest, flashiest or most hilarious, like perfection, like Jesus. Although I don't think Ev meant to say this day was better then all others, as if perfect, it got me thinkin about perfection. As the above adventures of the day would imply, it was a beautifully dynamic and intricately connected day. Yet as the sun set and the mind wandered, I began to see through to the imperfection of it, counted the few elements or even the sole element I was missing, Hoped for those who had not had such a day, and desired Love even more.
That is to say, Love made perfect (1John 4:18There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love).
Sitting back with a cup of (decaf) coffee last even in, recounting the day, thanking the heavens for a once "quiet" evening, I was greatly humbled, not troubled, by whatever it is I had missed during this "best day". And although I know pretty well what I missed and what I desired, it was humbling, even warming (like a warm drink on a winter day!) to know that it can and will be better; and different, in the future, tomorrow.
(Nothing happens the same twice- Narnia) There is still a great deal to be offered to those who wander this earth. A great romance beyond the mountains. There is still a desire to be met, still a journey to travel; but life IS NOT a checklist, we cannot go about checking boxes of different hopes and goals. Nor is it even close to perfect. Yet each experience has the capacity to draw us closer to our heart-of-hearts, to our innermost being, to who we are created to BE; each experience and even moment has the opportunity to change us or our friends, to make straight this path were on, to leave a mark on our community; to change the very world we live in. Truly, each moment can do this. Until all moments speak perfection and float as eagles, we have each other and we have today.
May your day be humbly hopeful, and happily imperfect; with all you have...
listen:
Mat Kearney- All i Have
photo: www.whitemountainart.com/images/fhs132.jpg
Friday, May 28, 2010
High Horses: Horse Feathers
In the early morning sun, i thought, wow I am blessed to have such experiences and even better friends. All of these experiences somehow leading up to this one young man that I am, every one adding to the character and life I hold inside me. This also made me think about Ego. As someone in the Christian fellowship here at CSC and having just graduated I have influence within a lot of areas and have made a great many friends and acquaintances around town. But when something amazing happens or somebody asks me for help, it is easy to get excited and say, wow, "look what I can do".
So upon looking around my room, my conclusion is that alone I can do nearly nothing. But rather, it is with the experiences, the ideas, the music, the books, the Hope and the promise, all narrated by others and orchestrated by a God who cares more then we'll ever know or understand. No, it is not me, but rather the presence inside me, that, in some round-about way, is also my own.
Then again, God gives me the reigns on my story. Within reason of course, but their is the beautiful and majestic realization as a young Christian that Christ makes us move, helps us Love, yet he still allows us to Be. What Love? Can we even comprehend this divine paradox? Everything glorious in the eyes of God, everything orchestrated, yet, everything our own, each DNA strand unique?
My original Hope for this poetic catch phrase, A DARING CORRESPONDENCE, is to find those things that hit your heart; you know what I mean, maybe a friends voice, a song by your favorite band, maybe a chance meeting, or an answered prayer- and see what and why those things strike us and what they mean in the grand story that is our own, or rather, a Story that belongs to and somehow affects ALL people.
I Hope beyond Hope that somehow, God willing, I can be a small part in you realizing you are amazing, that there's a light that never goes out, and it is NEVER too late to begin or pick up where you left off. This is about faith, Hope and Love, but the greatest of these is Love, THE GREATEST of these is Love.
For we are nothing and everything in this world; in the same instant of time. Now that is a beauty to unveil, a Wild heart to live-
"Where had you been?"
Horse Feathers
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
summer skin in the Empire State
There is something special about the first warm days of the year. Snow is all but forgotten (even if it stay til April), school slows and eventually ends, summer plans are made and the dark northeast becomes a tourist magnet for city dweller and hibernating animal alike. I have always thought the term "spring fever" for young men and women is an intriguing phenomenon. Somehow, the weather changing gets people, in body and mind, to feel Alive and rejuvenated, ready to seek out another, hoping for romance...
yet there is a correspondence beyond a summer romance we truly seek.
There is a Hope that does not disappoint,
There is a Love that never fails...
or keeps score
As a good friend reminded me recently, Love is the one thing we never stop seeking as a human race. Maybe it is a part of our being, celestial in nature, cut to the core. Maybe it is written on our hearts. Maybe it is part of the fantasy we attempt to breathe life into. Regardless, Love, and the pursuit therein, is the most cosmically engaging aspect of the human existence and the element that proves we are not so evolutionary after all. Why would a species hold onto an element of their being that consistently destroys and stretches their very existence? And why, upon reaching this love, do they realize it is flawed and many times not enough? How can we be made for this, yet seek more?
this summer, make sure your Passion has purpose <><;
There is something special about the first warm days of the year...
Listening: Matt Nathanson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXvMJ2UF4RM&NR=1
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b4/Niagara_Falls_-_American_Falls_At_Night.JPG
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Breathless expectation
To all my friends at CSC and those friends I have yet to meet;
May your summer be beautiful, like the stars as they move,
That your faith may hold you, as a mother and child crossing the street,
That your Hope may burn bright, as the fire you dance around,
That your love may move, for it is in the moving that we give words their meanings and actions to the heart,
That you may stand to those things that would have you be pushed and pulled to a place outside of your very own destiny,
That you would laugh, love, live free and sing, (ANBERLIN)
And that your heart would be Alive,
So alive that others follow you for the light you posses,
So Alive, you radiate love and romanticize peace.
So to reiterate the message of TWLOHA; every one of us has a story. It's completely unique to us, like our finger prints. Each story ebbs and flows, each story is full of mountain top screams of joy, and bottom of the ocean drowning, dwindling life. Yet we choose to live, because we are Alive. The greatest gift is to truly live. I hope everyone has the people and experiences in their life this summer to help them do just that.
And in learning and living your own story, that you have the courage to step out, in breathless expectation, to go wherever your Hopeful dreams and Bold heart would lead you... (ellipses)
(image CSC website)
May your summer be beautiful, like the stars as they move,
That your faith may hold you, as a mother and child crossing the street,
That your Hope may burn bright, as the fire you dance around,
That your love may move, for it is in the moving that we give words their meanings and actions to the heart,
That you may stand to those things that would have you be pushed and pulled to a place outside of your very own destiny,
That you would laugh, love, live free and sing, (ANBERLIN)
And that your heart would be Alive,
So alive that others follow you for the light you posses,
So Alive, you radiate love and romanticize peace.
So to reiterate the message of TWLOHA; every one of us has a story. It's completely unique to us, like our finger prints. Each story ebbs and flows, each story is full of mountain top screams of joy, and bottom of the ocean drowning, dwindling life. Yet we choose to live, because we are Alive. The greatest gift is to truly live. I hope everyone has the people and experiences in their life this summer to help them do just that.
And in learning and living your own story, that you have the courage to step out, in breathless expectation, to go wherever your Hopeful dreams and Bold heart would lead you... (ellipses)
(image CSC website)
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