No stream rises higher than its source. What ever man might build could never express or reflect more than he was. He could record neither more nor less than he had learned of life when the buildings were built.
– Frank Lloyd Wright
When we hold firm our cups of life, fully acknowledging their sorrows and joys, we will also be able to lift our cups in human solidarity. Lifting our cups means that we are not ashamed of what we are living, and this gesture encourages others to befriend their truths as we are trying to befriend ours. By lifting up our cups and saying to each other, “To life” or “To your health,” we proclaim that we are willing to look truthfully at our lives together. Thus, we can become a community of people encouraging one another to fully drink the cups that have been given to us in the conviction that they will lead us to true fulfillment.
– Henri Nouwen
http://www.henrinouwen.org
As fearful people we are inclined to develop a mind-set that makes us say: “There’s not enough food for everyone, so I better be sure I save enough for myself in case of emergency,” or “There’s not enough knowledge for everyone to enjoy; so I’d better keep my knowledge to myself, so no one else will use it” or “There’s not enough love to give to everybody, so I’d better keep my friends for myself to prevent others from taking them away from me.” This is a scarcity mentality. It involves hoarding whatever we have, fearful that we won’t have enough to survive. The tragedy, however, is that what you cling to ends up rotting in your hands.
– Henri Nouwen
http://www.henrinouwen.org
God is a god of abundance, not a god of scarcity. Jesus reveals to us God’s abundance when he offers so much bread to the people that there are twelve large baskets with leftover scraps (see John 6:5-15), and when he makes his disciples catch so many fish that their boat nearly sinks (Luke 5:1-7). God doesn’t give us just enough. God gives us more than enough: more bread and fish than we can eat, more love than we dared to ask for.
God is a generous giver, but we can only see and enjoy God’s generosity when we love God with all of our hearts, minds, and strength. As long as we say, “I will love you, God, but first show me your generosity,” we will remain distant from God and unable to experience what God truly wants to give us, which is life and life in abundance.
– Henri Nouwen
http://www.henrinouwen.org
bubbles
round rainbows
of temporal soap
surprise showers
bursting
lighter than rain
on lips and eyes
laughter
floating in and around
orbs of shiny gladness
metallic beauty
streaking through the air
rising and falling
dispensing
with formality
as we all chase them
sheer delight
written on faces
where the soft
pop
has just taken
it’s new form
and we have all
become children
once again
AL 5/1/13
We swim in abundance
This day is living
flowing with
intimacy
and abundance
As I reflect on this day
I am full
I went with $8
I gave $5
I was given $40
I shared $20
I left with riches
beyond description and measure
I am stronger because of you
I will never put gas in my tank again
without praying for that circle
of beautiful women
starting with Barbara’s entering, speaking, blessing,
passing hand to hand
that green gift for me
for the same abundance
to rain on them
every day
showers of blessings
running down into
their shoes in sloshy goodness
I have found it true that
there is always enough to share
giving and receiving
are the same act of healing
There is much music
In my fullness
There are symphonies
Playing in my soul
I thank each of you for
your life giving songs
my friends
my sisters
AL 4/27/13
“Self-pity gets you nowhere. One must have the adventurous
daring to accept oneself as a bundle of possibilities and
undertake the most interesting game in the world — making the most of one’s life.
– Harry Emerson Fosdick
He who takes a review of his blessings, looks upon himself as a person engaged for God… He dedicates himself to God.
– Thomas Watson
Recommended reading
One Thousand Gifts
Ann Voskamp
http://www.aholyexperience.com/
A Thousand Beautiful Things
Annie Lenox
Every day I write the list
Of reasons why I still believe they do exist
(a thousand beautiful things)
And even though it’s hard to see
The glass is full and not half empty
(a thousand beautiful things)
So, light me up like the sun
To cool down with your rain
I never want to close my eyes again
Never close my eyes
Never close my eyes
I thank you for the air to breathe
The heart to beat
The eyes to see again
(a thousand beautiful things)
And all the things that’s been and done
The battle’s won
The good and bad in everyone
(this is mine to remember)
So,
Here I go again
Singin’ by your window
Pickin’ up the pieces of what’s left to find
The world was meant for you and me
To figure out our destiny
(a thousand beautiful things)
To live
To die
To breathe
To sleep
To try to make your life complete
(yes yes)
So
Light me up like the sun
To cool down with your rain
I never want to close my eyes again
Never close my eyes
Never close my eyes
That is everything I have to say
(that’s all I have to say)
life: acoustic & amplified 