An example of openmindedness

Today I want to celebrate openmindedness. I found a breathtaking example of it last night when trolling my friends on Facebook.

Not that the person isn't touching on a hot-button issue—she is. But her reporting of some information she found is so matter-of-fact it took my breath away. What it indicates to me is a person who is so comfortable entertaining new ideas that they don't even faze her; a person who looks at each issue fairly in the face and comes to her own conclusions.

The below is from my college-student friend Jen's notes in Facebook, posted here with her permission. I caution you, her comments may challenge you. I recommend spending a few moments clearing your own head and committing to reading it all without argument, just to get the sensation of how an open mind works. I know I had to read it a few times myself.

this is mostly a note to myself, but i might as well share it on fb while i'm at it. so i'm reading the anatomy of dependence by takeo doi for my capstone, and its totally awesome, and doi's talking about Japan's homosexual / homosocial society, and he cites a passage in kokoro by soseki where sensei tells the main character "you came to my place, a man of the same sex, as a stage on the way to making love with the other sex." from what i've studied, it was a fairly common belief in Japan, that seemed to be expressed a great deal in the 1910s and 20s, that homosexuality was a natural part of a person's sexual and emotional development. the homosexual phase of one's life usually occurred during adolescence, although the character in kokoro is a little bit older, emotionally he often seems to act like an adolescent. anyway, this belief was also often expressed in magazines for teen girls, and though i haven't studied anything about it, it might have been the same for boys. today i don't think this belief is quite so explicit, but it still pops up every so often, and of course stories about homosocial relationships are still very popular, especially those written for teen / 20 something women. stories about homosexual males are, as they were then, also very popular among young women.

alright, i'm getting really off topic now. the point i'm sort of trying to make is that [my religious college] says that homosexuality shouldn't be allowed, because unlike straight relationships that don't lead to marriage, gay ones don't even help people practice for marriage. the Japanese had/have? the opposite view, that homosexual relationships are very good, if not necessary, practice for marriage....so maybe we should take the Japaneses opinion.. or something... not that i think someone needs to absolutely have straight or gay relationships prior to marriage to have a good marriage.

ok, this is why this is just a note about stuff i'm thinking about when i should be working.

This is what she thinks about in her free time. This is why the rising generation will change the world.

My point in sharing this today is that in this mortal seeming, there are alternative explanations for everything, even those things we are certain we fully understand. As mortal existence rolls along, anything could turn out to be the truth as mortals consent to it. We don't really know what the "truth" is here. It could be anything.

To me, then, it's best to have an open mind, to be non-judgmental, and to be respectfully tolerant and accepting of another's point of view. It's the only way we have any hope of collectively uncovering Truth with a capital "T."

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Follow the angels

I haven't written about angels in a while, but I think about them all the time.

To me, angels are the step-by-step guides that bring you a little further along the path. You don’t always know where they're leading you, but if you trust them, it will add up.

They come in the form of ideas. Call this friend, clear out your wardrobe, email this colleague, get a haircut, introduce yourself to new contacts, plan that trip, buy those tickets, learn about yourself.

And I have no idea where it's going. But I'm convinced the angels are leading me, because when I listen and obey, I become energized, joyous, positive, hopeful.

Sure, I have my moments of doubt. Am I rushing in? Am I making sense? Will I make mistakes? But look at all those fears. They are "I" related. They're all me-focused, and a limited me at that.

The unlimited expression of the Divine that is me has no doubts or fears, no simmering resentments, no history of mistakes. I am, now, all that I've ever been or will be, free from limitation.

This is coming out sort of stream of consciousness, I know. My task for today is being willing to drop limitations and embrace possibility. And then, follow the angels.

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"...enlarged individuality..."

Last week my read-through of Science and Health brought me to the Creation chapter, one of my favorites. This time, perhaps because of my recent emphasis on self-expression, I was struck by how frequently in this fourteen-page chapter Mary Baker Eddy was led to clarify who we are—our identity.

Infinite Mind is the creator, and creation is the infinite image or idea emanating from this Mind. (p. 256)

Man is more than a material form with a mind inside, which must escape from its environments in order to be immortal. Man reflects infinity, and this reflection is the true idea of God. God expresses in man the infinite idea forever developing itself, broadening and rising higher and higher from a boundless basis. (p. 258)

The infinite Principle is reflected by the infinite idea and spiritual individuality, but the material so-called senses have no cognizance of either Principle or its idea. The human capacities are enlarged and perfected in proportion as humanity gains the true conception of man and God. (p. 258)

Man is not absorbed in Deity, and man cannot lose his individuality, for he reflects eternal Life; nor is he an isolated, solitary idea, for he represents infinite Mind, the sum of all substance. (p. 259)

Science reveals the possibility of achieving all good, and sets mortals at work to discover what God has already done; but distrust of one's ability to gain the goodness desired and to bring out better and higher results, often hampers the trial of one's wings and ensures failure at the outset. (p. 260)

Breaking away from the mutations of time and sense, you will neither lose the solid objects and ends of life nor your own identity. Fixing your gaze on the realities supernal, you will rise to the spiritual consciousness of being, even as the bird which has burst from the egg and preens its wings for a skyward flight. (p. 261)

Mortals must gravitate Godward, their affections and aims grow spiritual, — they must near the broader interpretations of being, and gain some proper sense of the infinite, — in order that sin and mortality may be put off. This scientific sense of being, forsaking matter for Spirit, by no means suggests man's absorption into Deity and the loss of his identity, but confers upon man enlarged individuality, a wider sphere of thought and action, a more expansive love, a higher and more permanent peace. (p. 265)

The pains of sense are salutary, if they wrench away false pleasurable beliefs and transplant the affections from sense to Soul, where the creations of God are good, "rejoicing the heart." Such is the sword of Science, with which Truth decapitates error, materiality giving place to man's higher individuality and destiny. (p. 265)

I love how, in Science, spiritual progress does not lead us to lose our identity, but frees us to express it more expansively. In fact, that's a natural result of true spiritual growth—"enlarged individuality, a wider sphere of thought and action, a more expansive love, a higher and more permanent peace."

Sign me up!

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Honor, not become

Went to a parenting seminar over the weekend, with a speaker who was full of wisdom and good humor. She spoke to an audience of mostly parents of teens. There was a lot of knowing laughter and good natured head shaking.

She talked about adolescence being very similar to when children are toddlers—full of curiosity, widening their boundaries, trying to gain control, etc. If we can think of the things teenagers do as curiosity rather than rebelliousness, we'll be less likely to go crazy. She also recommended "teen proofing" your house the same way you "baby proofed" years ago—i.e., be sure to lock up your liquor. I thought to myself, And your car keys!

But in the end, I left feeling very grateful. Sure, there are the things that make me want to tear my hair out, but my current teenager is actually pretty amazing. He knows his own mind; he follows his own path regardless of pressure from others—which includes me and teachers, but it also includes his friends; he comes to talk to me frequently about his life and conclusions; he's got a compassionate heart that values fairness and honesty; and 95% of the time, he's a joy to have around. The seminar put these things in perspective for me.

The other point that I wanted to share here today is something funny the speaker said: "The commandment says to honor your father and your mother, not *become* your father and your mother." Ha!

So our kids are not us. Adolescence is about them finding out who they are irrespective of us. At first, this may seem like they are the anti-us. We may react and want to snap them back to what we want them to be. They will resist this, and rightfully so. Better to stand out of the way and let them know we're as eager as they are to see how they're going to turn out—and that we're sure it will be amazing.

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More on romance

I liked the discussion that ensued after the romance entry this week, so thought I'd put it up so everyone would see it.

At 1/22/2008 10:28:00 AM, Anonymous said...

Dear Laura,

Be careful not to shut the door to a future relationship because you feel like you are "done" now that you realize Love is all we need, and that you have it right now. This sense of satisfaction may be just the thing some lonely, but fine man will need in his life at some point -- and you would be a great blessing in his life. God governs our relationships. Yes, our one true relationship is with Him, but it is manifested in our human life in whatever way blesses us most. So, don't close your mind or your love (which you express in abundance), and be willing to share your life with another, if that would bless each of you. Just because today you are doing well without a male companion, doesn't mean that you will never have a romantic relationship again. Hand it over to God who 'setteth the solitary in families.'

Vicki

At 1/22/2008 11:24:00 AM, Anonymous said...

I agree with Vicki...Divine Love expresses Herself through our human relationships.

However, this reminds me of two Bible verses in Isaiah:

"For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called."

"Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.

For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;

Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off."

God is Love...He is all the love we really need. I am trying to see God as my Husband on a daily basis. And I am realizing that one day I will come to a point in my experience where I will be complete and Soul will rejoice in its own, where human passion has no part. Your blog reminds me, once again, that I am already complete...with or without a man in my life :)

At 1/22/2008 03:15:00 PM, Anonymous said...

I just wanted to express my gratitude for your blog (even if Fridays and holidays are out :P). Your posts are often so timely for me. Today's post is no exception; yesterday I was having a lonely day and was even having difficulty focusing on God is Love, my ultimate comforter. But this post, and the CSO meeting last night (intimate size of 2 attending members, including myself) revived my thoughts and gratitude, and reminded me that Love is much more than romance or physical presence. thank you!
-Jules

At 1/23/2008 08:11:00 AM, Laura Matthews said...

Just one more thing I'd like to add, and that is I do resist the assumption that being part of a couple is by definition better than not being part of a couple.

I understand the great benefits and gratitude that happily coupled people feel, and how they want everyone else to be equally blessed. And I thank them for their well meaning hopes for me.

However, being single is just as valid in my book, and I don't think one should assume that because someone is single, they're somehow not finished and they still should yearn for and work toward couple-dom.

There are plenty of single people out here -- are we unintentionally thinking of them all as incomplete?

At 1/24/2008 02:33:00 AM, Magdiel Martinez said...

Laura,

I agree with you. I went to a Christian liberal arts university. There was a phrase coined there: "Ring by Spring, or your money back." I think more than half of my friends there are either engaged or married.

I remember a particular friend who stressed the importance of being married to a Christian guy or girl. I don't think she could ever picture a life in singlehood. This person was so unhappy because they were single and frustrated with not having the "special someone" in their life yet.

I tried my best to let my friend now that she was already complete. She did not need another person to make her feel loved. She is already loved and has all the affection she needs.

I am surprised by a lot of Christians. Some actually "worship" what they call traditional marriage and family, and some actually teach that this is God's will for everyone. The Bible clearly teaches that marriage is limited to this temporal, human experience and that one day "we will be like the angels of heaven" not needing marriage.

Singlehood should never be looked down upon. It should be considered a gift to those who have it. And we should encourage single people to find fullfilment in their identity at God's children :)

What does everyone else think?

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Undefeated promise

I feel really bad about Heath Ledger. He was just plain too young. And this ties in with the section of Science and Health I was reading yesterday.

It was the section in Footsteps of Truth about age, especially page 246. Here are some sentences from that page:

Life and its faculties are not measured by calendars. …

The measurement of life by solar years robs youth and gives ugliness to age. …

Except for the error of measuring and limiting all that is good and beautiful, man would enjoy more than threescore years and ten and still maintain his vigor, freshness, and promise. …

Each succeeding year unfolds wisdom, beauty, and holiness. …

Let us then shape our views of existence into loveliness, freshness, and continuity, rather than into age and blight.

Vigor, freshness, promise… wisdom, beauty, holiness… loveliness, freshness, continuity… these are uninfluenced by the number of times we've circled the sun.

Here's what I wrote in the margin:

Youth is figuring out how to navigate here. Maturity is when you've figured it out and can get things done. I wasted so much time on youth. Now I am truly new. There is no depletion.

As I read yesterday, I thought of each of us, dumped into this material world as babies, with no general users manual or individual specific instructions. Why are we here? is the question, both individually and collectively. So we then commence a long process of education, trial and error, during which time we gradually figure out through testing and experiment what works for us and makes us happy. We can then move forward with fulfillment and purpose.

This process for me took thirty-three years. I made many mistakes, because although I had wise, more experienced folks looking out for me, they weren't me so they couldn't figure this out for me. But at about age thirty-three, I stopped making mistakes. I figured out through my experiences what was harmful to me and what was healthy. Every choice since then has been deliberate and I've taken responsibility, grown from it and charted my own path.

It's at this point that mortal, negative thinking would try to tell me, well, you're too old now to benefit from all that you've learned. Time now to slow down, give up, get smaller. In fact, it's right when we're at that point of deepened understanding that mortality tries to undermine with age beliefs what should be the next step—increasingly full fruition. I thank God for the insights from Mary Baker Eddy that have taught me not to accept or listen to those mortal lies.

I'm certainly not done; I have plenty more to do. But the questions of youth are behind me, and the promise of life is before me. I have an outlook that fills me with confidence and expectation. I have energy, joy, "freshness," "wisdom." My calendar age is irrelevant.

I think what gives me pause when I hear about young people who have exited this stage too early is that to me, they didn't have the time to get it figured out. They made one mistake too many in that experimental phase. We all feel that tragedy, because we know what it took to get through that part ourselves.

For those of us who make it through, we still have all the promise of infinite expression before us. God speed!

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Romance: Is it necessary?

Note: No, I didn't blog yesterday! What's happening to me? Actually, if you read the fine print on the entry where I talked about not-on-Fridays, I also included holidays (unless the occasion especially moved me). So I'm a slacker. Happy Tuesday!

TIME tells us this week that romance is essential to human existence. "Why we need love to survive" is the sub-head.

I found a lot of what they had to say intriguing, but it felt like I was a Martian investigating the rituals of some completely alien species. Which isn't to say I don't have some history with the subject, just no recent interactions of the romantic variety. I have some great male companionship now and then, this is true, but no ongoing relationship.

So I'm writing today to ask, Am I weird that I don't feel anything lacking? TIME's piece seemed predicated on the idea that we *need* it, not that we choose it or emphasize it. Am I so distanced from the experience that I don't even miss it anymore? Or am I genuinely complete without it?

I have well-meaning friends who tell me that when the time is right, I'll find someone. I read articles that tell me how to be more attractive or how to loosen up. I watch movies that imply "guy gets girl" is the only valid happy ending. But what if I'm done, now? What if the time is right, now, and this is what I am? What if I'm as amazing as I am, and the real answer is to be me, alone?

Huh. I can face that possibility with courage, because interestingly enough, my life is great. This may just be it, and that wouldn't be bad news.

So I guess my point is, with it or without it, life can and should be great. If we're complete ideas of the one Mind, it's possible to break with human convention and have all that we need right now. "All you need is love," as John Lennon says, but that love is Love. And if you have that, you're done.

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Am I going to hell?

Just finished that book about Billy Graham, The Preacher and the Presidents (wrote about it before here). Quite revealing, and to be honest, it creeped me out a little.

Not that I have anything against Billy Graham as a person. He came across in the book as genuinely sincere, truly striving to be a servant and to witness to whomever he could. And who wouldn't witness to presidents if given the opportunity?

He also, however, came across as somewhat naïve, at least to me. What creeps me out is his allowing himself and his position and popularity to be used for political purposes—that he didn't necessarily recognize, or worse he was complicit in, the fact that he had political influence. To find out that memos are regularly written at The White House about how to use Billy Graham to secure votes just sets my teeth on edge.

This is not a new thing, either. It goes back to the days of Truman. For the last sixty years, presidential politics has been inextricably bound up with the evangelical branch of Christianity. Billy's access to the presidents also opened the door to additional access from religious leaders, who haven't always been quite as high-minded in their goals or tactics. It made it seem like it is okay for religion to have a role in policy-making.

What does this mean to me in this election year? I think I've come to one very strong conclusion: I don't want to be represented by a president who thinks I'm going to hell. If there were one question I could ask all of the candidates, it would be this: "I don't subscribe to the same belief system you do. I haven't performed the rituals or made any vows that your faith tradition would recognize. Do you think I'm going to hell because of this?"

Not that I believe in hell as a place, per se, because I don't. But I don't want my leadership to think I'm headed that way, because that would mean to me that they probably wouldn't invest any time in making my life better here. Why should they, when they think my soul is a loss anyway? Wouldn't they instead invest their time in supporting and paving the way for those they believe they're going to meet on the other side?

In other words, someone who thinks I'm going to hell is not going to care about me, or my family, or anyone of my belief system. They're not going to represent my best interests or put themselves at risk on my behalf.

And hell, that's what I'm electing them to do. So my vote is going to someone who won't be surprised to meet up with me in heaven.

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Well, okay, *Mom* noticed

My mom just called and said, "I can accept that you don't blog on Fridays anymore, but when it starts encroaching into the week, I have to put my foot down."

So, yeah, I didn't blog yesterday. I didn't do it first thing, and the day just got away from me. I remembered at a meeting yesterday evening. Shocker!

But now I'm back. A real blog entry for today to come shortly.

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Not much going on, except clothes

What is up with me and how late I am today? I blame it on the snow.

And I have to say there's not much going on. Didn't have to leave the house today, yay! Things on my mind:

• Election
• New writer I'm training
• Novel
• Dog
• Visiting LA in early March
• Networking group
• Teenager
• Global warming
• Clothes

You know, it runs the range.

That last one is about re-tooling my wardrobe as part of this "expressing my unique selfhood" kick. A friend came over on Sunday and went through everything, pointing out all the things I should never wear again. Ouch! The pile on the floor far outstrips what remains in the closet, I can tell you. Some of the clothes were older than my daughter.

People who have known me for a long time will already be laughing. My best friend in high school used to shake her head at me when I'd turn up in my weird outfits. Okay, I'm a writer, she's a designer. Not a fair test. My former boss one day complimented my shoes. She was so congratulatory that I'd finally at least furnished my feet appropriately, it became a high point of my professional career. I don't even want to mention how many people have recommended the TV show What Not to Wear.

So now I'm trying to learn finally what many people (well, women) seem to know instinctively—what makes them look good.

I'm gaining a new appreciation for this statement from Science and Health:

Beauty is a thing of life, which dwells forever in the eternal Mind and reflects the charms of His goodness in expression, form, outline, and color. (p. 247)

Perhaps it's profane to apply this to clothing, but that's where my mind is going. If I have a form that is meant to reflect the "charms of His goodness," then I suppose it should have proportion, grace, and suitability along with pure function and comfort. In other words, I should know how to dress it as well as how to maintain it. A new concept for me.

I guess for me the revelation, if you can call it that, is that many of my "favorite" clothes actually didn't express me. They did in some elements, maybe, but not in the whole. Time to pull it all together.

I may get a haircut, too.

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The real story

Here's a story that moved me last week, about the parents of both victims and perpetrator in the shooting at the church several weeks ago:

Killer's parents hug, cry with parents of two slain teens

The killer's parents toured the church, saw where their son had died, thanked the security guard for acting quickly, and asked for forgiveness from the parents of the girls who were killed. The clergyman called this the high point of his ministry.

So often in the news we just get the facts. Who killed whom, where it was, what was the killer's history, etc. But what's the truth behind the story? Truth, to me, is why something happened, and then what happens afterward. Sudden, inexplicable things occur in this world all the time. What's paramount is how the people involved respond. What finer qualities do these events force humanity to demonstrate?

Then, out of great evil, we can find that good continues, unchecked. That's the real story.

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"…what Father's smiles are thine…"

Here's my thought for today, a hymn I know from the Christian Science Hymnal. (I wish I could share the tune with you, but the one I'm familiar with is adapted from a Lutheran hymn and the recordings of that hymn do not match these lyrics. If anyone can find the tune online, let me know and I'll add a link.)

Know, O child, thy full salvation;
Rise o'er sin and fear and care;
Joy to find, in every station,
Something still to do, or bear.

Think what spirit dwells within thee;
Think what Father's smiles are thine;
Think what Jesus did to win thee;
Child of heaven, can'st thou repine?

Haste thee on from grace to glory,
Armed with faith and winged with prayer;
Heaven's eternal day before thee,
God's own hand shall guide thee there.

So fulfill thy holy mission,
Swift shall pass thy pilgrim days,
Hope shall change to glad fruition,
Faith to sight and prayer to praise.

—Henry Francis Lyte

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Campaign 2008: Finding your voice

"I listened to you and, in the process,
I found my own voice."

You know, I don't often think of long-time politicos as having a problem with voice just like the rest of us, but there it is. Clinton's summary of the last week for her on the campaign trail expresses that same effort we all have to make in coming into our own.

I hope, too, that everyone will remember that voting and getting involved with the political process are ways of expressing your own voice. Not everyone has to get out there and knock on doors, but speaking up in support of what you believe is essential to the aggregate result.

I've often heard, we get the government we deserve. Apathy and inaction contribute to the government as much as action and passion do. Although I think you all know toward which party I swing, I'd still rather see a government, no matter what party, that is the result of an informed citizenry voting in record numbers than one that happens to be the party I like but is the result of poor turnout or voting the way everyone else does.

Each one of us is a unique expression of the Divine that takes specific form here, alongside each other. The unique-ness is perfect—the expressions have to strive to get along. We move toward harmony when we listen to each other, respect each other, and then voice our honest, informed point of view with conviction and graciousness.

If we were to do that, to behave that way toward each other in the choosing process, then I think it would be easier to support what the aggregate determines even if it doesn't go our way. And that, too, is important—to be able to support our government whether it's red or blue—or purple, or green.

In 2008, we all will have the chance to stand and be counted. Be sure it's your voice, informed, individual and inspired, that we all get to hear.

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Communicating Love: my first stint as grandma

Yesterday marked the ending of my first three days as a grandmother. True, it involved a kittie and not a child (see picture below), but I still found myself feeling very "prior generation."

Maybe it was the way my daughter left instructions for feeding and the removal of the, um, waste products. And the way she taught me to cuddle and smooch the kittie. These instructions were reminiscent of the kinds of things I'd tell my own mother when leaving my son with her.

The smooches, in particular, meant a lot to me. I noticed that when I picked up little four-month-old Pi and made smooch-y noises right next to his ear, the purring would start and not let up forever. I smiled because these were the same little smooches I gave to my own children, right behind the ear, when they were babies. I have many such smooches on film.

We pass along a lot of things to our children. It's not just big picture things like "education is important," and "find something you love as a career," but tiny acts of love and affection, like smooches and hair smoothing and tickling and hugs. Little Pi felt right at home with me because he'd already been taught some of our family things by his own mommy. And I felt a growing affection for him as he responded so readily to the things I did, which were familiar to him already. Kind of a nice compliment from my daughter to me, actually.

Communicating love—or communicating Love, I should say—extends down generations in these simple ways. Perhaps that's more of what makes up family ties than eye color or height or bone structure. How we express affection makes us family. We can bring people into our family circle by extending that affection outward and sharing with others until all families are interconnected in Love.

And now I've wound down to the hope that our world can do this activity more. Spread the forms of affection we value, rather than the ideologies or traditions that divide us. When we meet new friends, introduce them to the things that make us feel most loved. Wouldn't this break down some barriers and lead us to peace?

All this from becoming a grandma. I never knew!

Here's Pi with our doggie Max:

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Taking a chance on friendship

Yesterday I went to a Friends (Quaker) meeting again, with a writer friend of mine who is sampling various houses of worship for a project. (We'll be attending the Christian Science church in a few weeks.)

We had the unique experience of being included in the meeting's "threshing" session afterward. There was an issue before the meeting (their word for membership) about gambling, and everyone was invited to speak as the Spirit moved on the situation.

The session was fascinating. I spoke my truth about gambling (that it involves taking a chance, and I don't like to introduce chance into my life because I believe there's a divine order to things), and listened to the wisdom of the many other speakers. The session started with an invitation to be prepared to have your ideas about gambling changed, i.e., to expect to learn something. And I did!

Without going into too many details, the discussion ranged from casinos to the stock market to the lottery to raffles, and the subject had come up because of something that had taken place with the children of the meeting. So the subject was somewhat sensitive. Speakers would rise and speak, and then there would be some silence to digest, and then another speaker would be recognized by the moderator.

However, the conversation wasn't always peaceable. One person in particular got hurt feelings and stood up to walk out. What happened next was amazing.

Several other friends jumped up to urge this person to stay. They expressed support and love and true fellowship. One friend came over and sat right beside the wounded person.

This person sat back down, which moved me to tears. The following comments soon turned from an abstract discussion about the right / wrong of different forms of gambling to an affirmation that the most important issue before them was treating each other with lovingkindness. Lovingkindness was emphasized and prayed over. The entire discussion took a hour and a half.

And I gained a new appreciation for the term "Friends." Friendship is a commitment to work things out and not break apart, no matter what. This meeting showed their commitment to that ideal. To see this commitment in action in a worship setting floored me. They did not let go until they reached a place of peace.

What else did I gain? I left the meeting wanting to be a better friend.

Your ideas and inspiration are welcome! Please comment below or Contact Laura.
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Goals for 2008

The holidays have wound down now, with both kids back to their own activities and my house to myself (at least during the day)—with the exception of the dog, of course, and the addition of my daughter's kitty, who I'm boarding until Sunday. Both species are quietly napping right now.

I can hardly believe it's 2008. Does anyone else feel like 2007 barely happened? To me, it blipped by in a blink. But I'm glad to say that I did end the year happier, healthier and feeling more fulfilled than I did at the end of 2006.

Now, I'm thinking about the coming year and about goal setting, which I wrote about in my first blog entry for last year. Goal setting to me is different than merely making a resolution. A resolution can sometimes be wishful thinking; goal setting (as my life coach tells me) includes recognizing and achieving the steps to reaching that goal.

So here are mine for this year. (This is so I can look back on these from time to time to see how I'm doing.)

• Understand myself better as God's idea and creation. How? Through continued daily study, contemplation, reflection and rejoicing.
• Help those who ask for it find the next step on their spiritual path. How? By continuing with this Weblog Mon. – Thurs. and talking to anyone who wants to connect.
• Learn more about the world. How? By reading a new book at least monthly, surfing news sites daily, watching and discussing world events and trends on a regular basis with people I respect.
• Finish writing the novel. How? By writing at least 5,000 words a week to produce a first draft, taking a trip to the location in the book as research, doing a second-draft edit, and then looking at publishers.
• Build the long-form editing side of my business. How? By letting clients know I'm available for this kind of work through newsletters and networking.
• Maintain excellent health. How? Through spiritual progress and a disciplined approach to fitness and nutrition.

I had to edit the first three to make them measurable, so they'd be genuinely "SMART." I think these all are achievable. Emily had a great list, too, which I found very inspiring.

I think it's going to be a great year!

Your ideas and inspiration are welcome! Please comment below or Contact Laura.
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The state of the world

This morning as I pick up blogging again, the news seems overwhelming. I'm focused on Kenya and Pakistan especially, along with Uganda because of a DVD about Invisible Children that my niece gave me for Christmas. There's a lot of violence both chronic and explosive.

I gained some hope from my friend Chris's blog entry last week:

The cause and the reformer

She says that reformers meet resistance, yet progress prevails.

I also did some reading over the break about Russia's Vladimir Putin (TIME's Person of the Year) and China (in Newsweek). Many of us can think of times when these countries were as explosive as the ones in the news today. Now, they've come a long way toward stability and entering full-force into the international stage (albeit not through becoming democratic).

So perhaps the cataclysmic upheavals we're hearing about are actually the death-throes of violence. Meaning, the protesters taking to the streets are the beginning of the end, the initial steps, toward nations demanding stability and wisdom from their government officials, rather than despotic control. There will be resistance to progress because those in power want to stay that way. But my hope in these beginning days of a new year is that people everywhere will get the form of government they want, and will then live together in peace.

Your ideas and inspiration are welcome! Please comment below or Contact Laura.
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