incompletely true

there’s something we should realize about our point of view.
and that is that it is only incompletely true.
it is a perspective. nothing more.
it’s suggestive—a part score—
of the incredible totality
of a comprehensive reality.

all that is is. that is all.
but who can take it all in and make a clear call?
all that we see is a part. just a part.
we can’t see what we don’t see,
and knowing that’s a start.

whoever claims more is just bluffing.

so it’s a wonder to me we accomplish anything
when not a single one of us can ever truly bring
a fully formed perception of exactly what is happening.
and everybody’s talking at one time and it’s so maddening.

part of the solution is to look for more.
not to be omniscient, like we know the score.
but to be the person who can share the floor
and gather people’s insights. bring them to the fore.

most of us were taught some type of golden rule,
but it seems to me to be the most forgotten tool.
it’s laid aside in deference to a personal agenda.
a path on rails so hard and straight and difficult to bend. a
closed file. a shut door.
an attitude that nothing more
can be said. or heard. no thought. no word.

when did it become a good idea to ignore the quiet voices?
when we do that aren’t we only limiting our choices?
why don’t we listen to those who don’t see what we see?
why don’t we include their sight in our reality?

i don’t agree that the loudest voice should win.
i don’t think victory should be decided just by din.
i think there’s room for much more humility.
for accord. for rewarding polite civility.

there’s something we should realize about our point of view.
and that is that it is only incompletely true.
but it can become a better thing and I think I know how, too.
for just a moment you be me while i am being you.

Anagram of Scared

My friend Terry just made me think. Very annoying in that way, Terry is.

We are given so many opportunities to be scared. Turning off the news damps it down a bit. But we are scared for each other. More troubling, we often are scared of each other. We are scared of the coming election. We are scared of the economy. We are scared about job security. We are just plain fearful.

It looks like we have everything we need. It's just in the wrong order. What if instead of scared we realized we have so many opportunities to be sacred? God is love. If you're not feeling particularly sacred at the moment, stop and love somebody. There you go. You're doing just fine at sacred. Now be sacred for somebody else. Change it up. Pick somebody you don't know. Even better, pick somebody you believe can't do anything for you. You're probably wrong, but go for it.

If we look for ways to be a light for somebody, we have less time for fear. If somebody is returning the favor, well then there are two lights, aren't there? Fear doesn't do well in the light. If you're of a mind to, share this. One person at a time let's generate a gajillion megawatts of light and send fear scurrying for a dark corner that is nowhere to be found. 

I'll start. I love you. If you are reading this, you are special to me. I want no fear between us. If you feel any, let's talk. 

That's one light. Please make another.

Come to Your Senses

How are you reinforcing the lessons you want to learn well? Do you trigger more than one sense?

I was listening to my father teach Sunday School this morning. We talked about a lot of things. Most of them had to do with Paul challenging people to live what they believe. But we also talked about communion. 

In my faith communion is a sacrament. It’s a sacred act that reminds us what we believe. In particular, it reminds us what we believe about our relationship with our God.

Communion involves eating a wafer of some sort and drinking a liquid, often dark juice or wine. These two elements are symbols of significant acts that we want to remember. Until today I had not thought about what a remarkable lesson this is. It involves all our senses.

During the ceremony surrounding communion we are reminded to look within. To examine ourselves. We hear the important lesson. 

Many times, we must rise, leave our seats, and walk to the front of the room. That is not one of the five senses, but acting intentionally is another good method of reinforcing a lesson. 

When the wafer is presented, we reach and pick it up. We touch it. It is a tangible reminder of an intangible concept. Likewise, when we drink we feel the liquid on our tongue. 

We smell the sweetness of the juice, and sometimes the fresh smell of newly broken bread as we bring the elements to our mouths.

We taste both the wafer and the liquid. We literally ‘take them in’ to our bodies. It is truly a multisensory experience.

I know I have friends of many different faiths here on Facebook. Do you have similar traditions or ceremonies? 

The lessons don’t have to be faith-based. Do you have examples of important life lessons that you are continually re-learning or re-celebrating? Do you use multi-sensory triggers to keep the lesson close? And if you and I don’t, how can we incorporate this lesson that I’ve taken for granted for more than half a century to make sure we hold onto the things worth keeping?

Thanks in advance for sharing!