Welcome to Wales

 

“Welcome to Wales

 

Come to Wales

To be buried; the undertaker

Will arrange it for you. We have

The sites and a long line

Of clients going back

To the first milkman who watered

 His honour. How they endow

Our country with their polished

Memorials! No one lives

In our villages, but they dream

Of returning from the rigours

Of the pound’s climate. Why not

Try it? We can always raise

Some mourners, and the amens

Are ready. This is what

Chapels are for; their varnish

Wears well and will go

With most coffins. Let us

Quote you; our terms

Are the lowest, and we offer,

 Dirt cheap, a place where

It is lovely to lie.

― from “R. S. Thomas: Everyman Poetry”

Photo: RM Blackwell, (c) 2015

Thinking About the Good Stuff: Truth

As it turns out, sometimes the “good stuff” isn’t altogether pleasant.  Yesterday, I was confronted with two uncomfortable truths about myself:  one having to do with my spiritual life, and the other having to do with a friend whom I have hurt deeply.  Ouch!

But, as The Man said, “the truth shall set you free.”  And so, I will embrace these uncomfortable truths, lean into them, and work to make amends, praying for release from the bonds I’ve placed on my own heart and in the hearts of others.  When the release comes, it will definitely be some of the Good Stuff.

 

Thinking About the Good Stuff: Praiseworthy

It is such fun to be on the “alert” for the good stuff… today, I received an email with this video, and it shows something that is DEFINITELY good stuff…  This congregation has decided to be generous, playful, and fun all the while also connecting with their neighbors.  Definitely praiseworthy!

Thinking About the Good Stuff: Justice

 

I’ve been thinking a lot about justice lately.  I’ve added my name to petitions and given money where I hope it will work for the common good, but there is a lot of justice work to do day to day, in the context of my own life.  I’ve been inspired by so many people (not only the historical figures like Martin Luther King, Jr., but contemporary ones as well).  Recently, I read a Facebook post by Justin Normad, entitled I’M THE TEXAN WHO HELD THE “YOU BELONG” SIGN IN FRONT OF THE MOSQUE IN IRVING.  In it, he details how he offered friendship and support to his local mosque as a way of embodying justice and the gospel.  So, yesterday, as I traveled home from the west coast, I made a point to smile and converse with people from other countries.  Today, I made eye contact and smiled at several women in the store who wore head coverings.  But I’ve also realized that lifestyle is a justice issue.  Simple living and eating low on the food chain are important ways to do justice for our planet and the billions of people who rely on it.  So, for the past 18 months, I’ve made it a habit to try my best to eat only one meal a day that contains flesh (meat, fish).  I eat one meal that is vegan (plant only), one meal that is vegetarian (can include eggs, cheese and other dairy products), and one meal with meat.  It may not be a big thing, but it is one small, daily, step I can take to care for the earth and provide for my brothers and sisters around the world.

Tonight’s Dinner:  Whole wheat pasta with mushrooms, garlic and kale.

Topped with toasted pine nuts (to complete the protein)

 

 

Thinking About the Good Stuff: Lovely

The clouds have finally cleared and left a view of the Three Sisters, newly garbed in snow.  Lovely.