Living Out Loud

This time of year, folks in our part of the world are mesmerized by college basketball.  To admit that one does not share this passion is something akin to heresy.  In all honesty, though, that is the case for me.   I realize that I am risking my credibility to acknowledge this fact (particularly as a UNC grad), but even though I don’t really follow the game, I do understand the appeal.

There is something else that I have been following closely, though.  There is another drama that is unfolding this month in North Carolina, and I have been enthusiastically watching and cheering from the sidelines as I hope for a big “win” for a cause that is dear to me. 

This month my friend, David Lamotte, launched a campaign through Kickstarter.com to raise funds to publish “White Flour”, a children’s book that he has written.  This isn’t just any children’s book.  “White Flour” tells the true story, in a poetic style, of an amazing event that took place in Knoxville, Tennessee nearly five years ago.  There, on a beautiful spring day, a group of clowns successfully derailed a white supremacist rally.  Through humor and nonviolence, they completely changed the dynamic and the course of what unfolded in their city that day.

The story captivated David, who, in addition to being a talented singer/songwriter is also a tireless advocate for peace and justice.  He knew that the story needed to be heard.  In a society still troubled by racism and bullying, this story provided a hopeful model of a healthy way to address conflict.  David turned the story into a poem, and now is fulfilling his vision to have it turned into a book.

When David first launched his initial campaign on Kickstarter, it only took twelve days for project supporters to blow past the initial goal.  The response was so enthusiastic that he decided to expand his vision.  At considerable personal risk, David decided to order ten thousand additional books and continue the campaign until the original end date of April 1st.  All along the way, he has shared his excitement and occasionally his concerns with us.  By “living out loud”, he has allowed others to take this journey with him.  His faith, commitment, and courage have allowed everyone supporting this project to play a much bigger game.

What is it about people like David (and maybe even basketball players) that capture our attention and imagination?  For me, it boils down to this: we are touched and inspired by people who use their talents in support of something larger than themselves.   Such people seem especially vital and “real” to us because they are being their most authentic selves.  When we see people using their gifts in a way that is consistent with their vision and values, we are inspired because we get a glimpse of something that is possible for each of us, too.   I call it flourishing.

As a coach, the possibility of a life that flourishes is something that I wish for everyone.  I believe that each of us has unique gifts, and that when we are being our most vital selves, we are able to fully offer our gifts to the world.  In other words, when our lives flourish, everyone benefits. 

Years ago, I attended one of David’s concerts and I bought a T-shirt there.  The T-shirt is so baggy and shapeless on me that one might wonder why I keep it.  What attracts me isn’t the T-shirt itself, but rather the message written across its front:  “Sing Loud.  It’s a big world.”   That phrase reminds me that only I can know my “song”, and only I can sing it.

What is your song?  What vision and gifts do you have to share with the world?  What is possible when you flourish?

If you are caught up in the midst of “March Madness”, I invite you to take a break from basketball and tune in to the game that I’m watching.  Below is a video of David reading his poem, “White Flour”.  If you love it as much as I do, I hope you’ll consider supporting the book launch and will share your excitement with others.  I’m grateful to David for allowing others to participate in his vision.  May we all be inspired to “Sing Loud!”

Pruning

Last week, as the weather became unseasonably warm, I found myself in a conversation with some plant-loving friends.  Was it too late to prune?  When was the best time?  The answer, by a knowledgeable master gardener, was not simple – in short, “it depends.” 

As my friend shared some of his knowledge about appropriate pruning of different plant species, I was reminded about my experiences watching people pruning trees in northeastern Brazil.

One particular pruning incident comes to mind.  There was a gorgeous flamboyant tree in the courtyard of the school that hosted our garden project.  I was particularly fond of it because it was large and shady, and such trees aren’t easily found in that dry, rugged part of the world.  One day, a caretaker at the school decided to prune the tree.  He pruned it so drastically, though, that even the principal was alarmed and asked him to stop before he finished the job.  Already though, so many limbs were on the ground that the tree was a shadow of its former self. I smile to remember how shocked and dismayed I was as I observed what appeared to be ruthless butchering of that precious tree.  Surely, it wouldn’t survive!

Despite my sadness and worry, though, everything turned out well in the end. In the process of witnessing that tree’s miraculous recovery, I learned a thing or two about the tenacity of life in the face of challenges.

It seems to me that regardless of when we prune, or how we prune, the objective is the same.  In gardening, the purpose of pruning is to help a plant flourish.  In our lives, pruning can help us flourish too!  Whether we are clearing away clutter from our physical environment, or from our mental or emotional environment, pruning leaves space for growth and creativity.

In my own life, I will confess that my natural attraction to possibility often creates a values conflict for me in my physical environment.  To sum it up, I keep too much “stuff”!  Should I honor my commitments to frugality and resourcefulness or my commitments to sharing and simplicity?

Recently, I invented an acronym to help keep me on track in my efforts to simplify.  I call it PrUNe!

Pr =Precious.  Is this item precious to me?

U= Useful.  Am I likely to use it again?

Ne=Needed.  Do I need this more than someone else might?

If I answer “yes” to any of these question, I can keep the item.  If not, I recycle it or find it a new home.

I still have a lot of simplifying to do, and I know it will be an ongoing process.  I am confident though, that faithful pruning will leave room for flourishing.

What about you?  Are you doing any pruning in your life?

Flourishing

It is early January and after a busy holiday season, a winter stillness is in the air.   I just brought in a box of fresh produce, kindly delivered by a business that supports local farmers, and I am feeling grateful for anything fresh that can be grown in these shorter, colder days.  If you ride around the North Carolina countryside this time of year, many fields are lying fallow – resting and waiting for spring.

Just two years ago, my family was in a very different situation.  Living near the equator in northeastern Brazil, the days were always warm and long enough to grow an abundance of produce, as long as enough water was available.  In fact, farmers there had to be careful not to wear out their soil.  They constantly had to add rich compost back to their gardens so that they could continue to produce, day-in and day-out.

Our family was in Brazil as volunteer service workers with Mennonite Central Committee, and while there, I had the privilege of helping a school develop a garden project.  The students and I learned a lot about how to care for soil in that project, and the lessons from that experience continue to enrich my life.

I remember that when we started the project, the site for the garden was a bare, clay plot in the school courtyard, nearly devoid of life, and baked as hard as brick under that harsh sun.  The students worked diligently, and it took us nearly a month with picks and shovels just to loosen up the soil!

Once the soil was loosened, we added organic material, and some sand to help keep it that way.  We formed garden rows, and finally started to plant.

Once we planted, the work never stopped.  We had to keep the weeds out, watch out for pests, and make sure the seedlings got enough water.  Every now and then, we applied a “tea” of organic nutrients to continue to feed those little plants so they could have strong defenses.  We had to pay attention to spacing so that the plants didn’t get too crowded and therefore become weaker.

We didn’t just focus on the plants themselves, we had to pay attention to the whole environment.  The flowers that sprouted up attracted bees that pollinated our tomatoes, and birds that ate any pests.  We even learned about plants that could serve as natural pest deterrents!

In the end, we were rewarded with a flourishing garden that provided fresh organic produce for the school and the local market, but more importantly lessons in teamwork, leadership, healthy living, and the interconnectedness of all things.

Growing a life that flourishes is similar to growing a successful garden.  First of all, you have to pay attention to the foundation.  Just as a plant needs rich and receptive soil in which to thrive, our lives need good self-care practices that nourish and sustain us.  Initiating and maintaining these practices requires commitment and dedication.

How are you nourishing the soil of your life?  In this new year, I pray that you are preparing it for the possibility of an abundant harvest!

Ownership

It’s December and at our house that means that we’re celebrating the Advent and Christmas season.  Our daughters, Kristin and Kyra, have been very persistent about urging us to get all of our decorations up.  Every evening since Thanksgiving, they asked us when we could get started.  Finally, the lights are up, our tree is decorated, and we’ve brought out the candles, towels, and tablecloths that bear those familiar hues of red and green. 

If you looked at the usual state of my daughters’ bedroom, you might be surprised that they have been paying such attention to creating this “holiday feeling”.  They aren’t normally so tuned in to their surroundings!  These rituals and the feelings that they produce obviously mean something special to them.

All of this “homemaking” led me to ponder about different kinds of homeowners and what drives them to invest their energies in their physical environments.  For simplicity’s sake, I’ve categorized them into three basic types.  Do you recognize yourself or anyone else in any of these descriptions?

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” – This kind of homeowner has a functional view of their home, and is happy as long as everything is working.  This person doesn’t ask a lot, and doesn’t invest a lot.  If something is in need of repair, however, they can be counted on to get things fixed so that everything is back on track.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” – This homeowner is skilled at risk management and wants to protect his investment.  This person probably makes sure that the gutters stay cleaned out, replaces worn shingles, and powerwashes and seals the deck from time to time. 

“My home is my castle” – This homeowner wants their home to be a welcoming, relaxing space that reflects their values and style.  This person might invest energy and resources in remodeling or decorating their space so that it fulfills their vision of what they want their home to be.

Chances are, you might find yourself in all of these categories at different times.  What about if you transferred these descriptions to the issue of your health and well-being?  If you consider your “self” as your home, what kind of “homeowner” would you say you are?

Do you invest in your health mainly when something is “wrong”?   Do you intentionally avoid risky behaviors, get recommended check-ups and screenings, and try to prevent illnesses from occurring?   Do you develop healthy practices that support your vision of optimal well-being, helping you to flourish and giving you the energy to contribute your unique gifts to the world?

When it comes to investing in your Self, your health, and your well-being – what kind of owner are you?

Living Treasures

Today was Science Spectacular Day at my daughters’ elementary school and I had the privilege of volunteering at one of the presentations.  Two scientists from NC State University did a great job involving third graders in explorations about the properties of soil.  As the students at my table sifted through a sample of the dark, rich-looking material, they exclaimed over their findings:  rocks, twigs, leaves, roots, pine needles.  I couldn’t help but notice, though, that their biggest excitement was reserved for the living treasures that they encountered – worms, ants, beetles, and “roly-polys”.

As I watched their enthusiasm, I was taken back to memories of the school garden project that I created while I was a volunteer service worker in a semi-arid region of Brazil.  Although I had dabbled in gardening for years, I didn’t really realize how much I loved it until I shared that joy with the middle and high school students who were a part of the project. It was hard work, but the harshness of the landscape, and the challenges we faced seemed to make the beauty of the garden all the more vivid and precious.

Of all the things that I enjoy about gardening, there is one thing that I love most  – the sight of a new green shoot bursting its head above the earth.  After all the work of preparing the soil, planting, watering, and weeding, I reach the point where I have done all that I can do.  Now, all I can do is watch as the sun warms the earth, waiting and hoping that life will emerge.   When and if it does, it still seems miraculous to me!  The hope and potential expressed in this small being always lift my spirits.

“I think that I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree," wrote Joyce Kilmer.  Nature has long been a source of inspiration for poets, visual artists, and musicians.  What is it about experiences with nature that speak to us so profoundly?  For me, encounters with nature bring a sense of wonder and gratitude.   There is something more, though.  Observing nature reminds me that each creature has a part to play in the grand symphony of life.  When I see a bird being a bird, I am moved by how it expresses its’ unique essence.   Without it, the richness of the world would undoubtedly be diminished.   Experiences with nature cause me to appreciate our uniqueness and our interconnectedness. 

Like the sprout or the bird, I think that we also are part of the symphony of life.  We each have a unique essence that is ours to contribute, and when we don’t, the world misses something.   When we discover our essence and express it fully, we have an experience of vitality and fulfillment.  When we are our most authentic selves, we are able to use our talents and our gifts to make a difference.  Each of us is a living treasure, unique and irreplaceable.

How will we choose to spend the treasure of our lives?