faith

Merry Christmas & God Bless

Published December 23, 2014

Was invited to attend a Christmas candle lighting service at flatironschurch on Saturday in Lafayette. A stranger a row in front turned and lit my candle. I stood like a goof for 10 seconds ‘til I spread my light to 2 strangers a row behind me. What seemed only moments later, more than a thousand candles lit this building. The church leader asked us to lift our candles, look around & remember ‘you are not alone’. It was a simple, yet very moving expression of faith.

Holiday season can be a tough time. If not surrounded by family, young children & significant others during the holidays – easy to feel out-of-step with the rest of the Christmas crowd.

Luckily I’m insulated with a tight friend base. Friends are family we choose for ourselves.

That said, family – blood relatives we clan with as youngsters are vital to how we’re wired. No matter your faith, you gotta think ‘what connects us by clan’ is omnipotently directed…that it’s more than random procreation.

None of my siblings climb mountains or live in my time zone – however, when together we share a unique connection.

During this holiday season, reach out & connect with family. It’s not always easy – family members say & do hurtful things we would never allow friends.

I sincerely believe we are part of a bigger plan. Focus on this day, on tomorrow, on the day following tomorrow — leave yesterday in the past. This holiday season don’t just give, for-give.

Merry Christmas & God Bless.

(favourite clip from The Color Purple)

Posted in Life | Tagged faith, holidays | 2 Comments

buddhism & gnomes, Red Feather Lakes CO

Published October 19, 2013

Working in a small work setting during the season change, means lotta passing of airborne illnesses. Last year I was successful in fending off the germ pool with daily doses of Airborne & Emergen-C.

This year – complete fail. Forgot to start the daily regimen. ARGH! I hate being sick. It’s so much harder for guys (ok maybe that’s just my version of reality).

Weekend camping – didn’t happen 🙁 (In addition to being sick, been catching flack for less than stellar church attendance this summer/early fall.) So…kicked around & did nothing? Wrong.

My friend M offered to drive – today’s destination: Red Feather Lakes, CO. And although I didn’t feel hike worthy, lucky enough to see both highlights on my eclectic Red Feather wish list.

About an hour west of Fort Collins, barreled down a series of county roads to the Shambhala Mountain Center. Buddhist temple built deep in the Rockies – seriously? Got to see it.

friendly warning — Don’t expect this to be a popular viewpoint, but I believe my God loves all his people & works through a series of faiths/religions to develop & activate our spirituality. HUGE fan of prayer & meditation.

Temps dropped & snow started to fly. Coincidence, maybe. But nothing lifts & supplicates my spirit like walking/breathing/hiking in the Colorado Rockies. Add snowfall to the recipe. WOW, I’m a blessed individual 🙂

Followed a trail of Tibetan banners to the Great Stupa – maybe half-mile away. Because of the weather, almost had the whole place to ourselves this day. No I’m not a follower of Happy Buddha, so why go? I challenge you to put your mind in the right place – push out judgment & preconceived ideas – get quiet, close your eyes, breathe, pray/meditate.

Watched a small herd of horses walled in by mountain canyons. Amazing, unexpected experience.

2^nd highlight – how ‘bout a complete 180? HA!

Walked Elf Lane – a random dirt road off Hiawatha littered with gnomes, dwarves, angels & action figures. (Thanks Leslie for the heads-up and your office desk tchotchke donation. Much appreciated!)

Big flakes now falling – super fun-day adventure. Gnomes hiding under trees, on rocks, hanging from branches, hangin’ solo, coupled, ganged-up together. Holiday gnomes, summer lawn gnomes – who knew there was so much variety?

Fever & a sore throat – ouch. New snow, mountain temples & lawn gnomes – chicken soup for the soul.