On my learning mania

I should track this pattern in my life to see if there is, indeed, a pattern.

It's all about my need to rapidly fill my brain with new stuff. Sometimes, there's a theme. Most times, though, it's just about something that crosses my path that hints at fertilizing something long dormant.

This is one of those times.

The best I can describe it is to encounter a cornucopia overladen with things you've never seen before, but have a crazed need to explore. You keep digging and pouring and sorting, never knowing what's sequestered in the very core.

Each new book transforms. Music falls upon virgin ears, creating yet another life-long love affair.

My gratitude to those who are part of my inspiration food chain is boundless ... authors, musicians, printers, manufacturers, transporters, brick-and-mortar and e-commerce providers, libraries: be assured that your efforts have merit and impact.

On Music: My Soundtrack 2

With all the competing demands on my focus, I've set aside my U2 additions for the time being. I'm drawn, instead, to lyric-less melodies. Current choices? All Yo-Yo Ma.

Instrumentally, my bias has been brass for a long, loooooooooooooong time. I think I loved the sound even before my drum corps days. From high-end sopranos and trumpets, through french horns and baritones, the vibrancy cranks my metabolism or calms my heart like no other musical experience.

Why strings right now? There's something about Yo-Yo that reaches my soul. I feel my insides gently relax, my shoulders lose their tension, and the buzzing in my head escapes between the vibrations of his cello.

Thank you, Mr. Ma!

On capturing those memorable moments

A good part of the past week has been filled with sorting through thousands of digital images I've captured at different parish events over the past several years. I was on a specific hunt - Jossie, and another friend who's seriously ill with a recurrence of pancreatic cancer.

I hadn't realized until I started the project just how many events I covered (not to mention another 3 just yesterday), nor how many images I have stored (about 8000 just for St Matthias). While there were some pleasant memories resurrected, a great amount of the time was spent wiping tears away so I could better assess the sharpness of any given picture.

Having a "good eye" for composition and capturing just the right moment is a gift. While I might joke with others that the right equipment really does all the work for you, I'm also the first to admit that God has blessed me with the ability to use all that Pentax stuff in a very effective way.

Photographic skills and talent, though, bring with them an almost overwhelming responsibility. I never know what memories I'll be able to help others cherish just because I happened to be present for a specific moment.

I was able to share some photos with the current RCIA crew this weekend, as well as provide some special extra shots for her family, godchildren, and closest friends. I also passed along some 400+ shots to my friend who is building a memory book for his children ...

Privileges like this - heartbreakingly priceless.

PS - Happy New Year Nancy, Stacy, and your families!

On Music: My Soundtrack (part 1 of what will be many, I'm sure)

Music, in many forms, has played an important role in my life. From my very early days collecting 45s and waiting impatiently for the week's Top 10 on my transistor radio to the present, I'm energized when surrounded by the sounds of voices, other instruments, and syncopated (or not) rhythms.

My most active musical time was certainly during my Douglass College days. I'll save the details for another post, but use the reference as a preamble to where I'm at today.

I've let happen what a younger me would certainly be embarrassed over ... I've really not kept current with ever-emerging sources of music.

One group, in particular, keeps coming in and out of my environment and my experiences, and I've taken steps to explore them further: U2. Yes, I know they've been around long enough for eligibility for entrance into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Truth is, they didn't reach the US shores until well after I completed my undergrad degree, a clear line of demarcation in my ongoing music formation

From John Dear's A Persistent Peace (which I have finished reading, btw) to President Obama's pre-inaugural concert, Bono and buddies have been impatiently tapping on my shoulder to lend them an ear. I have, right now, Achtung Baby and their U218 Singles sitting right next to me, and am waiting for their How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb to arrive by mail.

I'll keep you posted.

On words and their promise

Here's a quick quote from President Obama's inaugural speech, just a few hours ago:

And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.

Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.

First, as someone born in the year that Rosa Parks decided she was too tired to follow a silly rule about what seat she chose on a public bus, I celebrate today!

Now, back to Obama's words ... so simply and so eloquently, a cause for peace is made. Be for peace, and our friendship is guaranteed. It's not our military might that will restore our moral standing.

Of course, our history isn't very stellar in this regard. Weaning away from a military first-response will take courage.

President Obama, may you be true to your promise today.

God bless the leadership of each country, especially my own. God bless Barack Obama and those he holds dear.

God bless us, everyone.

On Dying: Jossie Pettit

Jim got the call during Mass this morning - Jossie has left us.

I met this wonderful woman less than five years ago at a Commission Leadership Meeting, but feel like I've known her much, much longer. She came to active ministry at St Matthias through her service on the Community Life Commission, an ass-backwards way to get involved as she described it. Usually, someone would come to the Commissions after some length of involvement in a supporting ministry, but not Jossie.

Our initial encounters bordered on the confrontational, but that soon passed. Soon, we were spending time together planning the Gathering of Ministers (thanks, still, to Marty and Nancy Collins for their hospitality!) as well as through RCIA.

It was at the RCIA Retreat last Palm Sunday weekend that she shared the news with us - her cancer had returned. The chemo robbed her of her hair and her energy, but never her determination to be with us. Even with her most recent hospitalization, I was certain she'd be back with us soon at our Sunday sessions, and there to serve once again as a sponsor during the Great Easter Vigil.

My tears, today and to come, surely aren't for her. She's no longer in pain, no longer debilitated with nausea, no longer needing to find yet another hat or piece of QVC jewelry in pink to fuel her recovery. While she starts this new phase of her time with God, I'll be missing her.

Selfish on my part? Sure. As those closest to her will certainly attest, she's worth it.

Jim, rest of the Pettit family, Jossie's friends - my prayers are with you.

On Peace: Some thoughts from Fr John Dear

I've been - what word should I use? - preoccupied with peace for a good part of my life. That's not to say I've been a faithful disciple of peace, not by any means. I've come closer to where I need to be, inching slowly towards a life of nonviolence.

As part of my ongoing formation, I've read bits and pieces by the Jesuit, John Dear. Finally, I'm about half-way into his autobiographical A Persistent Peace.

On one hand, I'm disturbed and disappointed. Not with him, mind you, but with myself. I lack the courage, the stamina, the dedication to work towards peace even with a fraction of the passion to which he has dedicated his life.

Where do I find comfort? In St Paul's words to the people of Corinth. We all have been given different gifts from the same Spirit, all for the benefit of God's Kingdom here and to come.

While promoting peace may not be my primary vocation, such efforts can certainly be part of my journey.

Stay tuned!

On friends who are closer than family

It goes in spurts - I don't hear from anyone outside my immediate circle for months, and then, out of the blue, the e-mails start flowing and the phone starts ringing. In the past 24 hours, four of my drum corps brothers have been in touch over postings in my Saints Scribblings blog or just to touch base about something.

All this also comes at a time I really need it, or more specifically, need to be needed.

Coincidence? Of course not.

Thank you, Lord!

On Starting to Write Again

There's been a restlessness about me for the past month or so ... and I'm sure lots of it has to do with health issues being faced by those around me, and those with whom I've lost touch over the years.

Last night, I started to channel it all and start writing again. I've been able to come to peace with what needs to happen with two of the characters, and the ideas have begun to flow once more.

On Chilling Out

The snow's a beautiful sight through our living room picture window right now, and it's been that way on and off most of the day.

It's been a perfect day to just sit and watch some DVDs and such - brain candy for the day has been helpful in getting me to chill a bit with everything that's been going on.

It's a day for which to give thanks ...

On Getting Back to My Creative Side

During Sunday's RCIA session (Feast of the Epiphany), we were asked to answer an intriguing question during sponsor-candidate/catechumen discussion time: what gift will you offer to God?

For once, the topic gave me pause.

What gift, indeed?

I'm the first to admit I've been blessed with many gifts, talents, skills, abilities, and that I truly believe they're all from a divine origin. How do I narrow down to just one?

With a pause and some prayer, I decided on creativity.

Yesterday, I started taking some action to get back to my creative side. My office is loaded with too much stuff, providing too many distractions. A sterile environment is not what I seek, but rather a space where I have room to fashion, to write, to construct, to run the gamut from idea to fruition.

I've been out of balance for awhile, and this is one small step back there.

Looking Back, Looking Forward

2009 ...

What a time ...

At the end of the New Year's Eve Mass and prayer service, we have a tradition at St Matthias of pulling a small prayer stone randomly from a bag placed at the altar.

Proving yet again that coincidence is God's way of staying anonymous (thanks, Einstein, for the insight), the prayer stone I pulled was engraved with the word serenity.

Given the craziness of 2008, it's a perfect reminder.