I got a poster mailed to me this week from the Peace Alliance. I used to think that our generation was going to be the one to end war. We had a lot of idealism in the 1960’s and 1970’s. We’d lived through Vietnam with its lies and subterfuge and we were seasoned. Continue reading “What Dad’s really want…”
Then and now..
The Concert for Bangladesh occurred in August 1971. It’s been nearly thirty-six years since then and we’re at another watershed of emotion in world affairs. Will we turn our back on the suffering in Darfur? Will we turn our back on the suffering in Iraq and throughout the middle east. Continue reading “Then and now..”
The lilies of the field
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin
As I turned onto Route 1 in the hamlet of Nile on my way to Mt. Irenaeus I was greeted with fields of flowers blooming everywhere. There were phlox, daisies and buttercups and other varieties that I cannot name. There were flowers everywhere in the fields along the road this morning on the Feast of Corpus Christi. Continue reading “The lilies of the field”
Genesee River Valley
I went flying again tonight. It was a beautiful night. I got the Skyhawk out of the hangar, preflighted and and taxied to the end of Runway 4 at Olean Airport. There was a slight quartering headwind but it was light. After I taxied onto the runway I pushed the throttle all the way in and kept ‘003 centered on the runway with some right rudder pressure. Continue reading “Genesee River Valley”
Business for Human Beings
Ubuntu is the belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity. It’s a unique and timely concept. Ubuntu’s slogan, “Linux for human beings,” is an extension of the concept. Imagine such a radical concept as an active concern for all humanity and even the world itself. It almost sounds like a concept advanced by St. Francis of Assisi. Continue reading “Business for Human Beings”
Fully engaged
Winning is important to me, but what brings me real joy is the experience of being fully engaged in whatever I’m doing.
Phil Jackson
I like Phil Jackson and I like this quote. One of my favorite books is Sacred Hoops:Spiritual Lessons of a Hardwood Warrior. There’s more than basketball to that book.
We are all one
St. Francis of Assisi saw all creation as brother and sister and bearing the imprint of the Most High. That’s an abstract concept and not easily seen or even practiced. Tonight I heard a fellow speak of DNA and how we’re all comprised of the same elements. Not long ago while reading a book by Thich Nhat Hanh he spoke of looking deeply and seeing ancestors in each of us and all of us. Continue reading “We are all one”
Listening
“Give us this day our daily bread,” are the words to the Lord’s Prayer or Our Father. This prayer reminds me if I listen to it that there is only one day that is important and that is today. Tomorrow is not reality and neither is yesterday. The only important time is now. Continue reading “Listening”
Laudate Dominum
The taize chant Laudate Dominum has been with me since Saturday night. The haunting melody and words were with me Saturday night, when I awoke Sunday, on my way to Mass that day. Yesterday as I ran five miles in the rain to begin my day the chant was on my lips and in my heart. Sometimes prayers just pray their way through me and I don’t really understand why.
I am fortunate too
This came in the mail from Gratefulness.org
Everyday, think as you wake up: Today I am fortunate to have woken up. I am alive. I have a precious human life. I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself to expand my heart out to others for the benefit of all beings.
His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama