“Adversity introduces us to ourselves.”
I found that this week.
I like it and don’t like it at the same time.
I like it because I’m sure it’s true.
I don’t like it because I’m sure it’s true.
Whenever it is that you meet yourself… I hope you like who you meet.
I was out a few times today on this warm Saturday and noticed a couple things that made me smile.
An old truck was on the Ring Road. It had wooden walls on the sides of its box to hold a whole heap of garbage bags. The homemade walls were painted up green and white with Rider slogans all over. I pulled past the driver to see him fully decked in his gear. Rider green shirt and hat to boot.
A few blocks later, I pulled up to a light alongside a car flying two Rider flags flying out the windows. Who’s in the car? Two old fellows (both could have been 80!).
So why the “green-ness” all over town, you ask? A playoff push? Game day?
Nope.
It’s training camp. Haven’t even got the roster nailed down yet.
And that’s why Riderville rocks!
My friend Adrian brings this great story to the web. We’re not actually friends, but I saw him on stage once, so that counts for something.
Enjoy my friend Adrian…
A spiritual seeker interrupted a busy life to spend a few days in a monastery.
“I hope your stay is a blessed one,” said the monk who showed the visitor to his cell. “If you need anything, let us know and we’ll teach you how to live without it.”
A bit I read today…
When a journalist asked Thomas Merton to diagnose the leading spiritual disease of our time, the monk gave a curious one-word answer: Efficiency.
Why?
“From the monastery to the Pentagon, the plant has to run… and there is little time or energy left over after that to do anything else.”
Hmm.
A part of me feels what he’s describing. Another part of me says, “Yeah, but what do you suggest?” A third part of me just says, “Jay, take this much to heart–make sure you spend yourself on what you deem most worthwhile. If you don’t, how you get spent will be determined by forces outside of yourself. And these forces are not likely to care whether they’re lining up with your Maker’s wishes for your life or not. You’ll have to exercise that control yourself.”
Any part of you responding to Mr. Merton?