Isn't this what we are dreaming about?

I've been busy this week - sorry I didn't get something out on Monday. In the meantime, here is John Welsford making a point about how paying for "toys" can support a large community (something I touched on a while back from Antino Dias).

Furthermore: doesn't this video sum it up?

Blessed Be,
Joel



Twenty Eight Feet: life on a little wooden boat from kevinAfraser on Vimeo.

Compassion

 I don't know about you, but this last week has seemed remarkably busy. Preparing for Pentecost, the end of the school year activities and what with getting boats cleaned up and ready for the water ... occasionally we loose sight of things. So, this morning found me spending time catching up with devotional reading, when I ran across the following (see below). I must say, that quite often, I find folks sharing compassion with one another in this boating context. If only we carried this forward into all our aspects of life - both personal and organizational.

Blessed Be,

Joel

What should you do?
Do good by doing compassion
to everyone
you know needs it.
Expect adversity.
Bear adversity with love
     ~ Mechtild of Magdeburg

Here is some plain and simple advice. it is easy to be good to those who are good to us. It is easy to be compassionate and giving when things are going our way. We can be sweet when life feels sweet to us. it is not easy when circumstances are hard. This is the true test of our openheartedness. And yes, the universe does test us! So expect adversity. This isn't negative. This is a realistic appraisal of life. It has ups and downs. If we can bring a sense of equanimity, a sense of balance, to life's trails, the trails will be less burdensome. Adverse conditions, like all conditions, can and do change. And we will come out lighter, without bitterness, if we bring a calm acceptance to these unavoidable times.
     ~ Diane Mariechild. Open Mind. (HarperSanFrancisco, 1995), May 31.

A Flower Communion Prayer for Pentecost Sunday

Pentecost is a coming this Sunday (June 8th). I thought these Flower Communion prayers by Norbert Capek appropriate for the way they remind us of the importance our various gifts bring to the whole world.

Rev. Dr. Capek started Flower Communion in 1926 in Prague as a closing ritual prior to the summer recess. Everyone would bring a flower on their way to church (from their own garden or from along the road-side). These flowers would make a wonderful bouquet. At the end of the service, the congregation would leave with a different flower.

Consecration of the Flowers
Infinite Spirit of Life, we ask thy blessing on these thy messengers of fellowship and love.
May they remind us of the value of comradeship, of doing and sharing alike.
May we cherish friendship as one of thy most precious gifts.
May we not let awareness of another's talents discourage us, or sully our relationship, but may we realize that whatever we can do, great or small, the efforts of all of us are needed to do thy work in this world.
~ Norbert Capek

Blessed Be,
Joel