“There is no way to peace along the way of safety. For peace must be dared. Peace is the great venture. It can never be safe. Peace is the opposite of security.”
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer
What do I want more – security or peace?
Today, I’m choosing peace. And I hope that I always do.
“I ask you right here please to agree with me that a scar is never ugly. That is what the scar makers want us to think. But you and I, we must make an agreement to defy them. We must see all scars as beauty. Okay? This will be our secret. Because take it from me, a scar does not form on the dying. A scar means, I survived.
In a few breaths’ time I will speak some sad words to you. But you must hear them the same way we have agreed to see scars now. Sad words are just another beauty. A sad story means, this storyteller is alive. The next thing you know, something fine will happen to her, something marvelous, and then she will turn around and smile.”
-Chris Cleave, “Little Bee”
- – - – - – - -
If you haven’t read this book, you need to remedy this as ASAP as possible. As possible.
“Adieu to disappointment and spleen. What are men to rocks and mountains.”
-Elizabeth Bennet, “Pride and Prejudice”
Marilla: Would you want to marry a wicked man?
Anne Shirley: Well, I wouldn’t marry anyone who was really wicked – but I think I’d like it if he could be wicked, and wouldn’t.
I promise to not make this blog into one never-ending series called “What I’m Reading – and So Should You!” But – sue me, people – I’m reading a lot right now. And unless you want to hear about my dream last night (I killed a wild hog), then thank your lucky stars that it’s a post about a book.
At the suggestion of my cutie friend Carrie Cohen (SHOUT OUT), I’m currently reading “The Art of Racing in the Rain,” by Garth Stein. The narrator (who happens to be a dog – stay with me) gives an account of the family that he lives with, all the while waxing poetic about life, philosophy, and race car driving – which he has learned a great deal about from his master. Maybe it’s a silly idea, allowing a dog to narrate, but so far, it’s a fun shift of perspective.
Here’s one of my favorite passages – and yes, this is the dog thinking:
“The true hero is flawed. The true test of a champion is not whether he can triumph, but whether he can overcome obstacles – preferably of his own making – in order to triumph. A hero without a flaw is of no interest to an audience or to the universe, which, after all, is based on conflict and opposition, the irresistible force meeting the unmovable object. Which is also why Michael Schumacher, clearly one of the most gifted Formula One drivers of all time, winner of more races, winner of more championships, holder of more pole positions than any other driver in Formula One history, is often left off of the race fan’s list of favorite champions. He is unlike Ayrton Senna, who often employed the same devious and daring tactics as Schumacher, but did so with a wink and therefore was called charismatic and emotional rather than what they call Schumacher: remote and unapproachable. Schumacher has no flaws. He has the best car, the best-financed team, the best tires, the most skill. Who can rejoice in his wins? The sun rises every day. What is to love? Lock the sun in a box. Force the sun to overcome adversity in order to rise. Then we will cheer!”
Hilarious that Stein attributes thoughts like these to a mere mongrel of a dog – but also, a little bit poignant. Because if we’re honest, even – and maybe especially – in our simplest moments, don’t we feel the exact same way?
Perfection is boring – and so it’s interesting to me that we often expect the people around us to be perfect. Why do we insist on something other than just real life with others? If we’re honest, wouldn’t we rather experience someone’s flaws – with the hope and expectation that they just might triumph over their shortcomings? Wouldn’t we love to be a part of that?
Wouldn’t we love for others to give us that chance?
Wouldn’t we love to give ourselves that chance?
“She may not look like much, but she’s got it where it counts, kid.”
-Han Solo
“Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it.”
This, one of my favorite quotes, is by a man whose name I did not know how to pronounce – that is, until yesterday.
Now, I don’t sprechen no Deutsch. So the fact that I’ve spent the last 10 years referring to this man as “Geth” is, on the one hand, understandable – and on the other hand, totally mortifying.
Sort of like yesterday at lunch, when I ordered the “tuna niçoise” salad – and right then and there, the waiter CORRECTED me. “Not ‘ni-swahhhhh.’ ‘Nee-SWAHZZZZZ.’”
Well, es-CUUUUUZE.
It’s September 28, and on tap to be 92 degrees today. While I am seriously perturbed at Denver’s unwillingness to budge into fall, the good news is that there is no snow in the mountains, and I was able to get several more 14ers under my belt this past Saturday.
I did the Decalibron – that is, I climbed Democrat, Cameron, Lincoln, and Bross, all mountains over 14,000 feet high. I don’t know that I have a goal of climbing all 54 of the Colorado 14ers, but with 12 down, I’m well on my way.
- – - – - – - -
On Sunday, I bought a piano. I know I’m only 36 hours in, but I am absolutely giddy over this new acquisition. For the last two nights, I’ve stayed up playing it for hours. It’s a necessity for getting ready to record some demos when I’m in Nashville in December.
That’s right, folks: new songs are on their way. I’m stoked (yes, I said it: STOKED) about sharing them – even if a few aren’t entirely finished yet. Nothing like a deadline.
- – - – - – - -
I’m pretty sure that my life these days could be summed up this way:
“You climb a mountain because it’s there; you write a song because it’s not.” -Jon Foreman
Well, what can I say. There you are, chugging up the hill, successfully pulling the heavy load – and then in one brief moment, the balance shifts, and the load is pulling you.
Life is a cosmic tug of war.
- – - – - – - -
So, tug.
- – - – - – - -
Laughing Cow now makes blue cheese wedges.
If you don’t like blue cheese, you won’t like them. Then again, if you don’t like blue cheese, it’s time to accept the fact that you just don’t have good taste. Then AGAIN again, Laughing Cow is made of “cheese product” – so why do I admit to loving it anyway?
- – - – - – - -
Tug.
- – - – - – - -
Do you know Holly and Meagan? If you don’t, you should. I (finally) met them in person on Sunday night, and they are the deep sigh of relief you breathe when you realize your soul is safe.
It’s a rare thing for me to fall head-over-heels in love with people so instantly. We’re already scheming ways to see each other again.
- – - – - – - -
Tug.
- – - – - – - -
I am not in control – even when I think I am, I’m not. I cannot force the world to spin a certain way, nor can I force anyone else to act or think or feel any way other than the way they are going to act or think or feel.
But I always have a choice for me.
- – - – - – - -
Tug.
- – - – - – - -
“Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
- Christopher Robin to Pooh
