My fiance shared a story about a friend of the family who died. It was a short story: he was diagnosed with cancer six weeks ago, and now he is dead. Six weeks. It will be seven months before she becomes my wife. Time is fleeting, I consider as these two timeframes cross my mind..well, they collide in my mind. Then more timeframes: five years before my youngest son graduates from high school, 20 years since I left my beloved photography to pursue a more stable career, two months before I hear back on a proposal I sent out. Six weeks, six weeks, six weeks....
It reminds me of the woman scoutmaster in New Mexico. She explained to me years ago that she was diagnosed with cancer and figured "I will not die living the life I am," and she divorced her husband and began living as she truly wanted. She was a cancer survivor, married to a different man, working mightily with the Boy Scouts, and a hero/ine to many young men. "I will not die living the life I am"...
Would you want to die living the life you are living now? Not me. I may be taking a slow turn to the changes I want, but I figure there are quicker ways to make the bend around. So, changes that are already afoot will come faster now. They have to. My dad used to tell me, "You ain't gonna learn any younger" whenever I wanted to try something new or different. It could be said that "you're not gonna begin living any sooner" either.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Monday, February 26, 2007
The Journey: Part Three
(c) Dion McInnis 2007. All rights reserved.
CONVERSATIONS
A couple of weeks ago, my youngest son and I were heading to the house. It was one of our weekends together, which always results in stories, fishing, laughter and a bit of craziness. On that day's drive, we added a conversation about God. I don't recall exactly how we got to the topic, but it is not where we started...just as it is for many in their questions about God. Those questions arise from other questions, like "why did I suffer the loss of my parent/child/spouse?" or "how was all this neat stuff really created in the first place?" It was something like the latter question that got us going.
We talked about God, creation and such, and then his questions became a bit more directed, like "what do you believe God is then, dad?"
We had a long, wonderful dialog lasting about 45 minutes and then he said, "We don't have conversations about God at home. This was interesting."
God is interesting. So are conversations about him, as long as the conversing parties can maintain mutual respect for each other's questions, answers and beliefs. We become better teachers of our faith when we actually teach it and encourage others to learn (there is a difference, you know); just like we become better believers when we share beliefs and converse with those with little or no belief.
Jesus' work was largely built on stories shared in conversations, with groups large and small. I don't imagine him having a library of self-help tapes and DVDs, actually. It was the give and take of conversation that spoke to the value of the downtrodden, the clarity of the Kingdom, and the role of discipleship.
...which leads me to another conversation, with a colleague. Once we finished our business chat, we found ourselves talking about faith, religion, and such, and I told him about this blog on "the journey." He asked a question: "Who do you believe God is?" It was an easy question to answer based on my beliefs and experiences, though the answer was not something memorized in an old catechism book (though influenced by it), nor from ministry classes (though influenced by them), nor from a multitude of religious and philosophical readings (though influenced by them).
...which leads me to another conversation, with my middle son. We were discussing jobs, roles, callings, making changes along the way while keep an eye on the ball. And what is "the ball' anyway? For me, it has to do with using the abilities that God gave me as fully as possible. Anything that impedes that is not tolerable over the long term, in my mind, and I feel that I will be called upon on Judgement Day to respond to the age-old question? "What did you do with what I gave you?" I figure that means the talents I was born with, the people who have influenced me throughout my life (either positively or negatively), the country and society that I live in with its temptations and its opportunities, my health, and so on. What HAVE I done with those things in order to fulfill a call to serve, to make the world a better place and to help others in MY way?
The point of this part of the journey is simple: Talk. Converse. Ask questions, answer questions. We as people connect in conversation, learn in conversation, are healed in conversation.
Years ago I delivered a homily on the theme that we are all Christophers, no matter what our name actually is, i.e., we are all Christ bearers, taking Christ from one place to another, from one side to the other, from one people to another. And it isn't easy. And that's okay. Conversing with others is one great way to carry the message....for yourself and for others.
CONVERSATIONS
A couple of weeks ago, my youngest son and I were heading to the house. It was one of our weekends together, which always results in stories, fishing, laughter and a bit of craziness. On that day's drive, we added a conversation about God. I don't recall exactly how we got to the topic, but it is not where we started...just as it is for many in their questions about God. Those questions arise from other questions, like "why did I suffer the loss of my parent/child/spouse?" or "how was all this neat stuff really created in the first place?" It was something like the latter question that got us going.
We talked about God, creation and such, and then his questions became a bit more directed, like "what do you believe God is then, dad?"
We had a long, wonderful dialog lasting about 45 minutes and then he said, "We don't have conversations about God at home. This was interesting."
God is interesting. So are conversations about him, as long as the conversing parties can maintain mutual respect for each other's questions, answers and beliefs. We become better teachers of our faith when we actually teach it and encourage others to learn (there is a difference, you know); just like we become better believers when we share beliefs and converse with those with little or no belief.
Jesus' work was largely built on stories shared in conversations, with groups large and small. I don't imagine him having a library of self-help tapes and DVDs, actually. It was the give and take of conversation that spoke to the value of the downtrodden, the clarity of the Kingdom, and the role of discipleship.
...which leads me to another conversation, with a colleague. Once we finished our business chat, we found ourselves talking about faith, religion, and such, and I told him about this blog on "the journey." He asked a question: "Who do you believe God is?" It was an easy question to answer based on my beliefs and experiences, though the answer was not something memorized in an old catechism book (though influenced by it), nor from ministry classes (though influenced by them), nor from a multitude of religious and philosophical readings (though influenced by them).
...which leads me to another conversation, with my middle son. We were discussing jobs, roles, callings, making changes along the way while keep an eye on the ball. And what is "the ball' anyway? For me, it has to do with using the abilities that God gave me as fully as possible. Anything that impedes that is not tolerable over the long term, in my mind, and I feel that I will be called upon on Judgement Day to respond to the age-old question? "What did you do with what I gave you?" I figure that means the talents I was born with, the people who have influenced me throughout my life (either positively or negatively), the country and society that I live in with its temptations and its opportunities, my health, and so on. What HAVE I done with those things in order to fulfill a call to serve, to make the world a better place and to help others in MY way?
The point of this part of the journey is simple: Talk. Converse. Ask questions, answer questions. We as people connect in conversation, learn in conversation, are healed in conversation.
Years ago I delivered a homily on the theme that we are all Christophers, no matter what our name actually is, i.e., we are all Christ bearers, taking Christ from one place to another, from one side to the other, from one people to another. And it isn't easy. And that's okay. Conversing with others is one great way to carry the message....for yourself and for others.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
The Journey: Part Two
Photo (c) copyright Dion McInnis 2005. All rights reserved.I'll build my own, thank you.
The Journey: Part One
(c) copyright Dion McInnis 2007. All rights reserved.
I'm a lifelong Catholic, active in the church for decades and at one time I took courses for the prerequisites for deaconate studies. Life continued to happen and the turmoil of the past five years pushed me out the doors, not further into the sanctuary of the...well, the sanctuary...the church. Self-study, self-prayer and self-searching led me to a variety of churches in hopes of having better prayer and conversation with God than I was having on my own in the places of my choosing. I couldn't find anything better. And not until now could I admit that, yes, I was lost.
During this time, I went to life's courtesy booth so the nice person behind the counter could call out across the universe like the lady does at Target: "Attention, please. There's a boy at the front of the store. He is upset because his parents are lost." I was lost, but too proud, scared or hurt to admit it, so, like the little boy at the store, I figured that perhaps someone could call out to connect me to my God. It doesn't really work that way, but it sort of does.
So this is the first part, the first recognition of the journey to share with you. What is the journey of a man who was so involved in church (details of that will follow over time) yet who couldn't find one in times of pain and change? What role does prayer play in daily life when the church's doors are closed? What does it take to say--like I did almost 20 years ago--"God, I surrender. I cannot even pretend to steer anymore. I will push and drive as hard as I can, with all the energy and talent that you have given me. But, I don't know where I'm going. You steer. If you have plans for me, it's best you take me to them 'cause I can't guess anymore."?
I've been to several denominations over the past few years, but I won't mention them much in this blog of "The Journey." I will share, however, the journey. I'm not taking a journey; it is taking me.
God bless.
I'm a lifelong Catholic, active in the church for decades and at one time I took courses for the prerequisites for deaconate studies. Life continued to happen and the turmoil of the past five years pushed me out the doors, not further into the sanctuary of the...well, the sanctuary...the church. Self-study, self-prayer and self-searching led me to a variety of churches in hopes of having better prayer and conversation with God than I was having on my own in the places of my choosing. I couldn't find anything better. And not until now could I admit that, yes, I was lost.
During this time, I went to life's courtesy booth so the nice person behind the counter could call out across the universe like the lady does at Target: "Attention, please. There's a boy at the front of the store. He is upset because his parents are lost." I was lost, but too proud, scared or hurt to admit it, so, like the little boy at the store, I figured that perhaps someone could call out to connect me to my God. It doesn't really work that way, but it sort of does.
So this is the first part, the first recognition of the journey to share with you. What is the journey of a man who was so involved in church (details of that will follow over time) yet who couldn't find one in times of pain and change? What role does prayer play in daily life when the church's doors are closed? What does it take to say--like I did almost 20 years ago--"God, I surrender. I cannot even pretend to steer anymore. I will push and drive as hard as I can, with all the energy and talent that you have given me. But, I don't know where I'm going. You steer. If you have plans for me, it's best you take me to them 'cause I can't guess anymore."?
I've been to several denominations over the past few years, but I won't mention them much in this blog of "The Journey." I will share, however, the journey. I'm not taking a journey; it is taking me.
God bless.
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Listen to Life: And Alive
“…AND ALIVE.”
She threw herself a birthday party this past weekend with a simple theme: "35 and alive." As much as I appreciated the invitation to attend, I more appreciated the meaning of the theme to her. And to everyone.
I first met Stephanie about five years ago after she left an abusive marriage and attended a creative workshop that I conducted for a women's shelter in the area. As she moved through her life's transitions, she put her thoughts into words and images, some of which appeared in exhibitions and the newspaper. I suppose that eight years ago she felt scared and desperate, with a child and in an abusive home. The day of the party showed a different scene--one of a courageous woman with a contagious smile who laughed while telling stories of her two part-time jobs, full-time school schedules and more.
The message -- the theme of her party -- carries a poignant reminder. No matter your age, you're still alive. That is reason enough to celebrate, bring your family and friends together, and share food and laughter.
Each of us has times of darkness, frustration, pain and discomfort, as well as joy, passion, enthusiasm and love. These are all part of being alive. Each day gives us cause to proclaim to others and ourselves, "35 (40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80..) and alive." Each day provides a chance to improve our circumstances, to invite others into our journey, and to celebrate.
Happy birthday, Stephanie.
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Listen to Life is an electronic newsletter that presents lessons for living by listening to life, based on the writing, poetry, photography, presentations and workshops of Dion McInnis. Stories such as these inspired the book, “Listen to Life: Wisdom in Life’s Stories,” published in 2005, available at Barnes and Noble, Amazon and Borders. Dion’s next book will share his views of being father and son. To subscribe, send an email to: addnewsletter@dionmcinnis.com. To be removed from the subscription list, send email to:unsubscribe@dionmcinnis.comWeb link: www.dionmcinnis.com© 2007 Dion McInnis. All rights reserved.We encourage sharing Listen to Life in whole or in part if copyright and attribution are always included. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Listen to Life: You're Beautiful
“YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL…”
“You’re beautiful,” the man said as he looked over my shoulder to the image of his wife that I showed him in my camera’s screen. The images that I create are not for the men in women’s lives, but for the women and for me. That makes the man’s comments more special. Each comment came in a whisper as a reaction to what he saw.
Of course I am proud when I hear such things, but there is something more important about the comments of Emily’s and Jennifer’s husbands: they were spoken spontaneously.
The men responded to the beauty of the women they love. The images were not glamorous, nor of the “beauty” genre, yet they clearly revealed beauty. The men responded with “you’re beautiful” with the power of loving whispers.
We all need to be open to beauty—particularly other than that which the media defines—and we need to respond to it. Respond to her.
Let beauty take our breath away, and allow ourselves to say so.
Listen to Life is an electronic newsletter that presents lessons for living by listening to life, based on the writing, poetry, photography, presentations and workshops of Dion McInnis. Stories such as these inspired the book, “Listen to Life: Wisdom in Life’s Stories,” published in 2005, available at Barnes and Noble, Amazon and Borders. Dion’s next book will share his views of being father and son.
To subscribe, send an email to: addnewsletter@dionmcinnis.com. To be removed from the subscription list, send email to:unsubscribe@dionmcinnis.comWeb link: www.dionmcinnis.com© 2007 Dion McInnis. All rights reserved.We encourage sharing Listen to Life in whole or in part if copyright and attribution are always included.
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