Wednesday, May 8, 2013

What Shall I Write About?

 
 
Let's see . . .  there was the National Day of Prayer breakfast.  I was reminded, as I sat in a banquet room with 450 people and listened to prayers that were 100% Christian and essentially included an altar call (in words, not acts) and a rousing singing of "God Bless America," that two years ago I served on my home city's committee for an interfaith commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.   These were very different experiences and events.  I could write about those.  Or not.
 
Monday I went to an outstanding program on suicide prevention for clergy and mental health professionals.  I learned some things that were immediately helpful, and heard some viewpoints that were disturbing.  I could write about that.  Or not.
 
This afternoon I am co-officiating at a funeral with a Church of the Brethren pastor.  We have some, uh, differences.  I could write about that.  Or not.
 
Last night I was told that if I were a more experienced pastor, I would know when to remain silent.  I could write about that.  Or not.
 
I am having some trouble here.  In general.  Last week someone who knows about these things said to me, in a good kind of way (I think), that I am an extremely self-actualized person.  I don't really understand what that means, but I think it explains why I am having some trouble.  In general.
 
I think what I'll write about is this: On my walk this morning, I saw a red-headed woodpecker.  Made my day.  And it wasn't even 8:00.


 

9 comments:

  1. I had to google "self-actualized" -- this seemed helpful, though I've not idea how much authoritative weight to throw its way: http://www.amid.com/werd/15-traits-of-the-self-actualized-person/

    I'm glad you wrote about the red-headed woodpecker :) I can only hear the woodpecker that lives nearby, I've never seen him/her

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    1. I particularly like these two:

      tends to do most things creatively, but does not necessarily possess great talent -- LOLOL! so true, and

      Is capable of detachment from culture; can objectively compare cultures and can take or leave conventions.


      I had - and I'm serious - been thinking earlier this morning that I wish I had taken more classes in anthropology, because I feel like an anthropologist these days.

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  2. It is amazing the situations to which you are led. Each brings with it a certain tension but the Lord has brought you to those places. Having said that, I'm glad that you wrote about the woodpecker - God is in all things.

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  3. Definitely the bird....most days I just don't write about anything...because I simply can't figure out how to articulate the stuff of my life.

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  4. Oops - I think the word I was looking for was self-differentiated. I am not good with these words.

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  5. nature transcends our petty, and not so petty, human differences. yay for nature.

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  6. What you said. I so get the 'or not'. I am glad you are my friend and the woodpecker is beautiful.

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  7. I dig woodpeckers. And there is no way I will add "or not"

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