Thursday, September 29, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
You move me
01 What It's Like.mp3 by Laura Marie (USA)
This morning I had the pleasure of beginning my birthday performing with Chris Taylor, Onel Jimenez, Tim Phillips and Justin Schneider for our friends at Rockhills Church. It was comforting to sing and play with them because this is always, as it is for many, an emotional day for me. Yes, it's a day I celebrate life but also a day that I reflect on those who lost theirs in the events that took place 10 years ago. Last year, I remembered how I woke up on 9/11 and, with my infant son in my arms, headed downstairs to tun on the news. It hit me that we have been at war his entire life and, now, at 10 years old, he has questions about the events that took place then and concern about the events that are happening now. Here in Texas, the fires have us all on edge. We were concerned for friends and family on the East coast after earthquakes and hurricanes and remain concerned for those recovering and for those devestated by drought and fire here in Texas. This is a troubling time and my son has a compassionate heart. He struggles with it.
As our friends and leaders led us in prayer this morning, they called for a moment of silence. My younger son is 6 years old and I looked out from the stage at him when the moment of silence began. He immediately started to giggle. My husband quietly shushed him. I watched him as he snuck his arm up to his mouth thinking he was going to make a funny noise to break the silence. One look from his dad stopped him. I had to smile. I am so very grateful that the gravity of the moment didn't occur to him. That's what I want for both my children. Joy and innocence for as long as possible. As my 10 year old begins to realize that the world isn't always what he wants it to be, I have no doubt that his heart will be moved to help others in need. I have no doubt that my younger son will do the same as he gets older. But, for now, on this day with it's very solemn moments, I want to take time to giggle and make silly noises too. I want to remember, not just the fear but, the innocence we had before the fear. I want to celebrate life because I'm pretty sure that those who gave theirs would want that for us just as we want it for them.
Much love to you and yours. - LM
What It's Like
I’ve been sitting pretty. I’ve been standing still.
You move me to pieces with just your force of will.
And, oh, how much I suffer for all my thinking small
while you walk up in wonder and have no fear at all
and now I’d like to know what it’s like
to have the world at your command,
drop the reigns when life gets heavy in your hands.
With a spark of youth and a heart so full,
you’re my living proof that everything is possible
and now I’d like to know what it’s like
to be you as you’re living every moment.
Must be nice to be you taking life with arms wide open.
I think I’d like to know what it’s like
Will you show the world to me, the one I need to know,
with the innocence you see so I can watch you go.
And you keep running with your head held high, your arms outstretched,
a smile the only reason why.
And now I’d like to know what it’s like
to be you as you’re living every moment.
Must be nice to be you taking life with arms wide open.
I think I’d like to know what that’s like.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Going Back to the Start (blog)
Scientific progress makes moral progress a necessity; for if man's power is increased,the checks that restrain him from abusing it must be strengthened
- Madame De Stael
It's not that I don't appreciate, enjoy, utilize or even encourage science and progress. It's that, too often, we forge ahead without thought of the consequences. This is especially true if those consequences don't adversely, directly and immediately effect us.
My husband just returned from the Honduras where he helped to bring clean water to a village that was in need. The stories he came back with were amazing and all of them touching. But, what blew my mind was the fact that these people were struggling not only for water but, for money to buy seed for their staple crop of corn. Because of our increased demand for corn to make ethanol, prices have risen too high for them to afford. It blew me away. It never would have crossed my mind if he hadn't been there and talked to them. Why would it? How was I supposed to know? I don't mention this to blame anyone for trying to find alternative fuel sources or to make anyone feel guilty about the increased demand. I mention it to illustrate the point that every choice we make as a nation has an impact, not only on us, but on other countries and other people throughout the world.
It made me wonder, why don't we think before we do? If we did, would it matter? Do we have to meet those who would be adversely affected face to face for us to consider or even seek other options? I don't know.
I have to applaud people who have a heart for, not stopping "progress", but asking us to stop and think before we progress, to consider the impact and make changes accordingly. You don't have to be on one side or the other, for or against the world or the environment. We are capable of doing this. We are capable of considering our actions and the consequences of those actions before we act. Or, in cases where we have already moved ahead in a direction that has proved to be destructive, starting over.
Today, I came across this video featuring a cover of Coldplay's "The Scientist" by Willie Nelson for Chipotle. I'm not gonna lie. I teared up a bit. I've read that Willie has a passion for sustainable farming and that knowledge made the video that much more meaningful to me. Again, don't get me wrong. I'm not sitting here on my Mac telling you that technology is the devil. It's not. It is what it is and it is what we make of it. So, it's up to us. And, all we have to do is think beyond ourselves. Not perfectly, not completely. I mean, we are so far removed from so many processes that it's impossible to see our own hand in the destruction. All I'm asking is that you don't shut your eyes, ears and heart to what you can do to positively affect the world around you. Even if it's as little as the step we decided to take this year by buying produce direct and supporting a local sustainable farm. Or, as big as going to a foreign country and trying to have a positive impact on the lives of people there. The more people do it, the more businesses do it, the more the merrier. Do what you can do. Do it with love. - Laura Marie
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Your good thoughts and prayers, please
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/07/world/asia/07afghanistan.html
Really, to all who have lost their lives in this war. This news is incredibly sobering as a member of my family, my brother in law Richard Marsh, is deployed today. In an hour he will be on his way to Afghanistan. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and I'm glad my sister and my nephews are here with us during this difficult transition. For those of you in spiritual practice, I ask for your thoughts and prayers for them, for the families of those who were lost today and for all our service men and women. I want them to know our hearts are with them.
Sincerely an with deepest hope,
Laura Marie
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Monday, August 1, 2011
Happy Anniversary, Love!!!(blog)
That dweam within a dweam...
Today is my...ahem...19th wedding anniversary. I'm married to an incredible man. He leaves on Friday to spend his birthday digging trenches in the Honduras to help provide clean water to a village that has never had running water before. This will change lives and I'm so incredibly proud of him for doing this. Pete has a tremendous heart. I knew this when I married him.
A lot can happen in 19 years and a lot has happened. Marriage is throwing yourself into the fire to be changed and to see what you're made of. You will hurt like nothing else before and, because of that, you have the opportunity to love like you never have before and be loved more than you ever thought possible. I guess I could say the same about being a parent but it's different with marriage because it's often much more of a choice than parenting is. You most likely do not accidentally get married and stay married. :) And, unlike parenting in my experience, when you are hurt in marriage, you're instinct tells you to run instead of telling you to open your arms and love past it. But, over the years, we have and I'm grateful for that. Because of my marriage, I can look into myself and say I chose the right person to spend my life with, that I actually listened to the most honest part of me and, when I did, love was there.
To Pete, I love you always in all ways. - L
If you have the Google Chrome browser, watch the video here: http://www.allisnotlo.st/videoend_ja.html?mid=CfMPORj80gG
If you'd like to donate to the project for clean water, you still can here in support of Pete Kleffner: https://dlq4.donatelinq.net/qv10/Default.aspx?MerchantID=Rockhills
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Heaven
The first time I heard this song I cried.
It says something amazing. What does belief matter if we make no difference here? In a Billboard interview Matt Dennen said, "If the after life is something that we are going to have this faith in, something we all might look forwards to, better than what we have going on here, then why not work to try and recreate those conditions, here on earth."
Kind of puts things into perspective. I don't talk much about my faith publicly for good reason. There are too many misconceptions about what each of us believes and sometimes we aren't even sure what we believe until we start questioning exactly what that is. And, in the midst of questioning, everything changes. One thing I do know, is when I really ask, from the depths of my heart, "How can I honor the love that created me?", the answer is never to judge another. It's always "be love" however I can be.
- LM
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