Passion and Movements

"Nothing worthwhile is ever accomplished wihtout passion . . ."

A movement happens when a number of people share similar passions. They 'click' - sharing similar concerns, challenges, hopes and often with shared vision and values.

But certainly shared passion also calls for shared action and outreach to the benefit of others - ie. beyond an organization or group being together for mere co-dependent affiliation and its own collective benefits.

People who share passion and vision begin to collaborate to address, or enter, or move forward.

MOVEMENTS tend to become become mere organizations, losing 'steam' - losing passion. Beware the tendency of a MAN even though his shared vision and dreams become that of a MOVEMENT only to have his memory carved on a MONUMENT and to have the whole matter end up as in a MAUSOLEUM.

Mavericks and entrepreneurs join movements -- not institutions and organizations. Too often (if they do find themselves part of an organization), they leave or are forced out, for institutions and organizations always lean towards bureaucracy and are often frightened by risk and creativity. For example, churches and denominations don't know what to do with mavericks, passionate people -- emergents. Missional and 'outside-the-box' thinking and caring leaders (apostles, prophets, evangelists) are needed in Christian churches, denominations and organizations (if they can stomach it) and not just those leaders who are more apt to think inside-the box (such as pastors and teachers, administrators, facilitators).

Can the organization in which you serve remain efficient and caring (moving beyond bureaucracy) and yet also attract, keep and release passionate people with new ideas?

Beannacht

Another blessing - 'for Josie' - in the beginning of John O'Donohue's wonderful book on soulfriendship, entitled: Anam Cara.

On the day when
the weight deadens
on your shoulders
and you stumble,
may the clay dance
to balance you.

And when your eyes
freeze behind
the gray window
and the ghost of loss
gets in to you,
may a flock of colours,
indigo, red, green
and azure blue
come to awaken in you
a meadow of delight.

When the canvas frays
in the curach of thought
and a stain of ocean
blackens beneath you,
may there come across the waters
a path of yellow moonlight
to bring you safely home.

May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
may the clarity of light be yours,
may the fluency of the ocean be yours,
may the protection of the ancestors be yours.

And so may a slow
wind work these words
of love around you,
an invisible cloak
to mind your life.

Blessing

A profound and helpful blessing - my favorite for each day.

The Lorica of St. Patrick

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth and His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In preachings of the apostles,
In faiths of confessors,
In innocence of virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.

I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me;
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's hosts to save me
From snares of the devil,
From temptations of vices,
From every one who desires me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a mulitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and evil,
Against every cruel merciless power that opposes my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of women and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.
Christ shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that reward may come to me in abundance.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through a confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation

St. Patrick (ca. 377)

Summer Relationships

In the summer sunshine heat and stresses of life, deep relationships, like swimming pools, are very welcome gifts. Yet sometimes the soil from normal plunge and frolic along with life's debris and wind's litter can blow in seed-keys, flower-petals, leaves. Normal care and upkeep with necessary extrications and clarifying conditioners can keep friendships in good repair. Then once again can come times of refreshing.